Comments on Sarah Laurence Blog: The Confessions of Edward Day by Valerie Martin

Alyson, I strive for balance, and it was a challen...

2009-11-13T14:11:29.253-05:00

Alyson, I strive for balance, and it was a challenge to find a fault in Martin’s superb writing.

You are always well-balanced in your reviews. I l...

2009-11-09T20:13:18.899-05:00

You are always well-balanced in your reviews. I like that.

And, of course, your corresponding photographs make it all a visual treat.

Lakeviewer, I’d be interested in what you make of ...

2009-11-09T10:15:36.053-05:00

Lakeviewer, I’d be interested in what you make of Edward Day.

MS, no need to apologize: I love tangential conversations like this. I don’t believe in artistic perfection. Perfection is too binding and dogmatic. I see art more as an individual expression and a process more than a product. Yes, I LOVE the creative and supportive community that has assembled around our blogs. I think you’d really enjoy Martin's The Unfinished Novel.

Interesting review. And is there such a thing as ...

2009-11-09T08:09:38.684-05:00

Interesting review. And is there such a thing as artistic perfection? When do you know your work of art is complete, perfect even? I find it so difficult to arrive at an accurate analysis of my own work. And apologies in advance for this seemingly tangential comment. But, what I appreciate most is being in the company of creative folk who exhibit such generosity and knock you over with positive words and encouragement.

So, envy, jealousy and creative genius - there is a place for those elements in life, definitely. They serve as hard lessons.

Sounds like a great book, and I'll probably pick it up; but first The Unfinished Novel since I'm really curious about the subject.

Lovely photos and post.

Great review, makes me want to check out the book....

2009-11-08T11:12:57.817-05:00

Great review, makes me want to check out the book.

Thanks for the info and the links too.

Kelly, thanks! Cynthia, location, location, locat...

2009-11-06T11:29:47.088-05:00

Kelly, thanks!

Cynthia, location, location, location. This was just the right book to read by the water.

Anil, Edward Day is definitely a behind the scenes book.

Barrie, thanks for the helpful links and for hosting another book review club.

As usual, a wonderful review. Interesting sounding...

2009-11-06T01:37:39.098-05:00

As usual, a wonderful review. Interesting sounding love triangle. And the photos add so much.

Enjoyed the review. I've always wondered of what l...

2009-11-06T00:27:30.361-05:00

Enjoyed the review. I've always wondered of what life must be like as a theatre actor, behind the scenes that is.

The last picture is peaceful and cathartic.

I enjoyed the review, but I LOVED that last pictur...

2009-11-05T21:15:02.655-05:00

I enjoyed the review, but I LOVED that last picture of the chair on the dock by the water.

Great review ... gorgeous pics ... and thanks for ...

2009-11-05T19:04:28.736-05:00

Great review ... gorgeous pics ... and thanks for the links too!

JAPRA, the water depth depends on the tide. The M...

2009-11-05T16:56:33.678-05:00

JAPRA, the water depth depends on the tide. The Morse River and Kennebec Rivers empty into the Atlantic Ocean at Popham Beach, and the cross currents create some vicious rip tides.

DM, I’ll be curious to hear your take on Edward Day. Thanks for reminding me to read March. I loved Books’s People of the Book. You’ve wetted my appetite with that cake analogy.

Rose, I loved The Time Traveller’s Wife; it was such an original concept. I can’t imagine juggling the out of sequence plotlines, but she makes it appear effortless. Although the middle-aged man in love with a young girl scene was creepy – it only worked in the fictional framework.

Another excellent review, Sarah! I didn't have ti...

2009-11-05T10:05:10.812-05:00

Another excellent review, Sarah! I didn't have time to participate this month--I'm still a little lost in time in "The Time Traveller's Wife":)

I read Martin's MARY REILLY years ago and loved it...

2009-11-05T07:34:18.869-05:00

I read Martin's MARY REILLY years ago and loved it. Sadly, the movie version was awful. I see some similar themes here between that book and this new one. Looks like I have to add another book on my list to buy.

On a side note Sarah, I finished Geraldine Brooks' MARCH a couple of weeks ago. Wow! And that barely covers it. She's an incredible writer whose command of language is worth studying. MARCH is a small book, but like one of those flourless chocolate cakes, you take a bite and it's so rich.

An interesting sounding book! Your first photo is...

2009-11-05T06:00:10.951-05:00

An interesting sounding book!

Your first photo is stunning--is the water deep?

ACIL, I think you’d enjoy the fine writing in this...

2009-11-04T18:12:28.119-05:00

ACIL, I think you’d enjoy the fine writing in this novel and the theater scene, although it might be lighter than your usual fare. I don’t believe Martin is showing off but rather over-explicating. This would be helpful for a reader who doesn’t know his/her Chekhov but even so a little bit goes a long way. It was also only one passage in the novel. In general she does an excellent job of fitting the plays into her narrative.

Lakeviewer, I think you’d really connect with this author. Amazingly this is the first time I’ve audited a full course at Bowdoin College. I frequently visit campus for special lectures, visiting authors, music etc. College towns are the best place to live.

Lucky you to be auditing classes. The Martin's boo...

2009-11-04T18:03:19.488-05:00

Lucky you to be auditing classes. The Martin's book sounds interesting and rich. I shall put it on my list.

Loved the review and the images accompanying it. T...

2009-11-04T17:53:28.230-05:00

Loved the review and the images accompanying it. Thanks for the link to that Zadie article. And the quote you put at the end of your article was beautiful. If that's what the book's like, I will be ordering my copy soon.

It's fun writing about the world of the 'luvvies' and 'darlings'. And there're so many psychological conflicts from which to choose that one feels spoiled for choice. However, I agree with you, overplay a bit, and you might be accused of showing off.

Excellent post. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

Alyssa, so true - we are what we read. Thank you!

2009-11-04T17:47:54.536-05:00

Alyssa, so true - we are what we read. Thank you!

Isn't it funny how themes sometimes seem to run th...

2009-11-04T17:45:38.512-05:00

Isn't it funny how themes sometimes seem to run through through every aspect of our lives?

As always, a good review, paired with excellent pictures.

Bee, I think you’d like this author very much. Ma...

2009-11-04T17:24:00.090-05:00

Bee, I think you’d like this author very much. Martin’s work is literary fiction aimed at adults, but I would have enjoyed Edward Day as a teenager too with its suspense thriller edge and 20-something characters. The material is definitely adult, though.

It has been gorgeously sunny and warm for Maine. I still bundled up for my bike ride today and did not stop by the water. Can’t wait to read your review next.

I don't know this author's work at all, but it sou...

2009-11-04T17:16:37.440-05:00

I don't know this author's work at all, but it sounds intriguing. I assume this work is aimed at adults?

Your pictures are superb. Enjoying the warm(ish) days?

Ellen, my understanding is that Wilde’s Dorian Gra...

2009-11-04T15:03:51.837-05:00

Ellen, my understanding is that Wilde’s Dorian Gray is surreal (I confess that I haven’t read that classic) whereas Martin’s novel is realistic if more dramatic than normal life. I saw Patrick Stewart in the Tempest – he was amazing. You must be a true fan of Shakespeare to take standing room!

Forgot to say...I also enjoyed the post below abou...

2009-11-04T14:43:53.787-05:00

Forgot to say...I also enjoyed the post below about your visit to Stratford. When I was there eons ago, I saw Patrick Stewart play Cassius (John Wood was Brutus)--I had standing room seats and didn't even notice. STill the most memorable theatrical experience of my life.

This book sounds fascinating...am I fantasizing, o...

2009-11-04T14:42:12.896-05:00

This book sounds fascinating...am I fantasizing, or is it a bit Dorian Grayish? Thanks for the review...and I love the idea of adding photo illustrations--very evocative.

Kathy, I'd love to hear what you think of it.

2009-11-04T12:29:44.385-05:00

Kathy, I'd love to hear what you think of it.