Disturbing, difficult but good

Well, that was hard – although I did finish it in less than 2 days.

Whenever I read books now, I think about Lola reading them in Italian. And, in the case of A Girl Is A Half-formed Thing by Eimear McBride, all I could think is that this book couldn’t be translated.

And then I wondered at how difficult it must have been to write! They are English words but not really English sentences. Sentences half. That are are. Half. Formed. If you see what I mean.

But also the subject. The usual Irish/Catholic angsts and problems but written in oh-so a different way.

Towards the end of the book, I had to keep putting it down every paragraph – the subject matter was too dark; too difficult – and do something else for a few moments.

But a really good book. I can see why it won prizes.

And now, I hope, something a bit lighter, maybe. The Weekend by Peter Cameron. We shall shall we. We see. Surely.

8 thoughts on “Disturbing, difficult but good

  1. or Dolan’s book – “That’s When The Knives Come Down”!! Available on Amazon. His book release event is Thursday – very exciting.
    Love Gail
    peace….

  2. This is why I don’t read translations. Never. This summer I was in the mood for some books written in Italian and I picked Italian books.

    I don’t know the book you mention here but I guess it’s too difficult for me to read. At the moment I am reading White Teeth by Zadie Smith.

    • I don’t know. You may borrow it from me, if you would like. But it is difficult and, yet, surprisingly good as it evokes feelings in quite a strange way. It’s almost as if the way that it’s written helps to bring out those feelings. Most strange.

      I think I’ve read White Teeth. She’s a highly praised writer, for sure. Enjoy.

  3. Thank you Andy but I’ll try to stick with the books I am reading now. I said “try” because it’s my third attempt with Z. Smith. She is great but White Teeth is not my favorite.

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