Autobiography of Red

Anne Carson

A gorgeously rich fantasy story which is also intellectually demanding, with unusual and extremely creative characters and perspectives. Is it a poetic novel or a novel-like poem? Doesn't matter really - it flows and challenges. Appealing characters, witty conversation. Some patience with (or love for) logical argument is helpful, especially in the beginning.

Extract

lungs don't explode they collapse without oxygen I have it from Virginia Woolf
who once spoke to me at a party of course
about drowning of which she had no idea yet - have I told you this story before?
I remember the sky behind her was purple she
came towards me saying Why are you alone in this huge blank garden
like a piece of electircity? Electricity
Maybe she said cakes and tea true we were drinking gin it was long past
teatime but she was a highly original woman

from XVIII SHE

Parallels