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Roth
The author creates a character whose machismo evokes such charismatic artists as David Bomberg, Jackson Pollock, Rothko and Edvard Munch. The author's previous novel "The Antique Collector", was shortlisted for the 1990 "Whitbread Novel of the Year" award.
246 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1993
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About the author
Glyn Hughes
53 books6 followersGlyn Hughes has won national prizes and awards for his poetry collections. His first book, Neighbours, was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation and won the Welsh Arts Council Poet’s Prize.
He was awarded the Guardian Fiction Prize as well as the David Higham Prize for his first novel, Where I Used To Play On The Green. He was short-listed for The Whitbread Novel of the Year for The Antique Collector, also for the James Tait Black Prize, and the Portico Prize.
He was awarded the Guardian Fiction Prize as well as the David Higham Prize for his first novel, Where I Used To Play On The Green. He was short-listed for The Whitbread Novel of the Year for The Antique Collector, also for the James Tait Black Prize, and the Portico Prize.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 3, 2018
This book had been on my shelf for close to twenty years and for some reason I never picked it up. Until now, and I am glad I did.
In a nutshell this novel tells the story of a aging artist, famous for his abstract landscapes. The relationships to both his wife and his art are at the heart of this story, told from the perspectives from Leonard Roth himself, his wife and even his accountant. In may ways this is a love story, but a dark one at that, showing that love does not always find a way.
My favourite point of view and also my favourite character was Dorothy, Roth’s wife, an artist herself and now in her sixties. She is eloquent and aware of the choices she made during her life and what maybe could have been. Aware of the destructive force that is her husband, she is unable to ever quite cut him loose. I found her such a rounded relatable woman. Her chapters were a joy to read.
I also loved the way the author described the creative process. Not literally, but in the mind of the artist.
Overall, I though the writing was very good, especially in Dorothy’s chapters, but although I liked much of this book, the ending did nothing for me. It sort of made me feel that much of the book had had no purpose.
This book is now out of print, which is a shame, as it has much to offer, even if it is by no means perfect. I enjoyed reading it.
In a nutshell this novel tells the story of a aging artist, famous for his abstract landscapes. The relationships to both his wife and his art are at the heart of this story, told from the perspectives from Leonard Roth himself, his wife and even his accountant. In may ways this is a love story, but a dark one at that, showing that love does not always find a way.
My favourite point of view and also my favourite character was Dorothy, Roth’s wife, an artist herself and now in her sixties. She is eloquent and aware of the choices she made during her life and what maybe could have been. Aware of the destructive force that is her husband, she is unable to ever quite cut him loose. I found her such a rounded relatable woman. Her chapters were a joy to read.
I also loved the way the author described the creative process. Not literally, but in the mind of the artist.
Overall, I though the writing was very good, especially in Dorothy’s chapters, but although I liked much of this book, the ending did nothing for me. It sort of made me feel that much of the book had had no purpose.
This book is now out of print, which is a shame, as it has much to offer, even if it is by no means perfect. I enjoyed reading it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review