The centre of the novel, set in Ireland, is Montefort, a dilapidated country house. The
period is the 1950's. The novel was written in 1952. Elizabeth was a prolific and outstanding Irish author who had associations with the Bloomsbury Group.
Elements of the novel may be autobiographical. Elizabeth_Bowen biography.
Bowen inherited Bowen's Court and Antonia inherits Montefort from her cousin Guy who has been killed in WW1. Montefort is a fading relic of Protestant Irish aristocracy kept going by an illegitimate progeny, Fred Danby.
Bowen is renowned for her ghost stories and in this romantic story of a girl's coming of age, Guy haunts the novel, his photograph in the hall and his letters discovered in the attic add to the reader wondering who he really was. All the women seem to be entranced by him. Alicia, the divorced cousin and his ex fiancee have idealised memories of his charm. There is one exception and that is Danby's second daughter who pervades the house as an evil genius presence. Jane is the heroin the first daughter. There seems a very unfair comparison between the two daughters. One is beautiful and admired, the other is ugly and unliked.
The family is poor and declining in status in the community. Irish history in regard to agriculture and politics is very complex. However, the Irish among us may understand the nuances of this situation. There is also a criticism of Bowen's use of dialogue. I did not find it too difficult to understand once I decided it was Irish brogue.
I thought that Bowen's prose was beautifully poetic. There were times that I would read a sentence over twice or three times just because her choice of words seemed to sink into my mind with a depth of emotion I could only marginally understand in one reading. I really loved this aspect of the novel.
There has also been criticism of the ending of the novel. I found it quite creatively splendid. I have tried to write romantic novellas myself and the way Bowen carefully leads the reader through Jane's eyes towards the ending is remarkable. For those that believe in "love at first sight", as I suspect that Bowen did ( she had many affairs that have been recorded and a happy marriage), then this is a virtuoso. I fell in love with the description of the romantic hero too.
My criticism would be the tone of the interactions between Lilia and 1. Fred and 2. Antonia and her tone towards Lilia. I found it too negative. However, there comes into being a reconciliation of sorts between Lilia and Fred and it is understated but hopeful.
I really enjoyed discovering this novelist. I am reading her short stories at the moment and shall go on to read another novel. I thank Elizabeth Rapp at Dillington House for introducing me to Elizabeth Bowen and I thank all members of the Book Group for all their helpful comments.
As I write, it is Christmas Eve. I shall be looking forward to 2019 Book Groups at Dillington House and meeting up again with the book lovers of the group. Happy Christmas.
Zoe Ainsworth-Grigg
http://www.zoeainsworthgriggbooks.com/339348241 Zoe's biography
Monday, 24 December 2018
Saturday, 22 December 2018
Film Review - The Shape of Water
This film does not really fit into any kind of genre. Is it a fantasy or a romance or is it a comment on American Society.
The Guardian Critic sees it in terms of sexuality -https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb
However, the principal actress plus "the creature" share a bond of the disenfranchised. This is more about communication between people who share a position of abuse in society and how they manage to overcome barriers of communication, and communication difficulties between a sensitive person and something or someone we regard as an "alien creature".
Set in the cold war in the USA the CIA leader of the research laboratory displays all the crass materialism and cruelty that are the worst characteristics of USA culture during the cold war.
The Russian scientist whose primary motivation is the craft of science who helps the creature displays an interest and in so doing signs his death warrant from the KGB. The artist character shows a mature understanding re black people and also animal instinctual behaviour. He is the cultured person ignored by most.
One of the funniest moments for me in the film was when the van with the escaping "creature" strikes the newly acquired "teal" Cadillac, the symbol of wealth in America's 1950's and the CIA official's ensuing wrath.
We see the difference between him when he has abusive sex with his wife and the lyrical fantasy sexual scene in the bathroom between Elisa and the creature.
This film is a subtle criticism of American culture, brutality and cruelty toward those things we cannot understand or relate to and or perhaps fear. It is perhaps a lesson for us all still in modern society.
It is a great film with fine performances, please try to see past the sex and understand the underlying message of the director and my 'reading' of the film from a film studies perspective.
While Freud may be the father of modern psychology he has done a great disservice to society by increasing the interest of the sex drive as a motivating force by advertising agents and or ( film critics.)
.
Zoe Ainsworth-Grigg
http://www.zoeainsworthgriggbooks.com/339348241 Zoe's biography
The Guardian Critic sees it in terms of sexuality -https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb
However, the principal actress plus "the creature" share a bond of the disenfranchised. This is more about communication between people who share a position of abuse in society and how they manage to overcome barriers of communication, and communication difficulties between a sensitive person and something or someone we regard as an "alien creature".
Set in the cold war in the USA the CIA leader of the research laboratory displays all the crass materialism and cruelty that are the worst characteristics of USA culture during the cold war.
The Russian scientist whose primary motivation is the craft of science who helps the creature displays an interest and in so doing signs his death warrant from the KGB. The artist character shows a mature understanding re black people and also animal instinctual behaviour. He is the cultured person ignored by most.
One of the funniest moments for me in the film was when the van with the escaping "creature" strikes the newly acquired "teal" Cadillac, the symbol of wealth in America's 1950's and the CIA official's ensuing wrath.
We see the difference between him when he has abusive sex with his wife and the lyrical fantasy sexual scene in the bathroom between Elisa and the creature.
This film is a subtle criticism of American culture, brutality and cruelty toward those things we cannot understand or relate to and or perhaps fear. It is perhaps a lesson for us all still in modern society.
It is a great film with fine performances, please try to see past the sex and understand the underlying message of the director and my 'reading' of the film from a film studies perspective.
While Freud may be the father of modern psychology he has done a great disservice to society by increasing the interest of the sex drive as a motivating force by advertising agents and or ( film critics.)
.
Zoe Ainsworth-Grigg
http://www.zoeainsworthgriggbooks.com/339348241 Zoe's biography
Thursday, 13 December 2018
Film review of Disobedience - A film by Sebastian Lelio
The film is an adaptation of a novel by Naomi Alderman. It is a "powerful exploration of faith, sexuality and freedom told through the passionate love story between two women in London's Orthodox Jewish community,"
For me the cinematography of this film was very powerful indeed. As were the outstanding performances of the three leading actors. The Director produced a very lyrical beautiful rendition of a spiritual dilemma for all members of the community. Focusing on the faces of the actors of all of the cast we are invited to interpret their emotions. There is a vast range of emotional struggles. There are also some very visual stunning shots.
There is a sex scene but is not gratuitous. I found it shocking but as a 72 year old heterosexual woman, that is not surprising. When I got over my shock I had a greater understanding.
We are shown the Jewish community and their culture,( but for me, I think, it could have been any close community, any mores of any faith structure) and its response to those that transgress the conservative norm. On the other hand we are also shown the power of faith. All the characters are sensitively portrayed as having generosity and faith and a genuine desire to be dutiful and follow their faith.
Who among us have not had a dilemma in life? And how do we respond? It hurts and often we lash out.
This is the best watch, the best film, the best director, I have seen in a very long time, I shall look out for his next film.
Zoe Ainsworth-Grigg
For me the cinematography of this film was very powerful indeed. As were the outstanding performances of the three leading actors. The Director produced a very lyrical beautiful rendition of a spiritual dilemma for all members of the community. Focusing on the faces of the actors of all of the cast we are invited to interpret their emotions. There is a vast range of emotional struggles. There are also some very visual stunning shots.
There is a sex scene but is not gratuitous. I found it shocking but as a 72 year old heterosexual woman, that is not surprising. When I got over my shock I had a greater understanding.
We are shown the Jewish community and their culture,( but for me, I think, it could have been any close community, any mores of any faith structure) and its response to those that transgress the conservative norm. On the other hand we are also shown the power of faith. All the characters are sensitively portrayed as having generosity and faith and a genuine desire to be dutiful and follow their faith.
Who among us have not had a dilemma in life? And how do we respond? It hurts and often we lash out.
This is the best watch, the best film, the best director, I have seen in a very long time, I shall look out for his next film.
Zoe Ainsworth-Grigg
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