There is no doubt that the novels are better, but - to anyone who knows and loves them - this is a fascinating book. She had such strength and weaknesThere is no doubt that the novels are better, but - to anyone who knows and loves them - this is a fascinating book. She had such strength and weakness of character combined. She was perfectionist and driven, loving and solitary, frugal and extravagant, adventurer and home-biddy, suspicious and trusting, reserved and yet needing to tell... It is these extremes, constantly in conflict, that produce such great work. It was interesting to find the stories behind the novels, and to see this incredibly brave and resourceful woman in action - and to understand how often she felt she had failed, and how often she came close to despair - even while - with enormous courage - she gathered the understanding, experience and wisdom that she knew she needed for her books. For me she is, without a doubt, one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century....more
I reread this in November 2016 and I don't think I'd give it five stars any more - but this is probably because I am a lot older, and have changed. AsI reread this in November 2016 and I don't think I'd give it five stars any more - but this is probably because I am a lot older, and have changed. As a teenager I thought it was amazing. It seems churlish to remove a star, but for me it is now a four star. Still a very well written book, full of RG's beautiful sensitivity....more
This was a really beautiful, and fascinating book... partly because Waris is such an interesting woman, and has experienced such extremes of human expThis was a really beautiful, and fascinating book... partly because Waris is such an interesting woman, and has experienced such extremes of human experience - and partly because it is just beautifully written.
I recommend it very highly. I really want to give it four and a half stars, but can't seem to do it. ...more
Very compulsive reading, and extremely interesting in that it showed a side of WW2 that hasn't been much talked about. Very compulsive reading, and extremely interesting in that it showed a side of WW2 that hasn't been much talked about. ...more
This author has an amazing gift. I felt the end of the book was much too rushed, and tried to do too much. The first three quarters of the book would This author has an amazing gift. I felt the end of the book was much too rushed, and tried to do too much. The first three quarters of the book would have earned five stars from me, without any hesitation. Still well worth reading. A beautiful book....more
This was superb. The only reason I haven't given it five stars is that I felt it was slightly structurally shaky at the beginning, and there were someThis was superb. The only reason I haven't given it five stars is that I felt it was slightly structurally shaky at the beginning, and there were some slightly tedious information dumps in the middle. Having said that the sheer brilliance of the writing, and the human strength of the book kept me reading, and I was extremely moved by it. Le Carre is definnitely one of our greats....more
I've given this four stars because I liked the integrity of the book. I felt that H G was really trying to find the truth. There were some major, and I've given this four stars because I liked the integrity of the book. I felt that H G was really trying to find the truth. There were some major, and illogical shifts, but I liked the delicate unpicking of what can go wrong in a basically good marriage relationship, and the fact that the characters did try to work out a solution, even if they were handicapped by the ideas of their time (just as we are)....more
I have to give this four stars because it was so beautifully written. It is deeply felt and sensual. I must admit that I found it almost too painful tI have to give this four stars because it was so beautifully written. It is deeply felt and sensual. I must admit that I found it almost too painful to bear though....more
As the youngster that I was when I read this I wrote, 'My God, she is just so thick' (meaning the character, Maria). I think that detracted from it foAs the youngster that I was when I read this I wrote, 'My God, she is just so thick' (meaning the character, Maria). I think that detracted from it for me, but it is possible that I misjudged it as I was very young, and haven't reread it....more
Not really my type of reading. I didn't finish it. A bit like Herman Hesse. Some of the poems were good.Not really my type of reading. I didn't finish it. A bit like Herman Hesse. Some of the poems were good....more
Scott is not at his best in these short stories. I enjoyed 'The Popular Girl'. Zelda is strikingly different from him... very original altogether. 'A Scott is not at his best in these short stories. I enjoyed 'The Popular Girl'. Zelda is strikingly different from him... very original altogether. 'A Couple of Nuts' was desperately sad....more
Although this was beautifully written I didn't feel compelled to go and buy the sequel. Although this was beautifully written I didn't feel compelled to go and buy the sequel. ...more
Loading...
