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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
A short little novella about he life of a young woman living in Rio. The fictional narrator is a bit of an unknown, but I'll tell you what we do know about him-- he's a bit of an asshole and a little pedantic. The narrator is constantly interrupting the story with how he's writing the story. Fine, whatever. But I found him mostly obnoxious.
He tells us about Macabea, a young woman who grew up in poverty and barely knows what life is. She isn't aware if she's happy or not and also seems rather nonplussed at times about everything else in life -- just out here to live in it.
The book is a vehicle for Lispector to present her ideas that feel existential in that she explore what is this short life-- the answer? Don't know. It's over though before you've even started to explore, just like life. Or just like this book. Or life... or book?
He tells us about Macabea, a young woman who grew up in poverty and barely knows what life is. She isn't aware if she's happy or not and also seems rather nonplussed at times about everything else in life -- just out here to live in it.
The book is a vehicle for Lispector to present her ideas that feel existential in that she explore what is this short life-- the answer? Don't know. It's over though before you've even started to explore, just like life. Or just like this book. Or life... or book?
Got 24 pages into a 90 page book and gave up. That's not good. Way too much philosophical mumble-jumble. She forgot to tell a story. Or have a point.
"ah if only I could grab Macabéa, give her a good bath, a plate of hot soup, a kiss on the forehead as I tucked her into bed." honestly same
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I saw another review that talks about how the characters are two sharpened blades of a pair of scissors, constantly in contact with each other and shearing with deliberate sound. This book is watching an author write his subject with intensity and love, and it's akin to a religious experience in its modesty.
Took me a second to get used to the writing - it's truly singular and unique. But what joy and despair! Reminds me of the movie Wanda but with the whimsy factor cranked way up.
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
dark
funny
medium-paced
Things that can be defined are starting to fatigue me a bit. I prefer the truth that is in the foreboding.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Wow tricky, challenging (for me) modernist prose. Frustrating and intriguing at the same time. The narrator/author character is unlike any I’ve read before and I didn’t know what to make of him at many points in the story. I think that I would like to and should read it again with a pen in my hand after a little time to try and understand it better.