It was interesting to see the reactions of the bookclub on this book, Lina liked it as it used the protagonist's experimentation of sex without attachment as a way of expressing her freedom from her mother's influence and discovering herself. I adopted a more Old-Fashioned attitude, finding it unlikely for a girl brought up in that era and even going so far as to muse whether the the author was pandering to her publisher's fantasy of a young woman's exploration of her sexuality. It was interesting that the protagonist viewed sex in an unromantic fashion and in fact, derived 'the upper-hand' by not getting attached to the men-- but then I just wondered why she 'did it' as she was so mentally 'screwed-up' she didn't seem to enjoy the 'screwing-up'- should be interesting to compare with one of next month's books- where another woman has/enjoys sex without the sentimentality attached -The Reader.
As with the previous book written by the same author- My Brother- I wonder if this is a kind of therapy as I found it very hard to empathise with her-- she seemed to be angry with everyone and displayed a level of cynicism quite alarming for someone so young and for no apparent reason other than that she was born into a family without the means to send her for further education-- get over it Babe-- many students will be finding themselves in THAT position in the years to come!
The book was suggested to the Bookclub as a post-colonial read but it was a very self-centred read and apart from mocking Mariah's comfortable middle-classed values and assumptions that her way was 'right' - the character showed her mercenary side by abandoning Mariah when she most needed the emotional support-- yes I can just see why the US would deport all these whiners as soon as they can-- so screwed up they are unable to contribute to any society they would be in!
As with the previous book written by the same author- My Brother- I wonder if this is a kind of therapy as I found it very hard to empathise with her-- she seemed to be angry with everyone and displayed a level of cynicism quite alarming for someone so young and for no apparent reason other than that she was born into a family without the means to send her for further education-- get over it Babe-- many students will be finding themselves in THAT position in the years to come!
The book was suggested to the Bookclub as a post-colonial read but it was a very self-centred read and apart from mocking Mariah's comfortable middle-classed values and assumptions that her way was 'right' - the character showed her mercenary side by abandoning Mariah when she most needed the emotional support-- yes I can just see why the US would deport all these whiners as soon as they can-- so screwed up they are unable to contribute to any society they would be in!
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