Bianca's Reviews > The Performance
The Performance
by
by
Bianca's review
bookshelves: 2021, aussie-setting, aussie-author, contemporary, female-author, literary-fiction, multiple-povs, library
Nov 13, 2021
bookshelves: 2021, aussie-setting, aussie-author, contemporary, female-author, literary-fiction, multiple-povs, library
The Performance is an extraordinary novel, from the beginning to the last page.
I've been struggling for a while with reading books. But I devoured this one.
This novel is about three very different women: Margot, a literature Professor in her seventies; Ivy, a new mother in her forties who's also a philanthropist; and Summer, a young usher and drama student. Their inner thoughts and backgrounds are presented as their minds drift while watching Samuel Becket's Happy Days, while fires rage on the hills around Melbourne.
The themes cover relationships, feminism, racial and sexual identity, motherhood, grief, art, philanthropy, and climate change and climate anxiety, and, of course, appreciation of art. All these aspects transpire in a natural, non-didactic, non-message-y way.
The Performance had that rare quality of being intellectually stimulating and emotionally affecting, creative but also accessible. I'm in awe of Thomas' talent.
This is one of the best novels I read this year. As far as I'm concerned, it should get all the awards.
This is why I read!
In case any publishers read this, I absolutely loved the book's design, the type, the larger than usual line spacing. Yes, I've turned into one of those people who need good design, large enough type and good quality paper. Sorry/not sorry.
I've been struggling for a while with reading books. But I devoured this one.
This novel is about three very different women: Margot, a literature Professor in her seventies; Ivy, a new mother in her forties who's also a philanthropist; and Summer, a young usher and drama student. Their inner thoughts and backgrounds are presented as their minds drift while watching Samuel Becket's Happy Days, while fires rage on the hills around Melbourne.
The themes cover relationships, feminism, racial and sexual identity, motherhood, grief, art, philanthropy, and climate change and climate anxiety, and, of course, appreciation of art. All these aspects transpire in a natural, non-didactic, non-message-y way.
The Performance had that rare quality of being intellectually stimulating and emotionally affecting, creative but also accessible. I'm in awe of Thomas' talent.
This is one of the best novels I read this year. As far as I'm concerned, it should get all the awards.
This is why I read!
In case any publishers read this, I absolutely loved the book's design, the type, the larger than usual line spacing. Yes, I've turned into one of those people who need good design, large enough type and good quality paper. Sorry/not sorry.
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Reading Progress
November 12, 2021
–
Started Reading
November 12, 2021
– Shelved
November 13, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021
November 13, 2021
– Shelved as:
aussie-setting
November 13, 2021
– Shelved as:
aussie-author
November 13, 2021
– Shelved as:
contemporary
November 13, 2021
– Shelved as:
female-author
November 13, 2021
– Shelved as:
literary-fiction
November 13, 2021
– Shelved as:
multiple-povs
November 13, 2021
– Shelved as:
library
November 13, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-43 of 43 (43 new)
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Nat
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rated it 4 stars
Nov 13, 2021 10:11AM
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Thank you, Laysee. It gave me a new spring in my step if you know what I mean.
I agree! I'm the only one in Bookclub who thought it was incredible. The others had quibbles about the characters not being "sympathetic" enough, not enough story space given to the actual fires etc. I didn't feel that way at all. I thought the balance was spot on. I'd be curious to know which awards this gets too. Fingers crossed.
I agree! I'm the only one in Bookclub who thought it was incredible. The ot..."
Honestly, whenever someone moans about the characters "being unlikeable" I roll my eyes and also utter some not so nice words, such as FFS. Even more so in this case, as the women were flawed but I didn't find any of them unlikeable. I don't get why the fire had to be more important than the characters - did anyone claim that it was a novel about fires (I confess I didn't read the blurb, I knew it was taking place in a theatre). I admired how Thomas interweaved the women's thoughts with what was happening on stage, how she said a lot, but also didn't spoonfeed us what to think, how to feel.
I don't know if this was nominated for any awards. When I think of some of the average novels that were on the longlist, especially for this year Booker, I shudder.
I agree! I'm the only one in Bookclub who thought it was incred..."
Absolutely. The book was definitely not about the bushfires. It was about how the fires were impacting the character's lives at that very point of the play being performed on stage. And the play being performed with us learning about the three women via their thoughts while watching the play was sheer genius. A great concept that worked brilliantly. Well, we both enjoyed it, so that's all that matters!
Thanks so much, Iris. It was original. I felt like I was at the theatre with those women. I loved everything about it. I know it's been published in the US, you should be able to track it down.
Betsy, I think you'll appreciate it. I can't wait to find out what you made of it.
Thanks, Jason.
Thanks, Antoinette. I loved this book so much. It had all the elements that I love. I do hope you get to read it. Hopefully, you'll love it as much as I have.
Thanks, Vanessa. I just loved this book. I forgot to mention it's a short book. I even liked its design and the larger than usual line spacing, it made the reading experience even smoother. And it was atmospheric but it also had a sense of urgency about it. Chef's kiss. :-)
I hope you'll like it, Angela. This kind of novel ticks all my boxes when it comes to literary fiction.
Same, Holly. It's been a while since I last felt super giddy about something I was reading in print.
Thank you so much, Candi. I feel humbled that an excellent reader and writer such as yourself would pay attention to my reviews. While one could never be 100% about people's reactions to a book, I think you'll like this novel.
Thanks so much, Melissa. It's a literary fiction novel, not many get the marketing budgets they deserve. If it hadn't been for the reviews of some readers whose views I respect, I probably wouldn't have read it, even though it's by an Australian author.
I empathise with this comment, Bianca, and your delightful review shows how well "The Performance" helped you out of the slump!
I empathise with this comment, Bianca, and your delightful review shows how well "The Performance" helped you out of the slump!"
Luckily, the audiobooks still kept me crossing some books off my huge TBR.
Thanks, Robin. It was right up my alley.
Thanks, Debbie. It gave me the loving a book giddiness, which hasn't been occuring as often as I would like.
Thank you, Debbie. I hope you won't be disappointed.
Thanks - first I’ve heard of it 💕"
You'll love it Elyse, it's pretty darn amazing.
Thanks - first I’ve heard of it 💕"
Thanks, Elyse. I know it's been published in the US as well, so I hope you find and enjoy it as much as Nat and I did. :-)
Many thanks, Mark. It was a novel that had lots of the elements I love. I hope you're doing Ok, I haven't "seen" you around much.