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A review by esnupi
Wise Children by Angela Carter
4.0
I really enjoyed this book in a confused sort of way. Immediately noticeable is the way that the narrative weaves around and doubles back and is frequently interrupted by asides and wry comments from Dora. It requires concentration, yes, and is a little confusing, but it didn't dissuade me massively, as the way in which Carter writes (and Dora narrates) allowed me to retain enough curiosity in where the story was going and how everyone fit together.
This is the first thing that I've read from Carter, and I was so impressed by this in particular; the thing that managed to sell this book to me is the utter conviction with which every single character has been created.
Many of the characters are irreverent and cynical and uncontrollable, some likeable despite flaws and some just absolutely loathsome in every way, Carter achieves the holy grail of character writing-- every character feels real. Puck to Georgeous George to Daisy Duck and even her cat feel like people; the scene with Perry, Saskia and the caterpillars genuinely upset me despite everything.
For me, this book ends perfectly. It could be considered a little cliché, a giant party in which everyone reconciles and learns the truth, but the consistent importance of Shakespeare throughout Wise Children makes this feel like a nod to the end of any play of his; the resolving of mistaken identity at the end of Twelfth Night, or the explanation of the tragedy delivered at the end of Romeo and Juliet, or Othello. The consistent motif of twins, of mistaken identities, of found family, were a good anchor to the rest of the story.
This is the first thing that I've read from Carter, and I was so impressed by this in particular; the thing that managed to sell this book to me is the utter conviction with which every single character has been created.
Many of the characters are irreverent and cynical and uncontrollable, some likeable despite flaws and some just absolutely loathsome in every way, Carter achieves the holy grail of character writing-- every character feels real. Puck to Georgeous George to Daisy Duck and even her cat feel like people; the scene with Perry, Saskia and the caterpillars genuinely upset me despite everything.
For me, this book ends perfectly. It could be considered a little cliché, a giant party in which everyone reconciles and learns the truth, but the consistent importance of Shakespeare throughout Wise Children makes this feel like a nod to the end of any play of his; the resolving of mistaken identity at the end of Twelfth Night, or the explanation of the tragedy delivered at the end of Romeo and Juliet, or Othello. The consistent motif of twins, of mistaken identities, of found family, were a good anchor to the rest of the story.