I really enjoyed reading this week’s novel, perhaps the most of any of the others thus far. I especially liked the short length and the easiness. I appreciate books that don’t take an excessive amount of effort to understand and I really felt that The Shrouded Women encapsulates that. As well, I enjoy books that follow a usual plot pattern which I feel that this text did more than in past weeks.
Aside from my opinion, I felt that this novel was a great read that was full of emotion that easily carried to the reader. While reading, it felt effortless to take on the feelings of that of the narrator. That being said, I feel important to note how the emotion and feelings of Ana Maria were purposely made to be different than those alive. I feel that this adds another dimension to the book and is unique. It’s not very often that a novel is narrated by the deceased and as a reader, living through the eyes of a narrator in a novel feels much different when they are reminiscing about their past after they have passed away.
I think one of my main takeaways from this novel is seen as Ana Maria relives her life and by the things that she notes. I think there is definitely something to say about the way that she highlights major moments and themes in her life that stand out. I think that through her different stages of life and the moments that she highlighted, remembered, and the feelings behind them really demonstrate what different people find important in their lifetimes and how it helps them grow as a person. this I found especially true through the descriptions of her different relationships. I felt that the author was trying to demonstrate that these all brought something different to her life and made Ana Maria who she was up to the end of her life. I feel that this is made to teach its readers that through the day to day life, there are things that people worry about and think will stand out, but in reality, when looking back on life, it’ll be major moments that stick with you. In addition, the novel really makes a point to highlight to the reader the emotion and feeling behind said moments in Ana Maria’s life and through this, we can see that it is the feeling behind memories that people hold onto and remember.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and the way that I perceived its teachings through the different stages of Ana Maria’s life. My question to the class is did this novel make you reflect on your past thus far and think of what moments stand out to you?
“I enjoy books that follow a usual plot pattern which I feel that this text did more than in past weeks.”
But did it? 🙂 Not so much, I think. After all, for one thing, it was written from the end backwards… I put it to you that you were perhaps better prepared to read this novel *because* you’d already read Proust!
Brianna – what you mentioned and what Jon picked up on here also had me reflecting on how as contemporary readers, with centuries of literature and movements behind us, this non-conventional plot structure may seem less shocking than it did to Bombal’s readers of her time, who were no so accustomed to works that challenged perceptions of what a novel “should be” or what one should expect upon picking it up to read!
Great insight! First, I totally agree with you in relation to appreciating texts that require less effort to understand, especially in comparison to the previous readings we’ve had. Also, I enjoyed your thoughts on the easiness of connecting to the narrator’s emotions. It allowed for a better experience as opposed to being confused like with Combray and Paris Peasant. To answer your question, yes! It totally made my further analyze myself and my past, reflecting on what I hope to be remembered for or hope to experience again.
This reading is also my favourite so far! I agree that the shorter length made it easier to read. Also, I think that the sectioning of fairly short chapters also helped with the flow.
All that yous said, I agree with it, especially the message that you drew out of the novel at the end. It really reinforced my belief of making conscious decisions that have the least chance of me regretting it. Also, even if I do have an experience which I regret (because I am obviously human), I still learn from it instead of having that intense urge to fix it, like Ana Maria often had throughout the book.
Good blog post! I completely agree with you, the emotion was something that really stood out to me as well! I think it definitely helped me look into my past as well which was something that was interesting.
Hi there!
I didn’t quite pick up your insight about Ana Maria’s feelings being ‘different than those alive’ on my own, but what a great way to put it. Hindsight is 20/20, even better when you’re dead I suppose! To me, this novel made me reflect on the people that I wish I’d had closure with and the things I should have done. Great question!
This book did make me think about my past life and what stood out to me. I have dealt with a lot of grief in my life, and reading Ana-Maria’s story gave me comfort. Even though her life had chaotic events, in the end, she still appreciates her life for what it is. We are so caught up in many little things in our life that don’t matter at all in the big picture. From this text, I learned that we can’t focus solely on minor problems in our lives but the great relationships/ or events that shape us into who we are today.