Oscar and Lucinda

I think Peter Carey is going to be one of those authors I respect but don't enjoy. 

It's a harsh and vibrant world, populated by an extraordinary cast of well composed characters. Oscar's battles with hardline religion, gambling addiction and constant lack of self confidence and insight are shadowed and reflected in the passions and restrictions Lucinda imposes on herself. Carey paints two bleak and difficult people, both unsuited to the lighter aspects of life and unable to be honest with the people around them let alone themselves. They've both constructed a web around their lives, a personal facade to protect them from an often harsh reality. At times you just want to give them a slap but their intentions are (mostly) just even if nothing seems to go right. (not me)

 

"Sydney Harbor had a silver skin.  A cormorant broke the surface, like an improbably idea tearing the membrane between dreams and life."

There are some great characters in here and the scenery and world recreated is vivid, sharp and dangerous. It's quite an achievement and I can understand why this won the Booker (and why it was nominated for the best of Booker). Ultimately though I can't give it more than 3 stars as by the Goodreads rating system I didn't often like it. It's a slow and worthwhile read but liking it is something else entirely. I do applaud the ending though.
 (not me)
"The fact that the object of their bet was now made to appear at once so vain and mediocre, and that it was, in any case, impossible to build, conpired to act as a catalyst in Lucinda's soul, to make a focus for all the vague unease she harbored about the bet, and fearful thoughts which she had hitherto managed to keep submerged, now bubbled up like marsh gas and burst, malodorous, in the very forefront of her conscious mind."