If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this class, it is that the shortest books have the most to say. I found this novel to be such a beautiful telling of the ‘other side’ of war stories—a story about the people who stay behind, and the aftermath of conflict. One thing that really stuck out […]
Clarice Lispector, The Hour of the Star
At first glance, the title “The Time of the Doves” immediately reminded me of peace, hope, and freedom; however, having read the novel, I find this contrary to what Natalia endures in reality as she unfolds a feminine perspective of the Spanish Civil War, and the effects it had on her life. I view Natalia’s […]
This week’s reading, Time of the Doves, I quite liked. The writing style, description, and dialogue were interesting and kept me engaged with the story. I really felt immersed in Natalia’s story; I felt her sorrow, her fear, her joy, etc. But Natalia didn’t seem to have an easy time with her first marriage. Her […]
Mercè Rodoreda, The Time of the Doves
Despite finding “Black Shack Alley” a bit slow-going at first, I appreciate how Zobel depicts the reality of Caribbean society following the abolition of slavery in implicit, but nevertheless, powerful ways. His emphasis on the sense of community throughout the novel goes hand in hand with the idea of resistance. Zobel illustrates his childhood memories, […]
Françoise Sagan, Bonjour Tristesse
Nada, a book of madness, trauma and grotesqueness that encase its pages. Nada was a book full of drama, conflict and messiness from all characters. Like Bombal’s novel I found it so hard to like anyone, when I started to like someone or feel sorry for them I would quickly realize that they sucked as …
Alberto Moravia, Agostino
Wow. This was definitely a refreshing change from Breton and his not-so-nice narrator last week. Although both touched on misogyny in one way or another, at least this time it was from the experience of a real woman. To some, that may be more upsetting, but to me, it’s moving. Whether fictional or not, the […]
