6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
TOUCHING, WELL-DRAWN PORTRAITS, December 19, 2001
This review is from: Learning by Heart: Short Stories (Penguin Short Fiction) (Paperback)
It's too bad for fans of Margot Livesey's fine work -- and, indeed, for readers in general -- that this book is so hard to find. Her first published work, a collection of short stories, LEARNING BY HEART is on the surface entertaining and well-written -- on a deeper level, one can easily see the the subtleties of style and the incredible abilities of Margot Livesey already at work.
As readers of her novels have come to appreciate, Ms. Livesey is extremely adept in developing her characters. In the 10 stories contained in this volume, she unfolds them before us as one would gently turn the pages of an old, fragile book -- carefully, with great respect. Their lives open before us naturally -- they are never shoved into our face or our consciousness. This, combined with an attention to detail, fulfilling descriptive talents and an imagination from which springs compelling and completely believable stories and situations, make this an excellent showcase for a fine writer -- an entertaining and satisfying reading experience.
There is a particular grace with which she portrays human relationships -- be they among relatives or lovers or friends. With insight and compassion -- and never turning a blind eye to the harder areas of the human psyche -- she allows the individual facets of these relationships to merge into beautiful gems, much as a jeweller exercises skill in transforming what appears to be a rough stone into a thing of incredible beauty. Her characters are not drawn as saints -- they have their foibles and drawbacks -- they are human beings, no more and no less. Through the lens of a writer's camera, Margot Livesey allows us to see that humanity in them. We may not approve of everything they do, but we can see that humanity -- and from that sight grows understanding. This ability is one that has continued to grow and mature throughout her writing.
Since the publication of this collection in 1986, Margot Livesey has published several excellent novels -- if you're unfamiliar with her work, you should get busy. You're missing some of the best, most intelligent contemporary fiction available anywhere.
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