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95th out of 323 books
—
236 voters
The Anna Papers
Feeling unwell, uneasy about her own mortality, Anna Hand -- a rambunctious and passionate Southern writer -- returns home to make peace with her family. But in fact she turns the lives of loved ones upside down.
When Anna learns that she has cancer, she takes one last fling with her lover...then walks into the sea, taking her own life by drowning. A six-day wake, sometimes
...morePaperback, 277 pages
Published
October 10th 1989
by Little Brown and Company
(first published 1988)
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There was a time when I devoured books by Ellen Gilchrist. These books provide a sense of escape--beautiful, rich characters flit and out of the frame, doing nothing but getting intoxicated, having relationships with each other, and thinking Big Thoughts about all their relationships. Everyone always speaks in short, similarly constructed sentences.
This novel seems such a mess. It starts many years earlier, with the protagonist sleeping with one man and talking on the phone with another. Neithe...more
This novel seems such a mess. It starts many years earlier, with the protagonist sleeping with one man and talking on the phone with another. Neithe...more
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This is my favorite book. Well this or Shipping News. It tells the story of novelist Anna Hand, a woman from a crazy Southern family who kills herself rather than fight a horrible cancer diagnosis. This story winds together the lives of her lovers, friends and family members --even an estranged young niece -- through those who gather at her memorial service, as well as through her papers, notes and letters. GIlchrist is a fantastic writer, and although this story is somewhat dated and stuck in t...more
I really like Ellen Gilchrist for her humane sense of humor and her interesting, sexy characters, especially women, and Anna Hand is no exception. Not as quirky as some of the women in her short stories, Anna is nevertheless remarkable and memorable as the writer everyone loves but no one can hold. The relationship between her and her brother Daniel is especially well-drawn, as is the complexity of the relationship between him, his daughter Jessie, and his daughter by an earlier and short-lived...more
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When I borrowed this book, I was thinking it was an entirely different author. Not to far into it I realized it wasn't who I thought it was, so I checked my book journal for others by Gilchrist. I found them and didn't seem to have like them! At this point in the reading, I was really liking this one though.
The first half of the book is about a writer, Anna, who moves back home after just not feeling her normal self. She muddles into her siblings lives in good and bad ways, and maintains a slig...more
The first half of the book is about a writer, Anna, who moves back home after just not feeling her normal self. She muddles into her siblings lives in good and bad ways, and maintains a slig...more
Ellen Gilchrist is a terrific writer.
Her books have always provided me with great pleasure.
"The Anna Papers" is no exception in this instance as well.
The story of Anna Hand is funny and moving.
I usually pass on most of my books of fiction, but not the books of Ms. Gilchrist.
I like to keep her books near by for another read when I want something that will
continue to surprise me on a second reading, or in some cases a third or fourth.
This book, "The Anna Papers" will have a place on my shelf as w...more
Her books have always provided me with great pleasure.
"The Anna Papers" is no exception in this instance as well.
The story of Anna Hand is funny and moving.
I usually pass on most of my books of fiction, but not the books of Ms. Gilchrist.
I like to keep her books near by for another read when I want something that will
continue to surprise me on a second reading, or in some cases a third or fourth.
This book, "The Anna Papers" will have a place on my shelf as w...more
Gilchrist is stylistically stunning. Brilliant. This material is very definitely of its era - and not in a particularly enduring way - but that's the only vaguely negative thing I have to say. If you like stories from the American South - choc full of destructive, yet hilarious, family dynamics - Gilchrist is the best her generation has offered.
erin yanke introduced me to gilchrist's writing at the public library in chicago in 2001. it was a cold winter filled with long bus rides. gilchrist has that lilting warm tone that can suspend time, you know where you are somehow floating above a book while reading.
It's ironic that the ill-fated Anna was obsessed with the concept of DNA and corralling family members when she herself never had any children. Anna, and all of the other characters seemed sketchy in this "feel good" novel of life and love.
Sep 22, 2009
Karen
added it
This is the first Ellen Gilchrist book I ever read, after hearing her interviewed on NPR back in about 1990. I've read everything she's written. Her characters stay with you, they are so finely drawn.
I really tried to like this book, but I feel its focus is off. Instead of being a story about Anna, it should be a story of Olivia, or Jessie, or the relationship between them (sisters). As it is, I just don't like Anna herself. I don't feel the narration puts me "on her side," either. She seems to be a take-her-or-leave-her character. Well, I'd just as soon leave her . . . and I did. I read two-thirds of the book, maybe even three-fourths, but I just couldn't turn another page. Unusual for me....more
Apr 05, 2011
Greta Roussos
added it
Lovely Anna is an interesting, complicated maturing woman with very few secrets until her end. Not great literature, but it is entertaining.
I fully expected to love this book but I was a little let down. If you have something else to read let this one wait.
I vaguely remember reading this in the late 1980s and liking it. Need to read it again.
My favorite book!! You have to read this one first before all the other ones!
This got me started back in the early 90's. Love every book she's written.
Feb 21, 2012
Lisa
added it
The Anna Papers: A Novel by Ellen Gilchrist (1989)
Made me think about wanting to be a writer again.
Not my favorite Gilchrist but a good story nonetheless.
Too depressing
I adore Ellen Gilchrist's writing. When I saw she has a new novel out (finally! I've been afraid she's unwell...) and that it featured Olivia Hand, I knew I had to go back and re-read all the books with Olivia in them. So it's back to my old friend, The Anna Papers. I don't care than Anna is such the product of her dysfunctional family, I still want to be her. I love these terribly flawed, destructive people.
I really enjoyed the character of Anna Hand, and her love of life. She is so determined to only enjoy life, that she goes to great lenghts to turn away from anything negative. She is impulsive, crazy, the product of a wonderfuly dysfunctional family, and I love her! This book also introduces Olivia Hand, and leaves you wanting to read more about her.
this book is genius and beautiful and all sorts of fabulous things. i hope to be able to review it soon.
Aug 21, 2007
Tracy O
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone (but, she's kind of a chic writer)
This and I Cannot Get You Close Enough are my favorite Ellen Gilchrist books, but far and away she is my stand-by author. I've read every book she's written and every one of them is great (except for her journals - Falling Through Space which I don't recommend). Everyone I tell about her seems to like her, too.
Just read Ellen Gilchrist ... anything by her is wonderful. She's an amazing storyteller and creates the most interesting, intriguing, unique characters. But start with her early stuff and short stories -- she builds full novels with the characters introduced in her short stories. Fun!
I love Ellen, but this book is a bit much. Anna is so self-absorbed (and knows she is, but still), that it's a bit hard to swallow. Of course, the self-absorbed side of myself can even relate to her, which is why I like the book.
This is the first Ellen Gilchrist book I read and I have been a huge fan ever since. While the topic of this book is heavy, Ellen's writing makes it interesting instead of depressing.
A story of a strong woman and her complicated ties to her family. I've always liked Ellen Gilchrist's short story collections. I Love this novel!
Jun 15, 2013
Kelly Shannon
marked it as to-read
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