Today the Slaves of Golconda will start discussing Sexing the Cherry by Jeannette Winterson. Please drop in on our group if you want to join in.
I was excited when we chose this book because Jeanette Winterson is a writer I had wanted to read before but I’d often heard her writing could be difficult to get into, so I figured being able to discuss this with a reading group would hopefully give me a greater understanding.
The story is set in the seventeenth century and its two main characters are the Dog Woman, a gigantic and fearsome creature, and Jordan, the child she rescues from the Thames.
In a creative tale that mixes time travel, fairy tales, historical events and a touch of magic, Jordan follows his dreams and travels the world with Tradescant, one of the gardeners of King Charles II court.
“Every journey conceals another journey within its lines: the path not taken and the forgotten angle. These are the journeys I wish to record. Not the ones I made, but the ones I might have made, or perhaps did make in some other place or time.”
The novel is told in alternating chapters and while I preferred the narrative of the Dog Woman because it was so unexpected and bold, one of my favorite sections was when Jordan meets the 12 princesses. This is Winterson’s retelling of the Brothers Grimm story with a feminist perspective. Unlike the Grimm story, where it is up to the Prince to choose a princess, here the young women decide their fate.
The women in this novel are no simpering misses, instead they are powerful and assertive. The Dog Woman recounts tales of sexual adventure in the same manner as brutal acts she has committed.
Truly, I think the Dog Woman will go down as one the most memorable characters in fiction that I’ve ever come across. While I can’t say I loved this story, I’m definitely glad I’ve finally read it. I found it ambitious and grand for such a slim novel.
The Dog Woman sounds like she would be memorable. What an interesting book. I will have to look for this one. Maybe I can talk one of my book groups into reading it. 🙂
You make this sound good. It’s going on the list. I hadn’t heard of it until your review.
Wow. Congrats for finishing this work and for the review.
Do you plan to read other works by Winterson?
Literary Feline – She was… Fierce! It was an odd book. I feel like it touches on so many aspects… gender, time travel, oh my. I think it’d be great for a reading group so you could discuss it!
booklogged – I hope you’ll check it out! It’s a strange one but interesting.
Isabel – Thank you! I forgot to mention that this is also one of my reads for your 9 for 09 challenge! I would read another Winterson but I’d probably wait a while.
The women in the novel are definitely great characters — it’s funny that while Dog-Woman is so horribly violent, Winterson leads you to sympathize with and care about her, and we don’t hold the violence against her. That’s a feat to pull off!
Fascinating! I have wanted to read this due to curiousity on the funky title. I just saw another review of it yesterday. It’s a sign that I must read, I think.
Now you have me so curious I will have to get this book and read it.
Thanks for the teaser…really. Wisteria
This sounds fantastic! My library has both this and Oranges are not the Only Fruit, and I have a feeling I’ll be reading then both before long.
This is one of those books I had misjudged. Saw the title and nixed it, thinking it would be something on feminism etc. I know, dumb! Now I’m curious and think I just may pick thi up the next time I’m at Borders. Thanks for the review! 🙂
I have never read any Winterson so good for you taking on the challenge. I always enjoy reading your reviews and it makes me consider books I might certainly have passed over.
Dorothy W. – Oh that’s so true. I hadn’t even really thought of that! I’m really enjoying our discussing on the forum. Will go back to check it out tomorrow.
Care – That is one interesting title isn’t it? I actually kept waiting for the reveal within the story to see where the title comes from.
Wisteria – Glad that interested you and hope you’ll check it out. Even though I didn’t love it, I’m very glad to say I finally have read something by her.
Nymeth – I’m a bit curious about her newest book The Stone Gods which I believe is a bit more of a sci/fi bent. Hope you’ll check out the books and I’ll be looking for those reviews 🙂
Kisane – Well, it is very much about feminism and really the men in this story, aside from Jordan, don’t really fare too well. I didn’t touch too much on that but that’s just because I am finding it so hard to put together some thoughts on this one. I’d say check it out and you’ll probably know within the first few pages if you’ll like it!
christine – Thanks girl. I’d be curious what you thought of this one. There is magical realism as well which I know you like but it’s so different from the magical realism in the latin authors. I am trying to point out what exactly but haven’t figured it out yet!
I’ve been wondering what this book is about. The title is certainly eye-catching.