Possession

The new year finally brought me to start reading AS Byatt romance Possession.

This is a truly exquisite work, one of a limited number of books I’ve read that I would properly describe as literature. Telling the tale of two (post)modern academics researching the relationship between two nineteenth-century poets, the book brilliantly weaves together not only the developments between these various characters, but also brings in the thrill of a detective chase as history is gradually uncovered, provides a very sharp satire on modern academia, as well as providing insight into and commentary on Victorian life. All this is written in an intelligent and eloquent fashion, unashamedly intellectual with continuous allusions to other texts and philosophies.

And ultimately, Possession also presents a plot that is gripping, which refuses to be put down. Truly magical!

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