Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113351 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-13
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Telegraph
'Thoughtful, sensuous essays…her enthusiasms are oddly infectious'

Observer
'Hustvedt is a lucid writer, whose spare, elegant prose wears lightly its eclectic reference points.'

Synopsis
This is a stunning collection of essays by the author of "What I Loved", in which she addresses many of the themes explored in her novels - identity, sexual attraction, relationships, family, mental illness, the power of the imagination, a sense of belonging and mortality. In three cases, she focuses on the novels of other writers - Dickens, James and Fitzgerald. She also refers to her own novels, affording an unusual insight into their creation. Whatever her topic, her approach is unaffected, intimate and conversational, inviting us both to share her thoughts and reflect on our own views and ideas.

Customer Reviews

Mind invigorating essays on life love and thought
If you like Siri Hustvedt's style of writing, the way she uses her knowledge on art, psycho analysis, philosophy etc in her writing, you will like her essays where she expresses these thoughts not through her characters but through her own voice.
For many it may sound a bit snobbish, too high brow, too New York-superior? etc..however the more you read you will get into her flow her life.
It is because first of all, her writing is beautiful, the way she uses chooses her words is so precise, and that in itself makes one really appreciate her writing. Also the way she elaborates the events in her life, you end up empathizing with her...
She has the talent to use words to tell you a free flowing story which constantly stimulate and provoke new thoughts as well as emotions.