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lelia_t's review against another edition
4.0
I tend to like stories where not much happens, and this book is perfect. Blanche, having been divorced for a year, is struggling to acclimate to her new life. The days are long, the evening glass (or more) of wine is poured earlier and earlier and she still is waiting for the occasional visit from her ex-husband, who’s moved in with the younger woman he left Blanche for.
Getting acquainted with a woman and her young daughter gives some shape and purpose to Blanche’s life - and to the book - but much of the narrative involves lengthy, introspective musings about the difference between “pagans,” the women who follow their appetites, and women like Blanche, trained early in “forbearance, prudence, fortitude and humility.”
I loved the book, but I did find that I needed to read it early in the evening while my mind was still fresh enough to follow Blanche’s meandering thoughts.
Getting acquainted with a woman and her young daughter gives some shape and purpose to Blanche’s life - and to the book - but much of the narrative involves lengthy, introspective musings about the difference between “pagans,” the women who follow their appetites, and women like Blanche, trained early in “forbearance, prudence, fortitude and humility.”
I loved the book, but I did find that I needed to read it early in the evening while my mind was still fresh enough to follow Blanche’s meandering thoughts.
sl0w_reader's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sn0tg1rl's review against another edition
4.0
i love a woman mundanely on the edge of society read
condensed in my head to: the disharmony of perception vs perceived perception
3.7 maybe
condensed in my head to: the disharmony of perception vs perceived perception
3.7 maybe
larynxangel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Another great Brookner. Blanche trying to find a way to connect with people, trying to figure out how to be enough without being too much, finding her way was perfect. And the ending! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
lauraq's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
abby_writes's review
5.0
This might be my favorite Brookner. I felt so drawn to Blanche's interior life, her contemplation of art, her perfect tea cakes, her desire to be loved. I could have read 100 more pages.
ampersunder's review against another edition
4.0
My first Brookner, which I enjoyed, although it's a quiet novel, even for me. I had to check the date of publication a few times because I kept forgetting which decade the story was set in (I just had to check again: 1980s!), although it made little difference in any case. It felt like the 1930s, but certainly that was because I was reading Willa Cather and Dorothy L. Sayers at the same time. In other situations, I would have felt that the ending was a bit of a cop-out, but it made me laugh.
P.S. This doesn't matter but my edition was actually called The Misalliance.
P.S. This doesn't matter but my edition was actually called The Misalliance.
nadyne's review against another edition
Other thoughts/reviews:
Hogglestock: http://hogglestock.com/2015/04/08/anita-brookners-the-misalliance/
Hogglestock: http://hogglestock.com/2015/04/08/anita-brookners-the-misalliance/