A Common Reader is . . .

. . . written by Tom Cunliffe, of East Sussex, England (to read more about me see my About page).

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Review: The Winter Vault – Anne Michaels

I didn’t like this book but have removed my review because on reflection it was not an accurate summary of my feelings about it.

I respect this author greatly and while I feel this book was flawed I have no wish to criticise her canon of work.

May 18th, 2009 | Tags: | Category: fiction

6 comments to Review: The Winter Vault – Anne Michaels

  • mg
    April 13, 2010 at 4:13 pm

    “On the whole, I think this book was lucky to be saved from the Emmaus shop but it now graces my shelves as a sort of extended Leonard Cohen song, rather like Suzanne, or The Sisters of Mercy, designed to give an impression rather than to actually relate anything memorable.”

    Your ignorance and stupidity, sir, are rather breathtaking. Perhaps you might find comic books more interesting.

  • Tom
    April 13, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    Thanks for your comment – we I suspect however that I am not alone in finding this book rather tedious

  • Ell
    April 26, 2010 at 4:27 am

    Hmm, I agree that this book was very difficult to read and finish. After the first act, all I was doing was skimming the context. However I did enjoy the book because some of the questions Michaels poses are quite interesting and thought-provoking. I do agree that it was quite hard to get through.
    Thanks for the review. =)

  • Tom
    April 26, 2010 at 10:52 am

    Thanks for visiting Ell. I think my disappointment with this book was that I thought her earlier book Fugitive Pieces was one of the best I’d ever read.

  • Megan
    May 31, 2010 at 11:29 pm

    I agree that this book was very difficult to read and finish as well. In fact, in majority of the reviews I have read, no one has really enjoyed this book. Especially after her novel Fugitive Pieces was liked by millions, this book was a let down. I read it for my Canadian Literature major assignment, and was very disappointed with this novel’s turn out.

  • Tom
    June 1, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    Hi Megan – thanks for the comment – yes, its hard to find anyone who really likes this book. So disappointing after Fugitive Pieces.