The Character of Rain: A Novel
by Amelie Nothomb
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Book Summary Information
Author: Amelie NothombEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-04-23
ISBN: 0312302487
Number of pages: 144
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Book Reviews of The Character of Rain: A Novel
Book Review: "I will tell you who you are..."
Summary: 5 Stars
I've always liked the idea of language - and how it must have started. What man's earliest words would have been - this book is a study in early awareness and the choosing of words.
I thought I'd figured out that the first word that Rain would speak would be "Nothing" ("Vacuum" her third word was a close runner-up). She was a blend of King Lear and Emily (from HIGH WIND IN JAMAICA). And the early hammering home of Nothing in TCOR made me sure this was likely to be her first spoken word.
I was struck by the clean shift in gears from the early open tube writing to the awakened child. The first line that stuck with me was p. 28: "Memory is one of luxury's most indispensible allies." The quick etymology of "infant" - "incapable of speech" (57). Rain's 7th word "Sea" and the Emily's earthquake-like description of Saturn & its ring (58). Rain's first rescue from drowning. The related knowledge that it might be "better to let someone die than to deprive him of his freedom" (63). The terror brought on by carp (and boys). Her father's involvement in Noh. Rain's affinity for water. The similarities in description to Rain's early "tube" state or no longer needing a tube or the fish as tubes (58 & 115).
Another kicker: "Tell me what disgusts you and I will tell you who you are" (116).
But the core of this story is the entire cascading series of falls that Rain must go through to become merely human.
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