Book 14 - Jeanette Winterson "Sexing The Cherry"

[jazzy_dave]

Jeanette Winterson "Sexing The Cherry" (Vintage)






In Sexing the Cherry, Jordan is found floating in the River Thames. A large woman, known only as the Dog Woman, rescues baby Jordan, and brings him up like her own son. But Jordan, having been ‘born’ of the river, belongs to the river, and it isn't long before the flowing waters reclaim him once again, as he sets of with sails to travel the world.

The book is told with alternating narratives, first Jordan, then the mother, then Jordan again and so forth. But while the mother’s narratives sound like actual accounts of what is truly happening in their world, the same can’t be said for Jordan’s narrative. Because you see, Jordan is a dreamer. His richest experiences are in his dreams, as he travels to places not yet known to him, but which he believes to perhaps truly exist.

Having dreamt of a beautiful dancer once, he then sets off in search of this elusive character. Which brings him to meet the Twelve Dancing Princesses. They, who were supposed to have lived happily ever after with their twelve princes, are now living together as sisters once again. They each tell him their story, and each one of them as enchanting as the next. All very unpredictable.

Towards the end of the book, we are introduced to another pair of characters, now in 1990. Nicholas Jordan is also a dreamer, someone who dreams of sailing and travelling the world, and to do so he decides he wants to join the army. During this time, he reads a newspaper article about a nameless woman who sits by a polluted river to draw attention and create awareness about what damage the world is suffering from.

Her thoughts (I assume these are her thoughts and beliefs), having been molded into the story, read just as beautifully as fiction.

Comments

[tjoel2]

Sounds like an interesting story!

[artkouros.livejournal.com]

I thought it said "Sexting the Cherry", which for some reason makes more sense to me.

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a really good book. :)
Hugs, Jon

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Totally was.

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

I have read Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit and have been wanting to read this one. Now you've made me want to read it even more!

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

I've put on reserve at the library :)

[calico-pye.livejournal.com]

I hold this book responsible for me wanting to be a writer. I read it when I was in my early twenties and was stunned that a book could be non linear and so captivating. If you haven't already done so, read her book 'The Passion.' First of all, I couldn't get into it - then when I did, I couldn't put it down.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation.