I liked it, too! I found the characters and situations deeply engrossing, and I enjoyed the author's use of language. The development of Roman's relationship with Bernard was especially well-done, I thought, and the changes that occurred in Roman from beginning to end were really subtle and wonderful.
I hope no one minds if I finally join the discussion of one of our books! I just started the book a couple of hours ago, so I'm not finished yet, but it is beautiful so far.
I really enjoyed it, too. The characters were deep and interesting. And it portrayed the progression of life in a sadly realistic way, I thought. A good read!
Now that I've finished the book, I still think the writing is beautiful, but I'm even more astonished by the cruelty of Roman. Those climactic conversations with Miranda, Lucy, and Bernard were so heart-wrenching that they were difficult to read. And even in everyday conversation, he was almost always thoughtless.
It amazes me that the author was able to make him completely believable, deep, dynamic, and even sympathetic with how he treated the other sympathetic characters. And it's not just amazing in a technical way -- I'm not sitting back and admiring her craft as I read -- her writing is far too engrossing for me to even think about craft.
I'm finished! I used the snowstorm to stay home and read it in one sitting. Not difficult because it was a very absorbing read. Now I'd like to pick up some poetry to read!
Yay - I'm glad I'm not the only one who liked it. Ben, welcome to the discussion! I'm also lost in awe of the way Chang writes. It's so elegant yet intimate at the same time.
cl, that was my first thought too upon finishing! It's funny how we never get to read Bernard's poem, even though it's so key to the storyline.
I liked it, too! I found the characters and situations deeply engrossing, and I enjoyed the author's use of language. The development of Roman's relationship with Bernard was especially well-done, I thought, and the changes that occurred in Roman from beginning to end were really subtle and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI hope no one minds if I finally join the discussion of one of our books! I just started the book a couple of hours ago, so I'm not finished yet, but it is beautiful so far.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm a little late!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it, too. The characters were deep and interesting. And it portrayed the progression of life in a sadly realistic way, I thought. A good read!
Now that I've finished the book, I still think the writing is beautiful, but I'm even more astonished by the cruelty of Roman. Those climactic conversations with Miranda, Lucy, and Bernard were so heart-wrenching that they were difficult to read. And even in everyday conversation, he was almost always thoughtless.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that the author was able to make him completely believable, deep, dynamic, and even sympathetic with how he treated the other sympathetic characters. And it's not just amazing in a technical way -- I'm not sitting back and admiring her craft as I read -- her writing is far too engrossing for me to even think about craft.
I'm finished! I used the snowstorm to stay home and read it in one sitting. Not difficult because it was a very absorbing read. Now I'd like to pick up some poetry to read!
ReplyDeleteYay - I'm glad I'm not the only one who liked it. Ben, welcome to the discussion! I'm also lost in awe of the way Chang writes. It's so elegant yet intimate at the same time.
ReplyDeletecl, that was my first thought too upon finishing! It's funny how we never get to read Bernard's poem, even though it's so key to the storyline.