I was very excited to read this book, as I count Writing Down The Bones as one of my all time favourite books and was intrigued to read some of Goldberg's fiction, to see how she puts all those gems of writing inspiration into practice.It's an interesting story she tells here - and I have visited New Mexico and adored it, and found the descriptions of the landscape in the novel very authentic and evocative. I found Nell/Banana Rose a bit irritating as a character though - her naivety was sometimes endearing but there were times when I just wanted to give her a bit of a shake! But wouldn't we all like to do that to our younger, less experienced selves....if you have known heartache in any shape or form, you'll identify with Nell and her story.Having said the above, it is an honest and moving book, quite funny in places too, and really hits home my writing tutor's assertion that character is plot. While I didn't always like her, Nell/Banana Rose does move everything along in her own way. The writing and the observations come from a deep place. There are vignettes from the story that stand alone - the memory of her learning how to make grilled cheese, for example. Perhaps it rambled in places, but I didn't mind that much. If you are a fan of Natalie Goldberg, you will probably enjoy it very much. For those who don't her or her work, it might be a bit harder to get into. But give it a try. If you've ever been to New Mexico, or to Taos specifically, you'll appreciate how much she loves the place, it just shines through in the writing. If I want to smell the pinon, see Kit Carson park and the adobes, or be reminded of what a green chile cheeseburger tasted like, it hits the spot. I will probably pick it up again when I want to be reminded of the time I spent in that wonderful part of the world.
I just finished reading Banana Rose by Natalie Goldberg for one of my book clubs. I honestly cannot recommend this book. The book has a good premise (hippie girl tries to find herself and becomes a real artist in New Mexico) but the author does a terrible job fleshing out the characters. They are not believable and the dialouge rings false. The dialouge feels very contrived and artificial. Almost every chapter (sometimes every paragraph) had a sentance that just made me say "Ugh!" For example, from page 187..."After my mouth had been kissed to the color of plums and the shape of Italian tomatoes and my body was a pregnant fruit, Anna stood up." The book is filled with visuals like that one that just feel yucky to me. Another thing that annoyed me about the book was that the author had her name and the title of the book printed across the header of each page. Why? I thought the story was decent but I just hated the writing.
What do You think about Banana Rose (1997)?
I'd listened to Natalie Goldberg's audio CD on Zen and writing and enjoyed it, so when I saw Banana Rose in the used bookstore, I couldn't resist. Would her fiction live up to her writing instruction? It did. An enjoyable look at the wild hippy life of a New York Jewish girl. The writing is fresh and vital, transporting you to the world of Banana Rose and her lover/husband Gaugin. If I had a complaint, it would be that Banana remains painfully naive and without a trace of the political theory that inflamed the 1960's. The result of too much Zen?
—Cdrueallen
I enjoyed the description in this book-it seemed appropriate to me that a painter/hippie would describe her emotions using color descriptions and nature metaphors. I think I struggled with the straightforward simplistic nature of Banana Rose's character. This may be consistent with her hippie ideals-but her ability to easily accept monumental events in her life...or at least to describe heart wrenching experiences in a passive voice-was difficult for me to relate to on a personal level. Portions of Banana Rose dragged on for me-but not so much that I regret reading it.
—Carla Stafford
I would really have preferred to give this two and a half stars, but that option isn't available. I adore Natalie's books on writing -- Wild Mind and Writing Down the Bones are staples on my shelf -- and her writing is vivid and wonderful. But she mentions writing this book in Wild Mind, I think it is, and a friend points out to her that the book has no plot. It's really loosely based on her own life, and I guess I would have had a better opinion of it had I gone into reading it that way rather than thinking of it as a work of fiction. Also, I felt very sad when I was finished reading it so I probably wouldn't read it again.
—Mycala
