Scan barcode
terrypaulpearce's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful, quiet, reflective novel that holds up moments in a chain, linking the heroine's incarceration in an institution to a path to life, and love, outside. This could have been even better were there not so many odd stream-of-consciousness diversions from the beautiful descriptions, but as it stands it's pretty damn good anyway.
thestoryofaz's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Unfortunately, did not like the book as much as I thought I would. The story begins promisingly - the first 100 pages or so, especially the description of Harriet's time at the mental hospital and the memories that haunt her, are exceedingly rich and poignant - but it falls flat right after, barely held together by any direction. The attempted stream-of-consciousness narrative felt fairly juvenile as well. Nonetheless, it is a simple yet beautiful story and a re-read might help me appreciate this underrated piece of literature more in the future.
maice01c's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
laurenbdavis's review against another edition
5.0
Madness. Wholeness. Healing through the tiny details of a life lived among others who care for us, and the terrible fragility we all navigate. This is a classic. So much larger than can be contained within its pages.
THE OUTWARD ROOM is the best kind of philosophical book: one rooted in story, in character, and one in which the word 'philosophical' never appears, and yet it asks all the important questions, and does so brilliantly, in a mere 230 pages.
Reward yourself. Read this book.
THE OUTWARD ROOM is the best kind of philosophical book: one rooted in story, in character, and one in which the word 'philosophical' never appears, and yet it asks all the important questions, and does so brilliantly, in a mere 230 pages.
Reward yourself. Read this book.
martinjcusworth's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautifully told story that manages to wrap the reader up. The storyline is simple and sparing, as is the quality of the prose. Brand's style encouraged me to care deeply about the characters' plights - without barraging me with the thick descriptions that would make me feel it were all being shoved down my throat.
In some respects, though, this novel is a real curate's egg. It operates using a stream of consciousness that feels clunky when set against the attempts of (later) writers. The situation at the beginning of the book is interesting in itself, but is let down just a little by a sluggish start. That said, soon there is a touching scene in the hospital, a perilous journey, near destitution and then a fortuitous meeting with a stranger. As this unfolds, so too does the beauty and enjoyability of this largely now-forgotten novel.
As Peter Cameron points out in his brilliant afterward, a book of this quality simply does not deserve to be forgotten. I recommend The Outward Room highly.
(The electronic format of the book, though, is riddled with typesetting mistakes.)
In some respects, though, this novel is a real curate's egg. It operates using a stream of consciousness that feels clunky when set against the attempts of (later) writers. The situation at the beginning of the book is interesting in itself, but is let down just a little by a sluggish start. That said, soon there is a touching scene in the hospital, a perilous journey, near destitution and then a fortuitous meeting with a stranger. As this unfolds, so too does the beauty and enjoyability of this largely now-forgotten novel.
As Peter Cameron points out in his brilliant afterward, a book of this quality simply does not deserve to be forgotten. I recommend The Outward Room highly.
(The electronic format of the book, though, is riddled with typesetting mistakes.)
yeahdeadslow's review against another edition
4.0
This book has been sitting on my shelf for far too long, and I'm glad I finally read it. I confess, I loved this book before the entrance of John. After that, I still enjoyed it, but not as much as I had been. I wanted to see Harriet continuing to make her way alone. But perhaps she was not capable of that.
I've missed books like this. (I think what I mean by that is lyrical prose?) I need to find more...
I've missed books like this. (I think what I mean by that is lyrical prose?) I need to find more...
samanthagarner's review against another edition
The writing style and absolute, obvious love of language in this book is sublime.
elkcariboubiologist's review against another edition
4.0
A very unique book both in style and in topic.
This is a quiet novel and one that moves along at a pace of internal struggle and development -- which is to say slowly. Watching the development and transitions that the main character goes through over the course of the year the novel takes place is fascinating -- and it was this aspect that got a 4 star rating. I have to admit that the writing style was hard for me at the beginning...to the point that I didn't know if I was going to make it through the book. I don't know if it was the cadence, the odd sentence structure, or the strange use of certain words but it was hard for me to read. After I got used to it and became more invested in the story (maybe 20% into the book), I didn't notice it as much. However, the last little bit of the book, when the story slowed way down again and my attention went from the plot and characters back to the writing, I struggled again.
This is a quiet novel and one that moves along at a pace of internal struggle and development -- which is to say slowly. Watching the development and transitions that the main character goes through over the course of the year the novel takes place is fascinating -- and it was this aspect that got a 4 star rating. I have to admit that the writing style was hard for me at the beginning...to the point that I didn't know if I was going to make it through the book. I don't know if it was the cadence, the odd sentence structure, or the strange use of certain words but it was hard for me to read. After I got used to it and became more invested in the story (maybe 20% into the book), I didn't notice it as much. However, the last little bit of the book, when the story slowed way down again and my attention went from the plot and characters back to the writing, I struggled again.
hayleydurelle's review against another edition
Wonderful.
Upon re-reading, I think I can safely say this is one of my favorite books.
Upon re-reading, I think I can safely say this is one of my favorite books.
More...