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A review by zena_ryder
All the Colour in the World by C.S. Richardson
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I found Richardson’s novel beautiful and utterly engaging. I read the entire book in a single evening and started re-reading it the next day. However, this short novel (208 pages in hardcover) will definitely not be for everyone. It has a unique “pillow book” style: Memories and observations (sometimes imaginings) interspersed with details about art and colour and history that the narrator finds significant, interesting, or enlightening.
The novel is written in the second person (“you said this, you did that” etc.) and the narrator notes near the end that Marcus Aurelius’ journals were partly written in the second person. In this novel, the narrator addresses himself (the protagonist, Henry) in the second person. So, when we read this novel, we’re reading Henry’s own pillow book style journal, which he keeps inside an art history textbook. (Gardner's Art Through the Ages, Vol 1, Chapters 1-18.)
Henry is a believable, lovable character, whose pain we empathize with — all the more because it feels like we're reading his personal journal that was intended for his eyes only. The novel is emotionally powerful and moving, even though the prose is generally simple and non-emotional. And don't worry about cleverness or originality in presentation being elevated at the expense of story. There is a strong story. (I'm not into literary fiction that dispenses with story.)
The art history and references to colour really bring home the power of art and beauty. I was familiar with some of the paintings Henry describes, but many I didn’t know. Now I’m reading the book again, I'll be looking up all of them as I go along. This slim book has a richness that will reward multiple readings and I will definitely be buying myself a paper copy. Assuming I don’t win the Goodreads giveaway, that is!
(In fact, there’s scope for a beautiful, illustrated edition and I would love that to happen and then to get it as a perfect birthday present. Hint hint.)
If you enjoy literary fiction, approach this beautiful piece of art with an open mind and an open heart. I trust you’ll be deeply rewarded with a wonderful experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf Canada, and Penguin Random House Canada for the electronic advance reader copy.
The novel is written in the second person (“you said this, you did that” etc.) and the narrator notes near the end that Marcus Aurelius’ journals were partly written in the second person. In this novel, the narrator addresses himself (the protagonist, Henry) in the second person. So, when we read this novel, we’re reading Henry’s own pillow book style journal, which he keeps inside an art history textbook. (Gardner's Art Through the Ages, Vol 1, Chapters 1-18.)
Henry is a believable, lovable character, whose pain we empathize with — all the more because it feels like we're reading his personal journal that was intended for his eyes only. The novel is emotionally powerful and moving, even though the prose is generally simple and non-emotional. And don't worry about cleverness or originality in presentation being elevated at the expense of story. There is a strong story. (I'm not into literary fiction that dispenses with story.)
The art history and references to colour really bring home the power of art and beauty. I was familiar with some of the paintings Henry describes, but many I didn’t know. Now I’m reading the book again, I'll be looking up all of them as I go along. This slim book has a richness that will reward multiple readings and I will definitely be buying myself a paper copy. Assuming I don’t win the Goodreads giveaway, that is!
(In fact, there’s scope for a beautiful, illustrated edition and I would love that to happen and then to get it as a perfect birthday present. Hint hint.)
If you enjoy literary fiction, approach this beautiful piece of art with an open mind and an open heart. I trust you’ll be deeply rewarded with a wonderful experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf Canada, and Penguin Random House Canada for the electronic advance reader copy.