Disturbances in the Field: A Novel

by Lynne Sharon Schwartz

Paperback, 2005

Status

Available

Publication

Counterpoint (2005), 384 pages

Description

"A more-than-welcome return to a classic idea of the novel . . . A wonder to read" (Los Angeles Times Book Review).   The field is all around us. It's our needs and our wants. This is what George tells Lydia. A disturbance, however, is something that keeps us from grasping and attaining the things we need. Usually, we can adapt to these disturbances and move forward. But, what happens if a disturbance becomes too great to move past? In this entrancing tale of loss and understanding, acclaimed author Lynne Sharon Schwartz plots the course of a woman's life, through the cycles of love, loss, and acceptance.   Lydia's early life is marked by calm constants: a house in Cape Cod, a philosophy group in college. These remain her touchstones as she becomes a busy wife, mother, and music teacher. But when her family's world is suddenly shattered, she struggles to regain her equilibrium. Will she be able to find her way in such a radically altered field?… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member MarthaHuntley
This is absolutely the best novel I have ever read. Packed with insight and intelligence, writing that illuminates and communicates, characters who live. Schwartz has created a whole world in which the reader can enter and relate, yearn, suffer, learn. As in other good books, the best books, I've
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read, each page is a delight, a joy to read, and yet sad because it is nearing the end, and you don't want it to end. The first half of the book explores mostly happiness, or the deep contentment that comes with having long time friends, acute intelligence, work one loves, marrying the right person, making the right decisions...then comes the wrenching loss and sorrow, all compellingly described, a true "disturbance in the field," that changes everything. Or does it? All mixed with a wry and forgiving humor, insights galore, a density of ideas and discoveries. I have personal reasons for loving this book -- it takes place in NYC, and there is a lot about Barnard College (I'm a Barnard girl) in it, I can identify with the discoveries of the place and of the mind (and of the time), and the happy marriage, the joys and frustrations of being a mother of four. I never had such a brilliant mind as her Lydia, and I hope never to have such a horrific loss, and I don't have Lydia's gift or blessing for friendship, but oh, how Lynne Sharon Schwartz serves the reader with what all of that is like. Fantastic writing!! Martha Huntley
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LibraryThing member patience_crabstick
I loved this book. Something about the characters' reactions to life helped me feel more whole and normal. This is the sort of book you can't read just once. I look forward to "really" reading it a second time around.
LibraryThing member LynnB
Beautifully written with wonderful characters and lots of philosophical questions about life. This book reminds me of 19th century novels -- a depth of character development and lots of ideas to ponder. I agree with some reviewers that there isn't much plot, but that doesn't matter in this kind of
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book....it's about human reactions to life.
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1983

Physical description

384 p.; 5.38 inches

ISBN

1582433321 / 9781582433325

Local notes

fiction

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