Reviews

Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden

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hollasan's review against another edition

Terrible book. Could not get past 5 chapters.

Turns my stomach to read about my country from the eyes of the colonizer and also the casually condescending remarks about my people. Like when the Sister wonders how the Indian general “got the idea of education and philanthropy into his mind”. Is it so far fetched for an Indian to think of such concepts on his own? 😒 Is it impossible for us to think of such “sophisticated” concepts without the intervention of white people?

Rolled my eyes every time the author described the natives’ “Chinese eyes like slits”. Or when the Sisters couldn’t tell the natives apart because “they all looked alike”. Or when the Sister ran away because the native children were “smelly”.

Not sure why this book is famous! The characters were forgettable and clichéd. There was certainly no sensitivity or nuance in the writing style. Not going to waste my time reading any more of this book. I only picked it up because of a book club. It’s certainly not something I would have chosen to read otherwise.

actualspinster's review

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4.0

definitely not culturally sensitive!!! but still quite fascinating. so well written & so atmospheric but of the atmosphere of remembering not necessarily of the himalayas.... altho the mountains do loom strongly.... knowable & unknowable... weirdly timeless but in a way that makes sense.... it reminded me quite a bit of the weatherhouse by nan shepherd in a way. creepy religious women??? intense deluded love affairs ?? the earth fucking up people's lives?? i wouldnt want to defend it's specific colonial & racist lense but i did think it was more than just that too.

roxyc's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced

3.5

ayahuasca_wilde's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

hopey_02's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

maplessence's review against another edition

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4.0

If you want to be thoroughly depressed, this is the book for you!

Five nuns arrive at a former harem in the Himalayas that has been gifted to them. A group of brothers has already tried & failed to establish a Catholic stronghold there. While the nuns (lead by the strongminded Sister Clodagh) wonder about this and Mr Dean, the local representative of the British Empire, strongly tries to warn the nuns off, but they are undeterred. But then the insanity starts...

Rumer Godden is one of my all-time favourite authors, but even though I have given this 4★ it would be the novel of hers I have liked the least. The high rating is for the excellent story structure & evocative language, as well as the occasional flash of humour;

"There are several ways," he said shyly, "in which I'm trying to improve myself. I have a great many books and records and now I'm learning to play golf. Do you know golf, Sister? The English think it's a very serious game. I was going to learn a much more serious game called cricket, but you need twenty two people..."

(I have to say, The Little General enchanted me!)

The whole novel ripples with madness and repressed sexual tension. I wouldn't say I enjoyed the read, but I did appreciate the book.