Welcome to Litsy!

What to make of a novel of essays? Apparently JMC took his own published essays and their criticism (good, tough criticism) and made a novel out of it, with an afterlife confrontation added in. Of course, these are Elizabeth Costello‘s speeches in the book.

So it works and also doesn‘t. First chapter of Realism is fantastic. Later obsession with the morality on veganism was ok - but, i had trouble caring. But i still kind of liked it overall.

Still warming my cat (and vice versa). Trying out Coetzee. Lovely 1st chapter toying with perspectives on Realism.

Beautifully written; just not for me.

Morning reading with coffee

Elizabeth Costello is a philosophical novel. Each chapter revolves around a different ethical or aesthetic issue and a different relationship in the life of the title character. Elizabeth is the author of House on Eccles Street, a feminist interpretation of Joyce's Ulysses from the perspective of Molly Bloom. Elizabeth is a difficult woman with few friends, but as the novel progresses we learn about her fears and desires.