Imatge de l'autor

Elspeth Barker (1940–2022)

Autor/a de O Caledonia

6+ obres 424 Membres 18 Ressenyes

Obres de Elspeth Barker

Obres associades

A Distant Cry: Stories from East Anglia (2002) — Col·laborador — 12 exemplars

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Ressenyes

This book is short, easy to read, and full of unlikable characters who are incapable of of giving each other what they need - which sucks for the weird daughter, the oldest child who just wants to fit in, but as herself. As she grows up, her Mom and Dad ignore her for her more perfect siblings, which just makes her even more weird.

This book actually reminds of the anti-Addams Family, instead of an eccentric family full of acceptance, you get an eccentric family trying to be as normal as possible. The book is billed as a dark story, hilarious, and a funny work of genius. And its all of that, the writing is spot on, descriptions of the house, of Janet, even of the dogs and cats. This is not a happy family and it takes a very skilled writer to capture that unhappiness while managing to point out the absurdities.

Its recommended, but at times I found it emotionally difficult to read.
… (més)
½
 
Marcat
TheDivineOomba | Hi ha 17 ressenyes més | Feb 4, 2024 |
Ali Smith calls this book “One of the best least-known novels of the twentieth century.” I have to agree. I kept checking the publish date because it reads like an old classic from a much earlier time. Darkly comic with almost poetic descriptions of the Scottish countryside, the writing is stunning and Janet’s short life depicts many reminders of the horrors of coming of age. The one word that springs to mind for this book is: unforgettable.
 
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Andy5185 | Hi ha 17 ressenyes més | Jul 9, 2023 |
I adored this, despite and fell in love with the heroine, despite her dark nature. It's a slim novel, a coming-of-age-noir set in mid-20th-century Scotland, black and very dryly funny and really beautifully written. There's a manor house, a pet raven, and a protagonist who just doesn't fit into the mold she's supposed to... I think just about anyone who's been a teenager will relate. This is not quite like anything else you might think of that would slot into those categories, and made me happy to read despite its sad ending (not a spoiler). Absolutely recommended, especially if you like that kind of arch but kindly UK voice along the lines of Muriel Spark, Sylvia Townsend Warner, et. al (though this was originally published in 1991, so a bit later in that milieu).… (més)
 
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lisapeet | Hi ha 17 ressenyes més | Jun 19, 2023 |
i don't quite see what maggie o'farrell does in her introduction to this book, but i did enjoy it. this story of this misunderstood, outcast girl, who is disliked even by her parents, but who finds community with her books and with birds and creatures is one that you know from the outset will end in tragedy. the rest of the book just tells how we get there. and it is tragic - for literally no one to care to get to know her, to try to understand her, to see what the birds see in her. her depth of feeling for the animals is what most moved me, but her unlikeableness seemed more rooted in her differences and in her unwillingness to conform. something we often praise these days. anyway, it's interesting to think about and sad to read about, and even as i was waiting for the end to come, it was still surprising that it did.

janet's inability to mercy kill a bird in the moment when it was fatally injured, to put it out of its misery was written perfectly. that is, i'm quite sure, exactly how i'd respond, blubbering and all, and i fear for ever finding this out in life for certain.
… (més)
 
Marcat
overlycriticalelisa | Hi ha 17 ressenyes més | Apr 18, 2023 |

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Estadístiques

Obres
6
També de
1
Membres
424
Popularitat
#57,554
Valoració
4.1
Ressenyes
18
ISBN
20
Llengües
3

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