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A review by gxcons
Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
"Bone of my bone. Flesh of my flesh. To remember you it's my own body I touch. Thus she was, here and here."
This book and its story isn't what I think of when I think, romance novel. The unnamed protagonist isn't likable, there are very few side characters, we don't really know much about Louise (love interest). Often this seems less a love story and more obsessive musings. And I don't care.
Winterson writes this obsessive love in ways that often had me saying "whoa" out loud in public places. Constant and detailed and imaginative and gross and shameless, even using scientific/biological terms and ideas. Just absolutely beautiful writing about the body of the beloved that will stick with me for a long time.
I have seen some reviews that are irked by the purposeful blurring of gender of the narrator. There are definitely some bits of the story that felt like Winterson deliberately trying to throw you off the scent. I personally thought the narrator was a bisexual woman. But the mystery isn't the point; I think it's to insert yourself a little into the story.
This book and its story isn't what I think of when I think, romance novel. The unnamed protagonist isn't likable, there are very few side characters, we don't really know much about Louise (love interest). Often this seems less a love story and more obsessive musings. And I don't care.
Winterson writes this obsessive love in ways that often had me saying "whoa" out loud in public places. Constant and detailed and imaginative and gross and shameless, even using scientific/biological terms and ideas. Just absolutely beautiful writing about the body of the beloved that will stick with me for a long time.
I have seen some reviews that are irked by the purposeful blurring of gender of the narrator. There are definitely some bits of the story that felt like Winterson deliberately trying to throw you off the scent. I personally thought the narrator was a bisexual woman. But the mystery isn't the point; I think it's to insert yourself a little into the story.