Stilleben.
by A.S. Byatt
published
January 2002
(first published 1985)
by Suhrkamp
edit
binding
Paperback
isbn
3518399195
(isbn13: 9783518399194)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 406)
Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
artists, academics, philosophical types
I'm beginning to get that A.S. Byatt's books are generally odd. Instead of including only the story of what her characters are doing, she also includes some characters' intellectual preoccupations. Interesting, she includes Stephanie's intellectual preoccupation with Wordsworth, though Stephanie left the academy to marry and have a child. She also includes playwright Alexander's intellectual and creative preoccupation with Van Gogh (a lot more of this). But the intellectual preoccupations of...more
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Read in September, 2008
Why is Possession so delightful and full of movement, when so many of Byatt's other books are depressing, disturbing, and slow? I have not quite finished this yet, but I keep wondering - when does something happen? When do I get to care about the characters?
Still, it's not entirely without merit - the family dynamic between the Potter and Orton sides of the family is beautifully drawn, as are some lovely questions about the nature of color and its relationship to art. But I expecte...more
Still, it's not entirely without merit - the family dynamic between the Potter and Orton sides of the family is beautifully drawn, as are some lovely questions about the nature of color and its relationship to art. But I expecte...more
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1 comments
More Frederica Potter, Yay!!!
From the Publisher
From the author of The New York Times bestseller Possession, comes a highly acclaimed novel which captures in brilliant detail the life of one extended English family--and illuminates the choices they must make between domesticity and ambition, life and art. Toni Morrison, author of Beloved, writes of Byatt: "When it comes to probing characters her scalpel is sure but gentle. She is a loving surgeon".
From the Publisher
From the author of The New York Times bestseller Possession, comes a highly acclaimed novel which captures in brilliant detail the life of one extended English family--and illuminates the choices they must make between domesticity and ambition, life and art. Toni Morrison, author of Beloved, writes of Byatt: "When it comes to probing characters her scalpel is sure but gentle. She is a loving surgeon".
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
A. S. Byatt fans
Eh. It was ok. I liked The Virgin in the Garden more. Perhaps I'll revisit this review after Babel Tower. Currently I'm a bit annoyed with Byatt's portrayals of motherhood. She should have resisted the urge to kill off the good ones, but instead she perpetuates the curse: if a heroine has a couple kids, her story is over.
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Read in April, 2008
The sequel to Virgin in the Garden, this book was hands down more intriguing from the get-go. Maybe it was because of the background that I gleaned from the first book. Maybe it was simply that I could more easily relate to college life than high school. Not sure, but I LOVED it! Can't wait to start Babel Tower, the tird and final one.
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Read in February, 2006
This is actually the second in a series, but I bought it because it was $2 at the Strand. and then devoured it, and read the next two novels. It completely stands alone, shorter than most of her novels but just as rich. Contains maybe the most moving (and terrifying) portrayal of childbirth I've ever read.
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Read in January, 2006
recommended to Alexandra by:
Autumn
Lent from Autumn.
"Drowning in Biology." The first part of this book made me wary of having a baby, but very grateful that I was not birthing my child in 50s England.
I love that Byatt makes me look up so many words in the dictionary.
"Drowning in Biology." The first part of this book made me wary of having a baby, but very grateful that I was not birthing my child in 50s England.
I love that Byatt makes me look up so many words in the dictionary.
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Read in January, 2000
recommends it for:
fans of literary fiction
It's a decent book overall, but there is this one moment of brilliance that made it for me. It might not strike anyone else the same way, but it's still worth a look.
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Supposedly this is a thinly-veiled account of A.S. Byatt's relationship with her sister, Margaret Drabble -- not that that matters. A bit flowery, but smart.
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Read in January, 1996
recommends it for:
literature/series lovers
Part II in the Potter family story. Frederica is more of a character here, whereas The Virgin in the Garden was more Stephanie's story.
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Read in January, 2004
Sequel to The Virgin in the Garden. Probably the least memorable. Great passages about Stephanie, pregnancy, Van Gogh.
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
Pencil readers
Again she does a beautiful job of blending acadamia, art, religion, mysticism and family drama inot an amazing work.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
I really liked Possession, and this wasn't as good, but it was pretty good.
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Byatt is an excellent writer. I especially liked "Possession" in the past. This is the second of a quartet of related books, which give much insight into aspects of the British "personality"/ies, some of it gray and grim, although often with underlying humor of one variety or another. I can't decide whether to opt for another two books or not. Anyone read more?
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