Actress
Enright, AnneWho better to recall the rise and fall of Irish theatre legend Katherine O'Dell, than her daughter Norah. After all, she has been present in the wings for much of this dark and dazzling life. From Hollywood and Dublin to London's West End, Norah bears witness to many of her mother's on and off stage performances.
Lyrical and emotionally insightful, this is a tender portrait of a fictional mother and daughter's intertwined lives, anchored with an enduring love and shaped by cultural expectation and exploitation.
Pages
263
263
Year
2020
2020
Reviews
25-10-2023
Enjoyed by all members.
13-03-2023
Beautiful writing as usual from Anne Enright, but not everyone enjoyed it.
12-01-2023
For those who enjoy Irish writing this was much enjoyed. For the others it was not an easy read.
08-09-2022
An intriguing and enjoyable book which gradually reveals its secrets. Beautifully written.
29-08-2022
Our group was rather underwhelmed by this Anne Enright novel. Found the obtuseness and structure over complicated for no good reason.
18-08-2022
Not an easy book to read. We found some difficulty in being sure which character was speaking or spoken about, and the shadowy reference to the husband of the narrator. An accomplished writer with a vivid use of language. Really seemed about a life of pretence on the mother's part, and her difficult relationship with the daughter.
27-06-2022
An interesting account of theatre life in that period. Complex plot and well researched.
23-06-2022
Mixed reaction from the group. Beautiful writing but less interest in the actual story.
22-04-2022
Mixed feedback. Some couldn't finish it while others found it well-written.
11-04-2022
The responses to 'Actress' were variable - several of the group had not completed the book; three commented on how well-written the novel was, but found the story either difficult to engage with or tedious. Another thought the use of memoir writing as a device was a clever technique and added authenticity to the characters and location within the novel.
02-08-2021
Well-written as always, but the plot wandered!
05-07-2021
A light read, funny and enjoyable - loved some of the Irish expressions.