Reading Emma Donoghue

As I have said before I seem to have a thing for Irish (female) writers. One I have just finished is by Emma Donoghue. I read her first book Room a few years ago and it was amazing. Room was shortlisted for the Man Booker 2010 and Orange prize (Donoghue, 2010). It was so clever as it is narrated from the point of view of a five year old boy and at that time having a young nephew it really made sense language wise (another reason I loved it.) Room is a psychological setting of imprisonment. It is quite chilling and really scares at times but these things really do happen and that is what Emma captures in her writing.

Anyway back to the book in discussion. I finished The Sealed Letter  which was recommended by my library. I rushed it as I have been struggling with reading time; due to my studying deadlines (two assessments in one month)... Good luck by the way to any fellow 'A215'ers' reading this : D. It is due back to the library today; so writing this post while fresh in the memory!

Emma Donoghue is a very talented clever writer. She has a PhD in English (Donoghue, 2011,p.477). The Sealed Letter  discusses the issue of marriage in Victorian times, particularly regarding a specific divorce case of 'The Codrington's'; which was in all the papers in 1864. It focuses on a character Emily Faithful aka Fido, who was one of the first women's rights advocates and ran a newspaper/ magazine press. I studied the later Suffrage Movement in another previous course with the OU and also A150 just now regarding Victorian England and Dickens so I found this book even more educational.

At the back of her book Emma is interviewed by Chris Roulston about 'The M Word' (marriage that is) and reflects throughout on historical evidence and how fiction can be made from such writings (Roulston in Donoghue, 2011, pp. 477-482).  I found the discussion very conductive to the demise of modern day marriage and how things have changed so much since Victorian times under English law. Well worth a read if you like Dickens/ Victorian era and also enjoy the psychology of love and how it can ruin life. This story is told at times in a feminist view and at the time of the setting that was a dangerous thing to do - controversial and awful how the women's lives were decided and they lost more than just face. We have so much freedom nowadays as the law has dramatically changed on divorce. Not sure if that is a good or a bad thing? Anyway that's enough philosophising for one day...

You can see more about these books from Amazon here and view more about Emma on her website here.

Bibliography:

Donoghue, E. Room, 2010, London, Picador.
Donoghue, E. The Sealed Letter, 2011, London, Picador.

My Current Reading

I said I would take a Blog break but I can't settle. The weather is too nice and I am getting slightly into writing on here like a diary! I guess that is good for my life writing criteria...

I am doing an exam next week for my other course on 'Voices and Texts' and am trying to get into revising but there is always something better to do. I've been gardening since Friday. It has been such a temptation to get outside. Good for the soul and Vitamin D levels too. That's my excuse for lack of revision anyhow.




I have been reading a lot of Irish writers lately for some reason. I have always loved Cecilia Ahern and Maeve Binchy (bless her soul). My current favourite has to be Kate Kerrigan and I cannot wait for her new book to come out this year (I think). I adore her characters especially Ellie.

For my autobiography/ biography reads I am reading Iris by John Bayley. So far I do prefer the film but as my favourite actors are in it so that is likely why. John Bayley's A Memoir of Iris Murdoch - of his wife is so beautifully written. A sad story for anyone; all the more so as Iris was an incredibly intelligent philosopher and writer. I feel anyone who has known or is dealing with this disease should either read of watch the film. I lent this from the library as a lot of my books on my bedside are from there too. I must remember to return one by Thursday! You can also lend DVD's from the library remember only £3 for a whole week. They do deals in the school holidays which are useful.


References
Bayley, J. (2012 [1998]) Iris A Memoir of Iris Murdoch, London, Duckworth Overlook

Beautiful irises