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Hanneke's Reviews > The Passion
The Passion
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by
Hanneke's review
bookshelves: 1001-read
Mar 08, 2013
bookshelves: 1001-read
Read 3 times. Last read August 28, 2017 to September 3, 2017.
A magical book. The story of the French country boy Henri who was personally picked by Napoleon Bonaparte to be his special chicken cook and Villanelle, the adventurous red-haired daughter of a Venetian boatsman whose feet are webbed, but she cannot swim. They escape Napoleon’s army at the siege of Moscow and make their way to Venice where they meet their separate fates. It is wonderful to see Venice through the eyes of Henri, who gets lost for days on end and is almost convinced that the churches and mansions of Venice can change positions overnight. Venice does give that feeling! Jeanette Winterson pictures Venice as a city where one is constantly lost and so are the hearts and minds of her protagonists. I enjoyed this lovely book and recommend it wholeheartedly.
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Seemita
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Sep 04, 2017 06:05AM
Sounds wonderful, Hanneke! I have not read Winterson but recently came across an article where her works were quoted under sensual narrative. Could you point me where to start?
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I thought The Passion even better than Oranges are not the only Fruit. But, then again, it was a long time ago that I read that book. I think you will enjoy The Passion, Seemita. It has a magical touch, such as a beating heart in a jar that needs to be found. Very old molding swamp women sitting at the canal in Venice at night. Things like that. I like those just off reality creations! I read this novel quickly as I go to her lecture at the opening of the academic year at the Univ of Amsterdam medio September. Looking forward to hear what her speech will be about.
Nice review, Hanneke. It's a book that lives up to its title, as you say.Seemeta, before reading Winterson, it's worth reading a little about her life, as it infuses all her books, particularly issues relating to abandonment, adoption, making family, myth/religion. You could just look her up on Wikipedia, but for a longer version in her own words, there's the famous, semi-fictional, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, or her better, more up-to-date and explicitly autobiographical, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?.
Thanks for the information, Cecily. Did you read all of her books and, if yes, which one would you recommend to Seemita to start with?
Not all of them, no! In fact, I've only read six since I've been on GR. I think this is probably my favourite, though Why Be Happy is very good indeed, in different way. You can see my reviews of them here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
I see I only gave this three stars many years ago. Maybe I should re-read it because it looks like a story and setting that would interest me more now than it would have done then.
Cecily, thank you so much for your link to your Jeanette Winterson reviews. I enjoyed your review of The Passion tremendously! You captured the feel of the book so very well and your quotes from it are just marvellous. So, thanks again for your trouble to send me your link. That was very nice of you!
Hermien, yes, do reread it. I am convinced you will feel different about it now. I had read it a long time ago as well, but it felt like I was reading a book I never read before.
Cecily wrote: "Nice review, Hanneke. It's a book that lives up to its title, as you say.Seemeta, before reading Winterson, it's worth reading a little about her life, as it infuses all her books, particularly i..."
Thank you for that heads-up, Cecily. I shall certainly try to read the books in that order.
It's a little gem, this book, Hanneke, and I am glad to read you enjoyed it this much! You make me want to re-read it. Never paid attention to the comparrison of geographically being lost and the working of the protagonists hearts and minds. A clever eye you have there ;-) One of the things I love most about this book is the 'tone of voice' of the narrator in the story/stories. So beautiful!
Hanneke wrote: "Hermien, yes, do reread it. I am convinced you will feel different about it now. I had read it a long time ago as well, but it felt like I was reading a book I never read before."Just found it as an audiobook in the library so I have reserved it. I'm really looking forward to it.
Yvonne, lost in Venice is the easiest thing! It also seems to be a recurring event in novels, see Don't look Now and The Comfort of Strangers of McEwan!
Hi Hermien, I will be curious what you think upon rereading!
Combine that theme with novels that start with a person who has lost his or her memory (didn't McEwan did that trick as well?) and GRmembers who have no overview anymore over what books to read next it is mighty crowdy on the Sea of the Lost ;-) Need to read this book again soon!
Yvonne, being lost is a very common human condition! I was just talking about Venice in this instance ;-) !
Lovely review, Hanneke. Added!
Thanks, Fran! Did you look at Cecily's review by way of the link in her message here above? Such an excellent review of this book!
Great review, Hanneke—you have inspired me to give Jeanette Winterson another chance. I didn’t enjoy Oranges are Not the Only Fruit very much, but this sounds quite promising. And it’s very cool that you’re also doing the 1001 list!
Are you doing the 1001 list as well, Tara? I must say I am not very successful in keeping up!
Hanneke wrote: "Are you doing the 1001 list as well, Tara? I must say I am not very successful in keeping up!"Yes, I’m reading my way through the list, a little at a time. It’s a fairly enjoyable challenge so far :)
It is, Tara. I see that I still have 3/4th of the list to go! About the same as you,
Good descriptions Hanneke! Make me want to read the book. Maybe I will sooner than later.
Cynda, I am sure you will love this book as well! Sending you greetings on this special day!
