AccueilGroupesDiscussionsPlusTendances
Site de recherche
Ce site utilise des cookies pour fournir nos services, optimiser les performances, pour les analyses, et (si vous n'êtes pas connecté) pour les publicités. En utilisant Librarything, vous reconnaissez avoir lu et compris nos conditions générales d'utilisation et de services. Votre utilisation du site et de ses services vaut acceptation de ces conditions et termes.

Résultats trouvés sur Google Books

Cliquer sur une vignette pour aller sur Google Books.

Chargement...

The Big Why: A Novel (2004)

par Michael Winter

MembresCritiquesPopularitéÉvaluation moyenneMentions
1223222,301 (3.39)11
Michael Winter's The Big Why takes the tradition of the historical novel and twists it into the cool, sinuous, entertaining shape we've all been waiting for. His characters are real and from the past, but the lives they live feel contemporary and emotionally modern. Winter's version of the American artist Rockwell Kent is an over aged, erotically fleckless Huck Finn ready to leave the superficial art world of New York and light out for the territory. Only he heads the wrong way: north and east to Brigus, Newfoundland, before and at the beginning of World War One. A socialist and a philanderer, certain in the greatness of his work, he is drawn north by a fascination for the rocky Atlantic coast and by the example of Brigus's other well-known resident, fabled Arctic explorer Robert Bartlett. But once in Newfoundland, Kent discovers that notoriety is even easier to achieve in a small town than in New York. As events come to a head both internationally and domestically and the war begins, Kent becomes a polarizing figure in this intimate, impoverished community, where everyone knows everyone and any outsider is suspect, possibly even a German spy. Writing in Kent's voice, Michael Winter delivers a passionate, witty, and cerebral exploration of what makes exceptional individuals who they are--and why.… (plus d'informations)
Aucun
Chargement...

Inscrivez-vous à LibraryThing pour découvrir si vous aimerez ce livre

Actuellement, il n'y a pas de discussions au sujet de ce livre.

» Voir aussi les 11 mentions

3 sur 3
This book, "A Novel" by subtitle, is well worth reading, although I might call it an infuriatingly good novel. It played tricks on me. The story made me love the protagonist, then to hate his destructive ways, then to hate him, and finally to stand him, and ultimately to stand by him. I don't know if I liked all that so well, but the book has far more to offer than the story. The writing is sharp and evocative, the thinking is deep and nuanced, and subtle details yield far more than I could ever have hoped for. It kind of took my breath away. Plus you gotta love a book that uses "A Novel" as it's subtitle.

This is the second review on this page that will refuse to summarize "The Big Why." I look forward to reading what others say about this book and what it's about. Whether it's about love and being loved and loving. Whether it's about secret lives or public lives, or saying too much about oneself in a place where people are wordless or less word-full. Whether it's about art or industry. Whether it's about being oneself or how to be oneself, or, if one hasn't been oneself, then why? ( )
1 voter pdever | Jan 17, 2010 |
I will leave the summaries to others - and say simply: What a wonderful book! Not only is his depiction of Brigus, Newfoundland delightfully evocative and as colorful as it deserves, but Michael Winter's voice is like no other. In my opinion it's hard as hell to properly depict Newfoundland -- to balance the beauty, the humor, the hardscrabble life, the dangers of living off the North Atlantic sea and the strength, resourcefulness, and pain of its people. Winter makes it look easy. His originality and ability to dig deep into his characters' motivations (as well as their blind spots) is inspiring. If, like me, you agree with Chekhov that the job of the writer is not to provide answers, but to properly frame the question, then this book will delight you, for Winter has pulled it off flawlessly. And did I mention he's funny as hell? Well done, boy! ( )
1 voter Laurenbdavis | Jun 23, 2009 |
I didn't like Kent, I didn't like the random punctuation, and I wouldn't say I liked the book exactly but I did admire it. Winter is a talented writer and this book made me curious enough that I will probably check out more of his work. Full review: http://www.canadianauthors.net/w/winter_michael/big_why_the.php ( )
  ripleyy | Dec 16, 2007 |
3 sur 3
aucune critique | ajouter une critique
Vous devez vous identifier pour modifier le Partage des connaissances.
Pour plus d'aide, voir la page Aide sur le Partage des connaissances [en anglais].
Titre canonique
Titre original
Titres alternatifs
Date de première publication
Personnes ou personnages
Informations provenant du Partage des connaissances anglais. Modifiez pour passer à votre langue.
Lieux importants
Informations provenant du Partage des connaissances anglais. Modifiez pour passer à votre langue.
Évènements importants
Films connexes
Épigraphe
Informations provenant du Partage des connaissances anglais. Modifiez pour passer à votre langue.
Beginning

The Naked Man of Brigus

A man goes to sea here as one would depart from the earth for the moon or Jupiter. They are mapmakers. The largeness of the Newfounlander's field of labour is so apparent -- I've become more intimate with our little round earth since I've been here than in all my life before.

Rockwell Kent

Letter to Charles Daniel, 3 June 1914

Dédicace
Informations provenant du Partage des connaissances anglais. Modifiez pour passer à votre langue.
For Hogarth, Jr
Premiers mots
Informations provenant du Partage des connaissances anglais. Modifiez pour passer à votre langue.
I have been loved. I can say this. But back then, before it all went wrong, I did not know enough to consider the question. I had married a woman with one facial gesture. Kathleen Whiting. A kind smile. When we made love, that smile. I knew I was wrapped up with goodness -- if I kept close to this woman a good life would accrue.
Citations
Informations provenant du Partage des connaissances anglais. Modifiez pour passer à votre langue.
That day will mark a precedent which brings no news of Rockwell Kent

- The New Yorker, 1937
Derniers mots
Notice de désambigüisation
Directeur de publication
Courtes éloges de critiques
Langue d'origine
DDC/MDS canonique
LCC canonique

Références à cette œuvre sur des ressources externes.

Wikipédia en anglais

Aucun

Michael Winter's The Big Why takes the tradition of the historical novel and twists it into the cool, sinuous, entertaining shape we've all been waiting for. His characters are real and from the past, but the lives they live feel contemporary and emotionally modern. Winter's version of the American artist Rockwell Kent is an over aged, erotically fleckless Huck Finn ready to leave the superficial art world of New York and light out for the territory. Only he heads the wrong way: north and east to Brigus, Newfoundland, before and at the beginning of World War One. A socialist and a philanderer, certain in the greatness of his work, he is drawn north by a fascination for the rocky Atlantic coast and by the example of Brigus's other well-known resident, fabled Arctic explorer Robert Bartlett. But once in Newfoundland, Kent discovers that notoriety is even easier to achieve in a small town than in New York. As events come to a head both internationally and domestically and the war begins, Kent becomes a polarizing figure in this intimate, impoverished community, where everyone knows everyone and any outsider is suspect, possibly even a German spy. Writing in Kent's voice, Michael Winter delivers a passionate, witty, and cerebral exploration of what makes exceptional individuals who they are--and why.

Aucune description trouvée dans une bibliothèque

Description du livre
Résumé sous forme de haïku

Discussion en cours

Aucun

Couvertures populaires

Vos raccourcis

Évaluation

Moyenne: (3.39)
0.5
1 1
1.5 1
2 4
2.5
3 2
3.5 2
4 4
4.5
5 5

Est-ce vous ?

Devenez un(e) auteur LibraryThing.

 

À propos | Contact | LibraryThing.com | Respect de la vie privée et règles d'utilisation | Aide/FAQ | Blog | Boutique | APIs | TinyCat | Bibliothèques historiques | Critiques en avant-première | Partage des connaissances | 203,188,270 livres! | Barre supérieure: Toujours visible