A review by mollyxmiller
Possession by A.S. Byatt
5.0
Two English scholars discover that the two, nineteenth century English poets whose work they study may have a previously unknown connection. Together, Roland and Maude work to solve the mystery of poet Randolph Henry Ash and reclusive Christabel LaMotte through their secret correspondence, discovered in Christabel's family home.
If that premise alone doesn't excite you, I don't know what will. I loved the layers and layers of story in this novel. I loved the language. It was like stepping into a Victorian novel that somehow was managed to be set in the contemporary world (well, it was published in the late '90s, so I suppose semi-contemporary). The movie adaptation is pretty good, but it would be impossible to do this novel complete justice as a feature film. It would need to be a mini-series at least. There was so much to this novel. If you love Victoriana, British Literature, complicated love stories, or awesomeness in general, hie thee to the nearest bookstore and purchase A.S. Byatt's Possession!
If that premise alone doesn't excite you, I don't know what will. I loved the layers and layers of story in this novel. I loved the language. It was like stepping into a Victorian novel that somehow was managed to be set in the contemporary world (well, it was published in the late '90s, so I suppose semi-contemporary). The movie adaptation is pretty good, but it would be impossible to do this novel complete justice as a feature film. It would need to be a mini-series at least. There was so much to this novel. If you love Victoriana, British Literature, complicated love stories, or awesomeness in general, hie thee to the nearest bookstore and purchase A.S. Byatt's Possession!