Thanks for your suggestion, I've finally read another novel by one of my favorite authors. Well, it was an interesting experience. Although I can't say Elizabeth's arguments were solid to me. I found them emotionally strong but weak and messy. Especially when she had almost nothing to respond to polite criticism but repeated them. To me, Elizabeth was too tired to travel, communicate with people, be a speaker, and so on. It's like all she wanted was to rest in Australia on a little faraway farm. P.S. The last chapter with its kafkaesque atmosphere really gets me!
Thank you! I'm glad that you read along and had an interesting reading experience. About Elizabeth's arguments, I think the problem was that other characters weren't prepared to listen to her and were to quick to criticize her. But I would agree with you that she was also probably too tired to engage in all that international traveling and conferencing. Either way, it seems like Elizabeth didn't fit in anymore, and I find that sad. I think Elizabeth Costello is a sad novel, and I appreciated that. I didn't like the last chapter of the novel as much as they rest, but perhaps I ought it re-read it!
@@JuanReads I mean, when you say something as controversial as Elizabeth said, your points have to be really strong and explained. But sometimes I feel like she is just kind of hyped with her arguments for whatever reasons. To me, nowadays, she feels more like a character of Elizabeth-the-Writer than a real Elizabeth. It's really sad. So the last chapter with her trying to fit in one more (and last) time was captivating.
It took me a while to get into the book and I haven't finished it yet, but I'm enjoying it. In general I usually don't like novels about writers. For me it is often very pretentious if authors write about writers. I know it is often said, that writers should write about things they know, but for me there are far too many novels like that out there and they are too often annoyingly self centered to me. What I like about this novel the most so far are the philosophical thoughts and questions it raises. That's far more interesting than the actual story, if there is really any in it. This is definitely not a novel for someone who is looking for a plot. I love Moon Tiger.
You are right, there is very little plot if any in Elizabeth Costello. I see where you are coming from about novels whose protagonists are writers, but I think it's interesting how here the main character is not so much an active writer but a thinker. I don't think I would re-read this novel, but I'd happily would go over some of the sections in which Elizabeth discusses her ideas and is confronted by other characters. I can't wait to read Moon Tiger and hear your thoughts on it next month!
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Thanks for your suggestion, I've finally read another novel by one of my favorite authors. Well, it was an interesting experience. Although I can't say Elizabeth's arguments were solid to me. I found them emotionally strong but weak and messy. Especially when she had almost nothing to respond to polite criticism but repeated them. To me, Elizabeth was too tired to travel, communicate with people, be a speaker, and so on. It's like all she wanted was to rest in Australia on a little faraway farm.
P.S. The last chapter with its kafkaesque atmosphere really gets me!
Thank you! I'm glad that you read along and had an interesting reading experience. About Elizabeth's arguments, I think the problem was that other characters weren't prepared to listen to her and were to quick to criticize her. But I would agree with you that she was also probably too tired to engage in all that international traveling and conferencing. Either way, it seems like Elizabeth didn't fit in anymore, and I find that sad. I think Elizabeth Costello is a sad novel, and I appreciated that.
I didn't like the last chapter of the novel as much as they rest, but perhaps I ought it re-read it!
@@JuanReads I mean, when you say something as controversial as Elizabeth said, your points have to be really strong and explained. But sometimes I feel like she is just kind of hyped with her arguments for whatever reasons. To me, nowadays, she feels more like a character of Elizabeth-the-Writer than a real Elizabeth. It's really sad. So the last chapter with her trying to fit in one more (and last) time was captivating.
It took me a while to get into the book and I haven't finished it yet, but I'm enjoying it. In general I usually don't like novels about writers. For me it is often very pretentious if authors write about writers. I know it is often said, that writers should write about things they know, but for me there are far too many novels like that out there and they are too often annoyingly self centered to me.
What I like about this novel the most so far are the philosophical thoughts and questions it raises. That's far more interesting than the actual story, if there is really any in it. This is definitely not a novel for someone who is looking for a plot.
I love Moon Tiger.
You are right, there is very little plot if any in Elizabeth Costello. I see where you are coming from about novels whose protagonists are writers, but I think it's interesting how here the main character is not so much an active writer but a thinker. I don't think I would re-read this novel, but I'd happily would go over some of the sections in which Elizabeth discusses her ideas and is confronted by other characters.
I can't wait to read Moon Tiger and hear your thoughts on it next month!
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