![]() ![]() But in its fragmentation it becomes a truer portrait of a person than any straightforward narrative could hope to represent. It is an assemblage which is incomplete, meandering and circuitous. The narrative reflects her state of mind as it is a loose collection of fragments: personal notebooks, statements from family, friends and an art critic as well as gallery show reviews. In a similar way, the life of this novel’s central character Harriet Burden (or Harry as many intimates call her) is a mess. She stared around at the audience solemnly proclaiming: “What a mess!” The sight was comical, but through the manner in which she delivered the monologue it was understood that her whole being had tragically unravelled. She poured it over herself till her clothes, hair and face were completely soiled and a floury cloud floated around her head. ![]() With each subject she added dry ingredients into a pot collecting them all until it overflowed. She delivered a monologue about her life that included a scattering of memories, disappointments, happy highlights and concerns about contemporary issues. Reading “The Blazing World” I’m reminded of a performance by the brilliant artist Bobby Baker I once attended. ![]()
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