:( ( )

According to my book journal, I read this in 2003, though I had absolutely no memory of it. When I pulled up the description to see what it was about, I was intrigued and thought I'd give it another go. Unfortunately, I found it to be a bit contrived. ( )

Likely one of my favorite books; I've read it twice and would happily read it again. This book transports you into a very unique mind that causes you to question your own thought patterns and how you frame your own life's story.

It is very dark in a special way. ( )

This was my first exposure to Lydia Millet. Also my first ebook. I thoroughly enjoyed it and fully expected to love Oh My Radiant Heart. Oh, well! ( )

This is a very odd book. It recounts the life of a nameless narrator who's trapped within the walls of a crumbling mental hospital. The narrator, locked away in a room, experiences soul-wrenching abuse and indifference from those who should be there to protect her. Instead she finds bits of beauty, along with an unshakable presence of hope which invariably keeps her afloat.

The writing is sparse and poetic at times It delves deeply into a netherworld which would crush many spirits and a will to live, but this narrator is indomitable. Is it courage or naivete? It could be either; I suspect it's bits and pieces of each. It's a harrowing story with many disturbing elements. You either cry or hope for something better, because this book is not a fairy tale. An evil, twisted fairy tale maybe.

This is my first Lydia Millet novel. Her writing is taut and precise and poetic. I can't wait to read her other works. ( )