Scan barcode
A review by anusha_reads
The Wren, the Wren by Anne Enright
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
THE WREN, THE WREN, ANNE ENRIGHT, WINNER OF THE WRITERS’ PRIZE 2024, LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024
Anne Enright 2007 BOOKER PRIZE, for her book THE GATHERING.
“THE CONNECTION BETWEEN US IS MORE THAN A STRAND OF DNA, IT IS A ROPE THROWN FROM THE PAST, A FAT TWISTED ROPE, FULL OF BLOOD.”
The story spins around the poet, his poems, and their influence! Philip McDaragh is there, and he is not there. He is the poet whose impact is felt throughout the book, across the three generations of women, the wife, the daughter, and the granddaughter. Phil is a poet and Nell; his granddaughter is an avid poetry lover who frequently reads from his book. The book contains numerous poems, penned by this fictional poet.
The book talks about these three women, more about Nell and her mother. The story is told from the point of view of Phil, his daughter Carmel, and his granddaughter Nell.
The poet deserts his wife and their two daughters due to her medical condition.
The story talks about the struggles of these three ladies under the shadow of the poet and his poems. The grandmother suffered because of her husband, the poet, while the daughter prefers to raise her own daughter as a single mom
Do you think memories are passed on through generations even if they haven’t been told verbally, as in through genes?
“WHAT I WANTED, MORE THAN ANYTHING, WAS SOME UNINTERRUPTED CRYING TIME. I HAD A SCREAMING NEED TO BE ALONE. I DID NOT SAY THIS TO LILY, I TOLD HER I NEEDED TO WRITE A BOOK. WHICH, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IS PROBABLY CODE FOR THE SAME THING.”
Nell reflects on various aspects of her life, including her problematic relationships, love for animals and birds, and her passion for poetry and writing. Despite trying to escape her so-called controlling mother, she ultimately finds herself in an abusive relationship.
I loved the fact that throughout the book, there are names of birds as Nell is showcased as a bird lover and expresses her amazement at seeing a bird she has been waiting for. The book is sprinkled with different birds such as Nightjar, Heron, Wren, Bullfinch …
“… WATCHING THE FREEDOM OF THE BIRDS IN THEIR BRANCHES, LISTENING TO THE WIND COMB THROUGH. I BEGAN TO THINK I COULD TALK TO THEM.”
A cerebral novel, which delves into the myriad challenges faced by women, including menstruation, childbirth, and relationships.
“… EMOTION IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN PEOPLE, SENTIMENT CROSSES SPACE, SYMPATHY IS A GAS, EXHALED BY ONE, INHALED BY THE OTHER. EMPATHY! IT’S JUST LIKE MELTING.”
This is not a fast-paced read but a must-read
Anne Enright 2007 BOOKER PRIZE, for her book THE GATHERING.
“THE CONNECTION BETWEEN US IS MORE THAN A STRAND OF DNA, IT IS A ROPE THROWN FROM THE PAST, A FAT TWISTED ROPE, FULL OF BLOOD.”
The story spins around the poet, his poems, and their influence! Philip McDaragh is there, and he is not there. He is the poet whose impact is felt throughout the book, across the three generations of women, the wife, the daughter, and the granddaughter. Phil is a poet and Nell; his granddaughter is an avid poetry lover who frequently reads from his book. The book contains numerous poems, penned by this fictional poet.
The book talks about these three women, more about Nell and her mother. The story is told from the point of view of Phil, his daughter Carmel, and his granddaughter Nell.
The poet deserts his wife and their two daughters due to her medical condition.
The story talks about the struggles of these three ladies under the shadow of the poet and his poems. The grandmother suffered because of her husband, the poet, while the daughter prefers to raise her own daughter as a single mom
Do you think memories are passed on through generations even if they haven’t been told verbally, as in through genes?
“WHAT I WANTED, MORE THAN ANYTHING, WAS SOME UNINTERRUPTED CRYING TIME. I HAD A SCREAMING NEED TO BE ALONE. I DID NOT SAY THIS TO LILY, I TOLD HER I NEEDED TO WRITE A BOOK. WHICH, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IS PROBABLY CODE FOR THE SAME THING.”
Nell reflects on various aspects of her life, including her problematic relationships, love for animals and birds, and her passion for poetry and writing. Despite trying to escape her so-called controlling mother, she ultimately finds herself in an abusive relationship.
I loved the fact that throughout the book, there are names of birds as Nell is showcased as a bird lover and expresses her amazement at seeing a bird she has been waiting for. The book is sprinkled with different birds such as Nightjar, Heron, Wren, Bullfinch …
“… WATCHING THE FREEDOM OF THE BIRDS IN THEIR BRANCHES, LISTENING TO THE WIND COMB THROUGH. I BEGAN TO THINK I COULD TALK TO THEM.”
A cerebral novel, which delves into the myriad challenges faced by women, including menstruation, childbirth, and relationships.
“… EMOTION IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN PEOPLE, SENTIMENT CROSSES SPACE, SYMPATHY IS A GAS, EXHALED BY ONE, INHALED BY THE OTHER. EMPATHY! IT’S JUST LIKE MELTING.”
This is not a fast-paced read but a must-read