Not so with this one. Firstly, I am already a dedicated fan of Siri Hustvedt. I would put her novel What I Loved on my desert island list instantly... and now I'll be adding this one, The Summer Without Men.
I'm not going to write a review as such, I just want to recommend it. I want to tell you how startling it is to sit down and read a novel about one thing and then discover that it's about so much more. The subject is seemingly about that age-old topic of partners wandering off... midlife crisis, menoporsche... whatever you want to call it. But that's just a skin that encases the vast ideas contained in this book; it's just the wrapping that draws you in.
At one point in the story, the narrator refers to finding a voice for Everywoman in much the same way that our culture has nurtured and formed the Everyman of literature.... and I think that's exactly what this book is trying to achieve. Within the simple conventions of the narrative, it encompasses a myriad of female experiences and distills these into something that seemed all-encompassing to me. Who we are, as women, and what we do.
By the end you find yourself not really caring about the 'menoporsche' because your thoughts are buzzing with all the other ideas raised throughout the text. It becomes merely one of many examples of the endurance circuit that life can be. I found myself wondering whether this was Siri Hustvedt's contemporary feminist treatise.
I'm not explaining this very well... If you do have an opportunity to read it, I'd love to hear what you think. I'm on to some non-fiction now (always a great breather between novels I find) but I'll be reading The Summer Without Men again very soon :)
Siri Hustvedt's website
Guardian Review
11 comments:
Sounds like a book that I would enjoy too! Thanks Kylie.
Thanks for the reco, Kylie. Always lovely to hear of a good read. I'll be adding this to my ever growing list of To Reads ;-)
Siri is one of my favourite writers! Just love her earlier book 'What I Loved'. I saw 'Summer without Men' mentioned in the paper the other day and instantly thought 'yay another Siri novel'. Can't wait to dive in.
I wish I made more time for books!
am a big fan too! loved 'what i loved' and u are right about her work staying with you. she's so good. in need of a new novel! thanks kylie :)
That looks interesting, im always on the lookout for a great read; thanks for sharing x
I love a book that becomes so much more than you were expecting and leaves you with so much more afterwards as well.
:)
your description of the book definitely intrigued me...might have to put it on my list!
Oh I love a book recommendation. Thank you. Ben likes Siri hustvedt and oddly I've never read one of her books. X
Hello there, just wanted to let you know that thanks to your perspective I will be dashing off to purchase a copy of this book, - I simply adore the title and will place it alongside "Great Expectations" on my shelf of -best titles. Also enjoyed your collar - exquisite. I think following it with sleeves a placket and cuffs would be tricky, as it looks quite complete on naked shoulders.
Adorable music.
Annie Starr www.starrgazing.com
i love the cover of this book alone and have heard about this author before! must buy it!
are you on goodreads? let's be friends!:)
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