I’m over halfway through Possession at this point, and I’m dizzy.
As a general rule, I believe a novel should have at least made a small amount of plot progression by page 250.
Possession has the pacing of a curling match. To this point—and I emphasize “to this point”—it’s just dry. I’m struggling to read this book.
First, you’ve got the two stiff 1980s academics and their possible interest in each other. Then, you have their research—which involves the study of two Victorian poets who wrote an overwhelming slew of letters to one another, as well as to other people in their life, many of which you’ll have to read. Then, you have poems and fictional stories and fairy tales written by these Victorian poets, which are also included within the text of Possession.
It’s just a lot of layers. And I’m gathering that Possession takes a lot of patience to read—and to appreciate.
At this point—again emphasizing “at this point”—I don’t have the needed patience. But I’m hoping that I’ll begin to enjoy the story as I move further along into it.
I do everything I can to appreciate and enjoy these books from the Time list—because who wants to continue on through a book they dislike?—so I hope Possession picks up.
Any pointers to make this novel more enjoyable? Or does the suckage continue?
