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The Dutch Wife
Rachel, the mother of the aging professor Thomas Vanderlinden, shared her life with two men. Both went by the name of Rowland Vanderlinden. The first husband went abroad and never returned. The second, whom Rachel also unquestioningly accepted as her husband, was a mystery. In an attempt to understand his mother’s adventurous decisions regarding love and marriage, Thomas sets out on a journey to the far reaches of the Pacific to find the first Rowland, and his real father. As the mystery of the two Rowlands unfolds throughout the novel, so too does a fascinating portrait of one woman and the choices she makes. Set before a backdrop of fantastical places, The Dutch Wife is a profound meditation on the nature of love.
313 pages, Hardcover
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About the author
Eric McCormack
17 books39 followersEric McCormack was born in Scotland, later emigrated to Canada and, since 1970, has been teaching at St. Jerome's University in Waterloo, Ontario. He started out on his career writing short stories which appeared in literary journals including Prism International, West Coast Review, Malahat Review, and The New Quarterly. He has also written poetry over the years. In February 1987 his first book, Inspecting the Vaults was published. This is a collection of nineteen short stories, thirteen of which had been previously published in literary magazines. His first novel, The Paradise Motel, was published in February 1989. Eric McCormack became the focus of considerable media interest and his books were translated into many foreign languages. His next novel, The Mysterium, was released in 1992, and his most recent book, First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women was published in 1997. It was nominated for the Governor General's Award. Eric McCormack also frequently reviews for The Globe and Mail. His works to date have received much critical acclaim.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
May 6, 2016
In the beginning there is an epigraph that may serve as a pilot in the navigation through the troubled waters of this book.
“Look at the world, with its thousands upon thousands of years of wars, plagues, famines, murders, public and private brutalities, injustices, parricides, genocides. One would have to be a supreme cynic not to believe there must be some great pattern, some great plan behind it all.” Pablo Renowski
There are some journeys that go not just through distances but also trough ages, spiritual experiences and treasuries of knowledge. The Dutch Wife is one of such journeys.
“And it’s quite understandable when you consider that survival was very precarious in those days. To drink the water was to invite E. coli; to eat a meal was to risk botulism; to breathe the air in a town like London was to expose yourself to innumerable contagions; to lie down in your own flea-ridden bed was to flirt with bubonic plague. In fact, when you think of it, to wake up alive in the morning in that era was a miracle. Yes, if ever there was a time when people needed to believe in God, or in Something that would give their lives meaning, you would have thought that was just such a time… But in spite of all those incentives to belief, there were some people who just couldn’t convince themselves. They thought the world was so awful that no god worthy of their respect could have made it.”
Sometimes embarking on a quest we find more than we were looking for…
“Look at the world, with its thousands upon thousands of years of wars, plagues, famines, murders, public and private brutalities, injustices, parricides, genocides. One would have to be a supreme cynic not to believe there must be some great pattern, some great plan behind it all.” Pablo Renowski
There are some journeys that go not just through distances but also trough ages, spiritual experiences and treasuries of knowledge. The Dutch Wife is one of such journeys.
“And it’s quite understandable when you consider that survival was very precarious in those days. To drink the water was to invite E. coli; to eat a meal was to risk botulism; to breathe the air in a town like London was to expose yourself to innumerable contagions; to lie down in your own flea-ridden bed was to flirt with bubonic plague. In fact, when you think of it, to wake up alive in the morning in that era was a miracle. Yes, if ever there was a time when people needed to believe in God, or in Something that would give their lives meaning, you would have thought that was just such a time… But in spite of all those incentives to belief, there were some people who just couldn’t convince themselves. They thought the world was so awful that no god worthy of their respect could have made it.”
Sometimes embarking on a quest we find more than we were looking for…
November 21, 2018
I wrote this over ten years ago when I first read this book. It goes like this:
This is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a while. It’s called The Dutch Wife and it’s by Eric McCormack.
Any brief summary of the novel would be misleading. It involves a woman who marries once yet has two husbands (sort of) both of whom are named Rowland Vanderlinden. But let’s just say that’s not so much what the story is about as it is a jumping off place.
I suppose there are two key reasons why I liked this novel so much (beyond simply being a good story). McCormack does two things that I almost always love when they’re done well and both relate to style.
First, there is the tone. It is a very conversational narrative, particularly as the book opens with it’s first person narrator, but also in the way the various sections begin. It’s almost a written version of oral story-telling.
I think this is partly due to McCormack being what Alberto Manguel calls a “fabulist,” meaning someone who writes fables or legends. Don’t be misled by this, however. The story is very contemporary.
The second thing McCormack does, which relates to style and is again also related to the fabulist tradition, is to tell tales within tales within tales. There is an Arabian Nights quality to it. One narrator tells a story about another narrator who is telling the story of another narrator — kinda like that.
So in The Dutch Wife the initial narrator tells us the story of a man he meets who in turn tells him a story of his adventures which includes meeting others who tell him stories.
The art in all this lies in making compelling and engaging characters of all the narrators, making their stories interesting, and bringing all these stories, which initially seem disparate, together so they dovetail in the end and we see how it all relates.
Anyway … I love this sort of thing, and I loved The Dutch Wife.
McCormack also manages to write with a prose style that finds a nice balance. It is neither too erudite nor too simplistic; rather, it finesses a fine line between the two.
The novel is a great story. But it’s also a fun story. There is considerable humour in it but also a joy in narrative. As a reader and writer, this is an aspect of literature that always wins me over.
This is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a while. It’s called The Dutch Wife and it’s by Eric McCormack.
Any brief summary of the novel would be misleading. It involves a woman who marries once yet has two husbands (sort of) both of whom are named Rowland Vanderlinden. But let’s just say that’s not so much what the story is about as it is a jumping off place.
I suppose there are two key reasons why I liked this novel so much (beyond simply being a good story). McCormack does two things that I almost always love when they’re done well and both relate to style.
First, there is the tone. It is a very conversational narrative, particularly as the book opens with it’s first person narrator, but also in the way the various sections begin. It’s almost a written version of oral story-telling.
I think this is partly due to McCormack being what Alberto Manguel calls a “fabulist,” meaning someone who writes fables or legends. Don’t be misled by this, however. The story is very contemporary.
The second thing McCormack does, which relates to style and is again also related to the fabulist tradition, is to tell tales within tales within tales. There is an Arabian Nights quality to it. One narrator tells a story about another narrator who is telling the story of another narrator — kinda like that.
So in The Dutch Wife the initial narrator tells us the story of a man he meets who in turn tells him a story of his adventures which includes meeting others who tell him stories.
The art in all this lies in making compelling and engaging characters of all the narrators, making their stories interesting, and bringing all these stories, which initially seem disparate, together so they dovetail in the end and we see how it all relates.
Anyway … I love this sort of thing, and I loved The Dutch Wife.
McCormack also manages to write with a prose style that finds a nice balance. It is neither too erudite nor too simplistic; rather, it finesses a fine line between the two.
The novel is a great story. But it’s also a fun story. There is considerable humour in it but also a joy in narrative. As a reader and writer, this is an aspect of literature that always wins me over.
June 25, 2010
Dutch wife n : 1: a wife who is primarily, or solely, useful 2: a dry pillow or towel placed between the legs at the crotch nocturnally in tropical climate to prevent fungus or infection.
Oh, and I learned about Guinea worms too. YouTube that!
Eric McCormack is a wonderful storyteller who is not afraid to shock. (I may know a fella like that). In The Dutch Wife, a wife opens the door in response to her husband's unique doorbell ring, but it's not her husband at the door.....although he says he is. She tells him to leave, then changes her mind.
Intrigued?
Oh, and I learned about Guinea worms too. YouTube that!
Eric McCormack is a wonderful storyteller who is not afraid to shock. (I may know a fella like that). In The Dutch Wife, a wife opens the door in response to her husband's unique doorbell ring, but it's not her husband at the door.....although he says he is. She tells him to leave, then changes her mind.
Intrigued?
April 17, 2012
This is a hard novel to categorize. It is relatively short, deals with stories within stories within stories, and the quirkiness and unpredictability of well-loved characters. I'm not sure what to say about it, except that I enjoyed the stories told, learned much about obscure people and places I am likely never to see, and was sorry to see it end. Highly recommended.
April 13, 2021
Olala, quelle histoire, quel récit !!!
C'est à la fois un roman d'aventures, une fable un peu folle, un thriller, un essai anthropologique... C'est plein de rebondissements, de mystères... On nous mène au bout du monde, dans des situations rocambolesques, pleines de péripéties à couper le souffle que même Indianna Jones n'aurait pas osé affronter. On y mêle le vrai, le faux et les personnages sont plus atypiques les uns que les autres.
Vraiment une belle plume que celle d'Éric McCormack. C'est fluide, brillamment mené, pétillant. Roman à tiroirs qui m'a rappelé 1 autre auteur canadien : Éric Dupont avec sa fiancée américaine, 2 romans difficiles à raconter tellement c'est foisonnant d'histoires un peu dingues imbriquées les unes aux autres.
Donc "aimables lecteurs" comme l'auteur aime à nous appeler, laissez vous embarquer jusqu'au bout du monde dans les pas de l'épouse hollandaise et de ses maris.
C'est à la fois un roman d'aventures, une fable un peu folle, un thriller, un essai anthropologique... C'est plein de rebondissements, de mystères... On nous mène au bout du monde, dans des situations rocambolesques, pleines de péripéties à couper le souffle que même Indianna Jones n'aurait pas osé affronter. On y mêle le vrai, le faux et les personnages sont plus atypiques les uns que les autres.
Vraiment une belle plume que celle d'Éric McCormack. C'est fluide, brillamment mené, pétillant. Roman à tiroirs qui m'a rappelé 1 autre auteur canadien : Éric Dupont avec sa fiancée américaine, 2 romans difficiles à raconter tellement c'est foisonnant d'histoires un peu dingues imbriquées les unes aux autres.
Donc "aimables lecteurs" comme l'auteur aime à nous appeler, laissez vous embarquer jusqu'au bout du monde dans les pas de l'épouse hollandaise et de ses maris.
December 21, 2018
This surprising gem absolutely falls into a slot in my top ten favourite reads this year...maybe even into the top five. It is curiously intriguing, and deeply affecting.
By the time it is being related to us, its “Gentle Readers,” The Dutch Wife is a third-hand story. Our narrator (presumably Mr McCormack himself) hears the tale from his aging neighbour Thomas Vanderlinden. It is the story of Thomas' parents – his mother, Rachel, and the two men who went by the name of Rowland Vanderlinden.
Young Rachel sent her husband Rowland – an Anthropologist – off abroad to explore, study and catalogue his experiences with new cultures. 3 months later a stranger knocks on her door with suitcase in hand, claiming the name of her husband. Rachel welcomes him home, cooks him supper, and accepts him unquestioningly as her husband.
This being the almost outrageously unbelievable start to Thomas' story, what follows is the unfolding of an adventure and a mystery that explores exotic lands and layered musings of love. The narrator's and Thomas' own stories are sifted into the mix along with the story of Rachel and the two Rowlands. It is deftly done, with humour and a gentle reverence for the curiosities of experience and emotion.
I found myself fascinated by the novelty of the story, and enjoyed the exotic turns it took. There is much attention given to a sense of place, from the bedside where we hear much of the tale to the strange places it wanders through. I was also left with a host of oddities to look into after the story's end – like enigmatic 16th century literature, Guinea worms and Anti-Geographers. I presumed that any actual explanation for the original conceit – a woman accepting a complete stranger as her already existent husband, and living happily with him as though this strange thing had never happened – well, I assumed that I'd be disappointed in the resolution of that mystery. The truth was quite the opposite, though.
This was a fantastically crafted story, and I'm delighted to have experienced it. It's worth an eventual reread.
By the time it is being related to us, its “Gentle Readers,” The Dutch Wife is a third-hand story. Our narrator (presumably Mr McCormack himself) hears the tale from his aging neighbour Thomas Vanderlinden. It is the story of Thomas' parents – his mother, Rachel, and the two men who went by the name of Rowland Vanderlinden.
Young Rachel sent her husband Rowland – an Anthropologist – off abroad to explore, study and catalogue his experiences with new cultures. 3 months later a stranger knocks on her door with suitcase in hand, claiming the name of her husband. Rachel welcomes him home, cooks him supper, and accepts him unquestioningly as her husband.
This being the almost outrageously unbelievable start to Thomas' story, what follows is the unfolding of an adventure and a mystery that explores exotic lands and layered musings of love. The narrator's and Thomas' own stories are sifted into the mix along with the story of Rachel and the two Rowlands. It is deftly done, with humour and a gentle reverence for the curiosities of experience and emotion.
I found myself fascinated by the novelty of the story, and enjoyed the exotic turns it took. There is much attention given to a sense of place, from the bedside where we hear much of the tale to the strange places it wanders through. I was also left with a host of oddities to look into after the story's end – like enigmatic 16th century literature, Guinea worms and Anti-Geographers. I presumed that any actual explanation for the original conceit – a woman accepting a complete stranger as her already existent husband, and living happily with him as though this strange thing had never happened – well, I assumed that I'd be disappointed in the resolution of that mystery. The truth was quite the opposite, though.
This was a fantastically crafted story, and I'm delighted to have experienced it. It's worth an eventual reread.
March 20, 2014
L'épouse hollandaise d'Eric McCormack est un roman de 330 pages, publié aux Editions Points. Le résumé me tentait beaucoup, et je pensais avoir davantage un thriller entre les mains. Mais ce n'est pas du tout l'impression que j'ai eu. C'est plutôt un roman contemporain qu'un thriller, une histoire qui nous fait voyager à travers le monde.
Certes, c'est un roman bien construit, avec une histoire prenante, une bonne écriture, des personnages attachants et un dénouement surprenant. Malgré tout, je suis restée très extérieure à ce livre, dans lequel je n'ai pas réellement réussi à me plonger, et j'ai rapidement commencé à le lire de travers. Peut-être n'était-ce pas le bon moment pour le lire, mais c'était sûrement dû au fait que je m'étais imaginée totalement autre chose avec la quatrième.
Aussi, je n'ai pas réellement apprécié ce livre, malgré les indéniables qualités qu'il possède et qui ont été largement mises en valeur dans les autres chroniques postées. Je vous recommande donc de vous tourner davantage vers leur chronique afin de vous faire un avis sûrement plus juste du roman, qui est par ailleurs très bien noté !
Certes, c'est un roman bien construit, avec une histoire prenante, une bonne écriture, des personnages attachants et un dénouement surprenant. Malgré tout, je suis restée très extérieure à ce livre, dans lequel je n'ai pas réellement réussi à me plonger, et j'ai rapidement commencé à le lire de travers. Peut-être n'était-ce pas le bon moment pour le lire, mais c'était sûrement dû au fait que je m'étais imaginée totalement autre chose avec la quatrième.
Aussi, je n'ai pas réellement apprécié ce livre, malgré les indéniables qualités qu'il possède et qui ont été largement mises en valeur dans les autres chroniques postées. Je vous recommande donc de vous tourner davantage vers leur chronique afin de vous faire un avis sûrement plus juste du roman, qui est par ailleurs très bien noté !
April 27, 2022
My completion of this book was followed by a body-wide shiver of excitement and satisfaction I've not experienced in years; instantly one of my faves!
The Dutch Wife
is a wonderful story of a man telling the story of a man telling the stories of his family and the stories they've told him about stories they've been told and/or experienced. That may sound convoluted but it is truly a beautifully woven mosaic of exotic times and locals, mysteries, oddities, tragedies and even mild horror. Eric McCormack creates instantly likable and interesting family and characters and effortlessly utilizes them to propel the narrative and plot forward throughout, never making them feel shoe-horned in or non-essential to the fuller picture unfolding. I became so engrossed the further I read that I felt like I just wanted this story, this world, to be real, and also was aware that I both couldn't put
The Dutch Wife
down but also didn't want it to end. Infinitely interesting and so rewarding a read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 18, 2022
Захоплююча книга, яка мене повністю поглинула. Сюжет пригодницький із філософським підґрунтям, настільки динамічний, що ні на секунду не довелось нудьгувати.
У книзі є моменти, коли спочатку думаєш, що ідеться про якусь містику, а потім автор зовсім невимушено відкриває приземлений бік події.
На мою думку, Ерік Маккормак із своїм «Летючим голандцем» дуже недооцінений. Відверто здивувалась низькому рейтингу цієї книги на Goodreads. Це просто фантастична книжка для прочитання не на один раз. Починаю пошуки інших книг автора і шкодую, що їх у нього небагато(
«Твоя собственная жизнь кажется тебе хаосом - ты внутри нее и так поглощен подробностями, что теряешь надежду найти в ней хоть какой-нибудь разумный порядок или смысл. В то время как посторонний - наблюдатель твоей жизни - способен двигаться и, если повезет, сможет найти точку, с которой нужно смотреть на твою жизнь, чтобы понять ее смысл; сможет заметить тенденции, симметрии и совпадения, которые ты сам, возможно, увидеть не способен.»
У книзі є моменти, коли спочатку думаєш, що ідеться про якусь містику, а потім автор зовсім невимушено відкриває приземлений бік події.
На мою думку, Ерік Маккормак із своїм «Летючим голандцем» дуже недооцінений. Відверто здивувалась низькому рейтингу цієї книги на Goodreads. Це просто фантастична книжка для прочитання не на один раз. Починаю пошуки інших книг автора і шкодую, що їх у нього небагато(
«Твоя собственная жизнь кажется тебе хаосом - ты внутри нее и так поглощен подробностями, что теряешь надежду найти в ней хоть какой-нибудь разумный порядок или смысл. В то время как посторонний - наблюдатель твоей жизни - способен двигаться и, если повезет, сможет найти точку, с которой нужно смотреть на твою жизнь, чтобы понять ее смысл; сможет заметить тенденции, симметрии и совпадения, которые ты сам, возможно, увидеть не способен.»
October 21, 2023
Дуже зацікавила назва, але...мова йде зовсім про інше, аніж корабель-привид на який я все-таки сподівалась, коли вперше взяла в руки цю книгу. Попри це, в мене не було розчарування, навпаки, роман мені сподобався. Це така суміш пригод та різноманітних історій (які іноді переплітаються між собою), що на розповідь про кожного героя, виділено окремі розділи у книзі.
За дорученням своєї матері, Томас відправляється за півсвіту на пошуки Роуленда Вандерліндена, який зміг би відповісти на питання, які цікавили Рейчел на протязі багатьох років. Він знаходить Роуленда у горах на одному із далеких островів та привозить його у Канаду. Про все це Томас розповідає одному письменнику, коли потрапляє до лікарні. Але, про деякі важливі речі він навмисно не розповів...)
За дорученням своєї матері, Томас відправляється за півсвіту на пошуки Роуленда Вандерліндена, який зміг би відповісти на питання, які цікавили Рейчел на протязі багатьох років. Він знаходить Роуленда у горах на одному із далеких островів та привозить його у Канаду. Про все це Томас розповідає одному письменнику, коли потрапляє до лікарні. Але, про деякі важливі речі він навмисно не розповів...)
January 6, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fun, educating, well-paced book spanning several continents, beliefs and stories; and still it was a quick read! Eric McCormack's prose is intelligent but not over-wrought with verbiage although you get the feeling he holds back for the benefit of the reader. This book is going into my fave list. I can't wait to read more of his novels!
February 6, 2009
This is one crazy book. Love, love, loved it. Had me running to the computer to find out if there really were such things as Guinea worms. Fascinating stuff. Bought copies of this book for Christmas books. Hope everyone loved it as much as I did.
December 10, 2014
Wow! I was carried along in this fabulous tale right to the end of its journey. I enjoyed the intricate twists of cultures and the manner in which the characters were open to accepting what simply arrived at their doors. Complex logistics were presented easily. A wonderful read.
November 16, 2017
Superbe fiction comme je les aime, qui mêle réalité et imagination débordante de l'auteur. Ce récit un peu fou qui nous emmène au bout du monde est juste et impressionnant. Aucune envie de refermer ce livre mais envie de connaître la suite ... le paradoxe du lecteur !
July 15, 2023
A fast read, really had me hooked from the beginning. A great story-teller.
May 15, 2018
I liked it. It was an odd read but I learned a lot. I thought it was facinating
September 26, 2019
То ли человек играет с судьбой, то ли судьба человеком, но пути Божьи, как всегда, неисповедимы. И не кажется ли душа человека – тем самым «летучим голландцем»? Роман канадского писателя, профессора, специалиста по литературе XVII века Эрика МакКормака «Летучий голландец», вышедший в издательстве «Эксмо» в серии «Книги, о которых говорят» – невероятная книга о загадках человеческой души.
Антрополог по профессии и бродяга по призванию Роуленд Вандерлинден оставляет свою супругу Рэйчел ради очередной экспедиции. Из этого путешествия возвратиться было не суждено, но спустя какое-то время на пороге дома появляется некий Уилл Драмонд, который заявляет, что он – муж Рейчел. Рейчел принимает Уилла. Они живут вместе счастливо, но недолго. Уилл погибает на войне. И вот спустя много лет сын Рейчел, библиофил Томас Вандерлинден берётся за распутывание загадок своей семьи. Томас, более всего ценящий домашний уют и отдающий предпочтение интеллектуальным приключениям, отправляется на другой край земли, в поисках Роуленда…
Сюжетная составляющая «Летучего голландца» – это нить, на которую, как бусинки, нанизаны невероятные истории, из каждой иной беллетрист сделал бы самостоятельное произведение, но для Маккормака – это всего лишь эпизоды. Одно только короткое перечисление заставляет удивиться: истории о Календарном Убийце и Город Одноногих мужчин, жуткие обычаи племени бизва и подводное извержение вулкана. Иногда «Летучий голландец» кажется новой «Одиссеей» (тем более что выпавших на долю героев испытаний более чем предостаточно). Иногда – это «Тысяча и одна ночь», рассказанная неслучайным попутчиком. Но всё разнообразие историй – ужасающих и откровенных – сплетение экзотики и обыденности в конечном итоге составляют завершённое полотно, полное тайн.
Но ради чего всё это?
Ради чего Маккормак отправляет своих героев на край света, то и дело подвергая их жизни непредсказуемости и опасностям? Писатель, как мне думается, исследует различные подходы к жизни. Предлагает задуматься о роли хаоса и способах его преодоления. Иллюстрирует известное высказывание: «ад – это мы сами». Пытается разгадать противоречивую человеческую натуру. Говорит о том, о чем в одном интервью высказался так: «это вполне универсальный парадокс – желать одновременно волнений и безопасности». Почему одни считают, что люди жили бы намного лучше, если бы вообще не выходили из дома, а у других – само понятие «дом» – отсутствует?
Маккормак не даёт ответов, оставляя право на поиск истины вдумчивому читателю. И не случайно эпиграфом к книге служит высказывание «Бог любил смотреть сны — пока не создал этот мир».
Антрополог по профессии и бродяга по призванию Роуленд Вандерлинден оставляет свою супругу Рэйчел ради очередной экспедиции. Из этого путешествия возвратиться было не суждено, но спустя какое-то время на пороге дома появляется некий Уилл Драмонд, который заявляет, что он – муж Рейчел. Рейчел принимает Уилла. Они живут вместе счастливо, но недолго. Уилл погибает на войне. И вот спустя много лет сын Рейчел, библиофил Томас Вандерлинден берётся за распутывание загадок своей семьи. Томас, более всего ценящий домашний уют и отдающий предпочтение интеллектуальным приключениям, отправляется на другой край земли, в поисках Роуленда…
Сюжетная составляющая «Летучего голландца» – это нить, на которую, как бусинки, нанизаны невероятные истории, из каждой иной беллетрист сделал бы самостоятельное произведение, но для Маккормака – это всего лишь эпизоды. Одно только короткое перечисление заставляет удивиться: истории о Календарном Убийце и Город Одноногих мужчин, жуткие обычаи племени бизва и подводное извержение вулкана. Иногда «Летучий голландец» кажется новой «Одиссеей» (тем более что выпавших на долю героев испытаний более чем предостаточно). Иногда – это «Тысяча и одна ночь», рассказанная неслучайным попутчиком. Но всё разнообразие историй – ужасающих и откровенных – сплетение экзотики и обыденности в конечном итоге составляют завершённое полотно, полное тайн.
Но ради чего всё это?
Ради чего Маккормак отправляет своих героев на край света, то и дело подвергая их жизни непредсказуемости и опасностям? Писатель, как мне думается, исследует различные подходы к жизни. Предлагает задуматься о роли хаоса и способах его преодоления. Иллюстрирует известное высказывание: «ад – это мы сами». Пытается разгадать противоречивую человеческую натуру. Говорит о том, о чем в одном интервью высказался так: «это вполне универсальный парадокс – желать одновременно волнений и безопасности». Почему одни считают, что люди жили бы намного лучше, если бы вообще не выходили из дома, а у других – само понятие «дом» – отсутствует?
Маккормак не даёт ответов, оставляя право на поиск истины вдумчивому читателю. И не случайно эпиграфом к книге служит высказывание «Бог любил смотреть сны — пока не создал этот мир».
September 16, 2011
Alors que sa mère Rachel s'apprête à mourir, elle confie à son fils Thomas qu'elle a connu deux hommes dans sa vie, qui s'appelaient tous les deux Rowland Vanderlinden. Le premier, anthropologue, est parti au bout du monde et n'est jamais revenu. Le second s'est présenté chez elle et leur amour a été profond, jusqu'à sa mort tragique sur les champs de bataille de la guerre en Europe. Thomas se trouve investi par sa mère de démêler ce trouble secret et de découvrir ce qu'il est advenu de son père. Il s'engage alors dans une quête tant géographique que psychologique, nous emportant à travers les mythes et les aventures de bien d'autres gens.
Le récit démarre tranquillement mais peu à peu, s'insuffle de l'aventure, des histoires, des trahisons et des amours déçus. Thomas quitte son Amérique pour le Pacifique et finit par tomber sur celui qui se révèle être son père, mais qui a une conception particulière de la paternité. Il racontera cependant à son fils comment il en est arrivé à être un naufragé comblé au milieu du Pacifique et qui est cet homme qui s'est présenté autrefois sous son nom. Si vous aimez les récits emprunts de contes et de légendes, vous vous régalerez aussi des personnages insolites (le voisin). Un beau roman qui nous fait voyager tout en restant dans notre fauteuil.
Le récit démarre tranquillement mais peu à peu, s'insuffle de l'aventure, des histoires, des trahisons et des amours déçus. Thomas quitte son Amérique pour le Pacifique et finit par tomber sur celui qui se révèle être son père, mais qui a une conception particulière de la paternité. Il racontera cependant à son fils comment il en est arrivé à être un naufragé comblé au milieu du Pacifique et qui est cet homme qui s'est présenté autrefois sous son nom. Si vous aimez les récits emprunts de contes et de légendes, vous vous régalerez aussi des personnages insolites (le voisin). Un beau roman qui nous fait voyager tout en restant dans notre fauteuil.
December 24, 2018
A book tied to your ancestry ~ check
This was a little more loosely related to my ancestry than i thought but it was a great and wonderful read.
(Funny story ~ i knew of this title from my Mom. When i asked her how she enjoyed The Dutch Wife she started talking about how women have to make hard choices and wel, basically become a prostitute - i was wondering at her interpretation of this novel. I was like - calling her a prostitued is a bit harsh i would say - i am a bit surprised at you Mom - also there is survival but it is part of adventure...?
After talking at cross purposes for a few minutes we realized we were reading two different books with the same title. She was reading the one by Ellen Keith. LOL!
Anyway - i thoroughly loved this book. Not only did it hit on my ancestry - Dutch immigrants in Canada - ok - i know i am stretching - but go do your own book challenge :D this awas also about the adventures of an anthropologist who traveled all over the world. It was full of great characters who lived their own lives in their own eccentric ways and found love and purpose. It was also a story inside a story which is also always lots of fun.
To add to the ancestry thing , the author is Canadian and so am i. I will definitely be looking for more by this author.
This was a little more loosely related to my ancestry than i thought but it was a great and wonderful read.
(Funny story ~ i knew of this title from my Mom. When i asked her how she enjoyed The Dutch Wife she started talking about how women have to make hard choices and wel, basically become a prostitute - i was wondering at her interpretation of this novel. I was like - calling her a prostitued is a bit harsh i would say - i am a bit surprised at you Mom - also there is survival but it is part of adventure...?
After talking at cross purposes for a few minutes we realized we were reading two different books with the same title. She was reading the one by Ellen Keith. LOL!
Anyway - i thoroughly loved this book. Not only did it hit on my ancestry - Dutch immigrants in Canada - ok - i know i am stretching - but go do your own book challenge :D this awas also about the adventures of an anthropologist who traveled all over the world. It was full of great characters who lived their own lives in their own eccentric ways and found love and purpose. It was also a story inside a story which is also always lots of fun.
To add to the ancestry thing , the author is Canadian and so am i. I will definitely be looking for more by this author.
February 24, 2019
Книга, якій хіба зовсім трошки не вистачило шарму, щоб дістати від мене тверду "п'ятірку". Та і то через моє початкове нерозуміння її жанру. Я все ж очікував містики, якої в романі таки не знайшлося попри промовисту назву. Зате цілком вистачило таємничості, романтики далекох плавань і острівних хащів. Особисто для мене останнє було найбільш вагомим фактором, який уплинув на позитивне сприйняття тексту. Виникало безліч теплих асоціацій - від Леві-Стоса, Кон-Тікі, Еліаде до "Серця пітьми" Конрада і навіть якихось фільмів, які складаються у збірний образ, що навіть виокремити якусь сцену чи конкретну назву неможливо. Так, просто тьма тєм асоціацій. І цим книга мене захопила.
Дуже атмосферна, багата на сюжетні повороти й сповнена своєрідного інтер'єру - деталі опису місць та подій захоплюють і створюють враження присутності. Може, я надто туманно висловлююся, але як вже є. Я усе сприймаю переш за все емоційно, на чуттєвому рівні. І перш за все з цієї позиції книга мене захопила і не відпускала до останніх сторінок.
Дуже атмосферна, багата на сюжетні повороти й сповнена своєрідного інтер'єру - деталі опису місць та подій захоплюють і створюють враження присутності. Може, я надто туманно висловлююся, але як вже є. Я усе сприймаю переш за все емоційно, на чуттєвому рівні. І перш за все з цієї позиції книга мене захопила і не відпускала до останніх сторінок.
December 2, 2018
A friend in the Netherlands texted n recommended this title, but unfortunately for me, he had read the more recent book by Ellen Keith --I realized this after wasting IMO a lot of time with this --hard for me to understand the raving reviews by others.
My friend mentioned the Holocaust, but this book was so crazily scattered in time and places around the world, that I tho't it might eventually include that. I mentioned to him that I didn't see how it was going to come together, but he advised I should keep on.
This started out well in the rented semi-detached home, but then went everywhere --could have been shorter, leaving out much of the unnecessary, almost unrelated details about his travels and "adventures."
Now i'm going to look for the Ellen Keith title he read --and hoping it's more worthwhile.
RB DIGITAL 1.25 speed.
My friend mentioned the Holocaust, but this book was so crazily scattered in time and places around the world, that I tho't it might eventually include that. I mentioned to him that I didn't see how it was going to come together, but he advised I should keep on.
This started out well in the rented semi-detached home, but then went everywhere --could have been shorter, leaving out much of the unnecessary, almost unrelated details about his travels and "adventures."
Now i'm going to look for the Ellen Keith title he read --and hoping it's more worthwhile.
RB DIGITAL 1.25 speed.
November 16, 2024
2024 ATY #8. A book with an author from Canada, Australia, or New Zealand
I picked this up on a whim because it had the exact same title as another book I had read recently and I am so glad I did. It was a very interesting story built on a very unique premise. It is a story, within a story, within a story. A fascinating look at life in other cultures and about the things that each of us need to feel happy and fulfilled. Interesting characters who slowly unfold through the course of the novel as their lives become more and more intertwined. I really enjoyed the storytelling style of the writing. Great read...interesting new facts I learned about some remote cultures along the way as well.
I picked this up on a whim because it had the exact same title as another book I had read recently and I am so glad I did. It was a very interesting story built on a very unique premise. It is a story, within a story, within a story. A fascinating look at life in other cultures and about the things that each of us need to feel happy and fulfilled. Interesting characters who slowly unfold through the course of the novel as their lives become more and more intertwined. I really enjoyed the storytelling style of the writing. Great read...interesting new facts I learned about some remote cultures along the way as well.
November 16, 2024
I felt very conflicted about this one. On one hand it's a super engaging story: fascinating throughout, gory at times, and told in an interesting way. On the other hand, the author seems to have invented numerous indigenous cultures that fit the world view he wanted to portray. His created African and Pacific Island cultures were offensive caricatures, presented as factual. If you're able to ignore this, its a twisty story about love, relationships, choices, and what it means to be a man of knowledge. If you're unable to ignore this, well then you end up where I'm at.
September 30, 2022
I was so excited to read this book after reading the many great reviews it received but shortly into it the excitement was lost. I had a very difficult time warming up to / understanding all the dysfunctional characters. The only thing + I have to say is that I did learn a lot about the customs / traditions of the aboriginal tribes mentioned in this novel. Would I recommend this book to my friends? No.
May 24, 2011
McCormack's madcap and macabre imagination triumphs again! Not as good as "Blast of the Trumpet..." but very good fun. I read this one and "First Blast..." in one weekend--couldn't put them down. Never read McCormack before, but will watch out for more of his sure-to-be-classic tall-tale fiction. The Borges of Canada? Perhaps.
August 9, 2011
This book was a quick read. That is the upside. Not funny as it professes to be. Lots of "What the hell.." moments. Don't really know what the author was going for and didn't care for any of the characters. One good thing, now I know what the pillow I put between my knees when I sleep is called now!
January 1, 2014
McCornack's usual concerns rise again - the tropics, customs, mining disasters, appearance vs reality - and appear to be sharpened as his career continues. Plenty of references made to previous works - including a dismissal as rubbish - in a text shot through with touched-nerve weirdness.
Great stuff.
Great stuff.
August 22, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. The author is very creative and enjoys story telling. His books are always a little zany and “outside the box”.
The author was my professor at university and he was very entertaining in class with a great sense of humour. Everyone loved his classes and they were always packed! He is a marvellous writer.
The author was my professor at university and he was very entertaining in class with a great sense of humour. Everyone loved his classes and they were always packed! He is a marvellous writer.
March 13, 2010
The translation to russian was horrible. Many times I found myself counting how many times in a row the sentences starting with "he said/she said" will appear. From my point of view, the language was very poor.
March 30, 2020
Though the subject matter was disturbing, I found this book very interesting. I had no idea there were brothels in the concentration camps especially ones for the prisoners. This story was well developed with wonderful characters.
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