Monday 14 November 2011

Seven Types of Ambiguity by Elliot Perlman

Cover of "Seven Types of Ambiguity"Cover of Seven Types of Ambiguity
This 600+ page story is made up of seven sections which have at their core an impulsive act by which one of the main characters, Simon, attempts to win back the attention of his ex-girlfriend Anna, who has long since left him, moved on to someone else, married and had a child.  
Ten years after their relationship, Simon — an unemployed and directionless ex-teacher — can’t move on. And when he does make a move, his action has consequences for Anna, for her husband, for Simon’s psychiatrist, for Simon’s hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold girlfriend, and of course for Simon himself.  
Each of the seven sections is narrated by a different character and gives us a slightly different angle on the central story, and all these angles explore the ambiguities of human relationships. 
I found the book too long and sometimes pretentious and occasionally preachy.  But I still found a lot of it compelling and the long read was worth it in the end. 
Recommended

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