Autobiography of Red: A Novel in VerseAlfred A. Knopf, 1998 - 149 pages In her first novel in verse, Anne Carson bridges the gap between classicism and the modern, poetry and prose, with a volcanic journey into the soul of a winged red monster named Geryon. ;;;;;;;; There is a strong mixture of whimsy and sadness in Geryon's story. He is tormented as a boy by his brother, escapes to a parallel world of photography, and falls in love with Herakles--a golden young man who leaves Geryon at the peak of infatuation. Geryon retreats ever further into the world created by his camera, until that glass house is suddenly and irrevocably shattered by Herakles' return. Running throughout is Geryon's fascination with his wings, the color red, and the fantastic accident of who he is. ;;;;;;;; Autobiography of Red is a deceptively simple narrative layered with currents of meaning, emotion, and the truth about what it's like to be red. It is a powerful and unsettling story that moves, disturbs, and delights. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Aeroperu Ancash Ancash's mother ANNE CARSON Argentina arms asked Geryon autobiography AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF RED baby-sitter banana began beside blank blanket blind Buenos Aires burned called camera cigarette climbed cold cupi checa dark door dream Emily Dickinson eyes face floor front fruit bowl garotte Gertrude Stein Geryon felt Geryon paused Geryon sat Geryon walked Geryon watched Geryon's brother grandmother grinned hand hard Harrods head Helen Herakles Huaraz Icchantikas Inca Kola inside jacket Jucu kitchen knees ladder lava Lazer leaned light Lima listening little red looked morning mouth moved night Okay overcoat past photograph PING PING PING plate porch pulling Quechua question Red Patience roof rose seawall side silence sitting sleep smell smiled sound stared Stesichoros stood Tango tell thought Geryon turned voice volcano waiting wall window wings word yellowbeard