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nini23's review against another edition
4.25
Extremely layered and satisfying. Disintegrating dilapidated manor house in the English countryside with a librarian and archivist - dystopian ecolit/clific combined with feminist art critique. Why is the European conquest of land depicted with pillaging of women's bodies in paintings? I wish it had made mention of other continents like the Pacific Islands that would be on the frontline of rising ocean levels and climate change (cyclones, droughts, freshwater insecurity, warming ocean temperatures with coral reef bleaching) instead of concentrating on England and Europe. Ditto with the artwork and literature references. I had to look up Turner as the protagonist Penelope's thesis is on his works. Amid environment deterioration, can art last and transcend? Does art matter in a time of survival?
Had some real life resonance in the news of at least a dozen asylum seekers drowning trying to reach English shores. In the novel, Penelope (always waiting-reference to Homer's Odyssey) addresses them as travellers, some sound like climate refugees.
I felt some revulsion every time the perspective swung to Julian, perhaps that is the intention. Not sure the point on lingering on his past ( witnessing a random axe murder as a child does not make a rapist ) and thoughts, the documentation of his journey across a few major European cities shows the crumbling of social order and ecosystems. Although the choice of the piece of classical music he was listening to was significant, and his train almost suicide scene strangely riveting, the choice to show his POV is still perplexing. Perhaps to show stark contrast to brother Aidan who is white moonlight? Lastly, I am always wary of analogies between defilation of women's bodies and that of the environment.
Chuffed by the reference to Maria Gainza in the acknowledgements as that's who I was thinking of when reading the book although I read Portrait of an Unknown Lady and not Optic Nerve.
Overall, a very worthwhile and timely read. 4.4 ⭐️
Had some real life resonance in the news of at least a dozen asylum seekers drowning trying to reach English shores. In the novel, Penelope (always waiting-reference to Homer's Odyssey) addresses them as travellers, some sound like climate refugees.
I felt some revulsion every time the perspective swung to Julian, perhaps that is the intention. Not sure the point on lingering on his past (
Chuffed by the reference to Maria Gainza in the acknowledgements as that's who I was thinking of when reading the book although I read Portrait of an Unknown Lady and not Optic Nerve.
Overall, a very worthwhile and timely read. 4.4 ⭐️
alexanedesbiens's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
candalma's review against another edition
Really don’t know how I feel about it. Liked it, though unsure how much.
baileychui's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alyx30's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
emmymars's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
3.0
laran_s's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
noapathy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Set in the near future after environmental degradation takes its toll on society, this novel is structured as an art historian‘s journal dealing with a violent turning point in her life. It contains many thoughtful reflections on misogyny and destruction in art and life, but still fell a bit flat for me.
notoriousesr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
In the warming-devastated near future, art historian Penelope is finishing up the archives at Mornington Hall, her home for the last 20-odd years, before it is demolished. The imminent return of her brother-in-law, who sexually abused her years before, turns her final days at Mornington into a prismatic interrogation of art and trauma.
Landscapes started slow, but I found myself getting more and more invested in Penelope’s story as the book went on. Lai’s prose is unparalleled, and her style works seamlessly with the cross-genre nature of the book (part fictional memoir, part archival record, part essay collection). I won’t say this is a perfect book--at times it was a bit slow--but I will say that it is a rare piece of literary fiction that is absolutely worth a read if you like intellectually-stimulating, compassionate, reflective works. And it’s her debut! How lucky we are! Landscapes is an easy 4.5 Turner artworks.