Off-key, Sudsy Smile (Press, 23 July 1988)
This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.
Summary: Off-key, Sudsy Smile (Press, 23 July 1988)
In her review of Robin Morgan's novel "Dry Your Smile," published by The Woman's Press in 1987, Sharon Hunter expresses a critical perspective on the author’s work, which she admits has not resonated with her in the past. The novel follows the life of Julian Travis, who, as a precocious child of four, is already a television star, heavily influenced by her obsessive mother. As an 18-year-old, Julian attempts to break free from her mother's control through a marriage that she believes is enlightened. However, the story depicts her journey as she navigates the challenges of this relationship, ultimately leading to its dissolution after 20 years. At the age of 25, supported by her partner, Julian embraces feminist ideals, only to later rediscover her identity and sexuality as a lesbian after her marriage ends. This transition includes a renewed connection with her dying mother, adding layers to her character development. Hunter critiques the novel for its unconventional narrative style, likening it to a glossy, dramatic portrayal reminiscent of "Valley of the Dolls." She finds the protagonist’s tendency to engage in self-dialogue overly burdensome and feels that the dialogue during a crucial scene of Julian’s birth is unrealistic and drawn out. The middle section of the book explores Julian's tumultuous relationship with her sculptor husband, Lawrence, highlighting his artistic struggles and reflections on his work. Hunter indicates that the latter part of the novel departs into a more cliché-ridden territory, encapsulating themes of self-discovery and identity that may appeal to certain readers but did not connect with her personally. Overall, she describes "Dry Your Smile" as containing sentimental and dated feminist themes which may be received positively by devoted followers of Morgan’s work but, in her view, falls short of its potential, leaving her feeling that it is out of sync with contemporary sensibilities.
Important Information
The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact
The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand