Helpful Score: 1
This is a very unusual but good book.
The story itself is set in London along the Thames during the reign of Charles II. It is told from the perspective of the Dog Woman and her son Jordan. She writes about the happenings of London -- such as the first pineapple and Jordan writes about what he learns from his world travels.
The book is beautifully written and is part history and part tall tale. At times the story itself was hard to follow and it didn't help that at the end of the book, the last section of my book was entitled, "Years Later" and most others in my book club gave a specific year, which I believe was something like 1982. Despite the difficulties, I found that if I just let myself read the story as a tall-tale, it was very enjoyable.
The story itself is set in London along the Thames during the reign of Charles II. It is told from the perspective of the Dog Woman and her son Jordan. She writes about the happenings of London -- such as the first pineapple and Jordan writes about what he learns from his world travels.
The book is beautifully written and is part history and part tall tale. At times the story itself was hard to follow and it didn't help that at the end of the book, the last section of my book was entitled, "Years Later" and most others in my book club gave a specific year, which I believe was something like 1982. Despite the difficulties, I found that if I just let myself read the story as a tall-tale, it was very enjoyable.
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful, delightful story(ies). It reminded me of Anais Nin's Collages. Winterson takes you on a wonderful journey with her lively poem-like prose, she has produced a book I'll keep and re-read over and over and still learn something new each time
I had a hard time getting into this book. It seemed to jump around a lot. I think it was supposed to. Different parts were well written, but overall I can't recommend this book.
Not my cup of tea. Very postmodern and playful but kind of doesn't make sense. Then again, that may be the idea.
A dazzling fusion of history, fable and myth; the story of Jordan and his mother, who live in pestilent London during the reign of Charles II.
A great book club read
