Lori Baker (1)

This beautifully written, poetic novel is constructed like one of the delicate ocean creatures made of glass that the author says inspired the story. Built up out of the 18-year-old Carlotta Dell’oro’s memories and imaginings – the narrative becomes so lifelike and so surreal, the narrator has to keep reminding readers that it has been crafted by her. Carlotta’s story is set in Victorian England, a time of scientific exploration and obsessive specimen collecting. Her upbringing is so haphazard and neglected, she has to keep reminding her parents that she exists. The Glass Ocean made a great book club book because there was so much to argue about discuss – the author’s writing style, her narrator’s perspective, numerous ambiguities in the text, and a rich variety of story threads and metaphors to follow and sort out. Much of the book is interior – memories and obsessive thoughts going round and round the same topics – and not much happens in a straightforward way. Unlike City of Dark Magic, this is a novel to read for the writing and the imagery, not for the story or entertainment value. Recommended for readers looking for challenging literary fiction, not historical fiction about a Victorian girl on an ocean voyage, as the cover might mislead you into thinking this is.… (plus d'informations)

I was deeply moved by this exquisite and harrowing work of literary fiction. So many of the images and passages have stuck with me. I grew to care deeply for the three main characters – particularly for Carlotta, the heartbreaking narrator, but also for her two exceptional parents – both of whom kept doing alienating things -- to each other and to Carlotta. They were so utterly human, so complete and fragile. I loved Baker's beautiful quality and control of language – on par with the best lyrical fiction — and the remarkably rich sensory world she has created I have never been to Whitby, but she conjured it with real force. I have to say that Lori Baker's ability to bring art and science to life made this book a particular favorite. I loved the way she described the process of making glass creatures, and explored the artistic process -- and did so while also conveying a naturalist's careful cataloguing of the world and its component parts. This is one of those rare books where I was emotionally spent when I finished – it was a truly beautiful and cathartic experience.… (plus d'informations)