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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
I received an ARC of this novel, courtesy of NetGalley.
The Transcriptionist is a beautiful novel. It is a book about words and language, and is elegantly written. The pace is rather slow, and has a “slice of life” feel to it. I loved the narrative tone of the novel, and the way that Lena and her surroundings were presented. The Transcriptionist raises many questions that, true to life, are never fully answered.
The Transcriptionist is a beautiful novel. It is a book about words and language, and is elegantly written. The pace is rather slow, and has a “slice of life” feel to it. I loved the narrative tone of the novel, and the way that Lena and her surroundings were presented. The Transcriptionist raises many questions that, true to life, are never fully answered.
A great book for a word/language freak. Should make for an excellent book club discussion.
frankly, an interesting take on the dehumanising and apathy-inducing effect of media on society as well as the losing of one's humanity and voice while working under the rulership of said media and ultimately, capitalism but lol i literally called bullshit reading the second last chapter - d*d?????? i literally couldn't stand it, i just would like to know why it was necessary because for the life of me, i don't see any purpose in the revelation. personally also felt that more narrative and details could be expended on the mountain lion from the protagonist's childhood & the effect of her mother's death on her. i'd expected some form of insight on what her mother meant to her, her relationship with her mother and what the mother was like to really understand and grasp why that addition of childhood was required especially if so little was going to be mentioned of it in the novel. overall, an underwhelming read although i do agree that the story is so carefully written with choice words to perfectly evoke the feelings from readers so props for that!!
i couldn’t really get into this one, but i didn’t necessarily dislike it. the dialogue felt too aware of itself, and that threw me off. the pacing was a little weird, too, and i didn't care much about any of the characters. it wasn't bad, it just wasn’t for me.
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Such a strange little novel, and I really enjoyed it. Lena works as a transcriptionist for a New York newspaper, and her life is punctuated by the daily news she transcribes for reporters - big and small stories. She can't get out of her head the death of Arlene, who killed herself by entering the lion's den in a zoo. Lena had met her in the bus a few days prior. The themes of ethics, information, truth... are delicately woven into the novel. It is beautifully written, and although slow and obscure at times, I found it intriguing and enjoyable.
I can't figure out how I feel about this book. There were parts that were really poignant and beautifully written. There were other parts that seemed forced, like the author was trying to be poignant and deep. The story was creative and something I could see happening. Even as an archivist it can be hard to turn my brain off, to stop wondering about people's families, to not try to remember everything that I see. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could, and I look forward to Rowland's next book to see what else she comes up with.
In this slim book, a simple plot and a few characters come together for form a sometimes magical, slightly surreal, often melancholy, occasionally humorous story. Like all good fables, The Transcriptionist has a moral, a lesson to teach the reader (or at least this reader):
"Whatever do you think you learn about people from a newspaper?"
"I suppose you learn things about humanity, but very little about people."
"I would have thought it's just the opposite." (p199)
This statement could apply to most types of reading. What do learn about people, real or fictional, from reading about them? Or listening to their stories?
"Listening [and reading] doesn't make us disappear. It just helps us recognize our absurdity, our humanity. It's what binds us together, as the newspaper binds us and before that Chaucer's tales and before that the Scriptures." (p240)
Unstated here, but subtly pointed out through Lena's story, is that listening (or reading or learning) only binds us together when we pay attention and respond to the message.
"Whatever do you think you learn about people from a newspaper?"
"I suppose you learn things about humanity, but very little about people."
"I would have thought it's just the opposite." (p199)
This statement could apply to most types of reading. What do learn about people, real or fictional, from reading about them? Or listening to their stories?
"Listening [and reading] doesn't make us disappear. It just helps us recognize our absurdity, our humanity. It's what binds us together, as the newspaper binds us and before that Chaucer's tales and before that the Scriptures." (p240)
Unstated here, but subtly pointed out through Lena's story, is that listening (or reading or learning) only binds us together when we pay attention and respond to the message.
Full review at www.instagram.com/yellowbrickreads1 and www.facebook.com/groups/yellowbrickreads
This novel was ok - it wasn't terrible by any means, but it did feel like it was trying too hard to be The Next Great Novel, or at least A Deep and Intellectual Novel. I didn't feel like I ever really understood what Lena wanted, what drove her, or anything else about her. I can't say that I'd read it again, but it was enjoyable enough.
I liked the first half more than the second half. It started feeling a little repetitive.