Book: The Sea House
Jan. 18th, 2006 10:30 pmAuthor: Esther Freud
Details: (c) Esther Freud 2003; Pub Penguin Books 2004; ISBN 0-141-01107-6
Verdict: The sea house is technically well-executed but unsatisfying as a whole.
Reasons for reading it: The Jewish book discussion group picked it as this month's choice.
How it came into my hands: My parents bought a copy for said book group, so I was able to read it more or less swapping off with my Dad.
( detailed review )
The Sea House did provoke some very good discussion at the book group, though! Several of the group thought much more highly of the book than I did, and there was some suggestion that the kinds of things I found irritating were deliberate technique. Perhaps Freud is deliberately satirizing the standard romantic tropes, by writing a book about people trying to have relationships with romantic ideals and failing to notice the real people they interact with.
Details: (c) Esther Freud 2003; Pub Penguin Books 2004; ISBN 0-141-01107-6
Verdict: The sea house is technically well-executed but unsatisfying as a whole.
Reasons for reading it: The Jewish book discussion group picked it as this month's choice.
How it came into my hands: My parents bought a copy for said book group, so I was able to read it more or less swapping off with my Dad.
( detailed review )
The Sea House did provoke some very good discussion at the book group, though! Several of the group thought much more highly of the book than I did, and there was some suggestion that the kinds of things I found irritating were deliberate technique. Perhaps Freud is deliberately satirizing the standard romantic tropes, by writing a book about people trying to have relationships with romantic ideals and failing to notice the real people they interact with.
