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A review by ronanmcd
OK, Mr Field by Katharine Kilalea
emotional
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I am reminded of Camus' l'Étranger.
There's a mechanical nature to the character and, by association, the plot. He just does things or lets them happen, as though the universe and fate are just pulling him along, as though he has no agency.
This is made explicit early on when his automaton-like piano playing ruins a recital. He is said to be unfeeling in his playing.
The house is an echo of his mechanical nature - it's a "machine for living". But the house is not the real thing, it is itself an echo or homage in the way the book feels like it is to l'Étranger. Both even feature beaches at either end of teh African continent.
Everything just occurs. Like clockwork. One thing after another. It makes for a strange reading experience. I found myself skipping sentences, knowing they would be inconsequential as the book moves along with its on momentum.
There's a mechanical nature to the character and, by association, the plot. He just does things or lets them happen, as though the universe and fate are just pulling him along, as though he has no agency.
This is made explicit early on when his automaton-like piano playing ruins a recital. He is said to be unfeeling in his playing.
The house is an echo of his mechanical nature - it's a "machine for living". But the house is not the real thing, it is itself an echo or homage in the way the book feels like it is to l'Étranger. Both even feature beaches at either end of teh African continent.
Everything just occurs. Like clockwork. One thing after another. It makes for a strange reading experience. I found myself skipping sentences, knowing they would be inconsequential as the book moves along with its on momentum.