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JEAN RHYS: THE EARLY NOVELS
"Voyage in the dark" ; "Quartet" ; "After leaving Mr Mackenzie" ; "Good morning, midnight."
- GenresFiction
496 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1984
35 people want to read
About the author
Jean Rhys
67 books1,476 followersJean Rhys, CBE (born Ella Gwendolyn Rees Williams; 24 August 1890–14 May 1979) was a British novelist who was born and grew up in the Caribbean island of Dominica. From the age of 16, she mainly resided in England, where she was sent for her education. She is best known for her novel Wide Sargasso Sea (1966), written as a prequel to Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre.
She moved to England at the age of 16 years in 1906 and worked unsuccessfully as a chorus girl. In the 1920s, she relocated to Europe, travelled as a Bohemian artist, and took up residence sporadically in Paris. During this period, Rhys, familiar with modern art and literature, lived near poverty and acquired the alcoholism that persisted throughout the rest of her life. Her experience of a patriarchal society and displacement during this period formed some of the most important themes in her work.
She moved to England at the age of 16 years in 1906 and worked unsuccessfully as a chorus girl. In the 1920s, she relocated to Europe, travelled as a Bohemian artist, and took up residence sporadically in Paris. During this period, Rhys, familiar with modern art and literature, lived near poverty and acquired the alcoholism that persisted throughout the rest of her life. Her experience of a patriarchal society and displacement during this period formed some of the most important themes in her work.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 8, 2012
Vagaries of body and soul, these four novels trace the paths of four lost and equally lucid heroines on their way down from a point that was never that far up to begin with. With the exception of "Quartet", weaker in structure than the other three, these novels are not only poignant in their brutal honesty, but technically brilliant in terms of narrative structure.
Underated when published (between 1928 and 1938, ahead of their time?) disconcerting and demanding, they deserve to be rediscovered. If you are not put off by the limited range of the subject matter (the Rhysian anti-heroine, suspended in limbo between respectibility and debauchery), this book offers three excellent novels.
Underated when published (between 1928 and 1938, ahead of their time?) disconcerting and demanding, they deserve to be rediscovered. If you are not put off by the limited range of the subject matter (the Rhysian anti-heroine, suspended in limbo between respectibility and debauchery), this book offers three excellent novels.
July 20, 2023
The writing reminded me of the style of Ernest Hemingway in its simplicity and straightforwardness .
Quartet was my least favourite but the others engaged me enough - particularly’ After Leaving Mr MacKenzie.
The themes and characters are so similar that they seem to blend into one and because of this I did feel not only depressed but tired of the repetitive self destruction of the characters.
It was certainly an eye opener to learn that the lack of opportunity and regard for women led many to this reliance upon strangers for money to keep body & soul together leading them to nothing short of prostitution.
Quartet was my least favourite but the others engaged me enough - particularly’ After Leaving Mr MacKenzie.
The themes and characters are so similar that they seem to blend into one and because of this I did feel not only depressed but tired of the repetitive self destruction of the characters.
It was certainly an eye opener to learn that the lack of opportunity and regard for women led many to this reliance upon strangers for money to keep body & soul together leading them to nothing short of prostitution.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews