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Autobiography of Red Anne Carson 9780375701290 Books

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Autobiography of Red Anne Carson 9780375701290 Books

It must be a question of perspective. For me, it's as if I am standing outside a window looking in, and as I read, it is from the perspective of a mother of sons. Certain pieces linger -- Geryon's observation of stones at the beginning of the story- Carson has a unique ability to capture through mere glimpses the honesty and beauty of a child's understanding of his relationship to the world around him, trust in his brother because that's how the world should work in the mind of a 5 year old child; Geryon and his mother enjoying their Tuesday night routine- Geryon's mother's appreciation and validation of his sculpture autobiography; and perhaps what still pulls at my heart is what Carson was able to convey in the baby-sitting chapter- Geryon's retreat when his mother leaves and his springing to life with her return.

As I read the novel, I had to force myself not to judge, but to observe; it was easier the second time through. Still, my heart aches for Geryon, and his vulnerability. Carson beautifully captures Geryon's plight "outside and inside." My chest still tightens as I recall Geryon's struggle as he is left to fend for himself, first by his brother's apathy, then by his brother's violence, the cruelty of love lost, and finally the cost of his freedom.

"Who can a monster blame for being red?"

My heart aches for Geryon as he searches for meaning and an understanding of the distance between himself and the ones he loves, and his place in time and space.

Alice Munro captured the sentiment best: "this book is amazing -- I haven't discovered any writing in years so marvelously disturbing."


Tags : Autobiography of Red [Anne Carson] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The award-winning poet reinvents a genre in a stunning work that is both a novel and a poem, both an unconventional re-creation of an ancient Greek myth and a wholly original coming-of-age story set in the present. Geryon,Anne Carson,Autobiography of Red,Vintage,037570129X,Canadian,Epic poetry, Greek,Epic poetry, Greek;Adaptations.,Heracles (Greek mythology),Heracles (Greek mythology);Poetry.,Monsters,Monsters;Poetry.,Stesichorus,Adaptations,FICTION Literary,FICTION Visionary & Metaphysical,GENERAL,General Adult,Non-Fiction,POETRY Canadian,Poetry,Poetry by individual poets,Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -,poetry books;literature;contemporary;literary fiction;feminism;fantasy;women;literary;book club;german literature;essays;fairy tales;poems;canadian authors;graphic novel;american poetry;german;africa;love poems;dogs;american literature;modern;english;romance;beat;humor;magical realism;translation;biography;historical fiction;fairytales;coming of age;autobiography;gift books;poetry collection;poetry book;poem;poem books;poetry;fiction;novels;canada;fiction books;gift ideas;books fiction,poetry books; literature; contemporary; literary fiction; feminism; fantasy; women; literary; book club; german literature; essays; fairy tales; female poet; poems; canadian authors; graphic novel; american poetry; german; africa; love poems; canadian lit; dogs; american literature; modern; english; female authors; romance; beat; humor; magical realism; translation; biography; historical fiction; fairytales; coming of age; autobiography; poetry; fiction; fiction books; short stories; classic; atwood; book club recommendations; love

Autobiography of Red Anne Carson 9780375701290 Books Reviews

I loved this book. There was so much truth in it, and many moments of transcendence. The poetry was excellent, in that the language was more spare and more powerful, and much more effective than prose would have been. The writing was strong enough to stand on its own in many places. Like if you were to open to any page, you would find a phrase or a passage that was moving or inspiring.
Carson's brilliant (mis-) use of punctuation and formatting conventions forces the reader to take the time to savor layers of meaning and emotions, and navigate through a narration that freely shifts between realism and metaphor . At once simple and complex, sweet and bitter, Geryon's adventures through love and loss resonates with anyone who knows what it's like to love someone he cannot fully have.
"Autobiography of Red" is the story of Geryon, a young boy with red skin and large wings, who grows into a young man. He is in love with Herakles, a young man who seems to return Geryon's affection, but is actually quite cruel in his fickleness. The two encounter each other on and off over the years, Geryon seeking love, Herakles seeking adventure. Their paths eventually cross in Buenos Aires, of all places, where Herakles is with another young man, Ancash, recording the sounds of various volcanos. The three venture through South America together, the tension between the three of them almost palpable, at least to the more sensitive two of the group, Ancash and Geryon. It is here that the three must decide on the nature of their friendship, and Geryon on the nature of his life.
This book is written in poetic free verse, and Ann Carson's style is nothing less than magical. It might seem difficult for readers accustomed to straightforward prose, but if one lets the words wash over them, their meaning will all be clear soon enough, and their beauty alone will convince the reader of their merit. The story is based on Greek myth, but rather than Herakles killing Geryon the monster literally, he "kills" by breaking his heart. Ultimately, the book's message seems to be that Geryon must learn to love himself first. The book is beautifully written, and cannot be recommended highly enough, to any reader who wants to read a delicate story in a challenging format.
I have gotten so much out of this little book of fantastic poems... it has completely reinvented the way I think of poetry. Anne Carson speaks truth, but in such a way that it feels like the first time you heard those ideas.
Anne Carson is a master of experimental narrative poetry. And “Autobiography of Red” is her masterpiece. I’ve never read another novel in verse that floored me the way this one has. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve read it. Each reading delights my senses more than the first reading. Hard to believe but true! Her simple experimental structure is deceptively complex. Like all masterpieces, this one continues to unravel like the layers of an onion. It’s absolute perfection. That’s really all you can say about it. It. Is. Perfect.
Anne Carson is simply the best author writing in English today....and this century. Her erudition coupled with her whackdoodle wit and ability to turn on a rhetorical dime so suddenly that you find yourself swelling with tears, joy and shame, faith and redemption, is unmatched and unparalleled. I feel like I know Geryon, love Geryon, am Geryon -- redgodling and human how does she do this? She rewrites my life.
Such a mystical, strange, and wonderful book of poetry. Anne Carson is definitely one of my favorites because of this work.
It must be a question of perspective. For me, it's as if I am standing outside a window looking in, and as I read, it is from the perspective of a mother of sons. Certain pieces linger -- Geryon's observation of stones at the beginning of the story- Carson has a unique ability to capture through mere glimpses the honesty and beauty of a child's understanding of his relationship to the world around him, trust in his brother because that's how the world should work in the mind of a 5 year old child; Geryon and his mother enjoying their Tuesday night routine- Geryon's mother's appreciation and validation of his sculpture autobiography; and perhaps what still pulls at my heart is what Carson was able to convey in the baby-sitting chapter- Geryon's retreat when his mother leaves and his springing to life with her return.

As I read the novel, I had to force myself not to judge, but to observe; it was easier the second time through. Still, my heart aches for Geryon, and his vulnerability. Carson beautifully captures Geryon's plight "outside and inside." My chest still tightens as I recall Geryon's struggle as he is left to fend for himself, first by his brother's apathy, then by his brother's violence, the cruelty of love lost, and finally the cost of his freedom.

"Who can a monster blame for being red?"

My heart aches for Geryon as he searches for meaning and an understanding of the distance between himself and the ones he loves, and his place in time and space.

Alice Munro captured the sentiment best "this book is amazing -- I haven't discovered any writing in years so marvelously disturbing."