What I Loved, by Siri Hustvedt
By Peter on Dec 20, 2007 in Fiction Books, Norwegian Writer
Siri Hustvedt’s What I Loved is a wonderful novel, beautifully written, but also a very demanding book to read, intellectually as well as emotionally.
Siri Hustvedt is an American, but with Norwegian parents. She lives in New York, and is married to, and have a daughter with, the author Paul Auster. She has a Ph.D. in literature from Columbia University (1986).
“What I Loved” is a juxtaposition of two stories in one book, about two New York families that come face to face with tragedy, and how they deal with the crisis.
It tells these stories in a New York late 70’s and 80’s art world context. The story is rich, and gradually becomes a psychological thriller. It is based on excellent characterizations and the dynamics of the book is character-driven. You feel you know the characters. Their reactions to the tragedy they are forced to handle are remarkably well described. Hustvedt must have lived their tragedy and felt their pain while writing the book.
The language is beautiful and precise. The book is full of deep descriptions that are demanding to follow at times, but also very rewarding.
Reading it, I thought the beginning was a little slow. I didn’t understand where things were heading at all. I found the descriptions of art installations and paintings somewhat long and convoluted. But then, gradually, the book took hold of me. Suddenly I found I had a really hard time putting it down.
To me this is a great - even wonderful - book. But I think it is a book you either love or strongly dislike. There is no middle ground with this book - it is too demanding for any middle ground to exist. It is highly recommended - but be prepared. You will cry! You will find it tough!
Praise for the book: “This book knocked my socks off — literally and figuratively. It is a story to crawl into bed with, not because it is pleasant, or happy, or overly touching, but because it is a read that plays on your heart while appealing to your intellect.”
– E. A Grosvenor (Washington, DC)
– Peter
Also by Siri Hustvedt: A Plea for Eros: Essays
You must be logged in to post a comment.