Random thoughts.
In a fable the events are usually exaggerated to make a point. In a novel they are more subtle. A fable or fairy tale is usually short with only one or two repetitions, maybe to allow the main character to make a mistake and later become a hero in spite of his shortcomings. Or to show that one must keep on trying to succeed. In a novel the pieces of a puzzle gradually form a cohesive picture, through various constructs like feelings, actions, reactions, results. Usually we have a setting which forms the backdrop for actions and the constraints for behaivour. Magical realism adds off-beat quirky observations and unpredictable interpretations
"Of Bees and Mist" combines magical realism, fairy tale, family saga, and the details are often exaggerated - terrible births, really bad family relationships - and repetitive due to lack of subtleness. Add to this the disorientation because neither time nor place give indications of what we are to expect or what cultural rituals the characters are supposed to adhere to. Aside from universal emotions, day to day life is painted in shades of past and present, snippets of east and west, and images made up by the author.
I laugh when I see the contrasts of old and modern, purposely set side by side: "All around the house they hid Samuel's inventory in flour sacks and shoeboxes, in tin oil drums and cookie canisters, ...."
I am fascinated by the storytelling, and though I often shake my head when yet another generality makes me have to make a decision, I carry on. I wonder, is it meant to be real or metaphor, or both? For instance: "Patina had a lump in her heart." Of course, she should have a lump in her heart. She has a sad life. I have a lump in my heart for her. But then Pilar intends to pay for the surgery. "Lump" must be real, I think.
What I really love in the story are the little gems of wordsmithing. Things like: "Pausing for breath, Pilar began scratching the crescent birthmark on her chin. The sharp lines around her mouth shivered like cobwebs in the breeze."
All in all it isn't an easy book to read, in spite of which I can't put it down. I admire Erick Setiawan's effort to draw a timeless, cross-cultural picture of complicated family relationships. I hope that Meridia grows into a confident young woman, a difficult task in an atmosphere of bees and mists and marigolds and roses, and trickery and deceipt. I do wonder though, how she learns to do the right things without having role models. How, for instance, does she learn to talk to Samuel, the dealer? She says she learned it from Eva. This means she learned to be "worldly" without being bitchy. Interesting.
Carmenere_lady wrote:
As I have stated in other posts, I have been having a hard time with the story from the get go. Yes, the bees are getting quite tiresome as Eva continues to drone on and on and on. We get it, she doesn't shut up! Any other man but Elias would have put a stop to it one way or another, especially after the Noah fiasco. The mists are just as aggrativating to me as the bees, though less so. It's a long story which repeats itself over and over again and I'm getting a little bored. I thought fables were short to the point stories with a moral. I'm still reading so I may hit the moral eventually, but it's not short. Some readers have compared this story to Life of Pi, which I love and holds a permanent place in my library, so I am still hoping for the best to come.
vivico1 wrote:
You know, I am having more trouble deciding what I think about this book, the further I read. I really love the story of these families and all the relationships and feelings in them. And it goes along for some time really drawing me in when then, something happens that is totally told in a metaphor, or metaphysically and I suddenly have to stop and say ok, now what the heck was that?? Or I have to tell you, I am getting tired of Eva's bad emotions just being referred to as bees now or her actions those of the bees. It was kinda cool at first and I liked that little aha moment of hearing that the bees were actually words coming out of her mouth, in the earlier chapters. But now I would like to see her emotions and actions described in more terms. Rather than just picturing the bees around people now when she is at them, or more bees being more affect, I want to know what is in her mind. This is a very descriptive book but the bees are starting to wear on me as a description of thought or action. I am the one wanting to swat them away now and get back to the story! Also some things, I just don't get! Maybe someone who likes fantasy or supernatural books are loving this but I don't know. I mean, some of these people are dying and being buried. Others just become transparent, brilliant and just poof! Hey, saves on the funeral bills I guess, if everyone is fine in the story that some just do that.
I really do like the story, but I really am starting to not like the mystical way its told at times. Some of it is still good, some feel redundant and some just feel like, well I don't know what. But as I said, I do like the storyline enough to keep going with it. I want to see what happens to everyone. Its just getting hard tho. Is anyone having any feelings even similar to me on parts of the book?
Message Edited by Carmenere_lady on 06-15-2009 07:35 AM
