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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
A review of this book in The New York Times did "Ties" a disservice by connecting it so deliberately to Elena Ferrante's novel "The Days of Abandonment." The review refers to it as a "piece in the Elena Ferrante puzzle," "a key text in that burning literary mystery" of the identity of Elena Ferrante (which is a pen name), a novel that turns Ferrante's novel "inside out," a "sequel," and as a "voice in a larger conversation." This heavy-handed connection appears to be based only on Starnone's marriage to Anita Raja (widely believed to be the author behind the pen name Ferrante) and that the novels share a similar plot, which even the review itself refers to as "universal." The doggedness with which this connection is chased is insulting to Ferrante (whose novels are just fine on their own - thank you very much), and Starnone's novel (which needs no bolstering). Do yourself a favor - skip the NYTimes review and get right to Jhumpa Lahiri's truly insightful and descriptive introduction - which describes the novel quite perfectly as a series of containers.
"Ties" utilizes different perspectives in a way I can't imagine Ferrante employing - and a simpler (which is not to say less interesting or polished) prose. The novel deserves attention entirely independent of what really amounts to a tenuous connection with Ferrante.
All that said, I should note that the connection to Ferrante is what made me initially pick up the novel - but the connection is not even among the top things I love about the book. It is economical - every transaction and description important. In a slim 150 pages, it gracefully traverses time and perspective to present a remarkably full sketch of a family.
"Ties" utilizes different perspectives in a way I can't imagine Ferrante employing - and a simpler (which is not to say less interesting or polished) prose. The novel deserves attention entirely independent of what really amounts to a tenuous connection with Ferrante.
All that said, I should note that the connection to Ferrante is what made me initially pick up the novel - but the connection is not even among the top things I love about the book. It is economical - every transaction and description important. In a slim 150 pages, it gracefully traverses time and perspective to present a remarkably full sketch of a family.
A fascinating, short (yes!) story of a marriage and the ties that bind, told from different POVs, and with surprising twists and turns. Compelling.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
Starnoneove Pertle me bacaju malo u rebus ocenjivanja - ako knjiga od 150 strana zavisi potpuno od poslednjih petnaest, šta to znači o celokupnom delu? Naravno da se svaki roman posmatra kao celina, važna i nedeljiva, ali ponekad 90% mlakoće ne mogu da se momentalno transformišu u nešto posebno, iako pružaju neophodan kontekst za tih poslednjih 10%. Preporuka s obzirom da se čita za popodne (koje meni traje nedelju dana) i s obzirom da demonstrira još jednom da je dobra književnost ništa drugo no maestralno gaslajtovanje.
4
4
Very enjoyable, funny several view points and a nice twist. If I had read the preface before I started I would not have bought book it was referring to a more intellectual book altogether!
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
cosa succede quando un matrimonio si sclerotizza per l'esaurirsi del sentimento: l'illusione dell'ordine costruito per anni viene corroso dall'interno, e quei lacci entro i quali ci si è costretti così a lungo possono saltare tutti insieme nel giro di una notte.
bellissima invenzione Labes!
"vivere nel disastro, godere dell'ignominia, questo è stato il nostro collante."
bellissima invenzione Labes!
"vivere nel disastro, godere dell'ignominia, questo è stato il nostro collante."
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3 books in one, each with a different point of view. Miserable story, but a clever reveal.
First sentence: In case it's slipped your mind, Dear Sir, let me remind you: I am your wife.
Ends of chapters: quite heavy-handed
First sentence: In case it's slipped your mind, Dear Sir, let me remind you: I am your wife.
Ends of chapters: quite heavy-handed
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced