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Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Actress” by Anne Enright, W.W.Norton & Company, March 2020
Anne Enright, author of “Actress” A Novel has written a poignant, intense and emotional story. The Genre for this Novel is Fiction, although there is a feeling that it is a memoir or biography. The author explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter. The timeline for the story is set in the past and the author’s present when it pertains to the characters or events. Katherine O’Dell is an Irish actress that has also been on the stage in England and The United States. Norah is her daughter and at times has questions about her mother’s role as an actress and the deep dark secrets that she feels are being held from her. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. Norah is on a quest after her mother’s life to learn the answers to these questions.
The story starts off very slowly and is detailed, but then becomes repetitive and confusing. There is one part of the story where Norah is celebrating her 21st birthday, her mother and other guests celebrating around the table. Then all of a sudden, there is a 58-year-old version of Norah, who is married with grown children. The mother is proud of her new appliances in Ireland and then is in the United States on the stage. The author mentions the grandparents, and then it appears we are in a different place. Perhaps some pages in the ARC were missing, but it was frustrating keeping track of what was going on.
I would like to thank W.N.Norton & Company and BookBrowse Books for the Advanced Reading Copy of “Actress A Novel” by Anne Enright.
Linda's Book Obsession: 