- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Fourth Estate; Reprint edition (5 Aug 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1841157791
- ISBN-13: 978-1841157795
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.4 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,007,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
Praise for ‘The Binding Chair’:
‘A spellbinding novel, ruthless, moving and utterly without sentiment.’ Mail on Sunday
‘“The Binding Chair” is a disturbing, beautifully plotted novel, intricate in its detail and panoramic in its sweep. It presents us with a world in which tragedy is natural and everyday, where beauty is a reminder of cruelty.’ Daily Telegraph
‘Harrison’s mesmeric voice compels the reader towards the inevitable climax. “The Binding Chair” is a beautiful account of the lives of two very different women and the difficulties they face in their quest for independence.’ Observer
‘A vivid family saga. The characters come alive on the page. Harrison has convincingly captured the Shanghai of the early 20th-century, a jarring, cacophonous, swarming city of possibility.’ Evening Standard
On Harrison’s first memoir, THE KISS:
'One of the most startling books you are ever likely to read.' Gill Hornby, Observer
'I couldn't stop reading this. I'll never stop remembering it.' Mary Karr, author of The Liar's Club
'An unforgettable tale, a work of searing honesty, of immaculate literature.' Kate Figes, Independent on Sunday
'Remarkable for its candour, but also for its elegance, its sense of morality and its generosity of spirit.' Eliza Charlton, Sunday Telegraph
'Harrison writes like an angel.' Penny Perrick, The Times
'Remarkably moving.' Penelope Mortimer, Daily Telegraph
'Heartfelt, extraordinary … This is a book that, once read, refuses to go away.' Marie Claire
Rebecca Newman, Saturday Telegraph
'Harrison's restraint is spectacular...A haunting allegory of contact, possession and isolation.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a story about a scientist, Bigelow, who builds a weather observatory in Ancorage in 1915. He falls for a native woman and becomes obsessed by her. Without spoiling the story it really is beautifully written and it made me realize how powerful silence can be - the Aleut woman comes alive in the book - you could almost feel the longing that Bigelow has for her. I liked the research that Harrison had done regarding the weather testing equipment/readings. At times I felt that I was observing Bigelow, following his every move and feeling his deepest desires. After you finish this book you'll still think about it.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A beautifully written story set in Anchorage, Alaska during the days after the government land auction. The novel is subtle yet gripping, and descriptions of both the beauty and misery of the weather and the newly growing town feel utterly real. And although written from the point of view of an (obsessed?) young man, I personally thought it was also very romantic, with the details of the silence of 'the woman' beautiful. loved it!
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Kathryn Harrison's style is poetic and contained - almost selfconsciously so, actually. But that is perhaps an unfair observation when the result is so haunting. It's like seeing a miniature world reflected in a shard of ice - hey, Kathryn seems to have inspired me to be lyrical as well! That can't be a bad thing.
The sleeve of the book talk about "sexual obsession", which sounds rather dark and menacing - but the story itself seemed to be about redemption and maybe even love. I suppose the enigmatic style means you can read it either way you want to. Isn't it quite satisfying when authors allow you to decide for yourself?
The sleeve of the book talk about "sexual obsession", which sounds rather dark and menacing - but the story itself seemed to be about redemption and maybe even love. I suppose the enigmatic style means you can read it either way you want to. Isn't it quite satisfying when authors allow you to decide for yourself?
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