Sue Laurence answers “For those who 'eye' read the book, did you...”

IvanOpinion asked this question about Girl, Woman, Other:

For those who 'eye' read the book, did you think the unconventional punctuation served a worthwhile purpose? (I'll provide my view in my answer to my own question.)

Sue Laurence I thought the writer's decision not to use punctuation was quite pre-meditated. Anna Burns who won the previous Booker prize with 'Milkman' the year b…moreI thought the writer's decision not to use punctuation was quite pre-meditated. Anna Burns who won the previous Booker prize with 'Milkman' the year before used a similar technique, but with much more devastating effect as she was portraying a woman who was jogging and being stalked during the Norther Irish 'troubles'. The lack of punctuation was like following this woman's journey where there were no interludes but continual movement. Evaristo's technique did not assist the narrative in any way and her characters were crude caricatures. It's a pity as Evaristo when interviewed is interesting and I am sure she can write better than this. I really look forward to reading more by her.(less)

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Girl, Woman, Other

by Bernardine Evaristo

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