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A review by tevreads
Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann
5.0
the fact that, the fact that, the fact that
_________
It seems almost incomprehensible that a sprawling novel of one continuous sentence for 1000 pages, repeating the phrase "the fact that" most lines, would be so compelling. There are no paragraphs or punctuation marks besides commas and the occasional aside to a lioness and her cubs for the entirety of the novel. Infinite Jest took me years before I finally sat down and set a goal to read it, and this seemed even more of a task, but it wasn't.
_________
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2019, and praised by many, Ducks, Newburyport, is a monumental work. It's hard to describe the feeling when reading it. At first it was tiring to adjust to the long-form stream of consciousness style of an Ohioan housewife and her ruminations on life while baking in her kitchen. But it sucks you in, it's sharp, witty, philosophical, relatable, political, saddening, and uplifting all at once.
_________
It's hard to describe what this novel is about, because it seems to me to be about everything of our times, an encapsulation at least of what American society is, for better or worse. I've never read a book before where I was so astounded by the scope of the author, the quality of writing never dwindles or becomes confusing or pretentious. I still can't believe I was so absorbed by this peculiar novel and character for so long, so much so that I wished it was longer.
_________
Lucy Ellmann has achieved something seminal with Ducks, Newburyport, it's a commentary on our times, and it's a commentary that is so comprehensive. It's not only deeply philosophical, but it is deeply real and relatable, a smorgasbord of life. I was almost certain this would win the Booker Prize on account of how complex and simply phenomenal it was to read. To read Ducks, Newburyport was simply an experience like no other, and one of the best books I've ever read.
_________
It seems almost incomprehensible that a sprawling novel of one continuous sentence for 1000 pages, repeating the phrase "the fact that" most lines, would be so compelling. There are no paragraphs or punctuation marks besides commas and the occasional aside to a lioness and her cubs for the entirety of the novel. Infinite Jest took me years before I finally sat down and set a goal to read it, and this seemed even more of a task, but it wasn't.
_________
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2019, and praised by many, Ducks, Newburyport, is a monumental work. It's hard to describe the feeling when reading it. At first it was tiring to adjust to the long-form stream of consciousness style of an Ohioan housewife and her ruminations on life while baking in her kitchen. But it sucks you in, it's sharp, witty, philosophical, relatable, political, saddening, and uplifting all at once.
_________
It's hard to describe what this novel is about, because it seems to me to be about everything of our times, an encapsulation at least of what American society is, for better or worse. I've never read a book before where I was so astounded by the scope of the author, the quality of writing never dwindles or becomes confusing or pretentious. I still can't believe I was so absorbed by this peculiar novel and character for so long, so much so that I wished it was longer.
_________
Lucy Ellmann has achieved something seminal with Ducks, Newburyport, it's a commentary on our times, and it's a commentary that is so comprehensive. It's not only deeply philosophical, but it is deeply real and relatable, a smorgasbord of life. I was almost certain this would win the Booker Prize on account of how complex and simply phenomenal it was to read. To read Ducks, Newburyport was simply an experience like no other, and one of the best books I've ever read.