⇒ PDF Gratis How to be Both edition by Ali Smith Literature Fiction eBooks

How to be Both edition by Ali Smith Literature Fiction eBooks

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How to be Both edition by Ali Smith Literature Fiction eBooks

If you begin with the 15th-century tale, “Eyes,” you will be greeted with a swirl of words that you eventually learn are apparently those of the ghost of the painter Franceso(a) della Cossa, who has painted a wall in an Italian town and wasn’t properly paid. The painter-spectre goes on in a stream of spookconsciousness, weaving the story of the wall painting with the observations of a contemporary teenaged girl, Georg(e)(ia), who is visiting the site of the painted wall with her mother and younger brother.
What fun there is in this part (quite a bit, actually) stems from the shade’s attempts to make sense of modern electronics, as well as some gender bending (if that sort of thing still amuses you, go for it). And you’ll gain knowledge of life in early Renaissance Italy. All the while, you’ll learn how one paints a wall.

The e-book version gives you the choice of starting there, or instead choosing the other tale, “Camera,” which is George’s. Shortly after their visit to the artwork, George’s mother died, and she’s trying to get over her grief. This story is told in the third-person and far more clearly (I doubt if you’ll have to do any flipping back here, as you may well want to do in the painter’s tale.) Anyhow, it’s really, really special, as it weaves back and forth in time as once-lively and witty Georgia gets through her grieving. As you go through it, you’ll recall some of the scenes and some of the comments made in “Eyes” by the painter.

Interestingly, the two tales seem to reflect their eras: the Renaissance tale swirly, witty, larger than life. The modern tale dryer, flatter, ironic more than somewhat. They meld together nicely.

Of the two tales, "Camera" is more successful. There's not a false note in it. Perhaps the author as a teen was as amazing as is her George. "Eyes," of course, is an imagined past, and lot of what's in it comes from research, not life. The artifice shows through more. (And how could it not? It's a tale told by a ghost, after all.)

It is my understanding that half the copies of the physical books start with one story, half with the other. If you have purchased a copy that starts with “Camera,” however, I would definitely recommend that you start with “Eyes” anyhow. It really seems to make more sense that way. At least to me.

Notes and asides: The Kindle version’s AI counts the story twice, because if you load “Eyes” first, then you get “Camera,” and then you get the whole thing in reverse order. And amazingly, each tale ends precisely at the true halfway point, which the AI thinks is the 25% point. When I noticed that, I thought for certain that if Georgia were reading this book that would no doubt amuse her.


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How to be Both edition by Ali Smith Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews

I read this book in the order fifteenth century first, then 21st. (The meaning of this will become clear later in this review). Having had the chance thread both versions I think I fortuitously made the right choice. Magnificent language, delightful character(s), Ali Smith is a joy to read. George and her 15th century alter ego is a delight, and contrary to the opinion of an earlier reviewer I found her not pedantic, but intelligent and perceptive. As a reader you have to work at your reading of Ali Smith, but oh the joy of discovery.
I am aware that the printed books are printed half with the 15th century first, and half with the 21st, so it's a lottery which one your have - but the e-book that I purchased had the 15th century story first, followed by the 21st; followed then again by the 21st and then the 15th again; in other words two books for the price of one! 😊 not sure whether this was intentional, but I dutifully read on through, expecting at any minute to find a twist. It was only when I had finished "both" books that I searched the web to discover th intention.
I think that I read first in the right direction, for the 15th century story contains much material foreshadowing the 21st century one. Although I think that the e-book might give some clue as to the dual nature of the writing, I thoroughly enjoyed and was richer for the experience.
I just... I know I'm being wrong by rating this two stars when it got soooooo many awards but I found the whole process of reading this kind of torturous. I know that it's a different kind of narrative and that the plot... I actually had to go to Wikipedia and read a summary because I had no idea of what was going on.
Maybe I'm too old-fashioned, but I like my stories or novels with a beginning, a climax, and an end (or an open ending, whatever). But I didn't enjoy this novel at all, although I will say that I ended up highlighting a few phrases that I found lovely (but overall would not read it again). If you like modern literature, go for it, I've heard rave reviews from others who understood what was going on.
If you like more "usual" lit, mayyyyyyybe give it a go to see if you enjoy the genre.
If you begin with the 15th-century tale, “Eyes,” you will be greeted with a swirl of words that you eventually learn are apparently those of the ghost of the painter Franceso(a) della Cossa, who has painted a wall in an Italian town and wasn’t properly paid. The painter-spectre goes on in a stream of spookconsciousness, weaving the story of the wall painting with the observations of a contemporary teenaged girl, Georg(e)(ia), who is visiting the site of the painted wall with her mother and younger brother.
What fun there is in this part (quite a bit, actually) stems from the shade’s attempts to make sense of modern electronics, as well as some gender bending (if that sort of thing still amuses you, go for it). And you’ll gain knowledge of life in early Renaissance Italy. All the while, you’ll learn how one paints a wall.

The e-book version gives you the choice of starting there, or instead choosing the other tale, “Camera,” which is George’s. Shortly after their visit to the artwork, George’s mother died, and she’s trying to get over her grief. This story is told in the third-person and far more clearly (I doubt if you’ll have to do any flipping back here, as you may well want to do in the painter’s tale.) Anyhow, it’s really, really special, as it weaves back and forth in time as once-lively and witty Georgia gets through her grieving. As you go through it, you’ll recall some of the scenes and some of the comments made in “Eyes” by the painter.

Interestingly, the two tales seem to reflect their eras the Renaissance tale swirly, witty, larger than life. The modern tale dryer, flatter, ironic more than somewhat. They meld together nicely.

Of the two tales, "Camera" is more successful. There's not a false note in it. Perhaps the author as a teen was as amazing as is her George. "Eyes," of course, is an imagined past, and lot of what's in it comes from research, not life. The artifice shows through more. (And how could it not? It's a tale told by a ghost, after all.)

It is my understanding that half the copies of the physical books start with one story, half with the other. If you have purchased a copy that starts with “Camera,” however, I would definitely recommend that you start with “Eyes” anyhow. It really seems to make more sense that way. At least to me.

Notes and asides The version’s AI counts the story twice, because if you load “Eyes” first, then you get “Camera,” and then you get the whole thing in reverse order. And amazingly, each tale ends precisely at the true halfway point, which the AI thinks is the 25% point. When I noticed that, I thought for certain that if Georgia were reading this book that would no doubt amuse her.