Finally finished reading it. My feelings are mixed, and mostly mirror yours.
Rebekah Send a noteboard - 19/02/2011 02:25:08 PM
Apart from the literary theory bit, of course.
I too found the beginning of the book (well, first half) sub-par and frustrating. I felt that she didn't let me make up my own mind about the characters, which was irritating. And I didn't really get to know any of them.
That last point didn't change with the rest of the book. We DON't really get to know the characters, but I was ok with that by then.
You're absolutely right that the way she tells history is incredible. I didn't really notice it for a while, and then when I realised what she was doing I was very impressed.
On the whole, I'm conflicted. Unlike you, her commas annoyed me so very much. But like you, I loved the description of the World Exhibition in Paris. I hated all of the characters - apart from Griselda, perhaps - but I loved what she ended up doing with some of them.
However.
AND HERE BE SPOILERS! (In white font, because I am nice.)
Why did she kill all of the boys apart from Florian?! Poor Olive. Poor Humphrey. That made me very sad. But I guess maybe it was representative of what happened in WWI?
I too found the beginning of the book (well, first half) sub-par and frustrating. I felt that she didn't let me make up my own mind about the characters, which was irritating. And I didn't really get to know any of them.
That last point didn't change with the rest of the book. We DON't really get to know the characters, but I was ok with that by then.
You're absolutely right that the way she tells history is incredible. I didn't really notice it for a while, and then when I realised what she was doing I was very impressed.
On the whole, I'm conflicted. Unlike you, her commas annoyed me so very much. But like you, I loved the description of the World Exhibition in Paris. I hated all of the characters - apart from Griselda, perhaps - but I loved what she ended up doing with some of them.
However.
AND HERE BE SPOILERS! (In white font, because I am nice.)
Why did she kill all of the boys apart from Florian?! Poor Olive. Poor Humphrey. That made me very sad. But I guess maybe it was representative of what happened in WWI?
*MySmiley*
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt
- 22/04/2010 08:07:52 PM
5353 Views
It's on my reading list - all Byatt books are.
- 22/04/2010 09:28:44 PM
1555 Views
Re: I haven't read it yet. So I have not read your review.
- 23/04/2010 10:08:57 PM
1553 Views
Re: I haven't read it yet. So I have not read your review.
- 23/04/2010 10:36:25 PM
1502 Views
Re: 
Okay. I also like her Virgin in the Garden.
- 23/04/2010 10:42:48 PM
1615 Views
Okay. I also like her Virgin in the Garden.
- 23/04/2010 10:42:48 PM
1615 Views
*adds a warm recommendation of Babel Tower, A Whistling Woman and presumably their prequels* *NM*
- 24/04/2010 12:21:01 AM
913 Views
Finally finished reading it. My feelings are mixed, and mostly mirror yours.
- 19/02/2011 02:25:08 PM
1473 Views
Re: Finally finished reading it. My feelings are mixed, and mostly mirror yours.
- 19/02/2011 10:12:51 PM
1491 Views