Customer Reviews

The Enchantment of Lily Dahl: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book reminded me very much of Jonathan Carroll's type of novels. Siri Hustvedt has created a very appealing, likable heroine in Lily Dahl, and the supporting cast is wonderful. Like Carroll, Ms. Hustvedt seems to have all kinds of ideas for this novel; she can't seem to choose which genre or storyline to use, so she hops around from one type of story to another.

Ordinarily this would annoy me, with the novel beginning as a love story (or an erotic novel, take your pick), then a coming-of-age novel, then a sort of fairy-tale, then a murder mystery, then... I don't know what. Some things are never answered or explained inm this novel, but somehow even the unexplained and out-of-place parts of the novel don't irritate the reader. Rather, they enrich the story, give it all kinds of elements. Hustvedt's dream sequences, for example, wouldn't seem to have anything to do with the novel, and yet they add to it; the story wouldn't be nearly as engrossing or lovely without them.

Ultimately, even though the novel misleads you several times, The Enchantment is still a wonderful book with all kinds of elememts in it that make it strange and engaging and beautiful. Lily Dahl is a wonderful character, and I found myself wanting to read about what happens to her after the end of the book, not an easy feat for a novel.

Lucky for us, Siri Hustvedt went on to write greater things, and we can expect even more of her as she hones her craft. "The Enchantment of Lily Dahl," he second novel, will disappoint those readers who absolutlely loved her novel "What I Loved," an emotionally gripping, sophisticatedly plotted and lyrical novel about the intersections of love, art and life in 1980s and 1990s New York City. I found nothing really enchanting or enchanted about Hustvedt's protaganist in this one, a blond buxom waitress withering as in smalltown Minnesota but hoping for a career as an actress. The story might have been about a young woman discovering something within herself and her surroundings, but instead, the reader gets a murder mystery with a psycho, as well as a handful of caricatured and unbelievable characters who all seem to love Lily Dahl but never seem to get her. Don't judge Hustvedt by this one.

Like `The Blindfold' a self consciously post-modern novel filled with empty signs and cultural observation. What I felt her central goal in this novel was to capture the human content of a typical American woman, star-eyed and given to thoughts of her image more than thoughts of her self. At first, it seems that the story might be sacrificed for these random but poignant observations, but by the end you are left with a fragmented image of a woman, cut up by the short-sightedness of society and the misogynistic nature of men. As with her prior novel, she always keeps a tight focus on her heroine, but has succeeded to a much better end a carefully plotted narrative. Like Atwood's `The Edible Woman', the image of what the heroine sees herself to be is eaten by the woman herself, or buried in this case, in order to be redefined by the woman herself. The novel is beautifully written and an engaging read.

"Shall I project a world?" asks Oedipa Maas in Thomas Pynchon's "The Crying of Lot 49". That is what Siri Hustvedt has done magnificently in "The Enchantment of Lily Dahl". She shows us the world of Lily, a 19-year old who lives in a small town in Minnesota, replete with Norwegian Bachelor Farmers (to borrow from Garrison Keillor) and various other strange and quirky characters. Lily works in a diner but aspires to be an actress and has, in fact, been cast as Hermia in the local production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. She feels a special affinity with Marilyn Monroe and uses her as an inspiration. This is the year of taking risks for Lily! The description of the way she brings herself to the attention of Ed Shapiro, former professor turned full-time painter, who lives opposite her is both erotic and mesmerizing - it is almost as though the scene is happening in a dream. There is a dreamlike atmosphere throughout the book and a feeling of compulsion where Lily is concerned. We often feel that she has no choice but to follow her feelings and desires. Her relationship with Mabel, a former professor in her late 70s, who successfully helps her study her part in the play and greatly improve her interpretation, is very well done. The book is full of surprises and laden with atmosphere. I recommend it highly. Just set aside some time to read it because once you start it you won't want to interrupt it for anything!!!

This book is enchanting at it's best, but at times slightly odd and contrived. Hustvedt has a knack for developing female protagonists. I enjoy her simple but rich style and it's apparent that she has compassion for human beings from all walks of life. I appreciate the risks Hustvedt takes on certain topics. She doesn't hesitate to include feelings about bodily fluids, desire; details that American writers tend to shy away from. Hustvedt obviously has a very natural view of sex and sensuality, which is shared with us as she conveys the struggles of a female coming of age. The parallels between the characters in A Midsummer Night's Dream and the townsfolk are very effective, especially in describing Lily's maturation both as an actress and as a woman. Most disappointing from this novel is the convoluted mystery that unfolds towards the end. This section should have been left out.

I like realism like the best of them, but when I got to page 8 and read about gobs of yellow mucus, I threw the book aside. Too much reality for my weak stomach. I came to Amazon's website and read some of the critiques, all very positive. Then I wondered if I should give the book a second chance. I picked it up and got a second dose of reality, this time having to do with tampon insertion. Argh! This time I planned to take the book along with other castoffs to the thrift store. Before that happened, though, and because life is full of serendipity, I stumbled upon a commentary on this novel. The critic was very compelling in his praise, so I gave in and picked up the book for the third time (besides, I hate not to finish what I start).

It seems that after those very eschatological moments, Siri Hustvedt got it all out of her and continued in a pretty clean route towards the development of her novel. I have to admit that I liked it a little bit. I think she does a very good job portraying the state of mind of a young woman who is smart but aware of her educational shortcomings. The relationship between Lily and her old neighbor Mabel is crafted in a very smart way, because little by little, and way before the end, the reader can see the interdependence that these two women develop. I was very satisfied with the ending, which was a relief after so much of the novel was spent in a dark path of anguish. I was not so interested in the "mystery" that went along most of the book, but rather Lily's thoughts and ultimately, her `enchantment'. After all, I was happy I finished the book, and you should too.

Rarely have I read a novel that lets us get to know the main caracter this way. Reading this, in a way outstanding, mystery novel, you can't help being "forced" into the life and thoughts of Lily Dahl. I had trouble putting the book away, even though it at times (seldom) could feel a bit long. I do not know whether to call the book a mystery novel per ce, but it certainly kept me intrigued 95% of the time. Defenitely recommended, especially for those who enjoy the works of her husband, Paul Auster. By mentioning this, I do not mean that she has quite the same style, but rather that she in some way be inspired by his work. If you read this, as well as her debut novel, The Blindfold, you will understand what I mean.

I liked the book, but after reading What I loved my expectations were high and I was dissapointed.

This is not as well written or as gripping.

The book does potray succesfully the sensation of being in a constant dream: Characters do things because they feel compelled to, not because it makes any sense for them to do them. This is interesting for a while but it get's tiring fast

Some characters are well built (Lily's neighbour, for instance, is a delight to follow) but the book in general does not match the intensity of other Hustvedt novels

Beautiful young girl, small town. Lily is both enchanted and enchanting. The characters are fully realized; I know these people. This is what Lake Wobegon would be like if all the children were not above average.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone. The characters developed throughout this book are real, relative, and engaging. You move through the story along side these individuals. However, this is not purely a character driven story. It appears that way in the beginning, but in a seemless fashion you realize mid-way through that there is much more going on. You begin to feel that edge of your seat pressure building inside. The ending does not disappoint, but it is at no time too fantasical to be true. There was a point in the book that I thought it might take that turn into unrealistic fiction, but this book is a winner and the author made all the right choices. If you enjoy woman-centric books with strong female leads - do yourself a favor and buy this book. As a side note, I would also like to mention that the font used in this book is pleasing to the eye and easy to read.