Customer Reviews

Possession

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

 

 

"Possession" is far above and beyond the kind of books usually labelled "romance." It's lushly written, with exquisite characters, great poetry and interweavings of legend and myth. It's almost chastely erotic, mysterious and dripping over with Victorian-era romance. It's hard not to be drawn in.

A young scholar, Roland, stumbles accidently on an old letter from acclaimed poet Randolph Ash. He soon has reason to believe that the letter was to Christabel La Monte, a lesser-known "fairy" poet -- except Ash was happily married, and La Monte was single all her life. Roland and the chilly fellow scholar Maud investigate caches of hidden letters, poems, and diaries by the lovers, wife, friends and relatives.

In the past, the cordial letters of Christabel and Randolph blossomed into love and passion. They vanished for a short, blissful time together. But what happened to Christabel and Randolph's love, and why did Christabel leave England, while her companion Blanche committed suicide? And how do these events somehow involve Roland and Maude's own growing attachment?

They say the pen is mightier than the sword, and in "Possession" it's a valuable historical tool. When words are hidden or read, it can change perceptions and even lives. Byatt's own words are wonderfully lush, dreamy and vivid. Given the rather formal language and writing, it almost seems like a nineteenth-century novel, as if Byatt got so swept up in the characters that she started writing like them.

Byatt has an excellent eye for the language of the era. The letters, poetry and fiction of Christabel and Randolph have a very authentic feel. Especially since Byatt manages to change tones for different people's writing (Christabel's poetry was a bit reminiscent of Emily Dickenson's). The only problem is when the book veers into long tangents; Byatt seems to get a little off-track there. But most of the time, the richness of Breton legend adds depth and mystery to an already beautiful novel. The sunken city of Is, the legend of Melusina, and many others are here.

Byatt gives us an amazing look at the ill-fated lovers, Christabel and Randolph; you can feel their passion and love. They aren't just attracted to each other, but drawn together in the mind and spirit. The supporting characters, such as the artist Blanche and devoted, wistful Ellen Ash, are equally well-drawn; you can't dislike any of them. Roland and Maud seem a little anemic by comparison, but they are still compelling characters, caught up in a love affair from over a hundred years ago.

After taking the recommendation of a good friend, I found that "Possession" is the kind of genuine, heartwrenching romance that you don't see much of -- meetings of minds, genuine passion and love. It's a beautiful thing, and something to be deeply treasured.

When my sister gave me this book and told me I had to read it, I was hesitant. I'm not one for most romance novels, but the art on the cover intrigued me. Once I began, I couldn't stop. Byatt seamlessly weaves two relationships set years apart into a delightful, inventive, breathtakingly written whole. The characters, especially the poets in the earlier story, seem so real, and so much of their world is meticulously created, down to some of the poets' actual poems, that I was almost convinced they really existed. This book worked for me on many levels: literary, romance, and mystery-solving. It's got my vote for one of the best novels of the 20th century.

This is by far my favourite novel as it incorporated lush imagery, beautiful poetry, romantic storylines, heartbreaking emotions and enough intellectual stimulation as to render it right up there with the classics of literature! I read this first in high school and it moved me deeply (which is rare with me and modern literature). You feel what the characters feel, you want what they want. Possession is just an extraordinary literary masterpiece and I recommend it fully.

What is it about this book that transforms one into a hauntingly romantic magical place like no other. Some pages were rather tedious that I had to skip them, but still a very unique and unforgettable read. I was thinking of giving 5 stars but felt that the writer was stilted and failed to be convincing as to the depths of feeling in the two main relationships, hence the 4 stars.

I am a huge fan of A,S, Byatt's book of the same title. I felt the movie adaptation to be excellent.

POSSESSION is quite simply one of the finest, most engrossing books I have ever read.

A fearfully dull book in which the author cleverly, no doubt, records the history of very dull people of no interest!

Despite coming up with possibly one of the greatest ideas of the 20th century, Byatt, in all her annoyingly feminist glory, has failed completely to construct anything which might in any way interest even the most inanely boring person on the face of the planet. Each and every character is lacking in charisma, humour and, in fact, any other attractive facet about their personality, offering the reader no interest or reason for empathy, thus leaving no hero, so necessary to such a story.

Then there's the sub-plot literature which was all, unfortunately, written by the woman herself. To interlink the text with poetry and letters is, admittedly a good idea, but the quality is dire. Could it be more pretentious to fill a book with sections that the author herself admits will not be read by most? And chapter 10...just too long. So unneccessary.

This is, without a doubt, the single worst book I have ever had the misfortune to read, and would recommend it to no-body other than those who consider suicide by boredom a good idea.