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bibliolucinda's review against another edition
“Death will not be denied. To try is grandiose. It drives madness into the soul. It leaches out virtue. It injects poison into friendship, and makes a mockery of love.”
4.5 stars, painful and brilliant all at once.
4.5 stars, painful and brilliant all at once.
kbwondering's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jacki_f's review against another edition
5.0
You have got to read this book. The writing is exquisite and so economical - not a word is wasted.
"The Spare Room" is a short and deceptively simple novel about a woman (Helen) whose friend (Nicola) comes to stay with her for 3 weeks. Nicola is in the final stages of terminal cancer and is pursuing alternative treatments in the hope of finding a cure. Helen welcomes her friend and intends to be supportive and nurturing, but conflict rears as she feels increasingly uncomfortable with the treatments that Nicola is enduring and the toll that they are taking on her. Nicola is clinging to hope and desperate to avoid self pity, so rejects nurturing. While this is fiction, it reads with all the truth and realism of non-fiction - this is increased by the many similarities between the narrator, Helen, and the real life author, Helen Garner.
The synopsis sounds like this will be a depressing book (and it is sad, but in the best way). However, it is beautifully written, simply and precisely. It doesn't talk down to the reader with lengthy explanations or back stories, but instead lets the history between the characters emerge naturally. You are able to feel sympathy and understanding for both of the main characters. It is a fine piece of writing and one of the best books that I have read this year.
"The Spare Room" is a short and deceptively simple novel about a woman (Helen) whose friend (Nicola) comes to stay with her for 3 weeks. Nicola is in the final stages of terminal cancer and is pursuing alternative treatments in the hope of finding a cure. Helen welcomes her friend and intends to be supportive and nurturing, but conflict rears as she feels increasingly uncomfortable with the treatments that Nicola is enduring and the toll that they are taking on her. Nicola is clinging to hope and desperate to avoid self pity, so rejects nurturing. While this is fiction, it reads with all the truth and realism of non-fiction - this is increased by the many similarities between the narrator, Helen, and the real life author, Helen Garner.
The synopsis sounds like this will be a depressing book (and it is sad, but in the best way). However, it is beautifully written, simply and precisely. It doesn't talk down to the reader with lengthy explanations or back stories, but instead lets the history between the characters emerge naturally. You are able to feel sympathy and understanding for both of the main characters. It is a fine piece of writing and one of the best books that I have read this year.
nicmacc's review
4.0
I liked this story about a friend helping another when she was very sick with cancer. I have read similar books before where people are going through this awful time and they seemed to focus only on the sick person. This book was different as it was about the helper and all that she went through - it was actually an amazing portrayal of a very emotional rollercoaster. A nice quick read too.
hatrireads's review
4.0
Wonderful novel by a beloved Australian writer. I plan to read more by her. I was blown away by her description of the feelings of a woman who offers to host a friend with cancer in her home for three weeks. The friend is undergoing a controversial treatment and while the hostess starts with loving, generous feelings by the end she is filled with regret and fury. Honest and accurate.
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
Read this book for our f2f bookclub meeting, and I've got to say it was a real surprise. Extremely interesting and confronting message, delivered in a very readable fashion, although you do have to think that Helen might have been a little hard on herself.
niamh_reads13's review
4.0
This month I asked some friends to help me choose what I read during March and this was the first of those suggestions. I really loved Helen Garner's writing style and I will be looking out for more of her books. The characters and their difficult and loving friendship have stayed in my mind since I finished the book.
retiredbookaholic's review
3.0
A moving novel about a woman who cares for a friend with cancer for three weeks. Nicola has cancer and has come to Melbourne for three weeks of alternative medicine treatments. She is staying with Helen. This is a short but moving story told from Helen's point of view, her feelings toward her friend, the sickness, the alternate treatments and Nicola's attitude. It's a story that explains the caregiver's feelings, trials and tribulations in caring for a terminal friend. It says all those things that many of us feel but are ashamed to admit.
lgowreader's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0