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awrathall's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This is a tough book to get into, but it raises some very interesting ideas and has a strong if simple cast of central characters.
I think the novel's most praiseworthy aspects are the scope of Read's imagination and the world-building, particularly in the final portion. Clear thought has gone into every aspect of the story, which is laid out in an effective non-chronological manner, carefully managing the vastly different locations Olivero travels to.
However, it is quite obvious that Read was more a critic/essayist than he was a novelist (this being his only published piece of prose fiction). The writing is very plain and instructive at times, often lacking a sense of character and energy. This made some portions quite gruelling to get through, especiallyOlivero's extended contemplation of why the river's flow might have changed in Part 1, and the detailed description of his economic and governmental policies in Roncador. . Then again, the book is only ~200 pages long so these slogs are still quite small in the long run.
Altogether, whilst it is by no means a groundbreaking novel and I can't promise much in the way of excitement or drama, The Green Child is entirely singular: I can't imagine I'll ever read another book quite like it. Many strands of Read's life and work - his theories on art psychology, his quietist anarchism, his rural upbringing - come together here in a remarkable and charming way.
P.S. I found Olivero becoming a dictator through an extended series of accidents/chance encounters/misunderstandings very funny, and actually not too implausible.
I think the novel's most praiseworthy aspects are the scope of Read's imagination and the world-building, particularly in the final portion. Clear thought has gone into every aspect of the story, which is laid out in an effective non-chronological manner, carefully managing the vastly different locations Olivero travels to.
However, it is quite obvious that Read was more a critic/essayist than he was a novelist (this being his only published piece of prose fiction). The writing is very plain and instructive at times, often lacking a sense of character and energy. This made some portions quite gruelling to get through, especially
Altogether, whilst it is by no means a groundbreaking novel and I can't promise much in the way of excitement or drama, The Green Child is entirely singular: I can't imagine I'll ever read another book quite like it. Many strands of Read's life and work - his theories on art psychology, his quietist anarchism, his rural upbringing - come together here in a remarkable and charming way.
P.S.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Physical abuse and Toxic relationship
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