How to get along with women by Elisabeth De Mariaffi The title is misleading. To any man who picked up this book with the desperate hope to find a step-by-step walkthrough for socializing and understanding women, he would have been disappointed. This book is the first book by Elisabeth de Mariaffi and, astonishingly for a premier effort of a small press, nominated for a Scotia Bank Giller prize in the year 2013. It does not directly tackle the baffling intricacies and complexities of women. Instead, it digs deeper into the psyche of numerous believable characters whose personalities, voices, and background stories are as raw, relevant, and applicable as they can be in today’s society. The book is a collection of short stories, the first of which is said in the perspective of the characters Mary and Zelda.
The two women from the first story, Dancing on the Tether, are mother and daughter. As a reader would go through their stories, a reality solidifies itself: that their family is dysfunctional. The non-linear story telling builds up to produce an effective reflection of an ineffective family dynamic and both women’s reliance to men. Despite the verbally and physically abusive nature of Mary’s partner, they remained living together under the same roof. The results diffuse to Zelda, who copes by being sexually provocative towards …show more content…
The main protagonist was a flight attendant named Anna. Marieffi told Anna’s story in a non-linear fashion and was effective in heightening Anna’s emotions at the end of the story. Through the use of memorable flashbacks that were vivid and descriptive, readers can feel the tension in the van as Jeannine shows a collection of photographs she describes to come from a horror show. The photographs were of Anna’s brother. From the vivid flashbacks, it was effectively implanted to the readers how strongly Anna felt for her brother. As an act of retaliation, Anna reveals Jeannine’s
The two women from the first story, Dancing on the Tether, are mother and daughter. As a reader would go through their stories, a reality solidifies itself: that their family is dysfunctional. The non-linear story telling builds up to produce an effective reflection of an ineffective family dynamic and both women’s reliance to men. Despite the verbally and physically abusive nature of Mary’s partner, they remained living together under the same roof. The results diffuse to Zelda, who copes by being sexually provocative towards …show more content…
The main protagonist was a flight attendant named Anna. Marieffi told Anna’s story in a non-linear fashion and was effective in heightening Anna’s emotions at the end of the story. Through the use of memorable flashbacks that were vivid and descriptive, readers can feel the tension in the van as Jeannine shows a collection of photographs she describes to come from a horror show. The photographs were of Anna’s brother. From the vivid flashbacks, it was effectively implanted to the readers how strongly Anna felt for her brother. As an act of retaliation, Anna reveals Jeannine’s