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Unfinished Business: Notes of a Chronic Re-Reader

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( 1,156 ratings, 232 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Unfinished Business: Notes of a Chronic Re-Reader, Vivian Gornick explores the profound impact of re-reading cherished books throughout one's life. She delves into how certain literature evolves in meaning over time, revealing deeper insights about herself and the human experience. This reflective examination engages readers in the conversation between past and present selves, through the lens of beloved writings.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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You might appreciate this book if you enjoy exploring personal essays that delve into the art of reading and re-reading literature. Vivian Gornick's insightful reflections provide a unique window into how books can continue to influence our lives over time. Perfect for those who cherish the lasting impact of classic and contemporary works, it invites you to reconsider your own literary experiences and favourites.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The acclaimed author of The Odd Woman and the City celebrates the joys of rereading and the electrifying works of literature that have shaped her life.

A celebration of passionate reading from the acclaimed author and critic.

In nine stunning essays, the inimitable Vivian Gornick returns to the books that have shaped her. From a reporter in 1970s New York, to a feminist negotiating love and independence, to a writer in the jubilant sanctity of older ageβ€”Gornick's life is compelling, and in the characters of literature, she finds versions of herself through the years, each time she opens the page.

Gornick finds solace in the contradictory figures of D.H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers, assesses womanhood in Colette, and reflects on Marguerite Duras's The Lover. She revisits Great War novels by J.L. Carr and Pat Barker, uncovers the psychological complexity in Elizabeth Bowen, and soaks in Natalia Ginzberg, 'whose work ... made me love life more'. When two erratic, highly strung cats enter her life, she discovers Doris Lessing's Particularly Cats.

Infused with Gornick's trademark verve and insight, this collection is a masterful appreciation of literature and its ability to illuminate.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Vivian Gornick's Unfinished Business: Notes of a Chronic Re-Reader combines memoir and literary criticism, exploring how rereading books can reshape one's self-perception. Critics praise it for its insightful and lively essays, where personal reflections intersect with literary analysis. Gornick's passionate engagement with literature is noted for its depth and thoughtfulness, making the book a compelling read for those interested in the transformative power of literature.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760641887

Publisher: Black Inc.

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 February 2020

Country: Australia

Imprint: Black Inc.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 168g

Pages: 192

About the Author

Vivian Gornick is the author of several books, including Fierce Attachments and The Odd Woman and the City, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography. Her work has appeared widely, including in The New York Times, The Nation, The New York Review of Books and The Atlantic.

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