This was really interesting. I really liked Held by Anne Michaels but now you've led me to The Forbidden Zone by Mary Borden.
I enjoyed the fragmentary aspect of Held which I know a lot of people found annoying but it was like beautiful drops of consciousness that you were left to decide about yourself.
Thanks, Annette. I agree regarding the fragmentary aspect of Held. I found it such a beautifully crafted narrative, which allowed, as you say, for you as a reader to decide about for yourself. The imagery she conjured up with the prose was startlingly good.
This is such a fascinating, well-written essay about love, war, trauma and narrative. I love the connections you’ve made between the authors - and it’s great to see how your MA impacts how you read new books. Thank you for sharing :)
This is a great essay, Kate, and I must get hold of Held (that sounds rather odd though!). I think the fragmentary style lends itself really well to writing trauma. When I was writing the hardest bits of my memoir, that's what I used. I don't actually know how else I could have done it. To connect the fragments into a coherent story would be to deny the nature of the experience.
This was really interesting. I really liked Held by Anne Michaels but now you've led me to The Forbidden Zone by Mary Borden.
I enjoyed the fragmentary aspect of Held which I know a lot of people found annoying but it was like beautiful drops of consciousness that you were left to decide about yourself.
Thanks, Annette. I agree regarding the fragmentary aspect of Held. I found it such a beautifully crafted narrative, which allowed, as you say, for you as a reader to decide about for yourself. The imagery she conjured up with the prose was startlingly good.
This is such a fascinating, well-written essay about love, war, trauma and narrative. I love the connections you’ve made between the authors - and it’s great to see how your MA impacts how you read new books. Thank you for sharing :)
Thank you so much 💕 I love it when you come across connections in texts, ‘Held’ was an amazing book.
This is a great essay, Kate, and I must get hold of Held (that sounds rather odd though!). I think the fragmentary style lends itself really well to writing trauma. When I was writing the hardest bits of my memoir, that's what I used. I don't actually know how else I could have done it. To connect the fragments into a coherent story would be to deny the nature of the experience.
Also, I have just realised you have started your Substack! I will subscribe immediately 😀
Thanks, Joanna. How interesting that you also used that form. I can imagine it is a freer way to work. Definitely recommend Held then.
This is such a wonderful write-up and is so moving.
Thank you!
My goodness. Some astonishing writing here. Thank you Kate, I really enjoyed reading this.
Thanks so much, Laura! I enjoyed writing it 😊
Thank you, Maureen 😊