Milkman, Anna Burns, Graywolf Press, 2018, 352 pp
I am so glad this wonderful novel won the Booker Prize and that my new reading group picked it; otherwise I might not have read it.
I fell under the thrall of the narrative voice. I have read so many Irish novels, so much about "The Troubles," but at last I get what it was like to live through them. Anna Burns so captured the inexplicable confusion, the constant worry, the unending violence, the elements of the conflict, by weaving it all into the coming of age of her main character, "middle sister."
I am still recovering from the worst sickness I have had in years so it is hard to write anything coherent. I will probably read this next week and cringe. I wanted to put the word out about the book though.
I will instead send you to two of the best reviews I have read from blogger friends:
My Welsh blogger friend Karen: https://bookertalk.com/2019/03/31/milkman-by-anna-burns-bookerprize/
My Texas blogger friend Dorothy: http://birdwoman-thenatureofthings.blogspot.com/2018/12/i-had-seen-and-heard-quite-bit-of.html
Have you read this one yet? If not, are you going to now? You will not be sorry!
I've had flu twice now - hopefully NEVER again. I feel your pain. Take your time to get well. I always recommend plenty of garlic if you can deal with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks CyberKitten. Yes on the garlic.
DeleteSo sorry you've been sick. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on Milkman - I'd like to try it.
ReplyDeleteGood plan!
DeleteThanks for the link-up. I agree that this was an amazing book and well-deserving of the Man Booker.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. You were the first one who made me want to read it.
DeleteSorry you've been so sick. I hope you recover quickly! Also, this one sounds good!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie. Now it is Monday, now it is April, and I feel a glimmer of the end of this nightmare. Yes, the book is good!
DeleteFeel better soon!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed reading Milkman!
Thanks!
DeleteI had no idea your bout of the flu was that bad. I hope you're feeling much improved. The temps here are oscillating wildly now, and I got a cold as result. I spent last weekend curled with a blanket, ginger-lemon tea with honey, and my e-reader.
ReplyDeleteI bought Milkman recently, on sale. I want to, but I'm in no rush to read it. Still, you included, a few bloggers I trust have absolutely loved it. Time and that weird writing structure I hear about are putting me off of it. :-)
I am sorry you also have a cold. It has been a challenging season, weather wise. I hope you are feeling better too.
DeleteMilkman is absolutely not hard to read. I don't even know why people are saying that unless all they read is crappy bestsellers. It flows, it draws you in, and it makes complete sense. Just read a few pages and see how it is for you.
Sorry to hear you were sick. I hope it is gone! I have had a couple of colds but now finally I'm clear. The rap on Milkman was so bad that it drove me away from picking it up, but now you've dispelled much of that. Is the narrative clear of muddle?
ReplyDeleteI am finally feeling better. It is almost over and I am glad you are well. Milkman was not muddled at all for me. There are two people named Milkman but if you are paying attention at all, it is not confusing. Instead it is kind of funny. Of course, The Troubles was a terrible muddled thing, but as I said, at last I get it!
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