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A carregar... Alias Grace (edição 1996)por Margaret Atwood (Autor)
Informação Sobre a ObraAlias Grace por Margaret Atwood
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This novel is a fictionalized biography of a real murderess/accused murderess in Canada who spent years in prison for a pair of murders she may have been an accomplice for. Grace was just 16 years old when she was arrested along with an older man who was thought to have been her lover and partner in crime, but there were reasons to doubt whether she was in fact a murderer, or perhaps a victim. Atwood's story explores these possibilities, and suggests a less common psychological explanation that straddles several of the more popular theories about what really happened. As historical fiction this is an excellent book, regardless of how convincing the conclusion is. A fascinating historical novel, this is a fictionalised account of the historical double murder of two people and its aftermath in 1843 in Canada. Part of the story is told from the first person view of Grace Marks, convicted but with her sentence commuted to life imprisonment (James McDermott, her supposed accomplice, was hanged). The other main thread follows a fictional character, Dr Simon Jordan, in close first person viewpoint. Jordan is an early medical practitioner in the field of psychiatry - or rather, is embarking on a study of Grace with a view to making a name for himself and thereby opening a clinic for the insane. He doesn't actually have any patients and in a way is as much of a 'chancer' as Grace may be herself. For it is unclear just how much of Grace's story is reliable. She is known to be an hysteric at times, and a sleepwalker so her claim to have had two periods of blackout during the murders, when other people thought she was co-operating with James McDermott, could be true. Jordan is meant to establish Grace's innocence or guilt for a committee of local worthies, led by a clergyman, who wish to submit another petition for her release in view of her long period in custody (the book takes up the story in 1859). During a series of interviews, he finds himself increasingly drawn to her, and this perversely leads him into a relationship with his landlady which, to modern sensibilities, is abusive. Towards the end, he contemplates hitting the woman who he 'knows' will love it, although external events prevent things from sinking that low. Ironically, he is angered by other men who he views as being of low character and having disgusting views about women, without seeing that he himself is an oppressor of lower class women and takes advantage of more genteel ones also, such as his landlady. The double narrative is framed by sections which are titled and illustrated with quilt patterns, the theme of quilt making, especially for the marital home, being a theme throughout the story. Similarly, the story of Grace is pieced together from various elements including extracts from accounts of the murder or about Grace, poems, and letters from various people both real and fictional. Grace's narrative includes beautiful descriptive passages and some pithy darkly humorous banter, for example, she describes a bustle as “it was like having another bum tied on top of your real one and the two of them following you around like a tin bucket tied to a pig.” She ascribes such drolleries to her deceased friend, Mary, which becomes very interesting in the light of a development fairly late in the story. A major theme is the subjugation of women, but also the demonisation of those accused of violent crime. Also the extreme contrast between the well-off and those who are powerless and in extreme poverty. The story is a superb evocation of the hardships of a working class woman forced to earn her living as a servant and the skills which such women developed and which were not only taken for granted - at one point the daughter of the prison governor voices the hope that Grace is never pardoned because she is so good at dressmaking (being an excellent seamstress she is employed to make clothing for the governor's family) - but not even comprehended. Dr Jordan asks her at one point what her duties were: He is not making a joke. He really does not know. Men such as him do not have to clean up the messes they make, but we have to clean up our own messes, and theirs into the bargain. In that way they are like children, they do not have to think ahead, or worry about the consequences of what they do. But it is not their fault, it is only how they are brought up. There are no overt conclusions as to Grace's culpability, but at one point an old friend of hers who inveigles his way into the confidence of the committee who have engaged Jordan, has an opportunity before entering the room with her to brief her on how to act: given the previous background and skills of this character, it is possible that what then occurs is precisely orchestrated to convince the clergyman and other parties of her innocence, and I did veer towards that explanation rather than a paranormal one. Overall, I greatly enjoyed the book and am rating it a full five stars.
Margaret Atwood has always written her characters from the inside out. She knows them: in their hearts, their bones. For many years now she has been a stylist of sensuous power. In Alias Grace she has surpassed herself, writing with a glittering, singing intensity. Pertence à Série da Editorabtb (72343) Está contido emÉ resumida emTem como estudoTem um guia de estudo para estudantesPrémiosNotable Lists
It is 1843, and Grace Marks has been convicted for her involvement in the vicious murders of her employer Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery, his housekeeper and mistress. Some believe Grace is innocent; others think her evil or insane. Now serving a life sentence, Grace claims to have no memory of the murders. Dr. Simon Jordan, an up-and-coming expert in the burgeoning field of mental illness, is engaged by a group of reformers and spiritualists who seek a pardon for Grace. He listens to her story while bringing her closer and closer to the day she cannot remember. What will he find in attempting to unlock her memories? Is Grace a female fiend? A bloodthirsty femme fatale? Or is she the victim of circumstances? Não foram encontradas descrições de bibliotecas. |
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Google Books — A carregar... GénerosSistema Decimal de Melvil (DDC)813.54Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1945-1999Classificação da Biblioteca do Congresso dos EUA (LCC)AvaliaçãoMédia:
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Autant la description de la vie au milieu du XIXème siècle au Canada est des plus intéressantes, autant la partie qui se déroule après 1859 et qui est de pure invention l'est beaucoup moins. Les explications trouvées par Margaret Atwood pour expliquer les meurtres ne sont pas satisfaisantes et l'intrigue amoureuse entre le docteur Simon Jordan et sa logeuse semble complètement hors de propos. Dommage... ( )