Strangers
By Anita Brookner
(Vintage, Paperback, 9780307472601, July 2010, 256pp.)
The Short of It:
Amusing, sharp and unusually accommodating… these characters give meaning to the term, “growing old gracefully.”
The Rest of It:
Paul Sturgis is a 70-something bachelor living in a quiet, London flat. Never married, and having only one living relative, a distant cousin named Helena, Paul finds himself wandering about looking for something but he’s not sure what. To avoid the dreaded Christmas invitation from Helena, he decides to take holiday in Venice.
In Venice, he meets Vicky Gardner. Vicky is an interesting sort. She is pretty, Â recently divorced and essentially homeless since she has no permanent place to call home. She flits from place to place, seemingly happy in her travels. Paul, unusually reserved gives his number to Vicky and then immediately regrets it. How lonely does one have to be to finally realize that at the age of 72, being with someone might be better than being alone?
This was my first Brookner and I enjoyed it immensely. These characters are proper, polite and exceedingly friendly, but utterly lonely. They are “strangers” in that they have no idea how to co-exist with one another. Innocent conversations turn into something else and then before you know it, in walks awkwardness. It’s all incredibly entertaining but in a quiet, understated way.
I understand that Strangers is Brookner’s 23rd novel. I can’t believe it took me this long to read one of her books but now I want to read them all. It’s not as if there was a lot going on in this one, or that it was even a page-turner, but it’s the type of writing that I enjoy. When I writer can take every day things and make them interesting, then he/she has my attention.
Brookner fans, which of her books shall I read next?
Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
I never knew she had so many titles. I agree with you so much about this kind of writing. It is just so savor able.
I would toss titles in a hat and choose your next one randomly!!!
I don’t think I’ve ever picked a book that way. Sounds like fun!
I just placed a library hold on this novel! To my delight, it’s available in audio.
The author and book are new to me, maybe if I saw her books in the bookstore they would be familiar….
Great review 🙂
Oh good! I think you’ll like it.
You haven’t read A Reliable Wife yet? After you read it, read the link below (author book club Q&A)…. we read this for the MMBC a few years ago.
http://www.manicmommiesbookclub.com/search/label/A%20Reliable%20Wife/
Would love to chat with you about it when you are done, it’s unlike anything I have read. A great discussion book.
I am going to bookmark the site so I can come back to it when I am done with Reliable.
I haven’t read any of this author’s work either. This one sounds interesting.
I am trying to read new authors this year. I had heard of Brookner before but had no idea how many books she’s written. Quite a few and they all sound really good.
I’m not sure why I’ve never read anything by Anita Brookner. I enjoy books that are subtle. It certainly makes for interesting discussions!
Brookner is also new to me, but I like what you had to say about this book. I am especially intrigued by the fact that so many of the conversations and situations in this book devolve into awkwardness. It sounds like this book would totally be my cup of tea, so I am going to have to check it out. Wonderful review, by the way!
Maybe Brookner is more of a fave with readers outside of the US. Seems like many US readers haven’t even heard of her. I knew of her but her books are not always readily available, I guess. Or maybe I should say…visible.
Various people keep insisting I read Brookner because she is so wonderful, but I still have resisted (there’s that huge number of books that could do in an obsessive series pursuer like me!)
I read Brookner years ago and haven’t read more of her books since. You have me questioning why, especially as I recall thoroughly enjoying the ones I did read. This one sounds divine, and I adore Venice, so I’ll jump at most things set there.
I’m always so thrilled to find a new-to-me author that I actually like. I can’t wait to go through her other books to see which one I’ll read next.
I love the cover! I’ve never read any Brookner either but clearly I need to as this sounds like a marvelous book — yet another good one you’ve got me intrigued by!!! 🙂
Paul sounds like a fascinating characters. I’ve never tried Brookner and it sounds like I need to.
Holy moly that is alot of books. I don’t know what my issue is, because I haven’t read a thing she has written. Dare I jump in now?
I say, jump! There are so many to choose from. I’m sure there are quite a few on audio too. The only other book of hers I’ve heard of is Hotel du Lac which won the Booker Prize in ’84.
I’ve never read any of her novels either but this book sounds just like something I’d like. I love the kind of books that just flow – nothing earth shattering has to happen but they are fantastic just the same.
I love that she didn’t publish her first book until after she was 50. I have Hotel du Lac on my shelf but I haven’t read it yet. Strangers sounds very good and I like quiet books as well as older characters.
I read one Brookner novel years ago (can’t remember the name), and picked up Hotel du Lac at the library book sale over the summer. Thomas (My Porch) co-hosted International Anita Brookner Day in July. Here’s a link to the blog – lots of reviews there:
http://brooknerday.blogspot.com/
Strangers sounds very good… definitely some Brookner novels ahead for me!
Sounds like a great book!
I find it amazing and interesting that she’s written 23 novels yet I’ve never heard of her. Your review was excellent and has sparked my desire to read this one.
And she won the Booker with Hotel Du Lac!
Ok! I’m sold! I’ve never read anything by Anita Brookner, but if you say this is a good introduction, I’ll go with it. When I get around to trying her novels, I’ll start here!
You have made this novel sounds so inviting that I want to RUN out and get it right away. Thanks so a great review!
I love the cover of this book Ti! I must admit that I haven’t read anything by Brookner yet, but now I sure want to! Thanks for the review.
First, I am delighted that you read your first Brookner. Second, I am delighted you liked it. Third, I can see that our respective blog audiences don’t overlap much (Hi and thanks for the plug Jo-Ann).
Can I post your review at the official International Anita Brookner Day blog? http://www.brooknerday.blogspot.com
I knew you were a reader of Brookner. I’ve been reading all of the posts. Yes, post away! What book do you recommend I read next?
Oh, I have read all 24 of AB’s novels and I find that recommending where to go next is not that easy. Frankly they are all shades of one another so you never really stray to far from book to book.
I’ve heard other readers say the same thing. Maybe I will read Hotel Du Lac since it won the Booker.
Well, at least you read one of her books. I hadn’t even HEARD of her before this post. If it is anything like your love of Makamuri, I’m sure you will wear me down and have me trying one of her books soon.
I’ve been curious about Brookner for a while, and had been planning to check her books. But then I forgot about it. Glad you liked this one – I’m going to add it!
I finally got your review posted over at the IABD blog. http://www.brooknerday.blogspot.como