Having been drawn to 'The Rehearsal' by my admiration of the truly epic tension of 'The Luminaries,' I expected a similar sort of atmosphere to characterise Eleanor Catton's debut. There are similarities in themes pursued, such as the aftermath of events, and individual perspectives of the same event, yet I found 'The Rehearsal' to be the more effecting novel in that the ideas it puts forward are challenging and captivating.This book is heavily stylised, moving through sub-sectioned chapters rife with stage directions and heavily dramastised dialogue. This leads to initial disorientation, but the scenes created through this technique soon immerse the reader in a tragi-comic world of drama. In this work, we are all each other's audience as we all act for each other, yet we do not have the power to control how we are perceived.This leads us to that plaguing question, 'What am I thinking whilst I'm looking at you?'Catton captures the insecurity of the young, from its most banal concerns to anxiety of self-recognition. Her characters are not lost in the way the novel is constructed, and the prevailing ides on performance are consistent and fore-front without becoming tired.This is truly an outstanding novel which, when considered alongside the tour-de-force which is 'The Luminaries' indicates Catton to be an exceptionally skilled writer. Before The Luminaries, there was this novel. A fraction of the size thank goodness, as I actually found it considerably more difficult to read than The Luminaries. Ms Catton was only 23 when this was published, and it is extraordinary writing for one so young. Not only in her plot and its development but in the depth and complexity of her characters. I can't say I enjoyed reading this, there is so much going on, her characters are more complex than most people I know, I am not even really entirely sure what it is all about! But being Eleanor Catton writing, out of sheer respect for her I did read it to the end. None the wiser really I am afraid. However I can very clearly see where the magic that is The Luminaries has come from. There are plenty of sections of writing in the book that are stunning and beautiful, the joy of writing and the joy of words are everywhere. From reading on-line reviews there are plenty of people out there who really like this earlier novel of hers. The story centres on a group of teenagers - girls at a girls' school, where an older teacher and a 17 year old student have been found out. There is plenty of angst, hand wringing and teenage girls trying to find their own sexual selves in the emotionally ridden atmosphere that results. There is also a second group of older teenagers - 1st year drama students who are competing with each other for attention from the instructors in voice, movement, mime. The two groups do come together, but it is all really quite strange. I venture to suggest that perhaps this book is about teenagers finding themselves, the search for identity, what fitting in really means, first love, first sexual experience. But really to be truly honest, I don't think I got it! It is confusing, I am not sure where it was supposed to be going to, and despite my perserverance it just did not come together for me. Glad I read The Luminaries before this.
What do You think about The Rehearsal (2010)?
Een extra ster voor de ongewone, maar zeer geslaagde schrijfstijl.
—carlamoos
I honesty can't decide if I loved this book or hated it.
—dariengirl
Eleanor Catton is absolutely brilliant. Loved it.
—nnn
Really hard to explain but really very good.
—Marissarod_04
