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Bezig met laden... Plagued by the Nightingale (1931)door Kay Boyle
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Google Books — Bezig met laden... GenresDewey Decimale Classificatie (DDC)813.52Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1900-1944LC-classificatieWaarderingGemiddelde:
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The beginning of the book was slow going. The author writes in vivid detail, with words like strokes of paint, and she has a very lyrical style. It's beautiful. Some of her descriptions are so unique, describing people and trees and hats and skies in ways I never would have imagined. However, the first few chapters are more scene description than story, and I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy this book. Once the characters begin to interact, though, and the plot unfolds, I was drawn in to the very serious heart of the novel. By the conclusion, I felt I had just devoured a lovely painting, heart breaking and beautiful simultaneously, and furthermore I highly esteemed her writing abilities. I can't say enough about how perfectly suited are the plot, tone, and themes. Well worth the slow start.
Boyle juxtaposes the cheerful French family, who take everyday life one step at a time and are happy with everything exactly as it is, with the unhappy couple, who feel entrapped by the very good natures around them, and desperately want a change. The mask slowly slips, and we learn that the young daughters are also seeking an escape from their fates, which are apparently set in stone. Boyle works with the ideas of fate and freedom, escape and entrapment. The nightingale is a wonderful metaphor ... and I am embarrassed to say that I kept wondering at its significance until about halfway through, when I remembered the fairy tale and smacked myself on the head for not seeing the connection sooner.
Not a pick me up read, but a beautiful story, and the ideas and characters will leave a haunting echo in your mind afterward. I highly recommend it. ( )