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A little British gem

November 27th, 2007 Katharine - Sequoya

Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk is the sparkling gem that reminded me a little of Revolutionary Road (which I discovered and reviewed last summer) by Richard Yates.  Both novels look at the seemingly mundane life of those “trapped in the ‘burbs” and conclude that the pleasant outsides may not match the gritty underbelly of lives outside the city limits.

Though the story takes place in jolly old England these characters are no Bridget Jones wanna-bes.  They are intelligent women with serious philosophical dilemmas as they figure out who they have become in their lives.  Cusk’s writing examines the minutiae of daily tasks and evolves them into deep discussions of human existence.  Heavy reading, but well worth the effort.  Arlington Park is set over the course of one rainy British day and focuses each chapter on different women that all live in the same neighborhood and none of them could be confused with “Bridget.” 

So check out Revolutionary Road before it hits the theatres a year from now so you can say “yeah, I read that” when it is nominated for an Oscar.  You know with DiCaprio and Winslet it’s sure to get a nod.  Or better yet read both Arlington Park and Revolutionary Road and see what suburban tale you like best, fifties American male angst or modern day London mother’s inner turmoil.¼/p>

Entry Filed under: Literary Fiction