http://calitreview.com/210 Book reviews, essays, and author interviews. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:56:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://calitreview.com/210/comment-page-1#comment-40493 Numbers Sun, 25 Jan 2009 02:21:12 +0000 http://calitreview.com//2007/06/10/the-night-watch-by-sarah-waters/#comment-40493 I think 'Night Watch' is the most skilled of all of the books I've read by Waters(exception, Affinity because I have not read it) - I think this book showcases a talent that is finally coming into its own -- Yes, it will probably disappoint fans of her earlier books, but I have to say I think those days are over - she has moved to a higher level in writing. I think ‘Night Watch’ is the most skilled of all of the books I’ve read by Waters(exception, Affinity because I have not read it) – I think this book showcases a talent that is finally coming into its own — Yes, it will probably disappoint fans of her earlier books, but I have to say I think those days are over – she has moved to a higher level in writing.

]]> http://calitreview.com/210/comment-page-1#comment-24899 Rachel Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:31:31 +0000 http://calitreview.com//2007/06/10/the-night-watch-by-sarah-waters/#comment-24899 I love the work of this author which is reminiscent of the standards of English used in past British Literature of stature. I was excited the most about her book Affinity, which is a superb example of how descriptive elements go into the making of pictures in the mind of the reader. Superb work. I love the work of this author which is reminiscent of the standards of English used in past British Literature of stature. I was excited the most about her book Affinity, which is a superb example of how descriptive elements go into the making of pictures in the mind of the reader. Superb work.

]]> http://calitreview.com/210/comment-page-1#comment-809 Sheila Wells Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:25:36 +0000 http://calitreview.com//2007/06/10/the-night-watch-by-sarah-waters/#comment-809 I have read all of Sarah Water's novels and I was extremely disappointed with this one. First the introduction of too many characters without her usual ability to encase them in reality was frustrating. I found myself going back in order to memorize rather than experience. Second the shifting early on between sets of characters was a challenge. In addition I found the writing laden with detail that didn't inform or, as with the other novels, help to create the atmosphere that previously had transported me. This created a disturbing verticality and prevented forward motion. And where oh where were the twists that existed and excited and surprised me in the first and second novel? Did I learn anything by reading this? Yes. I was a child of 11 during the beginning of this war and had no real sense of what it was like to be bombed and maimed, saved and/or not, deprived and embedded with fear. Safe in America I remember only A, B, and C driving permits, margarine-the color mixed by hand, stamps and bonds for liberty together with my weekly school reader talking about the wonders of atomic power and Chinese heroes. So for this part of Sarah's latest work I am grateful. This seemed to be the section of the writing that was truly energized and tensioned. I do want her to keep writing because she is, as far as I know, unique in her ability to describe with wonderful power, the dynamic relationship between women. And, as in the previous works, the capacity to remove me from the present moment while encasing me in an envelope that transports. I have read all of Sarah Water’s novels and I was extremely disappointed with this one. First the introduction of too many characters without her usual ability to encase them in reality was frustrating. I found myself going back in order to memorize rather than experience. Second the shifting early on between sets of characters was a challenge. In addition I found the writing laden with detail that didn’t inform or, as with the other novels, help to create the atmosphere that previously had transported me. This created a disturbing verticality and prevented forward motion.
And where oh where were the twists that existed and excited and surprised me in the first and second novel?
Did I learn anything by reading this? Yes. I was a child of 11 during the beginning of this war and had no real sense of what it was like to be bombed and maimed, saved and/or not, deprived and embedded with fear. Safe in America I remember only A, B, and C driving permits, margarine-the color mixed by hand, stamps and bonds for liberty together with my weekly school reader talking about the wonders of atomic power and Chinese heroes.
So for this part of Sarah’s latest work I am grateful. This seemed to be the section of the writing that was truly energized and tensioned.
I do want her to keep writing because she is, as far as I know, unique in her ability to describe with wonderful power, the dynamic relationship between women. And, as in the previous works, the capacity to remove me from the present moment while encasing me in an envelope that transports.

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