Autobiography of Red
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Description
Tormented as a boy by his brother, Geryon escapes to a parallel world of photography. He falls deeply in love with Herakles, a golden young man, who deserts him at the peak of infatuation. So Geryon retreats ever further into the world created by his camera, fascinated by his wings, his redness and the fantastic accident of who he is. But all is suddenly and irrevocably shattered by Herakles' return.
Autobiography of Red is a deceptively simple narrative filled with currents of meaning, emotion, and the truth about what it's like to be red. An extraordinary, modern epic poem - moving, disturbing and delightful.
'Totally engrossing' Ocean Vuong
'This book is amazing - I haven't discovered any writing in years that's so marvellously disturbing' Alice Munro
'A profound love story...sensuous and funny, poignant, musical and tender' Ruth Padel, New York Times Book Review
Book Information
Posts
I went into this book with zero expectations for a book club, and I'm still a bit speechless now that I'm done. Form-wise, the verse format was extremely interesting, making the story flow in an unusual way but didn't hinder the reading flow. There's also lots of poetical devices, metaphors, similes, but it's especially the usage of colours and synesthesia that stood out for me. Content-wise, this book is the love child of The Song of Achilles and On Earth, We're Briefly Gorgeous (yes I'm aware those books were published much later, but this is my review, so I don't care 🤠), a queer coming-of-age with mythological influences (but very different than what you might think now) This novel is tender, brutal, beautiful, but also puzzling (which is why I didn't give 5 stars as I feel like I didn't fully get it, but I'm not sure if that's because of me, the book or if that's intentional anywaya) I'm so glad I got to read this - that's one of the beauties of bookclubs, finding new gems you would never have picked up otherwise.
Description
Tormented as a boy by his brother, Geryon escapes to a parallel world of photography. He falls deeply in love with Herakles, a golden young man, who deserts him at the peak of infatuation. So Geryon retreats ever further into the world created by his camera, fascinated by his wings, his redness and the fantastic accident of who he is. But all is suddenly and irrevocably shattered by Herakles' return.
Autobiography of Red is a deceptively simple narrative filled with currents of meaning, emotion, and the truth about what it's like to be red. An extraordinary, modern epic poem - moving, disturbing and delightful.
'Totally engrossing' Ocean Vuong
'This book is amazing - I haven't discovered any writing in years that's so marvellously disturbing' Alice Munro
'A profound love story...sensuous and funny, poignant, musical and tender' Ruth Padel, New York Times Book Review
Book Information
Posts
I went into this book with zero expectations for a book club, and I'm still a bit speechless now that I'm done. Form-wise, the verse format was extremely interesting, making the story flow in an unusual way but didn't hinder the reading flow. There's also lots of poetical devices, metaphors, similes, but it's especially the usage of colours and synesthesia that stood out for me. Content-wise, this book is the love child of The Song of Achilles and On Earth, We're Briefly Gorgeous (yes I'm aware those books were published much later, but this is my review, so I don't care 🤠), a queer coming-of-age with mythological influences (but very different than what you might think now) This novel is tender, brutal, beautiful, but also puzzling (which is why I didn't give 5 stars as I feel like I didn't fully get it, but I'm not sure if that's because of me, the book or if that's intentional anywaya) I'm so glad I got to read this - that's one of the beauties of bookclubs, finding new gems you would never have picked up otherwise.