Bookish Thoughts
Book Two of my Booker Prize Longlist Extravaganza
Audition caught me completely unawares. I went into this one (sadly) without having read any of Kitamura’s previous books which I will most definitely be rectifying. I was unaware of her writing style which is sumptuous and actually the best things come as surprises (most of the time!). This is a novel that doesn’t just resist closure but thrives in its refusal to draw any conclusions and much of what happens occurs in set-like environments. It is a story without end and I view this as being intentionally so. I felt uncomfortable in places but comfortably so. Parts felt like a dreamy meditation: hypnotic and looping with its lens on performance, perception and the instability of true meaning. Meaning of oneself which is so often a socially constructed concept is something that almost always draws me in. What I loved most was the nuanced way Kitamura captures human interpretation in how we observe others, assign weight to their moments of silence, gestures, glances and try (often failing) to decipher what it all means. It’s about how we rehearse not just our own roles but how we interpret the roles of those around us. I found myself questioning the reliability not just of the narrator but of myself as a reader. I won’t press on this part too much but the preparation of breakfasts and pastries won’t ever feel quite the same again! 🥐 Kitamura was interviewed by The New Yorker and it was an interview I throughly enjoyed reading. It made me think more deeply about the ideas around interpretation - something I know Kitamura is deeply invested in exploring through her writing.
The roles of women in literature are always exciting areas to explore for me and this book takes these roles and masterfully looks at women’s roles more specifically and their sustaining of them as well as the role the performer takes on stage and whether they are very different to one another. Are we not all just players on one crazy stage?! A nod to Shakespeare here!). I loved every minute of my time with Audition. Reading is JOY! 🌟
Shot of Hamnet set at the Garrick Theatre. Highly recommend!