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Anthropology of an American Girl A Novel Hilary Thayer Hamann 9780385527149 Books

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Anthropology of an American Girl A Novel Hilary Thayer Hamann 9780385527149 Books

This is a book sorely in need of an editor. The book is a veritable tome, clocking in at hundreds of pages, when 200 would probably suffice. The plot follows the late teens and early twenties of Eveline Auerbach, coming of age on Long Island and in New York City. For Evie, these years are entirely defined by her first love with an older man. That love is largely unrequited, so Evie compensates by filling her life with other unsuitable men. As the book progresses Evie describes her life, feelings, and surroundings in excruciating detail. While for some characters this might make for an intriguing book, Evie is not one of those characters. While unrequited teenage love will likely resonate with many, most of us grow up and get over it. Evie does not. Perhaps this is why I thought the high school section was the strongest part of the book.

Evie is the sort of character who lets life wash over her and lets things happen to her, and is convinced there's no other way for things to be. She also has tremendous talent for choosing bad men. Evie's parents were somewhat unbelievable characters, allowing her to move in with an older man, generally paying her no attention whatsoever.

I think I would have liked this book much better if it had been ruthlessly edited. I was expecting to love the book, and I did not.


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Anthropology of an American Girl A Novel Hilary Thayer Hamann 9780385527149 Books Reviews

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It took me some time to think about how to start this review not for the lack of content or enjoyment but because the topics discussed in this novel are extremely heavy and thought provoking. Anthropology of an American Girl by Hilary Thayer Hamann is strong and endearing. Yet these are only the first words that come to my mind. Do not be put off by the size or the amount of pages, as this novel spans a few years of Eveline Auerbach's life. Dictated through Eveline's expressive voice we are led believe that she is battling some form of anorexia amongst a myriad of other things that plague the lives of young adults. We follow Eveline through the ups and downs that adulthood brings, especially in Eveline's case. From a tumultuous and volatile relationship with men. It becomes evident that Eveline is quite attached to the men in her life going from one man to another.

As we begin the novel she is attached to Jack who is truly infatuated and in love with Eveline, while showing disenchantment with authority depicted during this time. Describing their relationship she said "For purposes unknown I had been entrusted with the care of his soul, and so it was the vile type of treason for me to have enriched his self-loathing". Quickly she evolves and falls for Harrison Rourke, their relationship is more than tumultuous - it is destructive and self- abusive- at times even obsessive. Ending the manipulative relationship between Mark and her, not only is the relationship physically abusive but depressive. Eveline is quickly and inexplicably in love with almost every man in her life. Yet as women we might be able to identify with each of Eveline's relationships. From the extremely volatile to obsessive to abusive we are quickly confronted with the possibility.

At times the literature can be reminiscent of the Twilight novels that dominate teenage literary culture. Evocative of the purely self-destructive manner in which Eveline speaks she says, "When people say time heals, they are wrong. Time simply extinguishes hope." Eveline Auerbach and Bella Swan certainly have a lot in common ranging from their obsessive nature in men to their self-destructive attitudes. Yet Eveline is so much more than Bella she is prophetic, bratty, dismissive, wise, intelligent, self-deprecating, intelligent, and poetic. Her worldview is suggestive of many disgruntled and disenfranchised youth that was very vociferous during this time period. When considering the opportunity the novel presents it becomes evident that we are educated about so much more then the monotonous life of a young adult.

When considering this new book it was initially not hard for me to connect with yet the language is somewhat verbose and at times evasive. The reader does not fully see the whole picture until the end of the novel. Do not be put off by the evasive language and if you can power through because this novel is certainly worth your time and is profoundly different from anything else of this specific genre. As a reader it becomes possible for us to connect with the piece but also each character you yearn for them simply because you want to belong in their unique group and somehow be the support for Eveline. If I were to suggest that you read one grandiose novel this year I certainly and wholeheartedly support this novel. Specifically for the way it makes you grieve, grow, love, and flourish.

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This was one of the best books I've ever read. I understand some of the critics of her highly descriptive and sometimes elitist or naive voice, but I think what they're overlooking is that is part of the character. the writing is exquisite, sometimes I did go back and re-read paragraphs to really get into her metaphors and descriptives. This isn't a book to rush through for a quick thrill, this is true literature, to linger over, ponder and read again. I personally grew up in the town she describes too and I found the details to be highly accurate, down to the corridors of the high school and the feel of the seasons and the placement of the streets. But the book is definitely not specific to any particular group (although being a woman helps, I dog eared some of her gender epiphanies to go back and allow them to mold me further later)I will definitely read this book again.
This lengthy, highly introspective, work follows the life of Eveline Auerbach in her last year of high school into her college years. This book leaves little doubt that for the thoughtful growing up is not easy how to understand the world, how to relate to people, realizing the fragility of life, experiencing loss, etc. Of course, it is doubtful that many of us knew anyone like Evie in high school. While not exactly disconnected from the real world, her interior world occupies much of her time. She eschews popularity, though she is a budding beauty, which does not go unnoticed by the macho types.

Her early high school years are made bearable through an intense friendship with the similarly inclined Jack. However, Evie’s life takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of a part-time drama teacher Harrison Rourke. She is completed taken aback with his good looks, virility, and quiet intensity. Even though Rourke fades in and out of her life over the next few years, her obsession with him never dims. Everything and everyone come up short in comparison to him.

It might be interesting to know someone like Evie – if such a person would even let you. But then again, like this book, it might all become wearisome. How much angst can one take? By the end of the book, one is hoping that there can be some sort of resolution for Evie.
This is a book sorely in need of an editor. The book is a veritable tome, clocking in at hundreds of pages, when 200 would probably suffice. The plot follows the late teens and early twenties of Eveline Auerbach, coming of age on Long Island and in New York City. For Evie, these years are entirely defined by her first love with an older man. That love is largely unrequited, so Evie compensates by filling her life with other unsuitable men. As the book progresses Evie describes her life, feelings, and surroundings in excruciating detail. While for some characters this might make for an intriguing book, Evie is not one of those characters. While unrequited teenage love will likely resonate with many, most of us grow up and get over it. Evie does not. Perhaps this is why I thought the high school section was the strongest part of the book.

Evie is the sort of character who lets life wash over her and lets things happen to her, and is convinced there's no other way for things to be. She also has tremendous talent for choosing bad men. Evie's parents were somewhat unbelievable characters, allowing her to move in with an older man, generally paying her no attention whatsoever.

I think I would have liked this book much better if it had been ruthlessly edited. I was expecting to love the book, and I did not.