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A review by katiepope86
A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
4.0
3.5 rounded up.
At first, A Single Man seems simple, understated, and even a bit stagnant. I initially saw the movie, starring Colin Firth and Julieanne Moore, and was struck by the artistic vibe - the subtle despondency that clouds the entire plot. After the sudden death of his partner, (and no this is not a spoiler), readers witness the days that follow as George processes his emotion. Ranging from shock, to slight sexual deviance, to outright denial of emotion, his struggle feels really personal. I told a friend the entire book feels like a heavy blanket that you want to climb out from under, but instead, you're forced to sit there and endure. It's not really comfortable, but it seems important. You will not be uplifted by A Single Man, but you may understand how pain might be experienced, especially by a marginalized community. If you're looking for a fast plot or a book with a strong message, this may not be one for you either. It just is what it is.
After I finished reading, I slowly closed by book and sat in silence for a few minutes, simply existing. It's that kind of book.
“Think of two people, living together day after day, year after year, in this small space, standing elbow to elbow cooking at the same small stove, squeezing past each other on the narrow stairs, shaving in front of the same small bathroom mirror, constantly jogging, jostling, bumping against each other’s bodies by mistake or on purpose, sensually, aggressively, awkwardly, impatiently, in rage or in love – think what deep though invisible tracks they must leave, everywhere, behind them.”
At first, A Single Man seems simple, understated, and even a bit stagnant. I initially saw the movie, starring Colin Firth and Julieanne Moore, and was struck by the artistic vibe - the subtle despondency that clouds the entire plot. After the sudden death of his partner, (and no this is not a spoiler), readers witness the days that follow as George processes his emotion. Ranging from shock, to slight sexual deviance, to outright denial of emotion, his struggle feels really personal. I told a friend the entire book feels like a heavy blanket that you want to climb out from under, but instead, you're forced to sit there and endure. It's not really comfortable, but it seems important. You will not be uplifted by A Single Man, but you may understand how pain might be experienced, especially by a marginalized community. If you're looking for a fast plot or a book with a strong message, this may not be one for you either. It just is what it is.
After I finished reading, I slowly closed by book and sat in silence for a few minutes, simply existing. It's that kind of book.
“Think of two people, living together day after day, year after year, in this small space, standing elbow to elbow cooking at the same small stove, squeezing past each other on the narrow stairs, shaving in front of the same small bathroom mirror, constantly jogging, jostling, bumping against each other’s bodies by mistake or on purpose, sensually, aggressively, awkwardly, impatiently, in rage or in love – think what deep though invisible tracks they must leave, everywhere, behind them.”