I am having trouble getting Goodreads to save this review. So here goes again!!!John Banville writes the most beautiful, lyrical prose. (Must be the Irish gift of the gab!!) his writing just carries you along and you want to read more and more of his story.This one focuses on an older man's memories of his first love -- the mother of his school friend. Banville captures the young man's yearnings, fantasies and sullen withdrawal's when he foes not get his own way. The older man, an actor, is reminded of these memories as he gets involved with a young starlet as he is making his first ever film after a successful stage career. Banville takes us through snippets of the man's memories of love, loss of his daughter and relationship with his wife.A great read. Well written although I feel the author was trying to impress the reader of his vocabulary. Needed the dictionary a few times. This book grew on me as te story progressed. The affair between Alex and mrs Gray required a bit of a stretch of the probability of not being discovered for so long and some may struggle with the immorality of the situation, but hey, do we really know what goes on in this world? Not sure of the connection between the affair and Alex's daughter's suicide; I felt they were two separate stories...maybe someone can enlighten me?
What do You think about Ancient Light (2012)?
Um livro excepcional muito valorizado pela excelente traducao para o portugues
—noah
4 1/2. Very good, as usual. Still I prefer The Sea from the same author.
—elena299
Language and a life to get lost in. Quality from start to finish.
—tammy
Beautiful story with very moving parts.
—truenature
