A review by originalmelodie
Modern Nature by Derek Jarman
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
First half: I discussed this book with a work colleague who'd read the book without enjoyment in the past. I see how that could happen - it is boring but it's quite nice reading something simple about a man trying to garden and reflect on a life whilst on the bustling tube he had once spent many nights on.
The diary format does mean that some days are more interesting than others - some entries useless to the reader, not adding much other than the passing of time. Half-way through I wondered: Is it bad that the moments I liked the best were when he was in London?
When his illness becomes a forefront of his life the book becomes a really honest and intimate take of AIDS and it's devastation. How quickly it takes over and in so many different ways. A reminder that not so long ago the government and people were actively letting people die a slow and painful demise.
The diary format does mean that some days are more interesting than others - some entries useless to the reader, not adding much other than the passing of time. Half-way through I wondered: Is it bad that the moments I liked the best were when he was in London?
When his illness becomes a forefront of his life the book becomes a really honest and intimate take of AIDS and it's devastation. How quickly it takes over and in so many different ways. A reminder that not so long ago the government and people were actively letting people die a slow and painful demise.