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Al Limite Della Notte (2010)

by Michael Cunningham(Favorite Author)

3.39 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

8845265358 (ISBN13: 9788845265358)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Bompiani

review 1: This book falls into a category that I find difficult to love: that of a book with no truly likeable characters. I found the art world setting of mild interest, but the aims and interactions of the characters seemed shallow and uninteresting. Unlike the suggestion in the book's promotional material, I do NOT think that it "makes us think and feel deeply about the uses and meaning of beauty and the place of love in our lives". Cunningham is a truly good writer (thus the 3-star rating), so I appreciated descriptions, turns of phrase, funny dialogue, but in the end my one word review would be: Meh.
review 2: This is close to brilliant. I still cannot fathom how Michael Cunningham can write like this. The book is on the long side, but though there is not much plot,... more it is never superficial; it just floats along, lightly, deftly, subtly. I was saddened as I approached the end, as it was a joy to read each page for the first time. Peter Harris is a middle- aged art dealer in New York, husband to the cool and detached Rebecca, and disappointed father to the awkward and angry Bea. To say that the arrival of Mizzy, Rebecca's much adored, very much younger brother, Mizzy, throws a spanner into the works is an understatement. In a very discomforting scene, Peter soon becomes aware that Mizzy is still doing drugs, and also recognises that he is increasingly fascinated by and attracted to Mizzy. Peter's thoughts and internal dialogue provide most of the " action" in the novel - the other characters float in and out, with some, such as Betty Rice, and the artist Groff, disappearing altogether. Along the way we are given enough information to piece together some of the key events in Peter's life; his early crush on Joanna, his brother's close friend, the death of his brother Matthew, likely from AIDS, though this is not made explicit, and his fascination with Rebecca's mildly eccentric family. Mizzy has convinced Rebecca that he wants to work in the arts so he accompanies Peter on a visit to a potential buyer, and it is at this point that things progress rapidly between he and Peter, culminating in a kiss. It is now that Peter seems to lose all perspective, and seems ready to toss everything away to run off with Mizzy. However it quickly becomes apparent that Mizzy is only concerned with stopping Peter telling Rebecca that he is still taking drugs, and has just a passing interest in Peter. The scene where Peter declares his love for Mizzy is both touching and embarrassing, with it finally dawning on Peter that he has misinterpreted Mizzy's intent. Mizzy now disappears off to continue his lifestyle in California and Peter has to face Rebecca who takes it badly that Mizzy has gone. Rebecca now questions her own life choices and seems ready to leave Peter.The novel ends with Peter and Rebecca agreeing to continue with their marriage. I have read many of the Goodreads review, and just can't agree with the many reviewers who think Peter is a whiny, over privileged, Yuppy. Ok, maybe he is privileged, but that doesn't invalidate his feelings, anxieties and desires. The young Peter seemed so uncertain of his own worth, and the older Peter was completely revealed in his vulnerability. There can't be many of us who don't have such feelings from time to time. At times I was completely stunned by Michael Cunningham's writing. I don't think his writing is particularly beautiful, as others have claimed, but he can completely and utterly get to the crux of a matter in a few words, and you just know that no other words would do. less

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