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A deluded, unforgettable character. A singular novel. Wow.
Skip the Hilary Mantel introduction; or read it afterwards, if you like.
Angel, when feeling dull, was liable to faint and had once told a story of being followed from school through the gas-lit streets on a winter's afternoon; though later, to a policeman, she confessed that she might have been mistaken. p. 7
I shall often be able to say true things, in the confident hope of being misunderstood, he thought. p. 159
...more
Skip the Hilary Mantel introduction; or read it afterwards, if you like.
Angel, when feeling dull, was liable to faint and had once told a story of being followed from school through the gas-lit streets on a winter's afternoon; though later, to a policeman, she confessed that she might have been mistaken. p. 7
I shall often be able to say true things, in the confident hope of being misunderstood, he thought. p. 159
...more
This novel centered upon a very distinct type of character seems to diverge from the Elizabeth Taylor novels I have read. She has created an anti-hero in Angel, a middle-class shopkeeper's teenage daughter in early 20th century England. Angel has little distinction. Her name even, Angelica, was a borrowed from the daughter of her aunt's upper class employer -- a closely enough connected circumstance to leave Angel both despising and striving to move up to that class.
The only defining elements o ...more
The only defining elements o ...more
I loved this book much more than I had anticipated I would .
It was a bit slow at the beginning and seemed VERY unlike any of Elizabeth Taylor’s other books ( all of which , I adore )
First of all Angel is a very disturbed and initially, unlikeable character . I was annoyed with her behaviour and saddened at the way she treated those around her , all of whom seemed to bend over backwards to placate her .
Yet as the book progressed , I enjoyed Taylor’s very insightful portrayal of a writer possibl ...more
It was a bit slow at the beginning and seemed VERY unlike any of Elizabeth Taylor’s other books ( all of which , I adore )
First of all Angel is a very disturbed and initially, unlikeable character . I was annoyed with her behaviour and saddened at the way she treated those around her , all of whom seemed to bend over backwards to placate her .
Yet as the book progressed , I enjoyed Taylor’s very insightful portrayal of a writer possibl ...more
Jun 23, 2020
Lisa of Hopewell
marked it as to-read
I learned of this book here: https://www.thebooksatchel.com/best-b...
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Dec 02, 2010
MichelleCH
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Feb 19, 2012
Deedee
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Jan 21, 2016
Juliana Philippa
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Mar 31, 2023
Curlysue
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Jul 21, 2024
Tiffany
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Sep 22, 2024
Grace
marked it as to-read
