Histoire aux yeux pales

by Gunn Kirsty

Etudie les mystères d'une relation mère-fille, une relation à l'emprise si puissante que la fille, une fois adulte, est obligée d'imiter l'existence de sa mère. Ne cessant de retourner en rêve comme en imagination dans les chambres closes de sa propre enfance et de celles de sa mère, l'héroïne comprend progressivement l'immense souffrance autrefois perçue chez sa mère...

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Anastasia]

Ms. Gunn is the master of description and mood. While I read this book twice just for the sheer pleasure of the atmosphere and the darkness described in fantasical detail, I still am not sure in certain sections where it's the past or the present.

I believe the girl goes through the same experience as her mother, but if this is so, there is a huge question about incest. I found I could never quite catch if that was what happened....there is an elusiveness in this book. I might have to read it a third time.

This is very dark and creepy. It is full of extreme abuse and the reader can only wonder where the author came up with it all.

This book pulls you in to a life and the life of the main character's mother that is wrought with sadness. It is original and not for the queasy or those who think reading this might stain your morality.

All ends well. Morality comes back and triumphs.

[Pauline]

C'est une histoire racontée du point de vue d'une fille, qui malgré elle tombe à son tour dans la drogue comme sa mère auparavant et va voir le même homme, qui est aussi son père. L'autrice décrit les interdits moraux avec une légèreté déconcertante, ça dérange, c'est réussi.

[Heidi Yoder]

Ex-poets will understand.

[Tony]

Disturbing

[nikki]

uncomfortable, disturbing, sickening. a fine piece of literary horror, but the writing style will definitely not be for everyone.

[Sara]

på svenska

[Elisabeth]

Kirsty Gunn´s talent is in her descriptions, and this book is full of beautiful dream-like images. The first pages are delightful, and Gunn describes a cafe in such detail that I felt drawn into it. However, as the book continues, the beauty morphs into twisted tales of drugs, abuse and gender-violence. She continues with this descriptive style and I found myself wondering if I really appreciated such detail when it entails live-disections, etc. The book takes on quite a spooky quality as she writes in a very detached 1st person.

It seems a bit of a shame, as I feel that her book could have still been a success even if she had not chosen themes that the average person might find a bit too twisted to stomach. That being said, those looking for something quite dark might really enjoy this book.

[Darchelle]

I couldn't finish this. :( I wanted to like it so bad, but this style of writing is not for me. I read the first 5 chapters, but I wanted to pull my hair out. The story is good, but the way she wrote it drove me nuts. All of the grammatical errors, run on sentences, short sentences, random thoughts. Couldn't do it!

[Jai Clare]

amazing prose - just read aloud for the images and music!

[Kristy Alley]

Very bizarre and disturbing.

[Rita]

ick, please make it be done

[Sophie]

This was a 2.5 I think. Beautifully written but creepy and depressing.

[Kim BookJunkie ~ Editor & Proofreader]

Not at all my style! Please someone remind me if I ever try to read another book that is, "poetic and lyrical". Such a waste of time waiting to try to figure out what the author is saying.

[Shannon]

Wow...very dark. Amazing how she can use such beautiful poetic words to tell such a horrific story.

[Annabelle]

Jesus fuck