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krobart's review against another edition
5.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/day-732-the-blazing-world/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/day-732-the-blazing-world/
unriaan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Fantastic read on the art world and its many flaws as well as reflections on perspective and perception. I really loved the structure of this book and there's really compelling cast of characters and personalities that make it all the more immersive.
cynthiatainsh's review against another edition
4.0
The characters in this book were fascinating and complex and the story itself is great. The book is filled with references from the art world and philosophy, as well as other fields.
This book had to be read carefully and for that reason it takes some time to get through it. It is very much worth the effort.
This book had to be read carefully and for that reason it takes some time to get through it. It is very much worth the effort.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
4.0
It was easy. It's still easy. You simply refuse to answer a woman. You don't engage in a dialogue. You let her words or her pictures die.
Harriet Burden is a talented artist who can't get any traction in the art world. Even her beloved husband, an important gallery owner, doesn't notice her art. So she comes up with a plan; she creates three stellar shows and has a different male artist take the credit for each one. Her plan is to then reveal herself and prove to the art world how sexist it is, but it doesn't work out as planned.
This is not a gentle or tactful novel. It is an angry, vibrant portrait about living as an artist in New York, about pushing against boundaries, about mental illness and genius. Were Hustvedt to have wanted to simply preach, she would not have created Harriet Burden. Harry is wonderful; chaotic, impulsive, angry and immensely talented. Her life blazes across the pages of the novel, which is told in the form of interviews, articles, diary entries and other biographical notes. It's an effective way to tell the story, with Harry's friends and family, as well as her detractors and other artists able to give their view of the events. Harry is as controversial and colorful as Francis Bacon or any other modern artist.
I was impressed by Hustvedt's writing and the depth of her knowledge. I'll certainly be reading more by this author.
Harriet Burden is a talented artist who can't get any traction in the art world. Even her beloved husband, an important gallery owner, doesn't notice her art. So she comes up with a plan; she creates three stellar shows and has a different male artist take the credit for each one. Her plan is to then reveal herself and prove to the art world how sexist it is, but it doesn't work out as planned.
This is not a gentle or tactful novel. It is an angry, vibrant portrait about living as an artist in New York, about pushing against boundaries, about mental illness and genius. Were Hustvedt to have wanted to simply preach, she would not have created Harriet Burden. Harry is wonderful; chaotic, impulsive, angry and immensely talented. Her life blazes across the pages of the novel, which is told in the form of interviews, articles, diary entries and other biographical notes. It's an effective way to tell the story, with Harry's friends and family, as well as her detractors and other artists able to give their view of the events. Harry is as controversial and colorful as Francis Bacon or any other modern artist.
I was impressed by Hustvedt's writing and the depth of her knowledge. I'll certainly be reading more by this author.
its_erika's review against another edition
Odd book structure and perhaps I did a bit too much skimming on this one to get full flavor. The characters were well formed and interesting. Great book club discussion.
mpoper's review against another edition
Just can’t seem to keep reading after first 25 pages or so.
noonis's review against another edition
4.0
I saw/heard a reading from this book and it made me want to read it. Wow, what a literary dynamo. That sounds uber cheesy, I know but I am in awe of people with this much intellect. I know she's written other books but I've only read What I Loved. Definitely time to go find some other gems.
margotreadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This book read like modern art views. Don't expect to be taken anywhere specific and enjoy the feminist lens.
ronanprsh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Todos os pensamentos de vingança nascem da dor do desamparo. "Eu sofro" torna-se "Você vai sofrer". E não mintamos: a vingança é revigorante. Ele nos concentra e nos anima, e anula a dor porque direciona a emoção para fora. Na dor, ficamos em pedaços. Em vingança, nos unimos como uma arma de ponta única apontada para um alvo. Por mais destrutivo que seja a longo prazo, serve a um propósito útil por algum tempo."
ghost_rat's review against another edition
I'm not a fan of how this book is written. It's really slow paced and the message isn't as exciting as I'd thought originally.