Nov 19, 2023Liked by Sarah Harkness, M. E. Rothwell
Your essay is so beautiful. “Possession” has remained at the top of my favorite books -- but I’ve read it (so far) only once, when it was new. I am going to read it again before anything else. Because everything you’ve written is so true. Thank you.
Nov 19, 2023Liked by Sarah Harkness, M. E. Rothwell
I love books within books! The History of Love by Nicole Krauss was the first novel to really get me with this technique, just left such a powerful impression, and I love that Possession seems to also jump back and forth btwn past and present, another technique that can be hard to pull off. Definitely interested in reading it now!
Nov 22, 2023Liked by Sarah Harkness, M. E. Rothwell
I love this book. My college professor, Diane... we were on a first name basis... I did a Shakespeare independent study with her... told me to read this... and I’ve read it over and over since then... one of my favorites. So sad to hear of her passing.
Nov 19, 2023Liked by Sarah Harkness, M. E. Rothwell
A beautifully written tribute to one of my favourite books. My treasured copy closely resembles yours and was acquired in the same year, when I was expecting my youngest child and had just left a horrendous relationship. The book took my mind wandering in the best possible way when it needed it most.
My first introduction to A.S. Byatt was through a copy of “Angels and Insects” that I found in a used bookstore in the late 90's. I was hooked! I've read “The Children's Book” twice. And, this is strange, I KNOW I read “Possession” many years ago, and loved it, but I simply can't remember it! Obviously, it's time for a reread.
Absolutely love this guest post by Sarah Harkness. I was in the depth of PhD dissertation writing when I read Possession, and it spoke to many, many hungers I had in that moment! She reveals some of her own:
Now as I read Possession again, I am a completely different person: no longer the stressed City girl, or the hungry reader in an unhappy marriage. For the last five years I have myself been immersed in dusty archives, . . . . I have also uncovered secrets in my researches, and felt Roland’s possessiveness, the simultaneous wanting to share and wanting to keep for myself.
Beautifully said, Sarah! So saddened to hear of Byatt’s passing. This one has been on my list to reread for so many years--officially moving it to the top of the stack!
Beautiful tribute. I'm not familiar with the writer and this is the kind of piece that makes me want to learn more.
I couldn't want more than for someone new to read Possession!
Your essay is so beautiful. “Possession” has remained at the top of my favorite books -- but I’ve read it (so far) only once, when it was new. I am going to read it again before anything else. Because everything you’ve written is so true. Thank you.
Thank you, that's a lovely thing to read, I'm touched
I love books within books! The History of Love by Nicole Krauss was the first novel to really get me with this technique, just left such a powerful impression, and I love that Possession seems to also jump back and forth btwn past and present, another technique that can be hard to pull off. Definitely interested in reading it now!
I've never heard of that one! Will look!
Beautiful. One of my most loved books. Sad to hear of her death.
I love this book. My college professor, Diane... we were on a first name basis... I did a Shakespeare independent study with her... told me to read this... and I’ve read it over and over since then... one of my favorites. So sad to hear of her passing.
🫶
A beautifully written tribute to one of my favourite books. My treasured copy closely resembles yours and was acquired in the same year, when I was expecting my youngest child and had just left a horrendous relationship. The book took my mind wandering in the best possible way when it needed it most.
Thank you. I think it is an essentially comforting book, it works for me!
Absolutely.
Possession, what a book. Sadly missed indeed.
My first introduction to A.S. Byatt was through a copy of “Angels and Insects” that I found in a used bookstore in the late 90's. I was hooked! I've read “The Children's Book” twice. And, this is strange, I KNOW I read “Possession” many years ago, and loved it, but I simply can't remember it! Obviously, it's time for a reread.
Absolutely love this guest post by Sarah Harkness. I was in the depth of PhD dissertation writing when I read Possession, and it spoke to many, many hungers I had in that moment! She reveals some of her own:
Now as I read Possession again, I am a completely different person: no longer the stressed City girl, or the hungry reader in an unhappy marriage. For the last five years I have myself been immersed in dusty archives, . . . . I have also uncovered secrets in my researches, and felt Roland’s possessiveness, the simultaneous wanting to share and wanting to keep for myself.
Beautifully said, Sarah! So saddened to hear of Byatt’s passing. This one has been on my list to reread for so many years--officially moving it to the top of the stack!
Brilliant novel the centerpiece of a life well written. Byatt will be sorely missed.