Piers’ Desire by Marianne Ackerman
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Short Summary:
Set in Avignon France, Piers’ Desire is a literary thriller. A 44-year-old failed monk from Montreal is living in exile, writing pulp thrillers under a penname (Piers Le Gris), when his landlady’s luscious young niece moves in, shattering their quiet routines. Magali’s youthful sensuality and her tormented affair with a young Arab poet sets in motion events which expose hidden secrets, driving both Piers and Nelly (who is 70) to surprising actions.
My Review:
I struggled with this book. I kept pushing myself through the story reasoning that it was short, that I could do it. I’m now regretting that resolve.
The only thing positive I took from this story and the experience I’ve had reading it is the feeling of satisfaction once I put it down, knowing that I made it, that I actually finished the book.
This is a story that, from what I can tell, is about hopeless love. The style in which the story is told reminds me of looking through a piece of fractured glass. It’s a bit blurry, kind of crazy and, if you look long enough, will give you a doozy of a headache.
I think the author intended to be abstract, smart, stylized in her writing. Instead I got confused, frustrated and bored. I’m really disappointed by it as I thought the premise of the story was interesting. It reminded me of the old Hitchcock movies from the description.
I can’t honestly say I’d recommend this book to anyone. But, as always, these reviews are my opinion and you are welcome to take them or leave them as you see fit.
