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A review by leighnonymous
How to Paint a Dead Man by Sarah Hall
3.0
(3 1/2)
Ms. Hall can write and she can write well; her prose is startlingly clear, her observations uncomfortably accurate. It is the endings that I disliked about this book. The author elicited strong feelings on my part for each of her four characters, despite some pretty abhorrent behavior on the part of one of them. Be aware that there are no endings to the stories of these four characters. I am particularly confused about the fate of little, blind Annette; the last scene flitted between rape and religious vision.
Of interest was the section of the twin, Susan, and her narrative. I've never read so seamless a narration written entirely in the second person. It seemed normal after a while, like everyone should be narrating like that.
I give this three and a half because it was enjoyable to read and Ms. Hall's gift for writing really shone in this novel.
Ms. Hall can write and she can write well; her prose is startlingly clear, her observations uncomfortably accurate. It is the endings that I disliked about this book. The author elicited strong feelings on my part for each of her four characters, despite some pretty abhorrent behavior on the part of one of them. Be aware that there are no endings to the stories of these four characters. I am particularly confused about the fate of little, blind Annette; the last scene flitted between rape and religious vision.
Of interest was the section of the twin, Susan, and her narrative. I've never read so seamless a narration written entirely in the second person. It seemed normal after a while, like everyone should be narrating like that.
I give this three and a half because it was enjoyable to read and Ms. Hall's gift for writing really shone in this novel.