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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
I love that the book really covers Greta's point of view... <3.
DNF at 15% in. It's just so painfully dull. I listened to the audiobook at 2x speed at 7 AM on my way to go get the covid vaccine about a week ago and haven't touched it since.
Maybe the film adaptation is better. I've been repeatedly assured by reviews and Wikipedia that the actual historical figures are more interesting and that the fictionalized story does a disservice to them, anyway.
Maybe the film adaptation is better. I've been repeatedly assured by reviews and Wikipedia that the actual historical figures are more interesting and that the fictionalized story does a disservice to them, anyway.
A fictionalised account of one of the first transgender women to receive gender affirmation surgery. The film version of the same name is probably more famous than the book: I haven't seen it, but I believe that it is awful: casting a cis male actor as a trans woman was inexcusable. When I looked for reviews of the book online by trans people, I could only find reviews of the film -- I'd be very interested to read a trans person's perspective on the book itself.
This account is heavily fictionalised, changing various aspects of Lili's life, including her wife, Greta's, lesbianism, and aspects of her relationships with other people. There are many places where I thought the novel worked, though, particularly in the first two thirds: Ebershoff writes beautifully about places and landscape, and evokes the complicated ways in which we relate to other people. He gives a lot of space to Greta's character development, and her relationship to Lili, and to Lili's male identity, Einar. His prose feels laboured at times, which I think is down to this being a first novel, but in many aspects it succeeds, particularly in the way Ebershoff captures interpersonal tension, affection, and internal conflict. Ebershoff depicts Lili as feeling like she is two different people: that Einar is one aspect of her personality which disappears when she becomes Lili. This isn't an experience I've heard trans people describe, but given that Lili is living at a time when she believes no one else is like her, and has no words to describe how she feels, I can imagine her coming up with this particular way to explain her experience to herself.
Historically, Lili is probably the second person to receive gender affirmation surgery. Ebershoff describes her surgeries as gruelling, which I'm sure they were, but I felt the way he wrote about Lili's physical pain could be gratuitous and at times strongly othering. The sections following Lili through her surgeries were the clumsiest parts of the book. Mostly I was impressed with Ebershoff's writing style, and his insight into historical characters. However, because he's writing as a cis man about a trans woman, the mistakes he does make feel more egregious than they would otherwise be, and some of his choices, particularly in regard to female sexuality, feel very tone-deaf.
This account is heavily fictionalised, changing various aspects of Lili's life, including her wife, Greta's, lesbianism, and aspects of her relationships with other people. There are many places where I thought the novel worked, though, particularly in the first two thirds: Ebershoff writes beautifully about places and landscape, and evokes the complicated ways in which we relate to other people. He gives a lot of space to Greta's character development, and her relationship to Lili, and to Lili's male identity, Einar. His prose feels laboured at times, which I think is down to this being a first novel, but in many aspects it succeeds, particularly in the way Ebershoff captures interpersonal tension, affection, and internal conflict. Ebershoff depicts Lili as feeling like she is two different people: that Einar is one aspect of her personality which disappears when she becomes Lili. This isn't an experience I've heard trans people describe, but given that Lili is living at a time when she believes no one else is like her, and has no words to describe how she feels, I can imagine her coming up with this particular way to explain her experience to herself.
Historically, Lili is probably the second person to receive gender affirmation surgery. Ebershoff describes her surgeries as gruelling, which I'm sure they were, but I felt the way he wrote about Lili's physical pain could be gratuitous and at times strongly othering. The sections following Lili through her surgeries were the clumsiest parts of the book.
Spoiler
I was however very glad that Ebershoff choose not to end the novel with Lili's death, even though Lili did die due to infection and complications following surgery.
Though this story is technically fiction, it feels incredibly real. Einar, Greta, and Lili’e story is beautiful. The love each shares for the other is incredible. Lili is courageous, without a doubt. And Greta loved both Einar and Lili fiercely.
One of the most immersive, “transportable” novels ever. Stayed for the writing if not for the plot.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
I saw the movie years ago and finally got around to reading the book. The two are different. It's interesting to read about Einar's inner life and how it feels like to him that Lily comes from within as her own person.
They are both artists. Einar paints scenes from the bogs where he grew up, colorless landscapes. It fits his shy personality very well. Greta is lively. She is a tall blonde from Pasadena, CA and has that American attitude. Her paintings evolve with Lily and they take on color and boldness like Pasadena. It's interesting how their painting styles reflect the person. I love that.
The story is set in Copenhagen which I've never read a story set there, I don't think. Names are interesting to read. Christianhavn and such.
The movie tends to be focused on Lily and it's her story while the book explores Greta as much. We see her back story and her life that led her to this point. I would say she gets credit for helping Lily feel comfortable in her skin. There were times she begged and begged to bring Lily out. I know this is historical fiction based on real people and I have to think that some of the stuff really happened in some way. I'm sure we don't know all the little details that David fills in.
I thought the ending was weak. I'm sure some people will appreciate it. There are times I think that open-ended ending works, but I don't feel like it worked here, especially since we know how the story goes. This is set in the 20s and 30s before WWII. I keep thinking about their lives. They have no idea what is about to roll over them for the next decade.
The mood is sad and contemplative overall.
I did enjoy this story. I feel like David Ebershoff writes like a painter and he layers things onto the page like a canvas. It's beautifully written.
The story really is about a marriage and what goes on between two people. Greta really did love Einar and Einar loved Lily, but Einar disappeared. It's so interesting how it's written. Just a fascinating story.
They are both artists. Einar paints scenes from the bogs where he grew up, colorless landscapes. It fits his shy personality very well. Greta is lively. She is a tall blonde from Pasadena, CA and has that American attitude. Her paintings evolve with Lily and they take on color and boldness like Pasadena. It's interesting how their painting styles reflect the person. I love that.
The story is set in Copenhagen which I've never read a story set there, I don't think. Names are interesting to read. Christianhavn and such.
The movie tends to be focused on Lily and it's her story while the book explores Greta as much. We see her back story and her life that led her to this point. I would say she gets credit for helping Lily feel comfortable in her skin. There were times she begged and begged to bring Lily out. I know this is historical fiction based on real people and I have to think that some of the stuff really happened in some way. I'm sure we don't know all the little details that David fills in.
I thought the ending was weak. I'm sure some people will appreciate it. There are times I think that open-ended ending works, but I don't feel like it worked here, especially since we know how the story goes. This is set in the 20s and 30s before WWII. I keep thinking about their lives. They have no idea what is about to roll over them for the next decade.
The mood is sad and contemplative overall.
I did enjoy this story. I feel like David Ebershoff writes like a painter and he layers things onto the page like a canvas. It's beautifully written.
The story really is about a marriage and what goes on between two people. Greta really did love Einar and Einar loved Lily, but Einar disappeared. It's so interesting how it's written. Just a fascinating story.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated