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sarahajeel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
medievaljuliana's review against another edition
I saw many reviewers using the word "subtle" and I certainly see this. There's something austere about the language and prose here, something that leads you to the edge of a ravine but never takes the plunge--nor pushes you into it.
It works beautifully when it touches upon art (historical or contemporary) and its makers, as in constructing the relationship between the unnamed protagonist and her landlady Agnes.
However, this same spareness left me wanting more as the narrative winds further away from a one-on-one psychological dialogue and further into an unsettling, quasi-thriller resolution. Indeed, while I'm all for unsettling unresolved endings, there was not a lot of buildup, which made it so that the last two pages felt like coming from leftfield, tone-wise.
While it's not a book that will likely find its way into my list of favorites for the year, I would recommend it for its meditation on art and self and how one makes the other.
It works beautifully when it touches upon art (historical or contemporary) and its makers, as in constructing the relationship between the unnamed protagonist and her landlady Agnes.
However, this same spareness left me wanting more as the narrative winds further away from a one-on-one psychological dialogue and further into an unsettling, quasi-thriller resolution. Indeed, while I'm all for unsettling unresolved endings, there was not a lot of buildup, which made it so that the last two pages felt like coming from leftfield, tone-wise.
While it's not a book that will likely find its way into my list of favorites for the year, I would recommend it for its meditation on art and self and how one makes the other.
harryhas29's review against another edition
A funny take on the conversation novel: "what if the narrator was an absolute dickhead"
wwwilma's review against another edition
4.0
Book of the Month 2305 | Modern Fiction
Gillade denna mycket! Den har i princip ingen handling men är välskriven och har nerv. Man vet inte riktigt var man har den. Berättaren, en anonym person, berättar om mötena med Agnes, i vars hus berättaren tillfälligt bor. Det vi läser handlar om Agnes, genom berättarens oklara agenda. När berättaren är vag är det svårt att veta ifall det vi tar del av får den innebörd det faktiskt har, eller om det får en annan innebörd på grund av berättaren. Lite som viskleken! Boken är kort och går snabbt att läsa, men omläsningspotentialen är stor. Det är tydligt att Savas är en intelligent författare. Allt har mening även om det inte finns mycket handling i sig. I läsecirkeln pratade vi om att berättaren, som flyttar till staden och Agnes hus för att studera fältet gotiska nudes, alltid beskriver Agnes först med vilka kläder hon har på sig. Innebörden med kläderna / nakenheten. Finns mycket i den här boken!
Reading Group: 3,2
Gillade denna mycket! Den har i princip ingen handling men är välskriven och har nerv. Man vet inte riktigt var man har den. Berättaren, en anonym person, berättar om mötena med Agnes, i vars hus berättaren tillfälligt bor. Det vi läser handlar om Agnes, genom berättarens oklara agenda. När berättaren är vag är det svårt att veta ifall det vi tar del av får den innebörd det faktiskt har, eller om det får en annan innebörd på grund av berättaren. Lite som viskleken! Boken är kort och går snabbt att läsa, men omläsningspotentialen är stor. Det är tydligt att Savas är en intelligent författare. Allt har mening även om det inte finns mycket handling i sig. I läsecirkeln pratade vi om att berättaren, som flyttar till staden och Agnes hus för att studera fältet gotiska nudes, alltid beskriver Agnes först med vilka kläder hon har på sig. Innebörden med kläderna / nakenheten. Finns mycket i den här boken!
Reading Group: 3,2
sonyalaw5's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 I loved this little gem. Told in the first person narrative about an art student who rents an apartment to do finishing work on her phd. Her older landlady/artist moves into the studio above to stay and paint. Stories become more detailed as their interactions progress. But, the student remains indifferent. Just observing as the landlady’s life takes some serious turns. The observed becomes the observer in a twisty end! I love a great twisty end!
juliareid16's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
costar put a meme up recently that detailed a trait of mine as “reading 20 pages of a book I hate but feel obligated to finish…” and I think that’s my review
bookmateriality's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.5
ktjawrites's review against another edition
5.0
Crafted with such unique and meticulous and rhythmic touches.
savvylit's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Much like the style of painting that it's titled after, White on White is a thought-provoking and minimalist novel. The novel is told from the point of view of the unnamed grad student, but the story's focus becomes flatmate Agnes rather quickly. Agnes is at first, enigmatic and attractive. Eventually, though, she gains a sharp and revolting edge.
Overall, White on White is a no plot/all vibes book in which the vibes are immaculate and sparing. The whole novel is also only 174 pages - with many blanks in between - which makes it an evocative yet removed one-sitting drop into two artful lives.
Overall, White on White is a no plot/all vibes book in which the vibes are immaculate and sparing. The whole novel is also only 174 pages - with many blanks in between - which makes it an evocative yet removed one-sitting drop into two artful lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Toxic friendship
elifaydin's review against another edition
reflective
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
3.25