I read this over 20 years ago, and what stayed with me was how the relationship between Christmas and Joanna flipped around. Who is the victim and of I read this over 20 years ago, and what stayed with me was how the relationship between Christmas and Joanna flipped around. Who is the victim and of what?
This time around the writing itself stands out and how everyone is haunted by something and are not aware that they are haunted. The writing sprawls and points to the misunderstood desire of the time. Much like Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, the collaboration between James Agee and Walker Evans that came about a decade after.
I couldn’t finish it this time and remember struggling to finish it last time around. I don’t understand why it keeps going, the overarching point. Perhaps the third time will make sense....more
I’m beginning to soften around my reading choices. I enjoyed this and found insightfulness and complexity. Is it going to stick with me for a lifetimeI’m beginning to soften around my reading choices. I enjoyed this and found insightfulness and complexity. Is it going to stick with me for a lifetime of pondering? No. Is it meant to? No. It’s very good....more
I think I’m going to be a Tana French completist via audio book. I only need a good story line and good insight into characters from her. She deliversI think I’m going to be a Tana French completist via audio book. I only need a good story line and good insight into characters from her. She delivers....more
Gabriel Garcia Marquez makes me wistful because I know there is no other story teller like him and no other world like the one he brings you into. WheGabriel Garcia Marquez makes me wistful because I know there is no other story teller like him and no other world like the one he brings you into. When it comes to magical realism, he is the best. All others are only following his lead....more
I really enjoyed the writing. The book is full of these pockets of insight into a mind that questions what is present. Can I use the word existential I really enjoyed the writing. The book is full of these pockets of insight into a mind that questions what is present. Can I use the word existential without making the book sound overly meta? It's not. Her writing is so good I could have easily finished this over the course of a weekend had my life permitted it. I couldn't wait to get back to the book.
Then the last say 1/4 of the story began to melt revealing the meta in a watered down way. Kind of like seeing a bad depiction of magical realism. It did get a little like a fairy tale at the end, but bumped against the rest of the reality and the machinations of the writer. It was like the existential questions she was working through by writing the book took the wheel and didn't know how to drive the book home. Was it awful or talking over me? Not at all. I want to read something else by her and just might pick her up when I am in need of something lighter if this is how it goes with her.
I recommend it if you are looking for something smart and engaging....more
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