Questions About Bellevue Square

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Bellevue Square, please sign up.

Answered Questions (6)

Is anyone else finding this book a bit confusing? I’m presently half way through and getting a bit worried it will never get unsorted for me.

Amy Yes! I want to understand and like it...but I don't. …moreYes! I want to understand and like it...but I don't. (less)

flag

This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Jennifer

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

flag

How did it get the Giller Prize? It started so promising! But after a while it seemed to become a very self conscious book trying to sound erudite and literary...... I lost the authors train of thought.... I gritted my teeth and finished it. Yes there are interesting descriptions of Toronto, and a few characters but so overwhelmingly bizarre.... I don't understand what the point was?! A picture of mental illness?

Susan Watson I found the book extremely emotional, reduced to tears in some parts. For me it was an eye in to the mind of someone experiencing a major psychosis. …more I found the book extremely emotional, reduced to tears in some parts. For me it was an eye in to the mind of someone experiencing a major psychosis. Our family recently had a loved one diagnosed with a significant mental illness. During their 7 month psychosis and elated 'perception' of their world , it was so hard for us to understand, to comprehend what they were experiencing, it made absolutely no sense to us. The people that they apparently met on the streets during their 12 + hours of unknown where-a-bouts. Ironically and perhaps the reason I was so emotional reading this, was because it was exactly same area of Toronto. We struggled greatly to understand what he was experiencing when he did come home with elaborate stories that couldn't possibly be real. We thankfully experienced the kind and professional support of CAMH on College St, when other medical professionals and facilities failed. I am still processing whether this book is worthy of an award, The author is a brilliant writer because we struggled to make sense of what was real and what wasn't not too far into the book....that's exactly what happens in the minds of those who are living with psychosis. Will readers respond differently now to those who don't appear to be....for lack of better words....."acting normal?" We see people on the streets of Toronto and other communities everyday who are struggling with 'demons' or ontological events, I hope if anything it reminds us to be more kind and tolerant. (less)

flag

This is one crazy story! I’d finally glimpse a bit of logic and begin to think I might have followed a few paragraphs only to have the author turn it upside down again for the nth time! There are very funny parts, and Redhill writes extremely well in the voice of a woman. But continuity, a rational story....no. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone-esp. who might be a) depressed; b) anxious Agree?

Judith Witzig I have not finished this book but am coming to believe this is an inside look at schizophrenia or some other mental health issue. It is compellingly b…moreI have not finished this book but am coming to believe this is an inside look at schizophrenia or some other mental health issue. It is compellingly believable, on the surface so smooth and real and then the edges start to unravel. Well written, and uncomfortable but I suspect that might be how life feels from the inside of a mental illness Jean's dance between her various realities and her need to protect each feels real to me. Not sure if Ingrid exists anywhere other than in Jean's alternative world.(less)

flag

Looking for book club discussion questions?