Customer Reviews

Ekaterina (Harvest American Writing)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I only came across this book after reading Nabakov's 'Lolita'. And I have to say that if any of you are contemplating reading 'Ekaterina' you'd be rewarded if you read 'Lolita' first (preferably the 'Annotated Lolita' edited by Alfred Appel Jr).

One similarity between 'Lolita' and 'Ekaterina' is obvious - the disturbing theme of pedophilia. But there are so many other parallels. One in particular is the examination of authorial intrusion. In 'Lolita', Nabakov allows himself surreptitious peeps and circumlocutions as if from behind the stage of a puppet theater. And to the intelligent reader he lets it be known that he is the puppet master and that his novel is not a slice of "reality" but a work of fiction.

Similarly (but, it must be said, less subtly) Harington's manipulation of his characters implies an authorial presence at all times. Harington examines the roll of the artist as God right from the start by using the second person narrative technique. This is a technique that I have rarely come across but Harington uses it expertly.

For those of you who like reading complex novels filled with self-reflexion, intertextuality, and jokes aimed at publishers then this is a novel for you!

Highly recommended.

Donald Harington remains the best uncelebrated author in America. "Ekaterina," set in a thinly disguised Eureka Springs, Arkansas, at a majestic old hotel (with a creepy history), is story telling at its best. The details are perfect; if you've read any of Harington's previous novels, you are richly rewarded. If you haven't, you are not harmed in the telling of the story but you will want to read the others when you've finished. This will be a book you not only enjoy but you will want to turn others onto. I once collected an autograph from a favorite famous author, William Styron, who told me, in our too-brief conversation, that Harington is one of his favorite authors. Read "Ekaterina" and you will see why.

You may object to the subject matter (a young woman who lusts after 12 year-old boys), but this was a very satisfying, very complete novel. It is rich in content, varied in plot and environment, and even though some of the events are pretty implausible, they are tackled with such grace and command that you willingly suspend disbelief for the sake of the story. I highly recommend this absorbing novel, with a most surprising ending. Donald Harington, RIP, tremendous author. Check out The Cherry Pit as well.

This is the second book I've read by Donald Harington; an exceptional author. I read his book Enduring first, and reading Ekaterina was more enjoyable to me having some familiarity with her and other characters from Stay More. As a result of reading these two books, I ordered two more of his works; Some Other Place..., and The Choiring of the Trees.

I'm sure I'll enjoy the two books that arrived in today's mail, and will likely have all of Harington's books by the time I'm done.

Before I read "Ekaterina" by the late Donald Harington, I heard of how similar this book is compared to Vladimir Nabakov's "Lolita." I never read "Lolita," so I didn't know what I was going to face. I did, however, know about the controversial subject matter (adults attracted to 12-year old kids), so I had to prepare myself for some awkward moments in the book. When I did finish reading "Ekaterina" back in 2006, I realized that I enjoyed it. Not because of its subject matter, but because of the witty writing and the wicked humor. I did have a problem with the first half of the book, and that it's told in 2nd-person narrative, while the other half is written in 1st person. It seems nonsensical to change perspectives halfway through the story. Fortunately, everything else in "Ekaterina" is surprisingly good. It's filled with clever dialogue, twisted humor, and some amazingly graphic sex scenes. This is not a book for immature readers, so if you can't stand the strong content, then you should try to stay away.

Grade: B+

I love Donald Harington! He is a great writer. He can make even a ghost seem sad and funny and full of life (ha ha). Seriously, this story mixes a sketchy heroine, a sketchy innocent young boy, and one of my favorite epic journeys home to Stay More. Almost every Harington novel has one, a journey home, a long description of the town and the mountains and what makes even a ghost-town feel like where you belong. That the heroine feels this way having never been before makes it all the more magical and inspiring. I think this is a redemptive tale, it's just hard to see at times. In his beautiful way, he makes even the worst offenders at home in his magical redneck world. There are characters like these in my small town, and I think underneath the "Lolita" homage is a real look at this part of small-town life in the Ozarks.

This is a wonderful and fascinating book. I live just a few miles away from the real 'Arcata Springs' and 'Fateville', and have visited the 'Halfmoon' dozens of times. I have even met the author at the 'Halfmoon' before. I urge you to read this book.

Those fans of Harington's Arkansas hokum should be warned that this is a Lolita pastiche and, as such, contains a it's fair share of sexual imagery. Actually, I stopped reading it as there were rather too many spurting fluids - and I don't consider my self in the least prudish; it was just tooo squishy - not at all erotic, just biological and rather unpleasantly grubby - like a display of someone's dirty underwear.

Try Harington's other "Staymore" novels - they are wonderful.

I was extremely disappointed in this obvious imitation of "Lolita." There appeared to be no spirit, no life force or reasoning behind Ekaterina's prepubescent preoccupation (apart from the mention from her experience at age 19); at least Humbert (in "Lolita") had an impetus for his fascination that wasn't sexually related. The lack of love, concern, or caring in "Ekaterina" is ludicrous, and makes for an upsurd piece of "literature." And the switiching between the "surreal" and the "real" was enough to give a person a headache. It was more bizarre than a Dali painting. I think Nabokov would roll over in his grave if he knew about this. Don't waste your time with this rank imitation by Harrington - stick to the original master of satire, humour, and word play: Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov.