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matthebat's review against another edition
3.0
“we make ghostly twins to carry the weight of our desires.” a quote that flows in my consciousness.
a very philosophical book, relating to art. question relating to humanity and our existence.
although some of the links are hard to distinguish. but overall an elegant short read.
3.5⭐️
a very philosophical book, relating to art. question relating to humanity and our existence.
although some of the links are hard to distinguish. but overall an elegant short read.
3.5⭐️
rykel_r's review against another edition
5.0
white on white belongs to the cohort of contemporary confessional novels; the kind that author brandon taylor describes as being "dominated by character vapor". he goes on to write: " these novels run right through you. their primary virtue being an evocation of the fleeting, atomized nature of contemporary consciousness."
and i think the imparting of consciousness is the conceit of this novel, set around the interactions of the a postgrad art history student (our narrator), and an artist called agnes. white on white is a novel of conversations --or really of agnes' monologues-- and has been popularly compared to the form and sensibilities of rachel cusk's outline as agnes' stories are told through our narrator. i would offer too, cusk's second place. yet, savaş has inverted the confessional framework. whereas the vapourous narrators of cusk's works represent themselves and their inner lives through diaristic self-confession or the thematic concerns of revisited conversations, the narrator in savaş's work is even further removed. our narrator here remains nameless and i would argue genderless.
there is an icy neutrality and anonymity to this narrator. the cleverness of cusk's character outline is reclaimed in savaş's title white on white which for me evokes a metaphor for invisibility. i'm so fascinated by the innovation of the detached narrator, this new condition of the traditional storyteller.
this novel also focuses on the relational experience of life--the interpersonal. the topics of conversation are often centered on agnes' relationships to her spouse, parents, friends, children. and of course, there is the relationship to her own art-- the notion of art as a form of consciousness, representation and a means of coming of age.
savaş's writing is exquisite yet restrained. i loved the descriptive flourishes of setting, of the passage of the seasons, of clothing, as well as the subtle play with light and shadow. she is a literary portraitist.
this short novel is so delicately layered cerebral and even slightly chilling. i can go on and on... but i wholeheartedly recommend!!!
and i think the imparting of consciousness is the conceit of this novel, set around the interactions of the a postgrad art history student (our narrator), and an artist called agnes. white on white is a novel of conversations --or really of agnes' monologues-- and has been popularly compared to the form and sensibilities of rachel cusk's outline as agnes' stories are told through our narrator. i would offer too, cusk's second place. yet, savaş has inverted the confessional framework. whereas the vapourous narrators of cusk's works represent themselves and their inner lives through diaristic self-confession or the thematic concerns of revisited conversations, the narrator in savaş's work is even further removed. our narrator here remains nameless and i would argue genderless.
there is an icy neutrality and anonymity to this narrator. the cleverness of cusk's character outline is reclaimed in savaş's title white on white which for me evokes a metaphor for invisibility. i'm so fascinated by the innovation of the detached narrator, this new condition of the traditional storyteller.
this novel also focuses on the relational experience of life--the interpersonal. the topics of conversation are often centered on agnes' relationships to her spouse, parents, friends, children. and of course, there is the relationship to her own art-- the notion of art as a form of consciousness, representation and a means of coming of age.
savaş's writing is exquisite yet restrained. i loved the descriptive flourishes of setting, of the passage of the seasons, of clothing, as well as the subtle play with light and shadow. she is a literary portraitist.
this short novel is so delicately layered cerebral and even slightly chilling. i can go on and on... but i wholeheartedly recommend!!!
sophie211green's review against another edition
3.0
I would have given this 4 stars because it has some interesting topics and points but it feels too short and incomplete unless I am missing something?
karenglez's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
amyrezende's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.5
laran_s's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
readingintheether's review against another edition
4.0
The irony of picking up a new library book as a little breather between homework and studying, but it ends up requiring more brainpower than anything else I did today.
I feel like I have grown to love the trope of a woman's slow descent into madness more and more, and this book did a really good job of quietly creeping up on that "she's fully come undone" moment. The vibe was generally unsettling and reminded me a lot of what I have read from Mona Awad or Ottessa Moshfegh. I feel like this book was the perfect length for accomplishing its end. I read a different review for this book that called it "deceptively sinister," which I feel is the most perfect description and there's no point in elaborating.
PS. Lauren Groff blurbed this book too, which if you have ever read anything by Lauren Groff just makes 100% sense. If you read this, be prepared to feel like an absolute uncultured idiot who has never had an original thought <3
I feel like I have grown to love the trope of a woman's slow descent into madness more and more, and this book did a really good job of quietly creeping up on that "she's fully come undone" moment. The vibe was generally unsettling and reminded me a lot of what I have read from Mona Awad or Ottessa Moshfegh. I feel like this book was the perfect length for accomplishing its end. I read a different review for this book that called it "deceptively sinister," which I feel is the most perfect description and there's no point in elaborating.
PS. Lauren Groff blurbed this book too, which if you have ever read anything by Lauren Groff just makes 100% sense. If you read this, be prepared to feel like an absolute uncultured idiot who has never had an original thought <3
victoriathuyvi's review against another edition
4.0
When I saw this book at the bookstore, it felt made for me. Everything I love in a novel: art history, academics, artists, complicated women, and lack of plot. And it was just that! A nice read reminiscent of Rachel Cusk, but a little lacking in the oomph that would have made this a 5 star read. I am excited to follow the development of this writer's career though!
shonagh_catherine's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
White on White" by Ayşegül Savaş is a beautifully crafted and introspective novel that delves into the complexities of art, identity, and human relationships. The story, centered around an academic researching Gothic nudes and her interactions with a reclusive painter, unfolds with exquisite subtlety and grace. Savaş's prose is elegant and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the characters' inner lives and their surroundings. The novel's exploration of themes such as isolation, connection, and the pursuit of understanding is both thought-provoking and deeply moving. "White on White" is a quiet yet powerful meditation on the intricacies of existence, making it a compelling and memorable read.
jjanssen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.0