“This is a rather unusual novel, and I admit that I'm not yet sure what I think about it. I've read several other reviews about it, and I guess I feel rather dumb because I don't feel the same way. Yes, the writing is exquisite at times, but the story is often slow-moving and cryptic, strange, and unclear as far as its point. I found my mind drifting as I embarked on yet another tedious paragraph that seemed to lend nothing of significance to the story or to me, the reader. Perhaps that's why I missed the fact that this novel has anything profound to say.
I must have missed it because everyone else at LivingSocial who has reviewed the novel has nothing but overwhelming praise. Yes, there's an ugly sister (Orual, the protagonist) and a sister, Psyche, who is so beautiful that the people make her into a god. There are some gripping spots: when Psyche is about to be sacrificed to the gods and later when Orual sword-fights a man. As far as plot, I guess those would be the highlights. Beyond that, I guess I'm mystified.
Apparently I missed it because everyone else is going on ad nauseam about how wonderful the novel was. I'm honestly not sure what the fuss is all about. It was a chore at times getting through this novel, and when I finished it, I had no idea what Lewis was trying to say about anything. I guess I must have read the novel with my eyes shut and will need to read it again someday and search a little harder.”
Adam Blumer wrote this review Monday, January 26 2009.
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