I don't remember the infamous author Renata Adler but from what I've read she had a reputation that evoked fear in the literary and entertainment world. As a critic for the New York Times in the eighties, she was merciless and vindictive in her critiques and was eventually fired.
Still very vibrant at seventy four (and why not?!), two novels by Adler have just been re-issued by the New York Review of Books. Both books were published in 1983 and are considered comtemporary classics by those in the know.
Speedboat and Pitch Dark by Renata Adler are worth considering if you're ready for something out of the norm.
Disclaimer: Not for everyone..pessimistic views, cynical, some stream of conciousness
Written in the late 70's Speedboat was considered an unconventional novel, and was awarded the Hemingway Prize for Best First Novel of the Year. It will be interesting to see how today's readers react.
Speedboat has been labeled a series of vignettes, no real plot, but "clean and concise delving into a broad range of things." The narrator is a neurotic, funny, bright New York woman and leads the reader on an original journey highlighted with cynicism and wit.
PITCH DARK by Renata Adler
Written in the same style as Speedboat, this is a love story, filled with angst, complications and turmoil. The writing is captivating, according to reviewers and Pitch Dark is considered "a bold work of art filled with pathos, humor and wisdom"
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I remember having Pitch Dark on my nightstand at one point. I'll have to check it out again.
ReplyDeleteThe writing style, so I'm told is very different...let me know what you think if you re-read it..
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