R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Herself Surprised (New York Review Books Classics) on + 1438 more book reviews
Speaking from prison, Sara Monday talks about life focusing on "her grand daysâ and what has happened since. A former housemaid who lived in the twentieth century, she shares experiences with her first husband whom she loved. Mr. Monday was a sweet, timid man who cherished her while she wildly spent his money. Rozzie, her best friend was outspoken, and a tell it like it is or she how she felt. She was a friend to go to when she really needed someone. Sara had lovers including Gulley Jimson, a supposedly brilliant painter whose violence made life difficult; and Tom Wilcher, a wealth lawyer who failed at his profession.
Sexually magnetic, Sara took advantage of others, usually men. Meek and generous yet manipulative, she lived for what pleased her, telling herself this is what she wanted and rationalized that it was all right. Never mind the results. Was she religious? She attended church but the teachings took a back seat to what she wanted. Pleasure was all. While she feared God might punish her she rationalizee that this is the way she is and went on as before.
In Sara, the author created a fascinating character whose complexity is most appealing. The book is the beginning of the author's First Trilogy. Sara's life continues in following volumes, To Be a Pilgrim and The Horse's Mouth. While the first depicts Sara's view of Gully, [book:The Horse's Mouth|376465] tells the story as Gully sees it. Miserly Wilcher relates his own view in [book:To Be a Pilgrim|376466]. Reading the book one after the other gives a full picture of the lives of the characters as they reacted with each other with all the humorous, sad, and sympathetic aspects of life.
Sexually magnetic, Sara took advantage of others, usually men. Meek and generous yet manipulative, she lived for what pleased her, telling herself this is what she wanted and rationalized that it was all right. Never mind the results. Was she religious? She attended church but the teachings took a back seat to what she wanted. Pleasure was all. While she feared God might punish her she rationalizee that this is the way she is and went on as before.
In Sara, the author created a fascinating character whose complexity is most appealing. The book is the beginning of the author's First Trilogy. Sara's life continues in following volumes, To Be a Pilgrim and The Horse's Mouth. While the first depicts Sara's view of Gully, [book:The Horse's Mouth|376465] tells the story as Gully sees it. Miserly Wilcher relates his own view in [book:To Be a Pilgrim|376466]. Reading the book one after the other gives a full picture of the lives of the characters as they reacted with each other with all the humorous, sad, and sympathetic aspects of life.
