Gowdy, Barbara. Little Sister. Portland, Oregon: Tin House 2017. Print
Description:
What an interesting premise is found in Barbara Gowdy's novel, Little Sister. Rose Bowan, a quiet, middle age owner of a family-run vintage movie theater, finds that whenever a thunderstorm hits the area, she briefly falls into a hazy trance and wakes up inhabiting the body of a young woman named Harriett. She sees, hears, and feels the world as Harriett does, but she cannot control any aspect of her host. Rose merely experiences Harriett, watching and listening to her try to decide a course of action in her life and relationships.
Sounds a bit loopy, huh? A bit like the film Being John Malkovich where people are transported into the actor's mind and see through his eyes. But in the hands of the sensitive writing of Gowdy, readers immediately accept this unusual situation and join in with Rose as she listens to Harriett's words, senses her nervous uncertainty, and feels the passion of a young lover.
Naturally, Rose wonders whether this is all a dream or some alternate reality. So she decides to search for a real-life Harriett. Besides looking to somehow understand this situation, Rose has a second reason to find Harriett. If all this is real, Rose wants to somehow meet Harriett and give her a message.
But there is another unforeseen repercussion for Rose to her transferences. Long-buried events and memories are also being stirred up. Disquieting stories seep into her consciousness involving her aging mother Fiona, her boyfriend Victor, an odd Yoga teacher, and even her own childhood with her dead sister. Each memory is triggered by her momentarily escapades into Harriett and each unfolds into a story or emotion that clarifies who Rose really is.
I couldn't help but keep keep reading to see how Rose would deal with her life (and Harriett's?), to see the roads taken by both these interesting, sensitive characters. I was totally absorbed by this world of everyday characters beautifully written, who slowly reveal their complexities, their dreams, and their guilt.
First Sentences:
From her office above the Regal Repertory Theater, Rose Bowan watched a Coke can roll down the sidewalk across the street.
It missed the fire hydrant, hit a tree, spun under the cafe's wrought-iron gate, and set off in an arc around the tables, whose languorously twirling umbrellas somebody had better start lowering.
From her office above the Regal Repertory Theater, Rose Bowan watched a Coke can roll down the sidewalk across the street.
It missed the fire hydrant, hit a tree, spun under the cafe's wrought-iron gate, and set off in an arc around the tables, whose languorously twirling umbrellas somebody had better start lowering.
Description:
What an interesting premise is found in Barbara Gowdy's novel, Little Sister. Rose Bowan, a quiet, middle age owner of a family-run vintage movie theater, finds that whenever a thunderstorm hits the area, she briefly falls into a hazy trance and wakes up inhabiting the body of a young woman named Harriett. She sees, hears, and feels the world as Harriett does, but she cannot control any aspect of her host. Rose merely experiences Harriett, watching and listening to her try to decide a course of action in her life and relationships.
Sounds a bit loopy, huh? A bit like the film Being John Malkovich where people are transported into the actor's mind and see through his eyes. But in the hands of the sensitive writing of Gowdy, readers immediately accept this unusual situation and join in with Rose as she listens to Harriett's words, senses her nervous uncertainty, and feels the passion of a young lover.
Naturally, Rose wonders whether this is all a dream or some alternate reality. So she decides to search for a real-life Harriett. Besides looking to somehow understand this situation, Rose has a second reason to find Harriett. If all this is real, Rose wants to somehow meet Harriett and give her a message.
But there is another unforeseen repercussion for Rose to her transferences. Long-buried events and memories are also being stirred up. Disquieting stories seep into her consciousness involving her aging mother Fiona, her boyfriend Victor, an odd Yoga teacher, and even her own childhood with her dead sister. Each memory is triggered by her momentarily escapades into Harriett and each unfolds into a story or emotion that clarifies who Rose really is.
I couldn't help but keep keep reading to see how Rose would deal with her life (and Harriett's?), to see the roads taken by both these interesting, sensitive characters. I was totally absorbed by this world of everyday characters beautifully written, who slowly reveal their complexities, their dreams, and their guilt.
____________________
If this book interests you, be sure to check out:
If this book interests you, be sure to check out:
Gowdy, Barbara. Mr Sandman: A Novel
Another book by the same author, Mr. Sandman is a tale of the eccentric, passionate Canary family where each person is odd, funny, and mysterious.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Add a comment or book recommendation.