The Confessions of Max Tivoli
Registered by JeepACV on 5/2/2004
15 journalers for this copy...
I just purchased this book for the first installment of a newly formed book club.
Synopsis:
"An extraordinarily haunting love story told in the voice of a man who appears to age backwards
"We are each the love of someone's life."
So begins The Confessions of Max Tivoli, a heartbreaking love story with a narrator like no other. At his birth, Max's father declares him a "nisse," a creature of Danish myth, as his baby son has the external physical appearance of an old, dying creature. Max grows older like any child, but his physical age appears to go backward--on the outside a very old man, but inside still a fearful child.
The story is told in three acts. First, young Max falls in love with a neighborhood girl, Alice, who ages as normally as any of us. Max, of course, does not; as a young man, he has an older man's body. But his curse is also his blessing: as he gets older, his body grows younger, so each successive time he finds his Alice, she does not recognize him. She takes him for a stranger, and Max is given another chance at love.
Set against the historical backdrop of San Francisco at the turn of the twentieth century, Max's life and confessions question the very nature of time, of appearance and reality, and of love itself. A beautiful and daring feat of the imagination, The Confessions of Max Tivoli reveals the world through the eyes of a "monster," a being who confounds the very certainties by which we live and in doing so embodies in extremis what it means to be human."
Synopsis:
"An extraordinarily haunting love story told in the voice of a man who appears to age backwards
"We are each the love of someone's life."
So begins The Confessions of Max Tivoli, a heartbreaking love story with a narrator like no other. At his birth, Max's father declares him a "nisse," a creature of Danish myth, as his baby son has the external physical appearance of an old, dying creature. Max grows older like any child, but his physical age appears to go backward--on the outside a very old man, but inside still a fearful child.
The story is told in three acts. First, young Max falls in love with a neighborhood girl, Alice, who ages as normally as any of us. Max, of course, does not; as a young man, he has an older man's body. But his curse is also his blessing: as he gets older, his body grows younger, so each successive time he finds his Alice, she does not recognize him. She takes him for a stranger, and Max is given another chance at love.
Set against the historical backdrop of San Francisco at the turn of the twentieth century, Max's life and confessions question the very nature of time, of appearance and reality, and of love itself. A beautiful and daring feat of the imagination, The Confessions of Max Tivoli reveals the world through the eyes of a "monster," a being who confounds the very certainties by which we live and in doing so embodies in extremis what it means to be human."
This was our book club's 1st selection for June 2004.
I've decided to offer this up as a bookring.
Here's the participants so far (PM'd re: wishlists first than opened on forum)
katilo (IL) prefers US*
krin511 (MD) prefers US
jendudley (TX) anywhere
ResQGeek (VA) anywhere
Brujula (France) int' OK
vibrant-art (Canada) prefers N. Amer.*
weeblet (VA) prefers US (asked to be skipped)
alrescate (MO) anywhere
tuff517 (TX) anywhere
tnkbl (CA) perfers US
zugenia (RI) anywhere
Rrrcaron (NH) anywhere
Valkyrie119 (FPO) prefers US*
arugh48187 (MN) prefers US
gwendy (NY) prefers US*
twinkpuddin (NY)
KarenZero (NY)
lyraness (CA)
rebeccaljames (OH)
JeepACV (MD)
I've decided to offer this up as a bookring.
Here's the participants so far (PM'd re: wishlists first than opened on forum)
katilo (IL) prefers US*
krin511 (MD) prefers US
jendudley (TX) anywhere
ResQGeek (VA) anywhere
Brujula (France) int' OK
vibrant-art (Canada) prefers N. Amer.*
weeblet (VA) prefers US (asked to be skipped)
alrescate (MO) anywhere
tuff517 (TX) anywhere
tnkbl (CA) perfers US
zugenia (RI) anywhere
Rrrcaron (NH) anywhere
Valkyrie119 (FPO) prefers US*
arugh48187 (MN) prefers US
gwendy (NY) prefers US*
twinkpuddin (NY)
KarenZero (NY)
lyraness (CA)
rebeccaljames (OH)
JeepACV (MD)
Journal Entry 3 by JeepACV at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Released on Monday, August 09, 2004 at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring Controlled Releases.
this is on it's way!!!
this is on it's way!!!
Got it in the mail today; I'll start it right away! Thanks!
This was a wonderful book. I felt such great sympathy for Max and longed for him to find the love he so desparately searched for. I was saddened in the end, reminded that often that's how things are in life. It's hard to see that the best things are usually right there in front of us. We keep looking for something more without even realizing what we already have.
I have PMed the next person on the list and plan to ship the book as soon as I receive the address! Thanks for sharing this book!!!
I have PMed the next person on the list and plan to ship the book as soon as I receive the address! Thanks for sharing this book!!!
Journal Entry 6 by katilo at mail in Westmont, IL, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, August 29, 2004
Release planned for Monday, August 30, 2004 at mail in Westmont, IL, Bookring Controlled Releases.
Putting this in the mail! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Putting this in the mail! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Received in today's mail. I'll bring it with me on my vacation to Maine this weekend!
I enjoyed this book - both because of the Max's oppositeness (age vs. appearance) and because of the late 19th century - early 20th century history seen through Max's eyes.
Rec'd yesterday. Looks good.
Just couldn't wrap my brain around this one. Was a little confusing. Pmmed next person. Will get in the mail soon.
Arrived in the mail today and will be next up on my TBR pile.
As I read the opening line, "We are each the love of someone's life", I expected this to be a terribly romantic story. Instead, this is a tragic story of unrequited love...we might each be the love of someone's life, but what are the chances that the love of our life is that same person? Not only is Max fated to love a woman who can never fully return his love, but each of the major characters is in love with someone who can reciprocate their feelings.
This is a wonderfully written story, with a wealth of period and setting details that bring the story to life. The unique nature of Max's life is absolutely believable, and provides a terrific vehicle to explore these ideas of love and relationships and how they change with time. Written as a memoir to his son, this book only provides Max's point-of-view of this story, but we get to know Max intimately, flaws and all, and we develop a deep understanding of what motivates him. This book drew me in and captivated me right from the beginning, but I can't help wondering what Alice's version of this story would be like. Perhaps that's part of the tragedy of this story is that we can't truly know or understand the story of others unless they are willing to share it fully with us.
This is a wonderfully written story, with a wealth of period and setting details that bring the story to life. The unique nature of Max's life is absolutely believable, and provides a terrific vehicle to explore these ideas of love and relationships and how they change with time. Written as a memoir to his son, this book only provides Max's point-of-view of this story, but we get to know Max intimately, flaws and all, and we develop a deep understanding of what motivates him. This book drew me in and captivated me right from the beginning, but I can't help wondering what Alice's version of this story would be like. Perhaps that's part of the tragedy of this story is that we can't truly know or understand the story of others unless they are willing to share it fully with us.
Last weekend, this book travelled to Hershey, PA with me as my wife, daughters and I met my parents their to enjoy their festive holiday celebration. We spent a day exploring Chocolate World, where my daughters absolutely loved the chocolate making tour, the interactive factory works (where they got to pretend they worked in the chocolate factory), and the 3-D show celebrating chocolate, and the HersheyPark Christmas Candy Lane, where we visited Santa Claus and his reindeer. In the evening, we visited the Hershey Sweet Lights which was one of the most impressive holiday light displays I've ever seen. So, this book has now visited the "Sweetest Place on Earth."Hope everyone has a terrific Holiday Season!
Just returned from the post office. The book is on its way to Brujula in France. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 15 by Brujula from Valenciennes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais France on Monday, December 20, 2004
Received today, with a nice card from Hersey's Chocolate Factory. I visited it twenty years ago, when I was an exchange student in Elmira,NY, and looking at the card I can almost smell the chocolate scent that lingered all over the place!
Thank you ResQgeek and JeepACV!
Thank you ResQgeek and JeepACV!
Journal Entry 16 by Brujula from Valenciennes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais France on Wednesday, January 12, 2005
I've really enjoyed this book. It's a very original idea, to grow young instead of old. And the author thinks of all the complications that follow. It is also a beautiful story of many loves.
Thank you very much JeepACV for letting me read this book.
I'm mailing it to vibrant-art today!
Thank you very much JeepACV for letting me read this book.
I'm mailing it to vibrant-art today!
Just received this and will read it soon (after one other bookring in progress). Thanks for sending this along as a bookring.
I loved this book!
I had read "The Path of Minor Planets" earlier this year and also enjoyed that book.
Wonderful writing and memorable characters in both novels!
Weeblet has asked to be skipped altogether so this is being sent on to alrescate next week.
I had read "The Path of Minor Planets" earlier this year and also enjoyed that book.
Wonderful writing and memorable characters in both novels!
Weeblet has asked to be skipped altogether so this is being sent on to alrescate next week.
This landed on my doorstep today! I'm looking forward to it but I have a bookring in front of it to finish first. I promise to get to it as soon as I can.
I love the bookmark card vibrant-art! It's very lovely!
I love the bookmark card vibrant-art! It's very lovely!
How very touching. This story is sad, sweet and sinister all at the same time. I knew I was hooked when I felt my heart break just a tiny bit when the six year old Max joyously runs across the lawn are Woodward's Gardens while his parents buy him an adult ticket. This book was full of moments that were bittersweet. I was shattered by what later happened in Woodward's Gardens as well.
The last parts of the story were possibly the saddest...while I suppose I wished for something else the story could end no other way I suppose.
I will have to find the other works of this author....
The last parts of the story were possibly the saddest...while I suppose I wished for something else the story could end no other way I suppose.
I will have to find the other works of this author....
This is on the way to Texas.
Received and will start today!
Nothing satisfies me like a book that both starts and ends strong. How this book could've had a happy ending is beyond me. In the beginning of the book I wondered if Max would love a girl, if he would find some way to fit in when he reached those 'middle years'. I wonder if Alice did see Max in him, but it was too much for her to believe. Maybe she knew. I would like to think that. The book left me feeling sad, but in a satisfied way, if that makes ANY sense at all.
If I had to choose, though, I would say I liked Hughie better. But through no fault of Max's. What can it do to your personality to have to be an adult at ten years old and be a ten year old at the age of sixty?
Thanks for sharing this book. I'll be sending it off to tnkbl tomorrow.
If I had to choose, though, I would say I liked Hughie better. But through no fault of Max's. What can it do to your personality to have to be an adult at ten years old and be a ten year old at the age of sixty?
Thanks for sharing this book. I'll be sending it off to tnkbl tomorrow.
This just arrived. I have another bookring book before this one, but I'll get to it as soon as I can. Thanks!
I had wanted to read this book because the premise is really right up my alley- I love books where the situation itself is both implausible and thought-provoking. The problem was, I found Max's character insufferable and couldn't bring myself to care. I thought that all of his actions were driven out of selfishness and not love, and the whole tragic idea of his lifelong search for his one true love was a bore. However, there was something about the end section, as he and Hughie road trip together, that began to make a dent. I think I like the old child-Max better, and the ultimate ending was his only unselfish act in his whole life (although it, like all his other actions, most likely caused Alice more pain).
I guess, to sum up, I was a bit disappointed.
And it's off to Rrrcaron today!
I guess, to sum up, I was a bit disappointed.
And it's off to Rrrcaron today!
I received this book in the mail yesterday. I hope to get to it soon.
Ruth
Ruth
I loved this book! I've never read anything quite like it before. The decisions Max made were desperate, but so was his life! I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this book!Sending on to Valkrie119 as soon as I receive an address.
Ruth
Ruth
This one has stopped into Apple Valley for a brief stay. I only have one ring ahead of it, so it shouldn't take too long. You can keep track of its progress via my bookshelf.
I can't say that I loved this book, but it was certainly good. It reminded me a little bit of "The Time Traveler's Wife". I thought that the reverse aging process was done very well and had to laugh when Max was emasculated. Hee! I was wondering what would happen to his teeth and whether at the age of eight or so he would just start losing them. I can't imagine what would have happened had he continued life to the very end. Oh the horrors of losing speech, the ability to walk, feed yourself, and GACK! the ability to read. :)
I have the next person's address so this will go out in the mail shortly. Thanks for sharing!
I have the next person's address so this will go out in the mail shortly. Thanks for sharing!
Journal Entry 30 by arugh48187 at Post Office at 153rd and Garrett in -- Mailed, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Friday, January 27, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (1/27/2006 UTC) at Post Office at 153rd and Garrett in -- Mailed, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Gwendy asked to be skipped, so this is off to twinkpuddin. Happy Reading!
Gwendy asked to be skipped, so this is off to twinkpuddin. Happy Reading!
Caught! Starting tonite.
Just finished. I thought this was an enjoyable, although tragic, read. Kind of made me think, how often to we really feel the same age inside as we look on the outside. Probably not to the extreme Max had it though.
"We are each the love of someone's life." really is what the story's all about. I guess all we can hope for is that the love of our life feels the same way about us.
Sending on its way to KarenZero. Thank you JeepACV for sharing!
"We are each the love of someone's life." really is what the story's all about. I guess all we can hope for is that the love of our life feels the same way about us.
Sending on its way to KarenZero. Thank you JeepACV for sharing!
Will read ASAP!
I really liked this book and thought it was an interesting and sad story, but actually my favorite part of the book was the historical storytelling, particularly because it took place in San Francisco! I grew up in the Bay Area and have always loved San Francisco's history and the history of the West. I have been to the Barbary Coast area of San Francisco (there is a trail you can actually walk throughout the neighborhood) and it's fun to imagine being in those times where you really would get drunk and be accidently "Shanghaied". It is also funny to think that going to San Jose would be a vacation, whereas nowadays you could drive there in 45 mins to an hour from San Francisco with a car.
Anyway, I enjoyed this book very much. Thanks to Jeep ACV for sharing it, and sorry that it took me so long to read it. I have lyraness's address and will send it out ASAP.
04.17.06: on its way to lyraness. Sorry for the delay!
Anyway, I enjoyed this book very much. Thanks to Jeep ACV for sharing it, and sorry that it took me so long to read it. I have lyraness's address and will send it out ASAP.
04.17.06: on its way to lyraness. Sorry for the delay!
Sorry for the delay in journaling this,I think I'll just be sending it along, as it doesn't look like I'll have time to read it anytime in the forseeable future.
I did end up reading this. I liked it, but I was kind of expecting more. It was a creative idea and I thought it might have been better executed. I also found the end disappointing. I'm sorry to have kept it so long, and I'll be sending it on as soon as possible.
