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Wednesday, March 20, 2024

788. The Passion

The Passion
Jeanette Winterson
1987
Around 160 pages



















After a string of bangers, we get something more in the middle of the road. But I'll take it, I know there is much worse in the pipeline.

Henri is a young French man who joins Napoleon's army and becomes Napoleon's personal chef. We delve into the past of Henri, who participated in the French invasion of Russia, and Villanelle, a young woman who helped them with the Russian villagers.

It was interesting how Winterson contrasted the placidity of Henri's culture with the passion of Villanelle's. I don't think the magic realism was very seamless, but everything moved along swiftly enough, and she chose an intriguing historical backdrop for a setting.

Unfortunately, I can't muster up much passion for The Passion.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

On 5 November 2019, BBC News listed The Passion on its list of the 100 'most inspiring' novels.

UP NEXT: The Afternoon of a Writer by Peter Handke

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