The book is short but the review is not. That's the beauty of a web-based review journal. Instead of the usual dreary summary of the book followed by a few quick lines of judgement, I dragged in all sorts of topics. I had fun with discussing how Why Be Happy is a palimpsest of her first novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit; Winterson's discovery that books are extra-somatic culture; why constraint is necessary for all forms of literature; the way poetry works emotionally; why narrative grammar is every writer's friend, and more.
I'd love to know what you think, either at LARB or in the comments here.
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The review got me to buy the book--something I've been dithering over as I have a sort of love/hate relationship with Jeanette Winterson's writing. So I'd call it an unqualified success.
ReplyDeleteWhen you've read it, let me know what you think.
DeleteHaving just read it, all I can say at this point is.... wow! it sure explains a lot!
DeleteAfter I think it over, I may post a review on Amazon.
I'll look forward to it.
DeleteYou clarified for me why I have trouble with Winterson's fiction--lack of narrative grammar. But I'll probably read this, since I find her fascinating. Excellent review!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteThey replayed this the other day, and I really enjoyed it: it's quite short: http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/2012/mar/21/jeanette-winterson-why-be-happy-when-you-could-be-normal/
ReplyDeleteThanks for that.
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