Mister Hobgoblin Posted October 20, 2022 Share Posted October 20, 2022 Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies is a complex, poetic novel about a mother, Lia, her life and her cancer. This sounds grim, but it is actually quite beautiful. Lia has a family - a daughter (Iris - a legacy) - a colourful past and an ambiguous relationship with religion thanks to being the daughter of a vicar. Lia's story is intertwined with Iris's story, chopped up and scattered about the place in a series of digressions. All interspersed with the voice of the cancer, with its array of facets or friends. There is a narrative story in amongst it all, and the story does set up the opportunity for some conflicted emotions within Lia's family towards the end. There is also a stream of consciousness, meandering series of essays on love in its various meanings. There are occasional moments of despair, but mostly this is about life carrying on, even though it obviously won't. What does it mean to step away from life? And how will meals get put on the table in the meantime? There are complex themes in this novel, and as a terminal patient, Lia is able to consider them without really having to own the long-term consequences. She is able to observe the world with detachment, occupying an almost ghostly status after announcing her imminent departure and actually leaving. The best way to enjoy the text is to let it wash over you, seeing patterns and flashes of light as they pass, but without feeling the urge to be in full control of the text. ***** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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