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Product Description
Product Description
Edgy, funny and devastating, Self is the fictional autobiography of a young writer at the heart of which is a startling twist. This extraordinary life meanders through a rich, complicated, bittersweet world. The discoveries of childhood give way to the thousand pangs of adolescence, culminating in the sudden shocking news of an accident abroad. And as adulthood begins, indecisively, boundaries are crossed between countries, languages and people . . .
About the Author
Yann Martel was born in Salamanca, Spain, in 1963, and now lives in Montreal. He is the author of a collection of stories, The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, and two novels, Self and the Booker Prize-winning Life of Pi.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After 'The Life of Pi', Yann Martel established himself as a great author. However, I doubt as many people would have read the life of poi if they had read 'Self' first!
Yann Martel's writing is excellent, very well-paced and enjoyable to read. Hoiwever, I was really troubled by the story I must admit. In this book he tries to explore the pains of life through anumber of different identities: the beginning of the book is autobiographical, then the main character suddenly becomes a lesbian woman. The identities continue to change without much warning or any particular reason. Yes, sex is very explicit in this book and so is violence. I suppose although I was quite drawn to it out of curiosity rather than suspense or un-put-down-ability of the book, I'm not quite sure I'd recommend it too highly. If you want a good introduction to Martel, start with the life if Pi!
Yann Martel's writing is excellent, very well-paced and enjoyable to read. Hoiwever, I was really troubled by the story I must admit. In this book he tries to explore the pains of life through anumber of different identities: the beginning of the book is autobiographical, then the main character suddenly becomes a lesbian woman. The identities continue to change without much warning or any particular reason. Yes, sex is very explicit in this book and so is violence. I suppose although I was quite drawn to it out of curiosity rather than suspense or un-put-down-ability of the book, I'm not quite sure I'd recommend it too highly. If you want a good introduction to Martel, start with the life if Pi!
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Upon hearing the name "Yann Martel", I assume people will immediately conjoin the words "Pi" and "Booker" to it. Yet for a canny insight into the award-winning writer's life (or so it seems), not to mention a less prophetic and philosophical read than his other work, Self would be the one to opt for.
The blurb reads "What is fiction? What is autobiography? Where do the two meet?", with this question repeated for Man-Woman and Violence-Happiness. I can safely say that Martel has indeed blurred the boundaries between these words, these concepts, thus demolishing societal norms and adding a delightful new dimension to the autobiography genre. I admit it may not be to the tastes of hardcore readers of this genre, but for those looking for a distinctly unique and heady mélange of fiction and reality (many of Martel's real experiences are subtly peppered in), there's simply no other place to go.
As for where Fiction & Autobiography, Man & Woman, or Violence & Happiness meet... read the book and decide for yourselves - the answer may not be what you expect, much like the novel itself.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I loved Life of Pi, and I am reading Beatrice & Virgil.
I am a Yann Martel admirer (I was at his recent book signing), but Self was so painful I gave up halfway.
It was self-indulgent dribble. Just painful. I guess the title should have been a warning...
I am a Yann Martel admirer (I was at his recent book signing), but Self was so painful I gave up halfway.
It was self-indulgent dribble. Just painful. I guess the title should have been a warning...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
bizarre but haunting...
From eye-fish to fluid gender this book is full of far reaching ideas and pretty shocking in some parts - but i have always had a belief that the finest forms of art leave the... Read more
Published on 20 April 2009 by R. Duffield
Food.
I can fault this novel with only one observation. The exploration of any 'Self' is so complex that both the title and the set questions are not fully answered. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2008 by Matter Stret
One of the worst books I have ever read
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. It was so painful that I could only skim the better part of it. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2006
Starts very promising, but unfortunately loses the plot...
I bought this book along with "Life of Pi", and chose to read it first. This is a very unusual book indeed. It starts off as an autobiography, and a rather delightful one too. Read more
Published on 11 July 2003
fascinating carrots
I read this book in a day, unable to give it up. I then re-read it in a week, taking my time to savour the genius of martel's writing. Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2003 by yasmin
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