Tonight is the first event for the new book, and I've spent most of the afternoon at home with curlers in my hair and cucumber circles on the eyes...
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Rachel Cusk illuminates the dignity and tragedy of the everyday lives of ordinary women in a bourgeois suburb. Given the seemingly banal subject matter and the absence of a high-stakes conflict, this book could easily have lapsed into dreariness or cliche, but Cusk's insight and evocative, immediate prose (reminiscent of Virginia Woolf's) instead make it clear why these characters warrant serious, concentrated attention.
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(5 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
This book is a remarkable achievement. Brandeis's engaging, unassuming style drew me into what seemed at first to be a clever romantic comedy--and before I knew it, I was deeply involved with both the characters and the deeper moral issues she introduces in a convincing, personal way that never betrays the reality of the characters or setting. This is both a fascinating account of a woman's journey of self-discovery and an exploration of what it means to be American and, finally, human. It is inspiring and uplifting without being in the least sentimental--and it's great fun to read.
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(9 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
This book would be worth reading if only for its fascinating peek behind the curtain of the resort entertainment world. It offers so much more, though, including memorable, sympathetic characters; scenes of lasting emotional resonance; and exotic locales. It was hard to put down.
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(2 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
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dr.sue has commented on (3) products.
Arlington Park: A Novel by Rachel Cusk
dr.sue, March 11, 2007
Rachel Cusk illuminates the dignity and tragedy of the everyday lives of ordinary women in a bourgeois suburb. Given the seemingly banal subject matter and the absence of a high-stakes conflict, this book could easily have lapsed into dreariness or cliche, but Cusk's insight and evocative, immediate prose (reminiscent of Virginia Woolf's) instead make it clear why these characters warrant serious, concentrated attention.(5 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
Self Storage by Gayle Brandeis
dr.sue, March 10, 2007
This book is a remarkable achievement. Brandeis's engaging, unassuming style drew me into what seemed at first to be a clever romantic comedy--and before I knew it, I was deeply involved with both the characters and the deeper moral issues she introduces in a convincing, personal way that never betrays the reality of the characters or setting. This is both a fascinating account of a woman's journey of self-discovery and an exploration of what it means to be American and, finally, human. It is inspiring and uplifting without being in the least sentimental--and it's great fun to read.(9 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
A Thousand and One Nights by Lara Tupper
dr.sue, February 15, 2007
This book would be worth reading if only for its fascinating peek behind the curtain of the resort entertainment world. It offers so much more, though, including memorable, sympathetic characters; scenes of lasting emotional resonance; and exotic locales. It was hard to put down.(2 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)