While this was only about 200 pages, it felt longer to me.
The narrator, Claudia, is on her death bed, and tells us she will write a history of the world. It is mainly HER history, of a life (and love) with her brother, Gordon, throughout their teen years and then later. She is jealous of his wife. However, she meets a man who is the love of her life.
The story goes back and forth, highlights times of war and peace, and is a reflection of her life and loves.
This has received critical acclaim, but it wasn't for me. ( )

1987 Booker Prize winning novel - a wonderfully written book; great story, superbly written. ( )

I enjoyed [Penelope Lively]]’s [Moon Tiger]. In the last decade I’ve been put offreading books about infirm and dying women going over their past lives. But I liked the sound of the MC Clara and the way Lively uses her memories to “document” Clara’s history of the world. I liked Clara’s unconventional ways and acerbic wit.

The novel is in a way, a history of world though it ends in the late twentieth century. I can’t help wondering what Clara’s take would be of the twentieth century. Somewhat like mine I expect. ( )

A history of the world, yes. And in the process, my own.

Soaring, searing, essential. ( )

Beautiful sad story of a singular woman who lived her life with bravery and honesty, but without a lot of the social ties that most people have. Lots of sudden switches between first-person and third-person viewpoints, also lots of hopping around in time, but the switching was done very artfully.

I listened to the audiobook and Ruth Urquhart did a wonderful job reading the book. ( )