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Title:
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Solitude of Prime Numbers, The |
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Authors:
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Giordano, Paolo |
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Genre:
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Fiction |
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Pages:
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348 |
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Year:
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2009 |
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Language:
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English |
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Description:
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Alice and Mattia are two lonely children who undergo life changing childhood trauma. The impact of these experiences and the bond they develop as teenagers spills over into their adult lives. A disturbing yet compelling story of friendship and emotional suffering. Translated from Italian. Winner of the Premio Strega award. [Larger font]
Comments from Groups:Most enjoyed the book immensely and found it easy to read but pertinent to their lives. Auckland 238One of the best books we have discussed. Plenty of opportunity for reminiscing, discussion of different ways of bringing up children, as well as consideration of character and plot. Palmerston North 008Most enjoyed it. Good discussion re people who don't fit in / like to keep themselves apart. Also, re adolescent cruelty and bullying. Waikanae Beach 004It dwelt on some unhappy issues - anorexia and self mutilation with explanations but not much insight. Auckland 020.Plenty of discussion. The majority found the story bleak, depressing and the characters too dysfunctional, while at the same time recognising the quality of the writing. Picton 002
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Categories:
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Fiction, Translation, Italy, Larger font |
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Reviews
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By: PAIHIA 003
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2021-09-27 13:44:17 |
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Well-written, but not a very comfortable book to read. For those who like a happy ending - not very uplifting. |
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By: WANG 008
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2021-09-27 13:40:17 |
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Overall the majority enjoyed it, and most comments were positive, but not a Top 10 read. |
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By: DUNED 002
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2021-09-27 13:39:10 |
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Well-written, but we found the ending frustrating. |
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By: MOTUE 001
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2021-09-27 13:37:50 |
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The comments ranged from "brilliant", through "interesting" and "touching", to "uninspiring" and "unbelievable", in equal measure. So, a lively discussion, with no one changing their opinion! But the majority thought it a worthwhile read. |
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By: DUNED 039
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2021-09-27 13:27:46 |
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Generally, most of the group enjoyed the book and it stimulated considerable discussion. Most of us found it easy to read and a good translation. Some of the characters were more believable than others. |
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By: TAUR 018
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2021-09-27 13:26:13 |
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We all found it a very interesting read, although a bit melancholic! But plenty to talk about. |
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By: AUCK 162
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2021-09-27 13:23:12 |
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The author enables the reader to experience the inner lives of his two main characters from adolescence into adulthood - two damaged individuals with dysfunctional families. This was discomforting and for some, difficult to connect with the characters. As a debut novel, quite impacting. The prime number analogy is well supported by themes of isolation, incompleteness, loneliness and conflict. |
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By: AUCK 010
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2021-09-27 13:19:55 |
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Only a few of us read this, but those that did thought it an excellent, thought-provoking book. |
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By: CHCH 116
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2021-09-27 13:19:04 |
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We didn't feel sympathy for the main characters. Well-written and observed, but a gloomy read. |
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By: AUCK 389
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2021-09-27 13:17:16 |
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This book created the most discussion in a while. Whilst not 'enjoyable', we found the use of prime numbers to explain the individuals' personalities and characteristics compelling. The use of prime numbers added an extra layer to the relationship between the two protagonists. We particularly enjoyed the revenge of the wedding photos as a humorous anecdote within Alice's challenging life. |
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By: WHITIAN 001
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2021-09-27 13:13:08 |
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Mixed reactions. A few loved it, a few didn't like it at all, a few mid-way. |
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