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rebeccamahanyhorton's review against another edition
5.0
This is the sort of book you read between classes and under desks at school just to see how on earth the author would resolve every conflict.
Seven Types of Ambiguity is mostly about Simon, who briefly dated the imperfect (but perfect to him) Anna in college and has not forgotten about her ten years later. What seems like a hopelessly romantic attachment to a former love turns into stalking and eventually the (somehow) well-meaning kidnapping of Anna's son Sam. Through the seven different narrators--including Simon, Anna, Anna's husband, and Simon's girlfriend and Anna's husband's prostitute Angelique--the reader tries to figure out what made Anna who she was to Simon, and how, or if, Simon's life would ever resolve itself.
This book is written very well. Each character has a unique voice and is distinguishable from the others, but is never less enthralling. Perlman expresses really interesting ideas within the book.
A caveat: some of the things that happen are probably not appropriate for younger readers--I'm sixteen and a couple things, especially in Angelique's portion, made me a bit uncomfortable--but teens and up should probably be fine.
Seven Types of Ambiguity is mostly about Simon, who briefly dated the imperfect (but perfect to him) Anna in college and has not forgotten about her ten years later. What seems like a hopelessly romantic attachment to a former love turns into stalking and eventually the (somehow) well-meaning kidnapping of Anna's son Sam. Through the seven different narrators--including Simon, Anna, Anna's husband, and Simon's girlfriend and Anna's husband's prostitute Angelique--the reader tries to figure out what made Anna who she was to Simon, and how, or if, Simon's life would ever resolve itself.
This book is written very well. Each character has a unique voice and is distinguishable from the others, but is never less enthralling. Perlman expresses really interesting ideas within the book.
A caveat: some of the things that happen are probably not appropriate for younger readers--I'm sixteen and a couple things, especially in Angelique's portion, made me a bit uncomfortable--but teens and up should probably be fine.
mrninjaviking's review against another edition
5.0
Took me some time to get through this one, but only because it was long. It was an engrossing read though.
Posted on Amazon.Com, the following synopsis is from Publishers Weekly's review of the novel:
I had stumbled across this book through Amazon's "recommendations" that they give customers. That was probably a few years ago. I found it interesting, so I put in on my wish list, and months later deleted it. I saw it later at Costco and almost picked it up. Finally, for some reason, a couple of months before reading it, I had an urge to search out the book again. I found it at Amazon for a bargain price and quickly bought it. I'm so glad I gave into the urge.
There are references to Empson's "Seven Types of Ambiguity" in the book, mostly through Simon who is a teacher of literature and poetry. And there are other references to ambiguity in general that probably coincide with Empson's theories, but turning them to life instead of poetry. But to be honest, I just didn't see how they effected the story, or missed some of those references. The biggest reason why was being too involved in the story to really care. To me, this is a very engrossing story.
The different points of view was a great way to layout the telling of the story. It showed some guts in my opinion. I would think that it's very hard to voice so many characters, but then have each one be a first-person narrative for sections of the book. Perlman doesn't do too bad of a job at it either. However, it just isn't all that cut and dry. The first chapter is Dr. Alex Klima's first person, but he is strictly talking to Anna and pretty much only speaks of Simon's feelings for her and his life after their break-up. You actually find out nothing about Alex in this section. Alex also is a main contributor to Dennis' section, as all the chapters key on his sessions with the Alex.
The story in some ways is far-fetched. All of these people are so linked to one another it makes your head spin. Almost like a soap opera. But the writing style, prose, and language of those involved, along with the depth of character gives so much more. Another strength is seeing how these relationships effect each other and their actions and vice versa. And re-reading events through another's point of view added realism, how some see something as very little, and yet some one else sees it as something big. The points of view also gave you different looks at the characters. Especially of Simon. He is seen very differently through the eyes of Anna, as compared to Angelique, as compared to Alex. You get this with most of the characters. This does add a bit of a problem however, trying to figure out who is a better judge of character.
Some reviews I have read have pointed out the flaws of the writing. I missed many of them because the story was so well told and so very interesting. Perlman never gives you more facts then you need to know. He made it into a read page turner. That's saying something for a book that clocks in at over 600 pages. There were times too when he sounded off about issues or subjects, using the characters voice, in which some reviewers disliked. To me even these parts were well handled and rather seamless. It didn't seem like Perlman was using it as a platform for his opinions or ideals. They were just part of the story.
It's a big book, but readers shouldn't let that scare them. Once I read those opening chapters I didn't want to put it down. I think that many readers would feel the same way.
Posted on Amazon.Com, the following synopsis is from Publishers Weekly's review of the novel:
By copping the title of William Empson's classic of literary criticism, Australian writer Perlman sets a high bar for himself, but he justifies his theft with a relentlessly driven story, told from seven perspectives, about the effects of the brief abduction of six-year-old Sam Geraghty by Simon Heywood, his mother Anna's ex-boyfriend. Charismatic, unemployed Simon is still obsessed with Anna nine years after their breakup - to the dismay of his present lover, Angelique, a prostitute. Anna's stockbroker husband, Joe, is one of Angelique's regulars, which feeds Simon's flame. When Angelique turns Simon in to the cops, he claims he had permission to pick Sam up; his fate hinges on whether Anna will back up his lie. Most of the perspectives are linked to Simon's shrink, Alex Klima, who writes to Anna and counsels Simon, Angelique and Joe's co-worker, Dennis.
I had stumbled across this book through Amazon's "recommendations" that they give customers. That was probably a few years ago. I found it interesting, so I put in on my wish list, and months later deleted it. I saw it later at Costco and almost picked it up. Finally, for some reason, a couple of months before reading it, I had an urge to search out the book again. I found it at Amazon for a bargain price and quickly bought it. I'm so glad I gave into the urge.
There are references to Empson's "Seven Types of Ambiguity" in the book, mostly through Simon who is a teacher of literature and poetry. And there are other references to ambiguity in general that probably coincide with Empson's theories, but turning them to life instead of poetry. But to be honest, I just didn't see how they effected the story, or missed some of those references. The biggest reason why was being too involved in the story to really care. To me, this is a very engrossing story.
The different points of view was a great way to layout the telling of the story. It showed some guts in my opinion. I would think that it's very hard to voice so many characters, but then have each one be a first-person narrative for sections of the book. Perlman doesn't do too bad of a job at it either. However, it just isn't all that cut and dry. The first chapter is Dr. Alex Klima's first person, but he is strictly talking to Anna and pretty much only speaks of Simon's feelings for her and his life after their break-up. You actually find out nothing about Alex in this section. Alex also is a main contributor to Dennis' section, as all the chapters key on his sessions with the Alex.
The story in some ways is far-fetched. All of these people are so linked to one another it makes your head spin. Almost like a soap opera. But the writing style, prose, and language of those involved, along with the depth of character gives so much more. Another strength is seeing how these relationships effect each other and their actions and vice versa. And re-reading events through another's point of view added realism, how some see something as very little, and yet some one else sees it as something big. The points of view also gave you different looks at the characters. Especially of Simon. He is seen very differently through the eyes of Anna, as compared to Angelique, as compared to Alex. You get this with most of the characters. This does add a bit of a problem however, trying to figure out who is a better judge of character.
Some reviews I have read have pointed out the flaws of the writing. I missed many of them because the story was so well told and so very interesting. Perlman never gives you more facts then you need to know. He made it into a read page turner. That's saying something for a book that clocks in at over 600 pages. There were times too when he sounded off about issues or subjects, using the characters voice, in which some reviewers disliked. To me even these parts were well handled and rather seamless. It didn't seem like Perlman was using it as a platform for his opinions or ideals. They were just part of the story.
It's a big book, but readers shouldn't let that scare them. Once I read those opening chapters I didn't want to put it down. I think that many readers would feel the same way.
lisanussd's review against another edition
Couldn't finish the book - didn't have the interest. Well-written but a little to analytical for me (this means it was VERY analytical). It's about 7 people giving their story all related to the same event.
ari__s's review against another edition
3.0
I think my favorite part of this book was that it starts off seemingly focused around one character, but then half way through I started suspecting that it was actually truly about someone completely different. Then by the end I wasn't sure who it was about, but that was craftily done thing - a story told through so many overlapping perspectives would be incredibly hard and unrealistic to pin down to one character in the end. This was a story told in waves, which, at points, was overwhelming and a little slow, but it picked up where it mattered and kept me interested until the end.
ippym's review against another edition
3.0
This was a page turner with multiple points of view. I'm not sure how to identify the genre - it's a blend of contemporary fiction, thriller, court drama, social, economic, and political commentary, and a harsh examination of relationships. I liked that the author progressed the story with the different viewpoints (instead of rehashing one event). He also revisited dialogue from previous chapters which afforded the reader a different perspective on important scenes, which I thought was clever and worked well. On top of all that, the theme of ambiguity was consistent throughout. This is an impressive piece of work in structure and content alone.
What I didn't like was the use of obtuse language (hagiography, stultifying, ignominy etc.) and the preachiness of socioeconomic and political views - while I agree with the points the author makes, I felt he was constantly finding new ways to shove it down the reader's throats. I think a more subtle approach would have been more impactful. I also thought the ending was a bit odd and not very realistic, but overall enjoyed the book.
What I didn't like was the use of obtuse language (hagiography, stultifying, ignominy etc.) and the preachiness of socioeconomic and political views - while I agree with the points the author makes, I felt he was constantly finding new ways to shove it down the reader's throats. I think a more subtle approach would have been more impactful. I also thought the ending was a bit odd and not very realistic, but overall enjoyed the book.
thedisquietedpen's review against another edition
4.0
This was good, but for some reason it wasn't as good as the first time I read it, back in 2009.
cassie_tee's review against another edition
2.0
Not my cup of tea. I didn’t enjoy the style of writing and found it a bit depressing. I couldn’t finish it
iamnaomifaye's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
patricia63's review against another edition
4.0
Told from the perspective of seven people over 600 pages. It was a good book overall but definitely could have been shorter.