An interesting book perhaps not what I would normally have read but that is the reason for the book club.
"A Rose for Winter" was one of Laurie Lee's early books and I personally feel it shows. The book is essentially a travelogue illustrated through very detailed and carefully crafted pictures painted in words. It felt like a blind person who had suddenly discovered colours and wanted to use the entire palette at once and as such was a touch over powering. I found at times I was reading the book for the words and not the picture, places and people he was describing.
The book is essentially a return to Spain after the civil war to revisit some of the towns he visited on his walk through the country when he was a younger man. As consequence I think I expected to read something of the aftermath of the war and the effects on the country but in fact I found virtually none.
Currently I am reading the prequel "As I walked out one Midsummer Morning" which was written much later and I do not get the same overpowering feeling, the palette has been toned down.
None the less "A Rose for Winter" was a good read but the prequel for me is proving it's superior.
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Monday 22 February 2010
"A Rose for Winter" by Laurie Lee
We read this book in early January 2010. I chose this short travel story because it is short but well written, and we didnt have much time to read and prepare. It provides an interesting contrast to The Road. The travelogue is the story of Lee's return to Andalucia in the mid 50's with his partner. They visit half a dozen towns and villages that he first discovered just before the outbreak of the civil war. Lee is another poetic writer who captures mood of place with just a few words. In this book however it is the dramatic colours of southern Spain filled with high emotions that prevail.
We read this book in early January 2010. I chose this short travel story because it is short but well written, and we didnt have much time to read and prepare. It provides an interesting contrast to The Road. The travelogue is the story of Lee's return to Andalucia in the mid 50's with his partner. They visit half a dozen towns and villages that he first discovered just before the outbreak of the civil war. Lee is another poetic writer who captures mood of place with just a few words. In this book however it is the dramatic colours of southern Spain filled with high emotions that prevail.
22 February. London
A belated thought on "The Road": I found this a beautifully written book, poetic even. One of the bestw ritten books I have read in recent years. But, but the subject is gruelling, and although I looked for and found something uplifting elements in the story, I cannot say I really enjoyed the story. I had to read it in one sitting. But it was tough. I have no interest, for example, in seeing the film, which is showing all over London at the moment. I am tempted to read other McCarthy books now.
A belated thought on "The Road": I found this a beautifully written book, poetic even. One of the bestw ritten books I have read in recent years. But, but the subject is gruelling, and although I looked for and found something uplifting elements in the story, I cannot say I really enjoyed the story. I had to read it in one sitting. But it was tough. I have no interest, for example, in seeing the film, which is showing all over London at the moment. I am tempted to read other McCarthy books now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)