“The White Garden” by Stephanie Barron targets the audience
who love literature in toto: books, writers, characters and the process itself:
how this verbal mystery is created. The abstract premising the novel was enough
to make me crave for it:
In March of 1941, Virginia
Woolf filled her pockets with stones and drowned herself in England's River
Ouse. Her body was found three weeks later. What seemed like a tragic ending at
the time was, in fact, just the beginning of a mystery…
The word mystery concerning Virginia Woolf is more than precise. Mysterious is not only the tragic story of her
life but also her heroes and her style, hazed with vagueness, something you want to uncover, to explore. The
main character of “The White
Garden”, landscape designer Jo Bellamy, comes to Sissinghurst Castle to study the celebrated
White Garden created by poet and writer (and Woolf's friend) Vita Sackville-West. Jo’s been hired
to copy the garden for her employer. As you probably guessed, the time of the action is
today, and setting is of great imporatnce. Here, in the unique garden (which still exists, see pictures below) with white
colour predominating, Jo makes a shocking find: Woolf's diary, its first
entry dated the day AFTER she allegedly killed herself.
The following quest to unveil the truth makes
an absorbing sort of reading. For a trained eye supposedly Woolf's notes
seem balancing close to her original style. You keep thinking: Can they be really
hers? Can it all be true? Together with a love story where the eternal triangle
becomes a quadrangle this adds a good deal of intrigue.
The effect is enhanced by artistic language, or should I say, the artistic
use of the language? In any event there’re beautiful passages, especially describing
the garden.
It was barely ten o’clock, a
full hour before the gates of Sissinghurst would open; Paradise was left to
herself. … She paced slowly through the Rose Garden fading now into dormancy; past
leafless magnolias into the Yew Walk. Severe simplicity. Restraint. A vanishing
point that beckoned.
According to Stephanie Barron's afterword, the book appeared when she seemed to be writing only
about death and violence, it was a particularly
bleak period in her life. People she loved were dying, too. And as she puts it, there is something restorative in writing
about growing things when the world is dying around you. But who knows? She
might be inventing things. As she quotes in her final note, “fiction writing is
nothing more than telling lies for fun and profit”.
Have you read any lies written for fun and profit lately?))) Feel free to share your reading impressions!
(to be continued)
Have you read any lies written for fun and profit lately?))) Feel free to share your reading impressions!
(to be continued)
I have to say I'm intrigued) "Te be continued" is certainly awaited for, and I might actually take up reading the book. As for the "writing lies for fun and profit" - that's not the worst way of putting what fiction authers are doing nowadays. I'd say it's rather adequate, as they, you know, basically exploit their writing talent creating some made up stories and situations, and if they're enjoying themselves and making money in the process - well, good for them)) The readers of such books read them for fun as well, I know I do. BUT there is also a different kind of authors, they are writing about made-up things and people as well, but the difference is - what they're writing is the truth...
ОтветитьУдалитьAs for making money, why not? So did Dickens and Shakespeare! The point is in the quality of verbal product, isn’t it? Or, as you put it, choosing between lies or truth to tell.
УдалитьThanks for a new turn of discussion. Promise to tell me when you hear someone’s reading a book? I mean, in real life.
What book? This book?
УдалитьAny book! You missed the point. I'd laugh if I were not so anxious about lack of readers! or rather absence of them?
УдалитьOf course people read books! I see them all the time, for instace, reading in busses on their tablets and phones, that's what I do all the time - it will probably kill my eyesight eventually, but I think it's such a waste staring out of the window the whole 30 minutes ride to work, and I'm usually not alone in that pursuit)
ОтветитьУдалитьAnother matter entirely is what they are reading. Fiction books are like fast food, OK in the process, but nothing to talk about after you finished it. That's how I feel most of the time I give in to the lure of mindless suspence/romance/mystery reading (I console myself that it is not a total waste because at least I read them in English - tons of new words every day!).. but boy! can I feel the difference.. While I usually struggle with such book for a week or more, I go through one of my favourites (e.g. Bret Easton Ellis - I really can't understand what's in those cynical pessimistic books that pulls me in so much) in a couple of days. If you are really interested in what I'm reading now - I'm rereading Bridget Jones books in anticipation of the new third one I ordered on Ozone. Those are hilarious! I'm always laughing out loud while reading them)
School students are not reading much - if anything - that's true. I've been asking my seniors what they read for fun, and a half-hearted attempt on the fashionable Paulo Coelho (which, I believe, is still unfinished) was all I got. I had a student though who told me that before he started reading Harry Potter books he didn't like to read and now he wants to read more. Some of them are very enthusiastic about that Game of Thrones stuff, whoever wrote it) I always try to be encouraging and keep telling them, that it's impossible that you don't like to read - you haven't found YOUR books yet! I remember I didn't like the stuff we studied at our Lit classes at school - fortunately, I had all those wonderful books at home!
Thank you, Irina, for writing this post in English. Stephanie Barron’s lies based on the life of Virginia Woolf sounds interesting. In general, I like to forget myself or be intoxicated in the lies created by the renowned author. Novels provide escape into another world, solace and joy, and then let me think about my realities. I like it when I find truth flickering between the lines, the truth I can’t find in realities. I’ll return this blog to the next post later.
ОтветитьУдалитьYoko
I think people will never stop reading books. Why am I so sure? Reading is the easiest way to escape from daily routine, to hide in the world which was created with the help of people’s imagination. A book is an excellent source of information and a good mean of psychological relief. It is your loyal friend who is always ready to give you a helping hand.
ОтветитьУдалитьYou see, I usually choose books according to my mood. Reading helps me to forget about negative moments in my life. I like detective stories and science-fiction, but now I don't have much time to read what I want. Recently I ’ve read "Manipulation of consciousness" by Kara-Murza and learnt a lot about manipulation and its techniques. I found out that we are constantly being manipulated by other people. Everybody wants to influence our inner world in order to reach his/her goals. And Our aim is not to let them do it.The most important thing here is that a person is not aware of any external influences. He does not notice when his brain is "washed".... Oh, perhaps it isn't interesting for you , but at the present moment I can only think about manipulative strategies and tactics which have a great impact on our views, opinions and a system of values, on our consciousness in general.
And one more thing about reading. There will always be people who will make you read. I mean your parents, teachers, friends will definitely help you to find the right book for you which will be close to your soul. SO DON'T WORRY, ENJOY YOUR LIFE AND READ BOOKS of course.
Krasnogorskaya Anna
Недавно я прочитал роман Николая Островского “Как заклялась сталь” в этой книге меня больше всего впечатлил главный герой Павка, а именно его сила духа, несгибаемая воля и вера в себя. Я смог представить картину того времени, так как автор красочно передал настроение народа в революционное время. Описывается разница в образовании между обычными детьми и детьми высших слоев их межличностные отношения.
ОтветитьУдалитьГоворя о романе “Дом у моря” содержания каждой главы раскрывает читателю все больше интересной и сокровенной информации о каждом герои романа, тем самым заставляя читателя глубже погрузиться в последующие главы. В этой книге описывается две сюжетных линий, которые, по всей вероятности, должны соединится. Хочу особенно отметить Лили, для которой ее молодой человек по имени Ник значит очень многое. Но Лили устает от постоянной занятости и отговорок Ника. Не находит в нем опоры и желанной искренности которой так ей не хватает. В конце концов, она понимает, что Ник не способен на те чувства, которые она находит в письмах Лемана к Элсе. Ее сердце по степенно открывается соседу Грею, отцу двух прекрасных девочек, с которыми она часто проводит время. Хотелось бы обратиться к Нику : ”Сердце женщины – огонь. Лили положила его на твою ладонь. Не студи его и не холоди. А не выдержит рука лучше уходи”.
I've read recently "The portrait of Dorian Grey" by Oscar Wilde. I can say that this book impressed me very much. You see, the main idea of this book is to show how our soul changes because of our deeds. Besides, the author wanted us to understand that not only our soul changes, but our appearance as well. I bevieve that our faces, our appearance represents the traces of our sins...
ОтветитьУдалитьUnfortunately, Dorian was under the influence of his friend, Henry Wotton, who was of hedonistic outlook, and reading the book we can trace Dorian's degradation. Though he realised that his deeds was afwul, it's a great pity that he didn't repent...I think he couldn't see his soul in such terrible condition, he couldn't bear it, that's why he committed suicide...
The last book I've read is "Fahrenheit 451' written by Ray Bradbury. This book is about how our world will change if we don't read the books. You see, reading books was forbidden by the government, because it could develop people's mind, create ideas, give knowledge. Of course, it was easier to rule in the world where people didn't have their own opinions. Moreover, they were supplied with the all modern conveniences, and it didn't occur to them that they could live in another way. All they wanted was to consume. No wonder, those people was similar, for examples, their interests, their fake smiles and even their thoughts. Fortunately, there were people who didn't give in and were fighting against the government. They even learnt the books by heart in order to carry down them to the future generation. In the end of the story, those people went to hike all around the world. This book made me realize the importance of reading.
ОтветитьУдалитьNow I read “The Sea House” written by Esther Freud in original. The plot is divided into two parts: the past and the present. Of course, at first it was difficult to understand what is happening, but the more I read the clearer and more interesting the plot becomes. No doubt, I’m looking forward to learn the end of the book.
The book I’ve read recently named “Arthas: Rise of the King Lich” by Christie Golden. Without doubt, this book impressed me much. You see, this book shows us that while achieving the goal people ignore the way how they do it. In other words, author describing the history of the Prince of the Lorderon, wanted to show us that "Hell is paved with good intentions".
ОтветитьУдалитьAs, I’ve said this book described the life of the Prince. When a young, he considered to be a very kind. But unfortunately, he had been facing with a lot of cruelty since his childhood. Moreover he saw a lot of deaths, besides his loyal horse dead at that time. So, he swore that he would do his best in order to protect his Kingdom and his people. When he became a paladin he faced with a very big threat. As it turned out, the army of Demons attacked his land. To win that army, he thought it would be right to accept a dark power and become the King Lich. In addition, I wanted to tell that he couldn’t protect his land; moreover he became himself the biggest threat for his Kingdom. He killed his father; he lost the woman who fallen in love with him. Of course, in the end he realized what he had done, but it was too late to change anything.
Now, I’m reading other book which constantly differs from my previous one. It is named “The sea house” by Ester Freud. You see, firstly I thought that it is a very difficult book, because it was hard to understand the structure of writing. But now I’m glad that I can follow the plot and I consider this book to be very interesting. Moreover, I already have a character who I like: it is Lily, because she has a dream and she does her best to realize it. As for her boyfriend named Nick, I consider him to be very selfish that’s why I don’t like him. Now, I can’t tell about their destiny, but I hope that the ending of this book will be very unpredictable.
Unfortunately now it’s too hard to find time for reading, but extra is my saving. Now I am reading “The Sea House” by Esther Freud. What can I say about this book… it’s really very interesting. There are two plotlines, where the actions take part in different time. It already makes this book unique. There are two plotlines, there are two main characters – Max and Lily. Of course Lily is closer to me. She is a very romantic girl, which wants to make her life dreamier, loftier. I understand her, I think every woman wants to feel love and care of her sweetheart. I don’t consider Nick to be her destiny. He is too far from her specimen. That’s why I can suppose that they won’t be together. I like her neighbour Grae. He is a nice man and Lily feels easy and calm with him. I want to believe their relations will develop. Talking about this book, it is really captivating. Reading every new chapter, I worry for the personages more and more and I really can’t predict what the end of the story the writer prepared for us. That’s why I will read and continue to enjoy such an unusual writing.
ОтветитьУдалитьTwo month ago I’ve read “Lord of the Flies” written by William Gerald Golding. To tell the truth, I did not expect that there were no flies at all. This novel is about children who were on a desert island. Their beehive really changed when they came to the island and I couldn’t believe that children might be so cruel. But after reading I understood that “a monster” lived in each of us and we don’t know when it will come out. The most important thing I realized that in any situation we mustn’t lose our humanity.
ОтветитьУдалитьNow I am reading “The Sea House” by Esther Freud. It is a very interesting novel about women who researched the life of Klaus Lehmann. There are two story lines, of cause, they are linked. During the book we can notice how Lily’s relationships with her boyfriend Nick change. At that time, we can see how Max's life is changing in Gertrude’s house after wartime. I am pleased with worrying about the fates of the heroes and I’m looking forward to the climax.
To tell the truth, the last book that I`ve read, didn`t impressed me as much as I had expected. It was «Tender Is the Night» by Francis Scott Fitzgerald. Having read «The Great Gatsby», I really expected something similar, something that would be easy to read and also easy to understand. And you see, Though the manner of writing seems to be the same : quite natural and simple, however, I think that the story line is very congested by the names of the heroes and places. What`s more, really strange and improbable story of relationships between Dick and Nicole is described there. I`m sure, those who likes such intensity of emotions will absolutely love this book! I don`t want to say, that reading of «Tender Is the Night» didn`t bring me pleasure at all… reading this book, I noticed a lot of interesting writing-methods (for example, several weeks ago, you said: «Who can give an example of a flashback?» . I was sitting and there was no a single thought in my head, but, having read «Tender Is the Night», I found an excellent example!) .
ОтветитьУдалитьNow, I`m reading «The Sea House» by Ester Freud. I really can`t say something certain about this book right now, because I just can`t combine the Max`s story with Lily`s story. Two different people with two different stories… What do they have in common? I can only guess. Maybe they will fall in love with each other… but how? They live in different times. This riddle makes me to read one chapter after another, because what I want most of all is to know the key of this book.
So, as for me, I enjoy reading "The Sea House". I can't say that at the beginning of the book it wasn't interesting for me. On the contrary, from the first pages it's very interesting to read. This book makes me think about character's fates and about what had happend, what was happening and what would happen. What's more, it's very absorbing to read the story which took place in the same village during different time periods. I like the visual descriptions very much. I like the wonderful advice about painting in letters written to Max from Henry. I like love letters written to Elsa from Klaus. And of course, I can't help mentioning about Lily, about her researching, about her feelings. It's evident that with time she realized lots of things, she changed her opinion about love.
ОтветитьУдалитьSo, I think that the novel is very well-written, and I am really involved to this book. And with a great pleassure I'll go on reading this book.