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| Oscar and Lucinda the movie. On my "to watch" list. |
It took me a while to finish the novel. It's the kind of work you have to pay close attention to when you're distracted by the fact that you're on holiday in a tropical paradise. Despite that, I totally loved this book. It got off to a bit of a slow start, but soon enough I was well and truly hooked - intrigued by the quirky characters, sympathetic to their experiences and frustrated/exhilarated for them. The book had me laughing out loud even at not so happy moments, just because of the language, the silly little similes, metaphors and alliterations (which were still clever of course), and all that.
I found it interesting how one single character was viewed by others around him/her in different ways. Opinions tended to vary greatly. Then there was the way in which each character saw him or herself - different again. The story was told like a family memoir but can also be seen as an historical account. And I can't believe how it ended! I wasn't expecting that, nor hoping for it. That ending just goes to show, though, that in the blink of an eye (well, okay, a bit more slowly than that) a person can make one tiny little decision that changes everything, forever.
Well, you've got me all curious now! I'm afraid to start reading it, though. It sounds like it might make me cry.
ReplyDeleteSounds cool. I think it's a great exercise to write out what all the characters think of a main character. Gives you great insight for scenes between different characters.
ReplyDelete-Vicki
Sounds like an interesting read. It is mind blowing to consider how much one decision can change everything. Thanks for taking the time to write the review.
ReplyDeleteI added this to my wish list. I didn't see the movie, but remember it being advertised. I had no idea it was from a book.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like a good read, even if it was a slow starting one. I hadn't heard of this book (or as a movie) before.
ReplyDeleteHi Trish. I remember reading this when it came out. At the time it felt like walking through molassas but I think you have to have your head in a certain place to read Peter Carey - he likes to be obtuse and difficult. Not an ideal holiday read. Must confess I'm working my way through Nas Dean's library of M&B and a stack of e-books. Somehow they work perfectly in Fiji, lol!
ReplyDeleteDenise
Hey Trisha! Thanks for this book review. The novel looks quite good, and it must be to have been made into a movie. I think some of the best books are the ones that can make the characters feel real. It's their quirks and things they love and have gone through. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you have had a wonderful July so far!
~Wendy Lu
The Red Angel Blog
Geez, I have really been out of touch. I thought it had just been a week but clearly I haven't really done much vising for longer than that! :D
ReplyDeleteAnyway... I am glad your writing is going well. Blogs are great fun and there is hopefully some purpose for them once we all have published books to talk about but there must be a book so good for you that your writing is going so well. Then comes the hard part though... sending it off. (I'm not sure how I will do during that stage.)
Thanks for sharing the new group and have a great, and productive, week! Cheers!