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Actress

Enright, Anne

  13 Reviews

Who 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
Year
2020

Reviews

ROTO 010
23-09-2024
Book was liked and not liked, with one member giving it a -5! Most thought the narrative wandered too much. Other members found the writing beautiful, and one from Ireland recounted a very similar tale of her own movie star mother, very relatable whereby the daughters had to 'maintain her story'. Discussed fabrications and dominance of the mother figure, and if there are any secrets we want from our mothers before they pass, or we need to reveal as mothers.
TEAWA 004
25-10-2023
Enjoyed by all members.
TIMAR 007
13-03-2023
Beautiful writing as usual from Anne Enright, but not everyone enjoyed it.
WAIHEK 002
12-01-2023
For those who enjoy Irish writing this was much enjoyed. For the others it was not an easy read.
WHANG 008
08-09-2022
An intriguing and enjoyable book which gradually reveals its secrets. Beautifully written.
DUNED 015
29-08-2022
Our group was rather underwhelmed by this Anne Enright novel. Found the obtuseness and structure over complicated for no good reason.
WELL 142
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.
AUCK 135
27-06-2022
An interesting account of theatre life in that period. Complex plot and well researched.
ALEXA 004
23-06-2022
Mixed reaction from the group. Beautiful writing but less interest in the actual story.
CHCH 319
22-04-2022
Mixed feedback. Some couldn't finish it while others found it well-written.
KATIK 005
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.
AUCK 038
02-08-2021
Well-written as always, but the plot wandered!
NELS 014
05-07-2021
A light read, funny and enjoyable - loved some of the Irish expressions.