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differentsisters's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
When I started reading this book I was unsure of what to expect as it's my first Russian text. Maybe because it was originally published in 1930, but it was easy to read and was quite simple.
The book focuses on fourteen year old Liza who is a teenager at that time between childhood and adulthood. She is at times childish and selfish with her affection switching to those that can provide and give her attention. While at times she is pretending to be deep and mature using flowery imagery and language to dramatise her life. It's sadly due to her neglectful mother that Liza lives such a carefree life that causes the conflict in the novel.
The action of the story take place on in Part 3, and before reaching this part I felt conflicted about how little was happening in the story. But when it did, I really liked how Odoevtseva chose to portray this. We as the audience can infer what has actually happened, but Liza is kept in the dark and her innocence keeps her there until she is numb and forced to accept what she chose to ignore.
I don't know how I feel about the ending, I needed at least one more chapter to get a bit more resolution or information about what would happen next. But also, I understand the decision to end on a bitter sweet ending.
The book focuses on fourteen year old Liza who is a teenager at that time between childhood and adulthood. She is at times childish and selfish with her affection switching to those that can provide and give her attention. While at times she is pretending to be deep and mature using flowery imagery and language to dramatise her life. It's sadly due to her neglectful mother that Liza lives such a carefree life that causes the conflict in the novel.
The action of the story take place on in Part 3, and before reaching this part I felt conflicted about how little was happening in the story. But when it did, I really liked how Odoevtseva chose to portray this. We as the audience can infer what has actually happened, but Liza is kept in the dark and her innocence keeps her there until she is numb and forced to accept what she chose to ignore.
I don't know how I feel about the ending, I needed at least one more chapter to get a bit more resolution or information about what would happen next. But also, I understand the decision to end on a bitter sweet ending.
coolkidlily's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
blankgarden's review
4.0
My thoughts: https://theblankgarden.com/2021/01/08/review-isolde-by-irina-odoevtseva/
bookmaddie's review
3.0
At times a little jumbled in its telling, but an interesting and evocative look into a young girl’s life in 1930s Paris, as a Russian exile.
Liza, or as one young man calls her, Isolde, is a mystifying, naïve, lively, and passionate young girl of 14. On a beach vacation with her family, she meets a young British man, Cromwell, and what begins is just barely a love affair, and mostly a jumble of feelings felt and left behind by two young teenagers trying to figure out how to live in the world.
Liza knows how she should act as a girl, but desires to be more. To be a young woman, an adult, who can occupy space, show desire and love, and be worthy of knowledge and respect. As the book goes on, and we follow an at-times wandering plot, made slightly more confusing by the telling, where setting and time period can jump rather quickly and without much notice. Odoevtseva's writing style is simple—she writes what Liza feels, and plops us in the center of her mind, which flits from topic to topic. I've not read any other Russian literature from the period, so I don't know if this is a common characteristic. Regardless, while Odoevtseva's writing could have created a better sense of place (for my tastes) she is expert at characterizing Liza, our heroine, and helping us understand the psyche of a young girl, left to her own devices.
While Liza masquerades as an adult, it is clear to see that she is still in the midst of growing up, no matter how mature she might think she is. As she witnesses this absurd turn of events, we witness her own attempt at growing up and inhabiting the adult world. And in the end, we see her almost settle into her youth, almost coming to an understanding of where she is in life, and embracing her situation.
This is a very interesting read, in part for the very bizarre plot twist, which you kind of see coming, but in the best way possible, where you don't want to believe it's true until it's over. Also to see a glimpse into what life was like for some of the Russian exiles after the Revolution, and to relive the flimsy and flitting aspects of girlhood in both the simple and the extravagant. While this novel wasn't my favorite, I still value the time I spent with it, and if you're at all curious, I'd give it a try!
Liza, or as one young man calls her, Isolde, is a mystifying, naïve, lively, and passionate young girl of 14. On a beach vacation with her family, she meets a young British man, Cromwell, and what begins is just barely a love affair, and mostly a jumble of feelings felt and left behind by two young teenagers trying to figure out how to live in the world.
Liza knows how she should act as a girl, but desires to be more. To be a young woman, an adult, who can occupy space, show desire and love, and be worthy of knowledge and respect. As the book goes on, and we follow an at-times wandering plot, made slightly more confusing by the telling, where setting and time period can jump rather quickly and without much notice. Odoevtseva's writing style is simple—she writes what Liza feels, and plops us in the center of her mind, which flits from topic to topic. I've not read any other Russian literature from the period, so I don't know if this is a common characteristic. Regardless, while Odoevtseva's writing could have created a better sense of place (for my tastes) she is expert at characterizing Liza, our heroine, and helping us understand the psyche of a young girl, left to her own devices.
While Liza masquerades as an adult, it is clear to see that she is still in the midst of growing up, no matter how mature she might think she is. As she witnesses this absurd turn of events, we witness her own attempt at growing up and inhabiting the adult world. And in the end, we see her almost settle into her youth, almost coming to an understanding of where she is in life, and embracing her situation.
This is a very interesting read, in part for the very bizarre plot twist, which you kind of see coming, but in the best way possible, where you don't want to believe it's true until it's over. Also to see a glimpse into what life was like for some of the Russian exiles after the Revolution, and to relive the flimsy and flitting aspects of girlhood in both the simple and the extravagant. While this novel wasn't my favorite, I still value the time I spent with it, and if you're at all curious, I'd give it a try!
vg2's review
3.0
Atmospheric and bleak, I enjoyed ‘Isolde’ but never felt enough of a connection to any of the characters for it to have a longer-term impact on me.
causticcovercritic's review
4.0
Death, sexual obsession and crime among the neglected children of White Russian exiles in Jazz Age Paris; compelling melodrama.
srm's review
4.0
Lyrical, strange, and heartbreaking. The story of Russian emigres in France in the 1920, focuses around the lovely 14-year-old Liza, who a besotted English boy, Cromwell, renames Isolde. Everyone is just such a sad mess and deserves better. The writing is sparse, and sometimes it took me a minute to follow a leap, but it fits the story perfectly and was worth the effort.
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