To see the world from the point of view
Of a tree, or insect, or even a boob,
It’s quite remarkable how fiction can give
The widest of views, the insight we need
To understand others, the rest of the world
And perhaps this could save the Earth that we know.
I don’t think I’ve read a book that is from the point of view of anything interesting, or weird, or wacky – until now. I finally got round to reading The Breast by Philip Roth, and oh my god, what a mind bending book it proved to be.
It is only a slim book so I read it in two sittings, but I took that break in the middle to process what I had just read in the first half. I can’t believe that it was written in the 1970’s and I do wonder how it might have been received back then.
The premise is that the protagonist, a male English professor, wakes up one morning to find that he has become a female breast. The book is about him coming to terms with what this means.You could look at it through all sorts of lenses and argue that it is an extended metaphor examining anything from being a woman, reputation, disability, loneliness and friendship and love.
I think I’m now going to have to go out and read some of the other famous books that are written from the perspective of someone or something interesting – I’m thinking The Metamorphosis by Kafka or Nutshell by Ian McEwan.
Any suggestions will be gratefully received. Happy reading, guys!
Much Love
Rachel xx
Margot Kinberg
OK, that is really interesting, Rachel! I don’t think I’ve ever come across a breast as a protagonist, either. A cricket, a mouse, and a few other things, but not a breast. I give the author credit for creativity and innovation!
patientandkindlove
It was bonkers. I’m pretty sure the writer had smoked something before he sat down to write.
Greg Dennison
Haha boobs…
I’ve been thinking about, when I’m done with the main story of DLTDGB, rewriting some of the key episodes from the point of view of other characters. I hadn’t considered writing from the point of view of breasts, though…
patientandkindlove
I love stories that look at the same event from different perspectives. It shows us so much about human psychology and the power of memory. I think a boob was a bit out there for me!
juliadeniro
What a bizarre premise. This sounds like a strange version of Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”.
patientandkindlove
Yes, I think that’s where the inspiration came from. It got a bit kinky and that’s when it all felt a bit too weird.