The Post-Birthday World
I just started reading The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver (HarperCollins, 2007). This is notable because I haven't been reading many books that are just for grownups lately. First there were the finalists for the Cybils, then the Newbery Honor books, and I still have a stack of middle-grade novels I can't wait to start. I don't know if I'm going to finish The Post-Birthday World either (I think I've been spoiled by all those middle-grade novels). It does have an interesting parallel-universe structure; and the protagonist, Irina McGovern, is a children's book illustrator. I hope she gets some better assignments later in the novel, because this one doesn't sound promising: "Irina collaborated on a second children's book with Jude--the overt manipulativeness of the first, along the lines of I Love to Clean Up My Room!, appealed to parents as much as it repelled children, and had ensured that it sold well" (6).
Anamaria
4 Comments
Reader Comments (4)
I wasn't thrilled by Post Birthday World (not sure that's what you want to hear when you're already thinking about ditching it), but it did get me intrigued enough to read several other of Lionel Shriver's books last year. I didn't love any of them, but something about her writing I find compelling. I enjoyed Game Control most.
Thanks, Christie. I do like the writing so far, and I haven't given up on Post-Birthday World yet. I feel the same way about some other writers (Louise Erdrich is one) as you do about Shriver, too. I'll repost if I finish it!
i hope you keep posting on novels for grownups as i really need someone to take me by the hand and tell me what to read. not sure about this one? but keep 'em comin'!
Maybe I'll start adding novels for grownups to my shelf at LibraryThing (look for bookstogether); I'll tag them all with "grownup" (I think "adult" makes them sound like porn). And if I read anything I think you might like, I'll be sure to recommend it!