Scan barcode
A review by ev1
Conundrum by Jan Morris
3.0
a fascinating read. whilst i think this will be difficult for some people to get through, and even more-so for most to discuss, i'm glad that it exists.
morris mixes gorgeous prose with some very questionable ideas regarding gender, race and class. i'm not going to touch on the topic of whether this is 'good representation' because i think that's a juvenile, liberal discussion. this book, rather, focuses on the more important discussion of liberation which many conversations surrounding identity could do well to adjust to.
i don't particularly love jan's narrative voice which did make this, especially the parts that didn't age so well, a little eye-rolly. one part i find seldom discussed is where jan muses on how her writing on people far excels her writing on place since 'transitioning' which i couldn't disagree with more. the most enjoyable parts of this memoir are the glimmering, glittering fragments describing places and experiences. the lowest points are her attempts at musing on the condition of others.
i'm really glad to have read this. some lines i will return to for the rest of my life, others i have undoubtedly already scrubbed from my mind.
morris mixes gorgeous prose with some very questionable ideas regarding gender, race and class. i'm not going to touch on the topic of whether this is 'good representation' because i think that's a juvenile, liberal discussion. this book, rather, focuses on the more important discussion of liberation which many conversations surrounding identity could do well to adjust to.
i don't particularly love jan's narrative voice which did make this, especially the parts that didn't age so well, a little eye-rolly. one part i find seldom discussed is where jan muses on how her writing on people far excels her writing on place since 'transitioning' which i couldn't disagree with more. the most enjoyable parts of this memoir are the glimmering, glittering fragments describing places and experiences. the lowest points are her attempts at musing on the condition of others.
i'm really glad to have read this. some lines i will return to for the rest of my life, others i have undoubtedly already scrubbed from my mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Racism and Transphobia