tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post2324269059061666814..comments2024-02-19T03:01:37.869+01:00Comments on Mary Okeke Reviews: A Question of Power, 1974, Bessie Head ****Mary Okeke Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-31753165020968703662017-05-19T16:27:54.054+02:002017-05-19T16:27:54.054+02:00Thank YOU Joshua... love your addition. Thanks.Thank YOU Joshua... love your addition. Thanks.Mary Okeke Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-89800100039490470932017-05-19T16:13:42.133+02:002017-05-19T16:13:42.133+02:00No doubt, A Question of Power, is the most disturb...No doubt, A Question of Power, is the most disturbing novel of Bessie Amelia Emery Head. It is a writing of "self" into a fictional narrative through Elizabeth, the most significant character. However, most readers find difficult because of its complicated and fragmented storyline(s). It is a novel in a hurry whose plotline is unaccountably dull. Bessie wrote that novel in less than six months particularly at the time she was going through some psychological pressures. She was alarmed. The novel, being the last of her fictional works before her death was or is a kind of good-bye to a world that inflicts pains on suffering humanity. Difficult it may, but, it is the best of all her responses to the binary notions of good and evil. Well done Mary! Joshua Agbonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-47991930468920883812017-05-11T19:57:58.283+02:002017-05-11T19:57:58.283+02:00Currently am preparing myself to use this lovely n...Currently am preparing myself to use this lovely novel in my main exam. The book is quite complex though very enjoyable if one has understood it. I would like to have an analysis on psychoanalytic perspective if anyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04828851382785305301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-23195497403844270592016-03-14T15:55:59.086+01:002016-03-14T15:55:59.086+01:00A good review i must say.However,thinking of the n...A good review i must say.However,thinking of the novel from the sychoanalytic view i cant really comprehend what led BESSIE HEAD to use one main character,Elizabeth to bring out the literary criticism of the situation in SOUTH AFRICA.What would be your sychoanalytic literary criticism of the novel in relation to the author and the other characters in the novel?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-60081213455745413542014-03-27T13:35:13.635+01:002014-03-27T13:35:13.635+01:00It was a deep read, I also must confess. Some time...It was a deep read, I also must confess. Some times beyond my comprehension too. However, it is no deterrent to ignore its singularity. Thanks for stopping by.Mary Okeke Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-74026210740476753112014-03-26T22:01:45.513+01:002014-03-26T22:01:45.513+01:00This woman was an amazing writer! I read someones ...This woman was an amazing writer! I read someones comments on this book somewhere, saying how much he thought it was a 'disastrous failure' and all, and I just laughed and laughed. Writing 200 pages of not so easily comprensible stuff takes A LOT of talent. Everytime I turn the pages of this book I'm met with a strong conviction that there's something waaaaaay more deeper Bessie was trying to pass across. Sadly I just can't tell what! :(Xavyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12067258188732558109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-46673994604722750622014-03-26T22:00:50.564+01:002014-03-26T22:00:50.564+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Xavyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12067258188732558109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-84903163473095296482014-01-25T20:22:36.281+01:002014-01-25T20:22:36.281+01:00Not an easy read but it really worth it.Not an easy read but it really worth it.Mary Okeke Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-18115938094811893712014-01-25T13:49:13.651+01:002014-01-25T13:49:13.651+01:00Currently reading the book for a class assignment ...Currently reading the book for a class assignment on the issue of the out caste. Jeez its so confusing. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-27979512233528282462013-07-16T22:39:14.273+02:002013-07-16T22:39:14.273+02:00Overpowering indeed.Bessie's life was quite a ...Overpowering indeed.Bessie's life was quite a perturbed one, or so I found it. All the same it was no deterrent to write overwhelming novels. I look forward to reading your review on The Cardinals.<br /><br />I hope to participate in more reading, paying homage to writers. Please, keep me posted.Mary Okeke Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-24623524252220071872013-07-16T19:39:57.330+02:002013-07-16T19:39:57.330+02:00A Question of Power can be overpowering to say the...A Question of Power can be overpowering to say the least. Head returns often to the motif of abandoned child, white mother/black father, societal rejection in a number of her books, including The Cardinals which is her first long work. I just finished reading that and will review soon. It's also mind-blowing.<br /><br />Thanks for the review and for participating. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-524989599345486862013-07-10T10:29:38.081+02:002013-07-10T10:29:38.081+02:00Yes, it was kind of difficult. From what I read on...Yes, it was kind of difficult. From what I read on other blogs, Maru is quite different from a "A Question of Power". I think the latter should not be the first introduction to the writer's work. it could deter one from reading her other novels.<br />Thanks for dropping by. Mary Okeke Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-83048227279613996132013-07-10T03:32:34.450+02:002013-07-10T03:32:34.450+02:00Although I truly admire a novel that writes madnes...Although I truly admire a novel that writes madness via the author's (even temporarily) inhabiting that state herself, it makes for very difficult and exhausting reading; I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this one, particularly as I opted to read <i>Maru</i> and left this one on the shelf...for now, at least. Another time.Buried In Printhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00808249065026802365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-68752253382315658492013-07-09T10:23:19.110+02:002013-07-09T10:23:19.110+02:00You said it all.. despite her mental breakdown she...You said it all.. despite her mental breakdown she wrote. I guess she was trying to decipher some kind of reality through her hallucinations. You know as you said, the power relations, and her victim-hood, though sad, helped her see it all from a different angle...<br />It was a powerful book indeed.Mary Okeke Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-27819815210278459602013-07-09T00:41:53.839+02:002013-07-09T00:41:53.839+02:00A Question of Power is a very special book. For an...A Question of Power is a very special book. For an author to describe hallucination and oppression whilst suffering it directly is a marvel. At best, it should have incapacitated her. But Bessie did not succumb. It's one of the reasons why I love the book. On the book itself, the power relations she captured were stunning. Her victimhood offered her a unique appreciation of power relations.<br /><br />Glad you read it, even if confusingly. It will settle. I was also confused. At first.ImageNationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06021414643103601330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-80078751308413861522013-07-08T18:44:48.492+02:002013-07-08T18:44:48.492+02:00Sometimes circumstances put one between a rock and...Sometimes circumstances put one between a rock and a hard place. It is easy to run mad when one is so unfortunate.<br />I look forward to reading your review on Maru. I hope it will convience me to purchase the novel.Mary Okeke Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-60619292338673858872013-07-08T18:35:28.915+02:002013-07-08T18:35:28.915+02:00Mary, when I rad A question of Power I could not m...Mary, when I rad A question of Power I could not make any sense out of it. I could not even grasp what you have written above. You've done a fine job of it. It's really unfortunate that Bessie had to go through all that. Though apartheid played a major part in her situation;, I believe that she also must have contributed in some way to her inevitable breakdown and illness leading to her death.Nevertheless, Bessie head's exceptional writing acumen is not debatable. <br /><br />I've read Maru which will be up on my blog soonReading Pleasurehttp://readinpleasure.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-63442767856760881532013-07-08T18:33:37.860+02:002013-07-08T18:33:37.860+02:00MD thanks for stopping by. I look forward to readi...MD thanks for stopping by. I look forward to reading "When Rain Clouds Gather".<br />Mary Okeke Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-787628751143580152013-07-08T17:05:32.853+02:002013-07-08T17:05:32.853+02:00Thanks for your review. I have been reading Rain ...Thanks for your review. I have been reading Rain Clouds Gather which I think is a much easier read. It makes same points about hardship and isolation, but without the hallucination.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-66224097580593958522013-07-08T15:06:08.991+02:002013-07-08T15:06:08.991+02:00Lisa, I must confess it was not an easy read. Thou...Lisa, I must confess it was not an easy read. Though, it was quite interesting and insightful.Mary Okeke Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-10027736132677180312013-07-08T15:04:00.276+02:002013-07-08T15:04:00.276+02:00Lol.. Perhaps. Though similar state of mind would ...Lol.. Perhaps. Though similar state of mind would be unbearable.Mary Okeke Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093194142479071407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-77786533090166503532013-07-08T14:35:29.902+02:002013-07-08T14:35:29.902+02:00Hi Mary, I've ordered this book, it looks diff...Hi Mary, I've ordered this book, it looks difficult, but interesting.Lisa Hillhttp://anzlitlovers.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086606904260296965.post-80745550666674094172013-07-08T13:59:59.830+02:002013-07-08T13:59:59.830+02:00It must be an interesting read. Anyway is it your ...It must be an interesting read. Anyway is it your case that you could only have avoided the confusion( as you indicated) by being in the state of mind that Thr writer was in?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03300330946046100674noreply@blogger.com