SynopsisBeatrice and Miriam are sisters, sharing little except an unhappy childhood. Beatrice is a pianist, a romantic, while Miriam is disillusioned after a failed marriage. While they have a home and a few acquaintances in common, neither confides to the other what is in their hearts.
This novel about two sisters leading quiet lives, is typical of the other Brookner novels I have read; There is a feeling of solitude and disappointment in these characters, who are middle aged, intelligent women, with only few other acquaintances. The sisters inability to talk to one another leads them to more solitude, like so many people each of them dosen’t really appreciate the other. As with other Brookner novels I have read, this is written beautifully, and is poignantly touching. I enjoyed the descriptions of solitary walks in the park and the even the melocholic feeling that Anita Brookner manages to bring to her writing. I am not registering any of currently unregistered Brookner novels on BC – as I have decided to keep them. Anita Brookner is fast becoming a bit of a favourite – or one of them at least.
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