Mirror, Shoulder, Signal by Dorthe Nors

[Maxwell]

A discussion thread for Mirror, Shoulder, Signal by Dorthe Nors.

[Paul]

Bit disappointed with this one.

Nors' short fiction is regarded as innovative.

But for me this depended too much on clunky metaphors for the protagonist, an invisible middle-aged woman's, life: her driving lessons which give the novel its title, in particular her inability to select the correct gear, and difficulty in checking her blind spot, Jodie Foster movies (Contact and The Accused), her job as a translator, her fixation with migratory birds particularly whooper swans and also with helicopters (which speak to her of "yearnings and buoyancy").

Not one for the shortlist.

[Neil]

I've just finished this and I agree with Paul and Anya - this was a disappointment.