Strengths and weaknesses

After reading Sputnik Sweetheart, I found that it was an interesting book, with many different strengths and weaknesses. The main problem with the book is its slight lack of storyline, with the story seemingly going round in circles and twisting and turning until reality is inseparable from the surreal world the book inhabits. This, perhaps, makes up for the lack of story, as it is incredibly thought provoking and an really interesting book, not only to read, but also to flick through and choose random pages, as each one is guaranteed to have a sentence or phrase that sets your mind spinning. Another strength of the book is its characters, although slightly unrealistic, are quite easy to empathise with on different levels. I'm not suggesting that everyone feels split in two, or is trapped in unrequited love, but certain feelings from all of the characters come through to make the book so much more than just a story to the reader. Another strength is the amazing use of metaphors and turns of phrase that leave you truly engrossed in the lives of the occupants of perhaps the most complex love triangle literature has known, it is this and the many ways the book can be interpreted that makes this such an interesting read, as it has a different theme and ending, depending on who's reading it. Is it a story of love, jealousy, separation or just a very surreal book, to explain how people can be split, not literally as Miu is, but just as effectively. Perhaps this could also be considered a weakness, however, as the ending can leave you feeling slightly unfulfilled, as there is not really an ending as such. It is not known whether or not Sumire and K ever actually meet again, where did sumire go, did she find what she was looking for, did she and Miu ever make its as a couple? None of these questions are answered, at least not effectively anyway. the slight irrelevancy of some extracts is also quite infuriating, for example the huge amount of words donated to the nose of Sumires father. As fabulous as it might be, i hardly think its as important to the book as other subjects might be. However, overall, i feel this is a worthwhile book, and that the author has written an original and unique book that could be popular all over the world, despite cultural and slight linguistic differences.

WSS, book or film?

After the BBC showed their adaptation of Jane Eyre, it was only fitting that they then showed one of WSS as well. There are, however, some major differences between the film/drama (unsure which) and the book...

The one of the most glaring differences is the lack of part one, this makes up over a third of the whole novel, and explains a lot of things, including how Antoinette was treated as a child, and it also draws many comparisions to JE. Without this part, the film seems to be missing a major chunk of the storyline.

Another difference between the film and the book is that in the book you are left to create your own opinion of what is going on, and who is really mad. In the film you only get the directors etc. point of view, who seems to believe that Antionette was not insane, at lest, not to start with, and that we should pity her. Another view that comes across is that Daniel Cosway is made to look much more sinister. He frequently appears from nowhere, and seems much more malicious that the book suggests.

The most obvious difference though, at least to be, is the graphical nature of the film. In the book Jean Rhys only hints at sex, and leaves the reader to figure out a lot of things for themselves. The film is much more straightforward, simply showing you exactly what is going on. Most of the film seemed at times to revolve around sex, maybe because this is the honest opinion of the director (or whoever), or perhaps it was just to keep certain people of the audience interested.

Overall, I prefered the book to the film, although to be honest i didn't enjoy either. The book leaves the reader to form their own opinions and make up their own minds over who is mad, and what has happened, whereas the film is much less subtle. I did like where it was filmed though, very pretty.

Part 1 WSS

The start of Wide Sargasso sea describes the childhood of Bertha Mason, more commonly known as the mad woman from Jane Eyre. The start of Jane Eyre is quite similar to the start of this book, Bertha is a small and slightly odd child, quite calm and seemingly unloved, as Jane Eyre was. Antoinette is rejected by her mother over her brother Pierre a number of times, as JAne was by her Aunt Reed due to her children. This creates sympathy for Antionette. The main themes and motifs are introduced in this part, including isolation, red, fire, and racism,

Part one starts off being set in Coulibri Estate, but when this is burnt down the focus moves to to the convent where Antionette is sent to stay, as JAne was sent to Lowood, although Antionette seems to do better here. Coulibri is described as a beautiful place, but underneath the description is an underlying sinister feeling, the place seems to be slighly evil, especially with the forest almost swallowing it up. The convent, in contrast is described as all black and white, with no colour, but Antionette seems to feel safe here.

A few main characters are introduced, including Antionette and her mother, Annette. Annette seems slighly disturbed, we later find out she is mad, which is a parrelel to Jane Eyre, as Berthas madness is suppoisedly hereditary. Pierre, Janes brother, is also considered to be mad, and Antionette gives the impression that there is definatly something wrong with him, as he never speaks, and he eventually dies in the fire. However, Antionette says that he died before this. Antionette herself seems quite odd, to say the least, everything she says is stated coldly and calmly, for exapmle when she describes Mr Lutrells suicide and the horse being poisoned. The only emotive sentance used is when Coco the parrot dies, i found his bit distrubing, most likely because its the only part that shows true emotion on Antionnettes part. She also seems to struggle with trusting people, the only person she truely seems to trust is Christophine, but even then she is suspected of being an Obeah woman, and Antionette seems scared of her.