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A review by wendyr1969
The Clothes On Their Backs by Linda Grant
3.0
Generally, I don't like when a book is simply about a theme - for instance, a review that starts out - this book is about racism, or classicism, or whatever ism. For the most part, I like a story that comments on a theme, makes you think - and with that said, I was immediately skeptical of a book that has such a hit you in the head metaphor as its title, as well as its running theme. Luckily, this book is about a story, not about a big "ISM", and while the metaphor is perhaps to simplistic for the subject matters (the immigrant experience (they arrived with the clothes on their back), the faces of good and evil (what really is the face of evil - and can you see it from someone's outward appearance), the search for identity (are clothes a costume, or an expression?), it tied the book together, and I ended up really enjoying it.
One of the things I liked was the way clothes were used as a "costume." Throughout the novel, the main character, Vivien, changes clothes as she tries on different personalities. But, she always knows that the clothes are not a reflection of her, but rather what she wants people to see - the part she wants to play - the eccentric in vintage clothing, the tough politically aware punk with the shorn head. At one point in the novel, she discovers her boyfriend's secret desired tatoo is a swastika. She is horrified, but he simply shrugs, it's just a design, it doesn't mean anything. To him, it could be a dozen roses. Vivien though, is completely aware of the outward portrayal, the immediate feelings associated with symbols, and indeed with clothing, as she has been using clothing to hide, to be someone else, to escape.
At the end, its still unclear if Vivien defines the clothes, or the clothes define her, but it is all connected.
One of the things I liked was the way clothes were used as a "costume." Throughout the novel, the main character, Vivien, changes clothes as she tries on different personalities. But, she always knows that the clothes are not a reflection of her, but rather what she wants people to see - the part she wants to play - the eccentric in vintage clothing, the tough politically aware punk with the shorn head. At one point in the novel, she discovers her boyfriend's secret desired tatoo is a swastika. She is horrified, but he simply shrugs, it's just a design, it doesn't mean anything. To him, it could be a dozen roses. Vivien though, is completely aware of the outward portrayal, the immediate feelings associated with symbols, and indeed with clothing, as she has been using clothing to hide, to be someone else, to escape.
At the end, its still unclear if Vivien defines the clothes, or the clothes define her, but it is all connected.