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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've said before that A.S. Byatt is a complicated author for me. Two of her books are among my favorites of all time, but others have fallen flat. Still Life is the sequel to The Virgin in the Garden, a book which I did not love at all. In fact, the only reason I decided to continue with the series was because I accidentally bought the third book in the quartet, Babel Tower, thinking that it was a standalone. But! Still Life surprised me, and I am now very glad that I made that mistake. It's been three years (somehow) since I read The Virgin in the Garden, and I don't remember much about the plot, but the characters had stuck with me, and I enjoyed reading about them again. This book is introspective and lovely in a fleurs du mal type of way, and I am looking forward to continuing the series.
From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
9/30: The parents are upset when Frederica prepares to leave home and Marcus goes to live with his sister.
10/30: Frederica leaves for the south of France, while Stephanie and Daniel are celebrating.
11/30: Marcus visits his new nephew, Frederica assesses Cambridge men and 'lively' new vicar, Gideon arrives.
12/30: Stephanie escapes from her nagging mother-in-law and leaves Marcus to care for her baby.
13/30: Frederica discovers Raphael, Stephanie's baby, is on its way, but what is Gideon up to at the coast?
14:30: Frederica has decisions to make and Alexander's play has its First Night. What will Raphael make of it all?
15/30:Daniel becomes disillusioned with home and the church, and there is some disturbing news for Stephanie.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jsk8
9/30: The parents are upset when Frederica prepares to leave home and Marcus goes to live with his sister.
10/30: Frederica leaves for the south of France, while Stephanie and Daniel are celebrating.
11/30: Marcus visits his new nephew, Frederica assesses Cambridge men and 'lively' new vicar, Gideon arrives.
12/30: Stephanie escapes from her nagging mother-in-law and leaves Marcus to care for her baby.
13/30: Frederica discovers Raphael, Stephanie's baby, is on its way, but what is Gideon up to at the coast?
14:30: Frederica has decisions to make and Alexander's play has its First Night. What will Raphael make of it all?
15/30:Daniel becomes disillusioned with home and the church, and there is some disturbing news for Stephanie.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jsk8
This book crackles. Intelligent and cutting. Full of wisdom about human nature, though held at a little distance, for better ease of seeing. The ending knocked my heart out a beat.