[ilds] Reflections on a different method of entry.

[Denise Tart & David Green]

It struck me last night that a difference between Prospero's Cell and Reflections on a Marine Venus is that the former begins with a 'discovery of yourself' and the later begins with a discovery of the main characters; Gidgeon. Hoyle, Croker and Mills - and the Marine Venus, foam born and ripe of body. Indeed it is Mills who says "above all, introduce your main characters right away. Give the reader a chance to see if he likes them. It's only fair."
Before we even meet Mills, the author has done this.

Reflections is less of personal journey than Prospero's Cell. It is more structured, lacking the journal entry style, revealing, perhaps a writer growing in maturity and confidence. The story is told far more through the characters and their dialogue than through the poetic muse of the writer himself. In this respect it looks forward to Bitter Lemons rather than back to Prospero. Prospero's Cell is a gem, unique, but Reflections is a better book, much more of a novel and arguably more fictitious than PC; the writer emerges out of the the self absorbed note taker.

David


Denise Tart & David Green
16 William Street, Marrickville NSW 2204

+61 2 9564 6165
0412 707 625
dtart at bigpond.net.au
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