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Title: Intelligent but unexpected
Review: The thing is, Siri Hustvedt's first novel, The Blindfold, was so different, so brilliantly dark, and the same went for The Enchantment of Lily Dahl. The darkness is still there in What I Loved, but the intensity has been watered down *a lot*.Here there is more narration than introspection. And after the women of her first two books (slightly neurotic but very interesting), I felt a bit let down by the characters Violet and Erica- it felt like Hustvedt was holding herself back.I thought the book was still very good- stylistic, well-executed. The story is engaging, this time more 'familial', and full of speculative thoughts on relationships and love. It is also especially nice to see Hustvedt come back to discussing, through Bill's character, the topic of painting.. which she talks about with amazing intelligence and flair.
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