Jennifer (formerly Eccentric Muse)’s review of Surfacing > Likes and Comments
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I was reading a few pages of this but then put it off for a while. Must get back to Atwood. She's brilliant, I agree. Great review!
Thank you! Yeah, this is a slow build, but it will reward you for your patience. I think so, anyway. :-)
Great reminder of my need to read more by Atwood. I had sort of prepared to read The Blind Assassin next, but your well argued review casts some shadows over my plans (and also prickles me for not having read Munro yet!) Fantastic review, Jennifer.
This is a beautiful review - and makes me aware of some of what non-Canadians may miss (and yet it's still good enough for us to enjoy).
Thank you, Cecily - yes, I didn't recall any of the emerging nationalism / anti-Americanism from my first read and now it is the part of this novel that is quite dated (although that whole thing never seems to get old for too many Canadians).
Viva l'Atwood!
Dolors, on my second attempt at The Blind Assassin, I was won over, but I have to say I find that one of her least accessible.
Somewhere here on GR I provided my own personal and idiosyncratic reading guide to Atwood. I think you can dip in anywhere really - her voice is so strong and there's a consistency to it throughout all of her work, but then also this amazing scope and breadth over whatever it is, 40 or 50 years.
For readers who remain casual dippers, my cautionary note would be that she gets even better with cumulative and frequent readings.
Unless you try one and hate it. Then all bets are off. I do think there are those who respond to Atwood that way.
Jennifer (aka EM) wrote: "Thank you, Cecily - yes, I didn't recall any of the emerging nationalism / anti-Americanism from my first read and now it is the part of this novel that is quite dated (although that whole thing ne..."
Thanks for your recommendation and wise advice Jennifer. "Hate" is a very strong word though, I will probably feel distressed or perplexed, as I felt after I turned the last page of "The handmaid's tale". But I am hoping to make much more sense out of the next novel by Atwood that I finally set on reading.
Jennifer (aka EM) wrote: ...I think you can dip in anywhere really - her voice is so strong and there's a consistency to it throughout all of her work, but then also this amazing scope and breadth..."
I agree, although I'm not sure "consistency" is quite the word I'd pick, precisely because the breadth (style, genre etc) is so varied, but yes, the quality and interest is certainly maintained.
Dolors wrote: ""Hate" is a very strong word though, I will probably feel distressed or perplexed, as I felt after I turned the last page of "The handmaid's tale"."
I need to re-read that one too. I've been hesitating because it's so very disturbing.
Just finished two of her books and Im ready for more. I just ordered this one. I loved your review. I did not read the spoilers parts though :) Thank you!
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Samadrita
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May 17, 2014 10:30AM
I was reading a few pages of this but then put it off for a while. Must get back to Atwood. She's brilliant, I agree. Great review!
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Thank you! Yeah, this is a slow build, but it will reward you for your patience. I think so, anyway. :-)
Great reminder of my need to read more by Atwood. I had sort of prepared to read The Blind Assassin next, but your well argued review casts some shadows over my plans (and also prickles me for not having read Munro yet!) Fantastic review, Jennifer.
This is a beautiful review - and makes me aware of some of what non-Canadians may miss (and yet it's still good enough for us to enjoy).
Thank you, Cecily - yes, I didn't recall any of the emerging nationalism / anti-Americanism from my first read and now it is the part of this novel that is quite dated (although that whole thing never seems to get old for too many Canadians). Viva l'Atwood!
Dolors, on my second attempt at The Blind Assassin, I was won over, but I have to say I find that one of her least accessible.
Somewhere here on GR I provided my own personal and idiosyncratic reading guide to Atwood. I think you can dip in anywhere really - her voice is so strong and there's a consistency to it throughout all of her work, but then also this amazing scope and breadth over whatever it is, 40 or 50 years.
For readers who remain casual dippers, my cautionary note would be that she gets even better with cumulative and frequent readings.
Unless you try one and hate it. Then all bets are off. I do think there are those who respond to Atwood that way.
Jennifer (aka EM) wrote: "Thank you, Cecily - yes, I didn't recall any of the emerging nationalism / anti-Americanism from my first read and now it is the part of this novel that is quite dated (although that whole thing ne..."Thanks for your recommendation and wise advice Jennifer. "Hate" is a very strong word though, I will probably feel distressed or perplexed, as I felt after I turned the last page of "The handmaid's tale". But I am hoping to make much more sense out of the next novel by Atwood that I finally set on reading.
Jennifer (aka EM) wrote: ...I think you can dip in anywhere really - her voice is so strong and there's a consistency to it throughout all of her work, but then also this amazing scope and breadth..."I agree, although I'm not sure "consistency" is quite the word I'd pick, precisely because the breadth (style, genre etc) is so varied, but yes, the quality and interest is certainly maintained.
Dolors wrote: ""Hate" is a very strong word though, I will probably feel distressed or perplexed, as I felt after I turned the last page of "The handmaid's tale"."I need to re-read that one too. I've been hesitating because it's so very disturbing.
Just finished two of her books and Im ready for more. I just ordered this one. I loved your review. I did not read the spoilers parts though :) Thank you!
