anthonysimon99's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.5
hannah1989's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
moverton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.75
devinelybookish's review against another edition
2.0
As I have said, it is interesting to read this alongside Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal as they both tie in very well with each other. Originally, I read this in college and hated it. When I studied Sexing the Cherry at university, I hated Winterson even more. The main problem was that I did not like postmodern writing very much and Winterson's work baffled and confused me. I did not see the point in her writing.
In my final year of university though, we studied her Oranges and Happy and after researching more about her life, I realised that there was more of a purpose in these two pieces. After conducting my own research on the postmodern and her work, I became apparent, to me anyway, that she was experimenting with the idea's of genre, and our concept of telling truth and fiction. This book can be compromised of three different elements: the reality, where we see the character Jeanette's life; the fantastical, where the narrative changes to a faery-tale quality; and finally, a more philosophical narrative is prescribed where she even debates the ides of fact and fiction in history. I picked to write my final essay on these two pieces because the question delved into the ideas of fiction and memoir. Through research and interpretation, I feel that both books contain both elements of truth and fiction and that Winterson deliberately disrupted the boundaries of her work to make it difficult to classify. The fictional elements can be seen as just another method of telling the truth. In her memoir she states how she has used fiction in Happy because she cannot write a true account of her life.
If one does not like postmodern writing then I do not recommend this or any of Winterson's work. If you are interested then I think this and Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal is a great read.
In my final year of university though, we studied her Oranges and Happy and after researching more about her life, I realised that there was more of a purpose in these two pieces. After conducting my own research on the postmodern and her work, I became apparent, to me anyway, that she was experimenting with the idea's of genre, and our concept of telling truth and fiction. This book can be compromised of three different elements: the reality, where we see the character Jeanette's life; the fantastical, where the narrative changes to a faery-tale quality; and finally, a more philosophical narrative is prescribed where she even debates the ides of fact and fiction in history. I picked to write my final essay on these two pieces because the question delved into the ideas of fiction and memoir. Through research and interpretation, I feel that both books contain both elements of truth and fiction and that Winterson deliberately disrupted the boundaries of her work to make it difficult to classify. The fictional elements can be seen as just another method of telling the truth. In her memoir she states how she has used fiction in Happy because she cannot write a true account of her life.
If one does not like postmodern writing then I do not recommend this or any of Winterson's work. If you are interested then I think this and Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal is a great read.
meririvilla's review against another edition
3.0
me gusto especialmente el intertwinig the diferent historias que eran la misma en paralelo y en diferentes situatciones. el main punto de vista era un niña que crece con su madre llena de la iglesia y como de niña traga todo lo que le da su madre pensando que ven el mundo de la misma forma.
pero una vez se enamora de niñas veces separadas y su madre se entera acaba ostrazized en su iglesa, amigas y madre, que la deja de la casa tras ella cree que su hija es un demonio.
es parte autobiografica, y las partes de realista me gustaron especialmente.
pero tambien hay algo que se sentia rushed y el ending con su madre me hubiera visto mas sus conversaciones sobre como era, sobre como pudo llegar a tolerar a los demonios de su hija o las mentiras de la iglesia. o un arrepentimiento a todo el tiempo y energia que le dio a una institucion que no hizo mas que arruinar a gente y sus relaciones.
en conclusion se sintio como un comind of age, y creo que el tema de gente creciendo en cult especialmente centrado en religion me parece muy interesante para observar ficcionalmente la idea de que alguien tan tan brainwashed puede acabar cambiando su opinion.
pero una vez se enamora de niñas veces separadas y su madre se entera acaba ostrazized en su iglesa, amigas y madre, que la deja de la casa tras ella cree que su hija es un demonio.
es parte autobiografica, y las partes de realista me gustaron especialmente.
pero tambien hay algo que se sentia rushed y el ending con su madre me hubiera visto mas sus conversaciones sobre como era, sobre como pudo llegar a tolerar a los demonios de su hija o las mentiras de la iglesia. o un arrepentimiento a todo el tiempo y energia que le dio a una institucion que no hizo mas que arruinar a gente y sus relaciones.
en conclusion se sintio como un comind of age, y creo que el tema de gente creciendo en cult especialmente centrado en religion me parece muy interesante para observar ficcionalmente la idea de que alguien tan tan brainwashed puede acabar cambiando su opinion.
zabthefab's review against another edition
3.0
3.5* it was good, but not what I expected, and half of the time I had no idea what was going on, which isn't eeally a problembut a bit confusing
andreaitziar's review against another edition
4.0
Con tintes autobiográficos, la autora nos cuenta la historia de Janette, de su viaje hacia la madurez física y sexual y, sobre todo, el contexto bajo el cual va a tener que, irremediablemente, escoger entre dos mundos que, si bien son muy distintos, no tendrían porque estar reñidos. 'Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit' es la lucha interna entre la persona que quieren que seas y tu yo realista e imperfecto. Una historia agridulce pero muy recomendable.
ktxx22's review against another edition
4.0
#bookreview Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson...
First off I have been sleeping on this author, and that is an egregious error on my part! Winters floored me with how realistic these characters and situations were written. I found a lot of comedy in this book. I related a lot to our main character in her description of not quite fitting in a school. I loved the aspects of this where she discusses her hyper religious family and what that was like being raised in that community, and then as she realizes that she is a lesbian and the fall out from that! Chefs kiss of perfection!
The issue I have with this is the fables and the breaks in the story. I understand why they are present in the narrative but I did not enjoy them and felt like the book would have been stronger without them altogether.
It’s a 4/5 from me I’m so excited to read more by this author! I am thoroughly excited that I have so many new books to look forward to reading!!
First off I have been sleeping on this author, and that is an egregious error on my part! Winters floored me with how realistic these characters and situations were written. I found a lot of comedy in this book. I related a lot to our main character in her description of not quite fitting in a school. I loved the aspects of this where she discusses her hyper religious family and what that was like being raised in that community, and then as she realizes that she is a lesbian and the fall out from that! Chefs kiss of perfection!
The issue I have with this is the fables and the breaks in the story. I understand why they are present in the narrative but I did not enjoy them and felt like the book would have been stronger without them altogether.
It’s a 4/5 from me I’m so excited to read more by this author! I am thoroughly excited that I have so many new books to look forward to reading!!
cvanwerven's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75