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Bear by Marian Engel
Nov. 9th, 2021 08:45 amI was given Bear by Marian Engel for my birthday this week. And, I realise I am known for being fond of bears, but this book takes that concept perhaps a bit too far... It certainly made me uncomfortable in places, though overall it is beautifully written and very compelling.
It tells the story of Lou, a historical librarian, who is sent to a remote Canadian island to catalogue the library in an old house. There is no running water and no refrigeration - but there is a bear, chained in a log cabin in the back yard.
I have read that the book is a feminist exploration of the benefits of communing with nature, over the disappointments of interacting with men. Though I'm not sure the bear provides a very satisfactory alternative in the end.
I actually felt rather sorry for the bear, though he does receive more proper love and looking after from someone other than Lou eventually.
This is a weird book - its cruder passages jar quite jaggedly against the generally gorgeous, descriptive prose. And it's definitely not for the easily shocked. But it was a very interesting read.
It tells the story of Lou, a historical librarian, who is sent to a remote Canadian island to catalogue the library in an old house. There is no running water and no refrigeration - but there is a bear, chained in a log cabin in the back yard.
I have read that the book is a feminist exploration of the benefits of communing with nature, over the disappointments of interacting with men. Though I'm not sure the bear provides a very satisfactory alternative in the end.
I actually felt rather sorry for the bear, though he does receive more proper love and looking after from someone other than Lou eventually.
This is a weird book - its cruder passages jar quite jaggedly against the generally gorgeous, descriptive prose. And it's definitely not for the easily shocked. But it was a very interesting read.
