A review by olulelule
The Blazing World by Siri Hustvedt

challenging emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Besides a few lines of genderless art and the binary, this story doesn’t offer anything new to the conversation of the artistic perception and perception of the artist. I don’t believe this book is as reflective as it think it is, or is trying to be.
Ambiguity reigns as the main theme throughout with all of Harry’s rage and concerns and hang ups about being an under appreciated and jilted artist having no actual resolution and her story ending in an admittedly heartfelt and sad death chapter where she only asks to be alive and to have her mind be what it once was.
Maybe there is a story or an argument or a thesis about the female artist, but nothing is delivered as you end the book wishing Harry’s story did say something especially as the medium of the story is a biographical study of Harry’s work as an artist and mastermind. 

Slow-paced and while not difficult to read, too hung up on making Harry difficult…. which is— ironic. 
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