Nalda Said

by Stuart David

A backward child brought up by his Aunt Nalda in strange seclusion, the narrator of this tale lives his life between fantasy and reality. His aunt tells him fantastic stories, and he believes that his father was a jewel thief who, whilst fleeing from the law, fed his fragile baby a rare diamond.

Genres: Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Stuart David is the co-founder of the bands Belle & Sebastian, and Looper. He has published two novels, "Nalda Said" and "The Peacock Manifesto".

Reviews

[juju · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was like something to eat when you are really famished, so you eat it up faster than you realize, and then are left trembling and sick for days afterward. it was beautiful, tragic, and so endearing. i couldn't get it out of my head for weeks.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful. The first half didn't grab me, and the deliberately clumsy prose was hard to warm to, but I recommend pushing through if you feel the same way. It's very sad, but in an honest way. I couldn't help but think about my own driving (and stifling) fears, and missed opportunities to change.

[Ale. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Che dire? Libro molto intelligente, parla di una persona che ha paura del mondo e ci introduce gentilmente al suo interno in modo che sia impossibile non capirla. Lo stile di scrittura mi ha dato un senso di monotonia e a volte mi ha annoiato.
Però l'ho apprezzato molto per i contenuti, perché quasi tutte le sottigliezze descritte le ho provate su di me, e purtroppo mi è sembrato di rivivere quel tempo grigio della mia vita.
Poi uno degli aspetti del protagonista mi ha aiutato con un problema che sto vivendo al momento e di questo ne sono grato. Questo in realtà è un aspetto che riguarda molti (tutti?) di noi, ed è che cerchiamo un punto di svolta nella vita, e da lì pensiamo che cambierà tutto in meglio, una fissazione illusoria si direbbe, qual è la vostra? E ci volete davvero credere per sempre?

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

i fell in love with this book

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Looper in book form. I'm so in love.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the book...but....did it remind anyone else of a certain Marisa Tomei and Christian Slater movie?

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't like the ending that much...

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I once again stopped two thirds of the way. This is a short novel, but the way it is written should have been condensed even more. It fails to be really descriptive or succinct if that makes any sense. The weird repetitive usage of "although" really tired me out. The author was the bass player in Belle & Sebastian during their best era. I really wish I could live in like an old church attic as a groundskeeper like the main character.

[Hex75 · Rating 2 out of 5]

boh, mi sembra quasi una favoletta, scorre via senza lasciar traccia di se.da l'idea di essere un racconto stirato fino a sembrare un romanzo...

[Christopher McQuain · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[RYO · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read once over 10 years ago. I kind of remembered having liked the story.
Today though, I don't know what I used to like about such a depressing story.
Mr. Reynard is a victim of Nalda. And I guess these victims really exist throughout the world. Nalda is a victim, too, I suppose. Mr. Reynard seemed to have only Nalda in his world and learned every single thing from her, which stayed in him and that's all he had. He didn't know of any other choice but not to trust anyone else. Could he live alone for the rest of his life once he's learned how it feels to have a friend. It reminded me of "Flowers for Algernon."

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I am a big Belle and Sebastian fan, I HAD to buy Stuart David's first novel.

It's pretty good too - everything you'd expect from David. Twee love, warped worldview and some cutesy bits.

The plot is about a Manboy who is obsessed with a so called secret that his aunt tells him. Unfortunately he is unable to interact with society, until he falls in love and has to reveal his deadly secret.

Cute

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe 3.5? i'll think about this more later. david's work w/ belle & sebastian evidently hasn't devastated people enough for him... jerk. depressing, pretty consistent (if not always totally logical) character development, a few nice lines but more often a failing of easy opportunities for deeper significance.

[dytritia · Rating 5 out of 5]

With what Marie said, along with the notion Frank mentioned, and the narrator's thinking and decisions, this book could be thought as a story about having the special thing, the special belief that makes you keep going with your life. Whether it is actually there or not. Even if it makes you run away from people and seclude yourself. Even if you want to get rid of it sometimes.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I think on some level, we all feel that the "specialness" inside of us will be compromised -- and it has a lot to do with letting one's guard down and trusting others. It's a very sad story actually.

[skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting little story and I love the style of prose used to show the character's inner monologue.

**possible spoiler**

I was sad at the end of this book, but sometimes that is good. Not everything in life turns out the way we expect or desire.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story. Main character was terribly frustrating, so kudos to the guy from Belle & Sebastian for making me care.

[Irenelazia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Questo libro è un po' commovente, un po' divertente, un po' dolce, un po' triste.
E un po' tanto noioso.
Troppo.

[Sockenmaedchen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should have just thrown it away when it started gettin on my nerves after 10 pages instead of reading it till the end. What an utter waste of my time.

[Katey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Anxiously hoping for a sequel!!

[Sarah Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second time reading Nalda Said, and I found myself putting off finishing it because it’s just so sad. But it’s also so good! One of my faves.

[SaraLaskia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunque es un cuento corto, por momentos se me ha hecho un tanto pesado, pero el final merece la pena. El fin da un broche de oro que lo convierte en una maravilla

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bizarre and tragic. (In a good read way)