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183rd out of 347 books
—
216 voters
Self
by
Yann Martel
A fictional autobiography of a young writer which takes the reader to Canada, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and elsewhere. This story of love, sex and ambiguity is the first novel by the Canadian author of the award-winning short-story collection, "The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios".
Paperback, 329 pages
Published
April 7th 2003
by Faber and Faber
(first published 1996)
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I've just read through a number of other reviews on this book, and as one finds with almost every book ever read, the opinions are polarised.
There were some things about this book I really enjoyed. I enjoy the 2-column pages where there is an original language beside an English translation, or a conversation in some other language while a completely nonplussed English monologue goes along beside it ... What fun! And a lot of the things he says about the Self are things I have thought, or wondere...more
There were some things about this book I really enjoyed. I enjoy the 2-column pages where there is an original language beside an English translation, or a conversation in some other language while a completely nonplussed English monologue goes along beside it ... What fun! And a lot of the things he says about the Self are things I have thought, or wondere...more
It is SO HARD FOR ME TO LIKE THIS BOOK. It's like somebody told Yann Martel: "You know what's really hot in contemporary lit right now? Poetry, transgender issues, and made-up memoirs. YOU should write one."
People read autobiographies because the personalities behind them have led fascinating, meaningful existences. If you're going to MAKE UP an autobiography, you have the opportunity to magically create some of that aforementioned fascinating-ness: "There, have some meaning! BAMMO, be a fascin...more
People read autobiographies because the personalities behind them have led fascinating, meaningful existences. If you're going to MAKE UP an autobiography, you have the opportunity to magically create some of that aforementioned fascinating-ness: "There, have some meaning! BAMMO, be a fascin...more
6 likes · like · see review
Er, it seems that I am one of the only people on goodreads that loved this book. And love it I did. I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed every aspect of it, from the fluidity of gender, to the beauty of involving different languages, to the pain and bliss of love, sexual awakening and travel. It was a rollicking good read. I felt like I actually knew the narrator inside and out, which is something that I've found lacking in a lot of the books that I have read recently.
The rape scene at the end was...more
The rape scene at the end was...more
11 likes · like · see review
I'd read 'Life of Pi' a few years ago, so when this book came to me as a birthday gift I was excited to read another book by Yann Martel. It took me a few pages to get used to the writing style presented here - a mix of flashbacks and future shots and short bits that didn't make much sense at the moment. After the first 20 pages or so, I could barely put it down and fell in love with the style. A great book, though some of the events are a bit mystifying and other ones downright tragic and heart...more
Feb 27, 2013
Eniko
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
recommandation-de-rainier-grutman
This sounds like a very interesting book and I am tempted to read it, but I am a bit squeamish about it since I know there is a particularly violent scene in it. Nevertheless, I might give it a try. On a really nice, sunny day, I might read just try. Maybe.
I read an article, written by one of my university professors, about the linguistic aspects of this book, which is why I want to read it. What really interests me in it is the main character's linguistic identity. Among other things, there is...more
I read an article, written by one of my university professors, about the linguistic aspects of this book, which is why I want to read it. What really interests me in it is the main character's linguistic identity. Among other things, there is...more
Self has good characterization and fluid writing, but nothing to hold it all together. The descriptions are vibrant but not thought-provoking. I enjoyed the use of the novel as a format to adumbrate imaginary stories and novels (those "written" by the narrator) which would never work as actual books, a technique also found in Slaughterhouse Five and the stories of Jorge Luis Borges. In Self, Martel uses various experimental postmodernistic techniques (such as starting Chapter Two on the last pag...more
I’m…not sure what to make of this.
The best way I can describe this book from a plot perspective is that it is a bildungsroman: “a genre of the novel which focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood where change is thus extremely important”. We have the unnamed protaganist who grows from a child to a thirty-year old, changed by travelling, writing, and -- perhaps most importantly -- the discovery of sex and relationships. The pacing varies very much,...more
The best way I can describe this book from a plot perspective is that it is a bildungsroman: “a genre of the novel which focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood where change is thus extremely important”. We have the unnamed protaganist who grows from a child to a thirty-year old, changed by travelling, writing, and -- perhaps most importantly -- the discovery of sex and relationships. The pacing varies very much,...more
For a brief time, towards the end of the novel, I was actively enjoying reading it. A bit before that, it was at least tolerable. But with the late game-changing plot-twist, the book lost me.
The novel is about the life of a person who is biologically born (and identifies)as a (cis) man. Then, when he wakes up on his 18th birthday, he discovers he has turned into a biological/cis female, and begins identifying as such.
There is no surprise, no change of psyche. She just goes "oh huh I'm a girl no...more
The novel is about the life of a person who is biologically born (and identifies)as a (cis) man. Then, when he wakes up on his 18th birthday, he discovers he has turned into a biological/cis female, and begins identifying as such.
There is no surprise, no change of psyche. She just goes "oh huh I'm a girl no...more
There we're some aspects of the book that I enjoyed. It seemed to spark many memories of my own, not in the exact way in which Yann describes, but it made me think a lot about my childhood. Certain words and phrases sparked memories from my distant past and the relationships that went with them.
He goes into the grotesque details of what happens to our bodies in there formative hormonal years. Some people may not be able to stomach it. But a lot of it, is the odd reality we are faced with when w...more
He goes into the grotesque details of what happens to our bodies in there formative hormonal years. Some people may not be able to stomach it. But a lot of it, is the odd reality we are faced with when w...more
AKA: Metamorphosis
Self, Yann Martel’s first novel, explores the themes of gender, sexuality and identity. The unnamed narrator tells about his life as a child. The strong focus on sexuality and masturbation remind me of Ian McEwan The Cement Garden. Only Martel takes it much further. About one-third of the way through the book the narrator slowly transforms into a female. The whole nature of the book makes you question: you question what you are reading (fiction, non-fiction), you question who t...more
It's almost unbelievable that this and Life of Pi were written by the same author.
The tone of Self is so absurdly different from Pi's. It offers no conclusion to speak of, nor explanation, it is ragingly atheist almost to the point of being nihilistic.
And yet it is just as enlightening.
That is to say, it's a much more difficult read. Self holds your hand less than the grand majority of books, offers no guidance as to what you are supposed to grasp from it, yet it offers so much to the philosoph...more
The tone of Self is so absurdly different from Pi's. It offers no conclusion to speak of, nor explanation, it is ragingly atheist almost to the point of being nihilistic.
And yet it is just as enlightening.
That is to say, it's a much more difficult read. Self holds your hand less than the grand majority of books, offers no guidance as to what you are supposed to grasp from it, yet it offers so much to the philosoph...more
This was an exhilarating, colourful and highly intelligent read; it reminded me a great deal of Salman Rushdie’s ‘Midnight’s Children ‘, though of the two books I found this one by far the more readable.
There are so many different themes examined and the author’s magic touch ensures they are all shown in a completely new light. I particularly liked the discussion of the ins and outs of thesaurus compilation! Sounds boring but wasn’t. If there’s a bum note it’s my complete failure to comprehend...more
There are so many different themes examined and the author’s magic touch ensures they are all shown in a completely new light. I particularly liked the discussion of the ins and outs of thesaurus compilation! Sounds boring but wasn’t. If there’s a bum note it’s my complete failure to comprehend...more
I am completely enamored with Yann Martel thus far, having read Life Of Pi and What Is Stephen Harper Reading? and Self did not disappoint!
The story is very enthralling and very reminiscent of Orlando, but with the wit and stylish writing of Yann Martel. I could never put this book down. I also found with this book LBGT issues were tackled very well, and Martel goes through the experiences of Gay, Lesbian, and even Transgender persons in a very classy and thoughtful manner.
I also enjoyed ve...more
The story is very enthralling and very reminiscent of Orlando, but with the wit and stylish writing of Yann Martel. I could never put this book down. I also found with this book LBGT issues were tackled very well, and Martel goes through the experiences of Gay, Lesbian, and even Transgender persons in a very classy and thoughtful manner.
I also enjoyed ve...more
At first, I was enjoying it... then I thought, How dare he? What the hell does he know? The joys, the wonderful gift of menstruations, the lovely cramps, the beautiful flow of stinky blood? Why doesn't he take it a step further and talk about the wonderful and pleasureable journey of cervical cancer, chemoradiation, brachytherapy and the close and loving relationship one develops with one's tumour why doesn't he?
I am usually very open minded and very eclectic about my reading and opinions, but t...more
I am usually very open minded and very eclectic about my reading and opinions, but t...more
it's one of those books that you feel like you're long time friends with the character, who's hiding nothing from you. very personal and emotional, it surprised me time and again. being really bold in some descriptions. funny at times but also dramatic and sad.
In the past, I have read another of Yann Martel's books called "The Life of Pi". Based on how much I liked that one, I decided to read "Self" for a Canadian Literature class project.
Now, I must say, at first read, this book is VERY confusing. The main character has a habit of changing gender and sexual orientation at random, and until you realize that this is just something left unexplained and doesn't quite follow our common views on the subject, it will confuse the heck out of you. However, g...more
Now, I must say, at first read, this book is VERY confusing. The main character has a habit of changing gender and sexual orientation at random, and until you realize that this is just something left unexplained and doesn't quite follow our common views on the subject, it will confuse the heck out of you. However, g...more
Weird and difficult at times. Addresses issues of gender and self (see title). Certainly not for everyone but if you are willing to read something weird and different and kinda good but not great...
Oct 02, 2007
Emilie
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who like strange Can Lit
Shelves:
bookclub-picks
As is typical of most Canadian fiction, this is a strange strange book. Yet it intrigued me and kept me reading. For that, I am appreciative. Would I recommend it? The jury is still out on that one.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
If, as I suspect, you have read and enjoyed Yann Martel’s “The Life of Pi” as much as I did, then you will probably also enjoy “Self”, his first novel.
Without giving too much away it is difficult to say much about the plot, which feels autiobiographical, to an extent but (as you will see) there are very well defined limits to just how autobiographical it can be.
I am certain that there are hidden depths that I couldn’t quite fathom, regarding fractured consciousnesses and sexual politics, but I m...more
Without giving too much away it is difficult to say much about the plot, which feels autiobiographical, to an extent but (as you will see) there are very well defined limits to just how autobiographical it can be.
I am certain that there are hidden depths that I couldn’t quite fathom, regarding fractured consciousnesses and sexual politics, but I m...more
I debated with myself over giving this book two or three stars. When it gets right down to it I don’t think this is a bad book, it’s actually a really neat book with an interesting, if not slightly bizarre, story line. I just didn’t like it all that much, it was only “ok”. I was told this book made a person completely change the way they look at gender, life, and love. It didn’t do that for me.
If you are at all interested in reading this book, it is not a difficult or long read. It may be worth...more
If you are at all interested in reading this book, it is not a difficult or long read. It may be worth...more
It may lack the depth of 'life of pi', but there's no denying the fact that self has an aura of its own.
A vivid, sometimes playful account of growing up written on a stretch.
A story of sexuality, gender and morphosis written so candidly that martel hardly seems to miss a detail.
Some may wrongly interpret it as erotic literature and why shouldn't they?
Martel is too bold even in describing the various sexual acts.
But keep your judging mind aside and you may get the real theme.
The best part of the...more
A vivid, sometimes playful account of growing up written on a stretch.
A story of sexuality, gender and morphosis written so candidly that martel hardly seems to miss a detail.
Some may wrongly interpret it as erotic literature and why shouldn't they?
Martel is too bold even in describing the various sexual acts.
But keep your judging mind aside and you may get the real theme.
The best part of the...more
I am seriously at a loss about how to rate this book. I felt almost voyeuristic when reading this at times. I wanted to shake or comfort the main character frequently. There were parts that dragged and dragged. More than once, I considred setting it aside and moving to something else, but then I would remember that beautiful bit at the beginning describing love as fish in his eyes, and I would give it another shot. And would then find another beautiful snippet that would keep me going. I had to...more
This book is - interesting, but let me down. I loved the writing and I'll try more of Martel, but not so much the story. It was too incoherent, felt pointless. It dragged around too much, and while it wasn't an heavy read, the complete lack of plot makes it hard to keep reading. Some parts where good - the first half, in which the main character's childhood in explored, and the last part, up to the abrupt ending.
Once the main character (view spoiler)...more
Once the main character (view spoiler)...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This book was very well written, and I adored it until about halfway through, when the male narrator suddenly became a woman. Maybe it was just my own inability to adapt, but I felt that the sudden gender change took a lot away from my understanding of the character I had grown to love throughout the course of this book, which ultimately took a lot away from the story itself. Also, one scene near the end was particularly disturbing, but overall, I am glad I read this book. It's not something I c...more
Well, I was told this story featured some friends of mine - their names have been changed to protect the innocent so it was a little odd to see snippets of their university years viewed by an outsider who is a man, writing as a man who has been turned into a woman who eventually turns back into a man. A little autobiographical though the switching genders perhaps not, though maybe? definitely odd, serious hints of the genius behind his next works. I cannot honestly say I'd recommend though Marte...more
Blimey. About 8 or 9 years ago I read The Life of Pi which I thought was brilliant. Brilliantly written, brilliant storytelling and even now I think it's one of the best books I've ever read.
This is Martel's first novel and it's written in the first person as a sort of autobiography. I don't want to say much more than that as it's a journey through a life that is sometimes sad, sometimes happy and sometimes painful.
The writing is brilliant, and the layout is peculiar in places, almost like a cro...more
This is Martel's first novel and it's written in the first person as a sort of autobiography. I don't want to say much more than that as it's a journey through a life that is sometimes sad, sometimes happy and sometimes painful.
The writing is brilliant, and the layout is peculiar in places, almost like a cro...more
SELF was a puzzling book and one that find myself still thinking back to a few days after finishing it. It's one that I immediately wished to discuss, trying to parse the whys and wherefores of the plot devices employed by Martel. Although this is a very different book than his popular LIFE OF PI, the self-reflection and fantastical life adventures are present in both books. Well worth a read and if you are interested in human nature, the human condition, gender and sexuality, this novel will ap...more
This novel had so much potential. The gender issues were fascinating, but almost everything else was not: the lists of every course taken during a semester but never any insights gained from the courses, list of places traveled without any description of the trip (yes a few trips were described but why say where the protagonist traveled with Tito, with Cathy, in one sentence, and that's it, what's the point?), a paragraph-long list of authors who influenced the main character (who was that suppo...more
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Yann Martel is a Canadian author best known for the Man Booker Prize-winning novel Life of Pi.
More about Yann Martel...
Yann Martel was born in Spain in 1963 of peripatetic Canadian parents. He grew up in Alaska, British Columbia, Costa Rica, France, Ontario and Mexico, and has continued travelling as an adult, spending time in Iran, Turkey and India. Martel refers to his travels as, “seeing the same play on a whole lot of
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“The clear liquid in our eyes is seawater and therefore there are fish in our eyes, seawater being the natural medium of fish. Since blue and green are the colours of the richest seawater, blue and green eyes are the fishiest. Dark eyes are somewhat less fecund and albino eyes are nearly fishless, sadly so. But the quantity of fish in an eye means nothing. A single tigerfish can be as beautiful, as powerful, as an entire school of seafaring tuna. That science has never observed ocular fish does nothing to refute my theory; on the contrary, it emphasizes the key hypothesis, which is: love is the food of eye fish and only love will bring them out. So to look closely into someone's eyes with cold, empirical interest is like the rude tap-tap of a finder on an aquarium, which only makes the fish flee. In a similar vein, when I took to looking at myself closely in mirrors during the turmoil of adolescence, the fact that I saw nothing in my eyes, not even the smallest guppy or tadpole, said something about my unhappiness and lack of faith in myself at the time.
...I no longer believe in eye fish in [i]fact[/i], but still do in metaphor. In the passion of an embrace, when breath, the win, is at its loudest and skin at its saltiest, I still nearly think that I could stop things and hear, feel, the rolling of the sea. I am still nearly convinced that, when my love and I kiss, we will be blessed with the sight of angelfish and sea-horses rising to the surface of our eyes, these fish being the surest proof of our love. In spite of everything, I sill profoundly believe that love is something oceanic.”
—
5 people liked it
...I no longer believe in eye fish in [i]fact[/i], but still do in metaphor. In the passion of an embrace, when breath, the win, is at its loudest and skin at its saltiest, I still nearly think that I could stop things and hear, feel, the rolling of the sea. I am still nearly convinced that, when my love and I kiss, we will be blessed with the sight of angelfish and sea-horses rising to the surface of our eyes, these fish being the surest proof of our love. In spite of everything, I sill profoundly believe that love is something oceanic.”
“When the course of experience made me see that there is no saviour and no special grace, no remission beyond the human, that pain is to be endured and fades, if it fades, only with time, then God became nothing to me but a dyslexic dog, with neither bark nor bite.”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
I am so F*ing confused!? what the hell is going on. man, women, man, homosexual, transgendered, hetrosexual. i am...more
Nov 20, 2009 09:54pm