I don't remember where I'd heard about this book. But, in Barnes and Noble looking for a book to take on the plane from LA to NC, I settled on this one. A story about a woman in a keep sounds fun, right?
No.
First, the narrator is off. We get through a few pages before we get to a physical description of him. I've never ever been so at odds with an author about what the main character looks like. Never.
Second, the narrative is split between that at the castle (and, thus, the keep) and a male prisoner who is ostensibly writing the castle narrative. Contrived? Anyone? It's also pretty clear who the prisoner is in relation to the castle story. From the beginning. And this split narrative is not savvy--it's only real result is preventing the reader from being invested in either narrative.
Third, the prisoner is writing the castle story as part of an in-prison writing program. The writing teacher praises the prisoner's writing unabashedly. So, Egan has written in a character who will praise her writing. Lovely.
Fourth, the woman in the keep. Not so big a part. Not all that interesting.
Fifth, the climax. Ha! Not so much.
Sixth, the most honest part of the book? The last chapter which is from the p.o.v. of the female writing teacher. Yeah.
Maybe this is a good book club book for those who don't so much read books. Maybe. I don't know because I read books and this one just isn't up to snuff.
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