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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like I didn't really understand this book to the full. Too many references to 1970s white America and to names of characters who I'd either forgotten or who hadn't been introduced. I liked the dry, simple writing style. It really got across a sense of nothingness and nihilism.
I feel for Maria. She is at times passive, but you get the sense this is just a response to the constant alienation from herself induced by others around her (mostly men) trying to control and possess her. Though her passivity is frustrating nevertheless.
Even though I didn't really understand it, I found the ending very powerful. Her romanticising a simple life with Kate... would this help her melancholy? Or not?
I feel for Maria. She is at times passive, but you get the sense this is just a response to the constant alienation from herself induced by others around her (mostly men) trying to control and possess her. Though her passivity is frustrating nevertheless.
Even though I didn't really understand it, I found the ending very powerful. Her romanticising a simple life with Kate... would this help her melancholy? Or not?
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
my entire personality going forward will revolve around loving this book
I've never read any of Didion's novels until now, and I was amazed by it. She was so young! Her style is very similar to her essays - sharp, blunt, yet also subtle. The subject matter was tough but I enjoyed it anyway.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't think I had the proper mindset to read this book last year and that's why I didn't finish it initially. Now I'm in a different season of my life and I think I understand this book and Maria a lot more. A great end of summer read, this novel really does feel like a long transition and I'm actually optimistic for Maria at the end. Maybe skip this one if you're not into watching a woman slowly descend into madness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Abortion
Forse d'estate sono un po' svagata, però mi ha lasciato perplessa. Sì, bella scrittura, dolore palpabile e ben descritto, vita estrema e tutto, ma un gran casino a capire chi narrava di volta in volta la storia sofferta e chi era chi per chi, insomma una fatica, per di più traboccante di dolore altrui. Proverò con un altro suo per vedere se è così genio come dicono.