The details…
- Title: The Intensive Course: A Novel
- Author: Anna Parsifal
- Publisher: independent writer and publisher
- Publication date: April 5, 2023
- Available formats: ebook, paperback
- File size: 2091 KB
- Print length: 230 pages
- Genre: contemporary literature
- Themes: love, self discovery intimacy, friendships, female bonds, desire
The blurb from the publisher…
How do you tell a friendly gesture from an intimate one?
While on vacation with her closeted girlfriend, Anna falls for another woman, her Italian teacher. They begin a confusingly intimate friendship.
One year later, Anna leaves behind the sociocultural limits of her homeland to find out once and for all if she can win the heart of the mysterious Italian beauty. She returns to Perugia for another intensive course: both in the Italian language and the exquisite agony of ambiguous female bonds.
An autobiographical novel in the tradition of Audre Lorde and Jeanette Winterson, The Intensive Course is a story of claiming self and desire amid multiple taboos. For those who came of age between Stonewall and Love is Love, for anyone learning to be themselves in a religious culture that wants to erase them, for anyone who has wondered what happens to love unfulfilled.
My thoughts…
Anna Parsifal’s novel The Intensive Course is a thought-provoking, engaging piece of contemporary literature that is certainly worth reading. The novel explores a number of important themes, including the nature of love, the pursuit of desire and the complexities of human relationships, all through the lens of a unique and compelling storyline.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of The Intensive Course is Parsifal’s ability to portray complex and relatable characters on the page. Anna, the narrative’s unique guide and protagonist, is a young woman who is struggling to find her place in the world. Through her experiences, Parsifal explores the challenges that many people face as they navigate their way through young adulthood while simply trying to understand their world and their place in it. At its heart, Parsifal’s story is a powerful meditation on the nature of love and relationships, what they mean and how they shape us. It will no doubt leave readers reflecting on their own experiences of love and connection.
Final thoughts…
Overall, Anna Parsifal’s The Intensive Course is a novel that is well worth reading. Its engaging storyline, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes make it a standout. The writing flows beautifully across the page and is quite inviting. Whether you are a fan of contemporary literature or simply looking for a compelling read, The Intensive Course has much to offer.
Strengths…
- Gorgeously written
- Compelling
- Reflective
- Relatable
This book is available from…
A bit about the author…
A TEFL and Cultural Studies graduate, Anna Parsifal lived between Poland and the UK until one summer in Perugia changed everything.
She settled in Italy about a decade ago, where she divides her time between teaching and writing. To learn more about her, check out her website and social media.
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