I finished Paradise today. I really enjoyed huge chunks of this book. I was particularly hooked for the last third and I was moved to tears by the letter Hannah's brother had left for her in the fridge after he'd been in to tidy up her flat and replenish the food when she returned home after a bout of drunkenness/illness. He had copied her key without her knowing because he expected he would need the key to let himself into her flat when she finally killed herself through drink. It was very understated in the way it portrayed the effect one family member's lifestyle has on the rest of the family. It made me think of the responsibility we all have to our family members in subtle ways and how people strike a balance between individuality and group responsibility. I remember talking to a probation officer friend of mine years ago, and she said the difference between non-criminals and criminals was that criminals had nothing much to lose, that's how they could commit crimes. Most people feel a social responsibility and have an investment in their relationships.
However, I was really quite puzzled and disappointed by the very ending of the book. I think the sudden lurch into surreality was to portray the descent of her mind but it became very surreal very quickly and in the end I wasn't quite sure what was happening. I know she was probably an unreliable narrator anyway, but... Maybe I need to re-read it to understand.
What can I read now?
1 comment:
The knittet jumper is so cute! I like the football buttons to.
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