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Milkman - Anna Burns

Milkman by [Burns, Anna]

Description

In an unnamed city, where to be interesting is dangerous, an eighteen-year-old woman has attracted the unwanted and unavoidable attention of a powerful and frightening older man, 'Milkman'. In this community, where suggestions quickly become fact, where gossip and hearsay can lead to terrible consequences, what can she do to stop a rumour once it has started? Milkman is persistent, the word is spreading, and she is no longer in control . . .

Review

I wasn't going to read this book, but as I had just been over the water myself and was intrigued to find out more about an account of the "troubles" I decided to. Luckily for me it was also available on Borrowbox.

I had to keep leaving off the book to read other things. Partly because it was heavy going with the constant stream of narrative and the type face so small, partly because it was in places unnerving and mainly because it was annoying with the author choosing not to use any names.

I can understand the literary device for no names - to emphasise the time of the troubles, the not knowing of names or speaking of them. In fact I had my eyes opened to so many things of that time that I only experienced second hand through the news over the water.

About two thirds the way through I actually did enjoy the book as it became more of a personal narrative rather than observational. It was still hard going. You need to set time aside to appreciate this book and it is definitely not a beach read.

I'm giving this book three out of five stars - as it is after all Books in my Opinion.

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