Sign in with Facebook
Teresa's Reviews > The Buddha in the Attic
The Buddha in the Attic
by
by
As with most short stories or novellas, this almost 'prose-poem' of a book is probably best if you can read it straight through, in this case to get the full effect of its incantatory prose.
Though it's mostly told in first-person plural, it reminded me of the style of Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, another treatment where what seems like 'just' a list of things is so much more. It does what I feel literature does better than 'knowing the facts': reminding us, showing us, that behind the 'numbers' are individuals.
Be sure to read the author's note at the end to see whose words she uses for her fictional mayor's. It makes an important part of history even more relevant to today.
Though it's mostly told in first-person plural, it reminded me of the style of Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, another treatment where what seems like 'just' a list of things is so much more. It does what I feel literature does better than 'knowing the facts': reminding us, showing us, that behind the 'numbers' are individuals.
Be sure to read the author's note at the end to see whose words she uses for her fictional mayor's. It makes an important part of history even more relevant to today.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
The Buddha in the Attic.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Started Reading
March 16, 2012
– Shelved
March 16, 2012
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-19 of 19 (19 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Barb H
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Mar 17, 2012 11:43AM
Perfect review, Teresa! I do like her technique of writing. Although she does not mention names, nor fully develop individual characters, she certainly delves deeply.
reply
|
flag
Barbara wrote: "Perfect review, Teresa! I do like her technique of writing. Although she does not mention names, nor fully develop individual characters, she certainly delves deeply."Thanks, Barbara! While she does mention a few names, and even more near the end (a way, I think, of showing a difference between the immigrant women and their American children), her technique of not developing individual characters worked extremely well for what she was trying to accomplish.
Great review - I've added it to my list!
Jolie wrote: "Great review - I've added it to my list!"Thanks, Jolie. Hope you like it.
Just reading your review again and thinking that what you say about reading it straight through may be key to feeling the effect of this book. I know i read it in a day.
The source for the mayor's speech was soberingly sad. Some things never change...
should I read the notes first ?
I really like your review. Thank you for reading mine as well. Your explanation makes a lot of sense and I appreciate it.
Thanks so much, Margitte. I appreciate your letting me know. I'm glad I came to look at my review after adding a comment at yours, because I wasn't notified of your comment!Cathrine, I'm just now seeing your question too. And I know you've already read the book, and a long time ago!
Interesting comparison to "The Things They Carried" (which I remember we both love). I think you're right; one does evoke the other, style-wise.
I am drawn back to your review. I continue to recommend this book to people, especially those in my book groups. I also talk about When the Emperor Was Divine . Brilliant, touching books!
Kenneth wrote: "Interesting comparison to "The Things They Carried" (which I remember we both love). I think you're right; one does evoke the other, style-wise."Oh, do I love that book -- I remember rereading it before I had to return it to the library. Both novels achieve a cumulative power due to the 'incantatory prose', a phrase that I see I used in both reviews.
Barbara wrote: "I am drawn back to your review. I continue to recommend this book to people, especially those in my book groups. I also talk about When the Emperor Was Divine . Brilliant, touching bo..."I still need to read that book. One day!
Teresa, you must read it! It is another very small, but profound book by this talented author.
Barbara wrote: "Teresa, you must read it! It is another very small, but profound book by this talented author."I requested it from the library. If I don't do it now, I'll forget about it again. :)
I know what you mean. That is how my TBR list has become so unmanageable. I must add that you were one of my GR friends who urged me to read Ruth Rendell, who is one of my favorites!
Barbara wrote: "I must add that you were one of my GR friends who urged me to read Ruth Rendell, who is one of my favorites!"I need to catch up on a couple of hers as well.
And I must read The Things They Carried, especially seeing it compared to Buddha in the Attic!
