(Guest Reviewer Michael McCormick)
This is an enjoyable book that can be read on several different levels. The main theme is the story of Meg. It describes her web of relationships, particularly those around Dartmouth. Meg lives with Christopher, but is unsure whether this is a good thing or not. She earns a living from a series of science fiction stories she has written as well as being part of a group of writers who publish under the name of Zeb Ross. These all form distractions from her completing or even progressing with her novel.
Meg and her friends often muse on the nature of the story, from the very formal structures of Plato to the idea of a Zen story that has no beginning, middle or end and in fact no story.
Her life is also tied up with the mystical and mysterious. These are embodied by the author Kelsey Newman, who suggests that we will all become eternal after the end of time, and the Beast of Dartmoor; real of metaphorical?
The novel is structured in two parts, each with sections of dialogue or Meg’s musings. There is a conclusion of sorts. As to whether she resolves her misgivings about Christopher; read the novel and see.
(Our Tragic Universe was provided by Totnes Bookshop)
Hi Liz, somehow my blog suggested for me to read yours(we both reviewed this book). I tend to ramble in my reviews and liked how concise and to the point yours was. I sort of liked Our Tragic Universe b/c it had interesting ideas but I found it a little hard to get through. Anyway, good luck with your reading!–Eric
Comment by bookbent — January 6, 2011 @ 5:10 am |
Thanks Eric. This one was reviewed by Michael McCormick; it’s on my list as well to read at some point, especially as it’s about a writer.
Comment by elizabethducie — January 14, 2011 @ 7:51 am |