fourtriplezed's review against another edition
4.0
What I like about books such as this is not only the story told but that I, the reader, is challenged with what the writer is trying to say be that via philosophical thoughts, analogy, metaphor and much more.
What I really really do like! is when an author brings to my attention people and places I have either not heard of or know little about. For example, at one point, the unnamed narrator is given a gift of the works of Canadian classical pianist Glen Gould. As I type these words, Gould has appeared in a streaming playlist I am listening to with a piece from his Goldberg Variations. Perfect timing, I mused to myself, I must explore Gould works later. I must also look to see the art of Stella Bowen, I must revisit the art of Ian Fairweather, art that I have seen and enjoyed, I must also one day read Virginia Woolf.
Which brings me to what I got out of this odd little read, and that is rather a lot. The unnamed narrator tells what may be an autobiographical tale told in 5 parts. Some combines what I presume is lifetime experience and then adds essays, history and myth into the tale told. This seemed a little ham fisted at times as opposed to being seamless, but did not stop the enjoyment of the journey. I can be truthfully honest and say that I had no idea what the old fairy tale of The Handless Maiden that was referred to occasionally through the telling and specifically at the end had to do with the main protagonists, but then analogy and metaphor have never been a particular for me.
Be that as it may, this read had its charms and challenges. In the chapter The Adultery Factor the factor of adultery from a women’s (feminist) point of view was thought-provoking. The chapter Sight and Solitude, an essay on just that, sight and solitude, was for someone as myopic as me so good I reread it immediately. For those of us that read a book about 297mm from our nose as the best distance to get anything clear, the unnamed narrator had a lot to say that I for sure related to. The Winterbourne was a chapter reminiscing for school days unrewarding. The Orchard was about the gardens that some love.
The solitude of the individual and their garden may just have been the pervading theme. Maybe? I am not sure, but then so what. If a read such as this provokes such thoughtfulness in me, I can hardly complain.
Recommended to those that like their solitude and their garden.
What I really really do like! is when an author brings to my attention people and places I have either not heard of or know little about. For example, at one point, the unnamed narrator is given a gift of the works of Canadian classical pianist Glen Gould. As I type these words, Gould has appeared in a streaming playlist I am listening to with a piece from his Goldberg Variations. Perfect timing, I mused to myself, I must explore Gould works later. I must also look to see the art of Stella Bowen, I must revisit the art of Ian Fairweather, art that I have seen and enjoyed, I must also one day read Virginia Woolf.
Which brings me to what I got out of this odd little read, and that is rather a lot. The unnamed narrator tells what may be an autobiographical tale told in 5 parts. Some combines what I presume is lifetime experience and then adds essays, history and myth into the tale told. This seemed a little ham fisted at times as opposed to being seamless, but did not stop the enjoyment of the journey. I can be truthfully honest and say that I had no idea what the old fairy tale of The Handless Maiden that was referred to occasionally through the telling and specifically at the end had to do with the main protagonists, but then analogy and metaphor have never been a particular for me.
Be that as it may, this read had its charms and challenges. In the chapter The Adultery Factor the factor of adultery from a women’s (feminist) point of view was thought-provoking. The chapter Sight and Solitude, an essay on just that, sight and solitude, was for someone as myopic as me so good I reread it immediately. For those of us that read a book about 297mm from our nose as the best distance to get anything clear, the unnamed narrator had a lot to say that I for sure related to. The Winterbourne was a chapter reminiscing for school days unrewarding. The Orchard was about the gardens that some love.
The solitude of the individual and their garden may just have been the pervading theme. Maybe? I am not sure, but then so what. If a read such as this provokes such thoughtfulness in me, I can hardly complain.
Recommended to those that like their solitude and their garden.
jocelyn_sp's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting bits, but it felt awkward and dated, hampered by theory. The paean of praise for the bush retreat that closes the book left me unmoved and sceptical
imgoen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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
2.5
sharon_geitz's review against another edition
4.0
Love the way it explores truth and identity and ideas about turning inwards and embracing solitude. I suspect this is a work that will hold great appeal for women. Loved the use of art history to explore female identity. Intelligent read that provokes introspection.
juliemiaholmes's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful and poignant look at the importance of solitude and creativity.
emma_m's review against another edition
3.0
I've finally finished this book, thank goodness. It's put me in a massive reading slump. I can appreciate a lot of the messages it includes, but I really wasn't in the mood for this type of book right now. Having spent the past few days just reading this book I want to give it one star because of how little I enjoyed the experience, but I think if I hadn't been under so much time pressure to finish this book before I returned to school and read it in smaller chunks I would have enjoyed it far more. Plus I feel like this book will stick with me for a while just because of the themes and messages it conveys.
sarahwhinds's review against another edition
4.0
Some aspects of this collection/set of interwoven stories and essays are a bit dated, but many other parts of it really hold up. Very thoughtful, and thought-provoking. There was something kind of magical about it!
vivienh's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it more than expected, especially the two short chapters book-ending the three main stories, as well as the first and third part. I really loved the way Modjeska used the fairytale, incorporating it as an allegory for all the other stories, also framing the feminist essays.
(note for e2. she didn't let the fairytale limit her story, only used it as a framing device)
(note for e2. she didn't let the fairytale limit her story, only used it as a framing device)
sharon4d046's review against another edition
4.0
Love the way it explores truth and identity and ideas about turning inwards and embracing solitude. I suspect this is a work that will hold great appeal for women. Loved the use of art history to explore female identity. Intelligent read that provokes introspection.
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