A Window Across the River

by Brian Morton

Book Overview

Isaac and Nora haven't seen each other in five years, yet when Nora phones Isaac late one night, he knows who it is before she's spoken a word. Isaac, a photographer, is relinquishing his artistic... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0151007578
• ISBN13: 9780151007578
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A rare treat and an excellent book

I read this book on a long airplane trip and was so disappointed that I finished the book before I reached my destination. I read through the book again to find (and write down) some of my favorite passages and zingers. Any negative reviews may reflect a lack of attention to the words and characters, and a preoccupation with the plot. The writing style is very engaging and worthy of reading a second time just to dig for the pearls of wisdom and insight within the pages. This was a new author for me but I intend to read all of his books, and with high expectations.

Powerful story of love and art

Nora and Isaac are a curious pair of artists in love, out of love, and in love of truth, in capturing it in word and in image. "A Window Across the River" is a powerful story of love and of art, which makes for a fascinating marriage. And missing my hometown of New York, I especially liked the setting. Morton does an exceptional job capturing its heart as well. I also recommend "A Secret Word" -- Paddock ; "Amagansett" -- Mills

a writer's read (and for non-writers too!)

Starting Out In the Evening, Brian Morton's second novel, made me an afficianado of his work, since the book was that refreshing and rare treat: a novel about a writer. Writers often avoid writing about writers, perhaps fearing that their fiction will be disdained as being too autobiographical. As a result, there are far too many writer-characters out there who are thinly and inadequately disguised as artists, composers, etc. It's a blessing to find an author brave enough--and in love enough with the mysteries, joys, and challenges of the writing process--to step up to the plate and address them. (Starting Out also offers heartbreaking meditations on aging--the main character reflects, for instance, that he feels ashamed of his aging body, as if he's done something wrong in getting old.) In his third novel, A Window Across the River, Morton offers more trenchant writer portraiture: one of his protagonists, Nora, struggles with her inevitable penchant for cannibalizing the less savory characteristics of those she loves in order to create her fiction. As any serious writer knows, the question of what and how much to borrow from those around us results in some serious moral quandaries, which Morton explores here with his typical compassion, delicacy, and humor. Window and Starting Out are both Bibles of sorts for writers who want to read about writers--along the lines of the novels of Andre Dubus. And both books are highly recommended for discriminating readers who aren't writers but are seeking the old-fashioned, ultimately satisfying good read.

Read this book!

This is truly one of the best books I've ever read by someone who's still breathing. It all rang true, from the New York atmosphere to the ups and downs of the couple's relationship to the slight tinge of resentment over Nora's mostly giving and sweet relationship with her aunt. Every page brought the sort of "ah-ha" moment when you read something that seems like it should be obvious but that is worded in a way that makes it seem entirely new and fresh--kind of, "I could have thought of that--nah, who am I kidding." This is one of those books that you finish and instantly turn back to page one to start again and recommend to your friends while envying them the experience of discovering it for the first time. Wonderful, just wonderful.

Another Brian Morton gem!

How does he do it? Language is used sparingly - there's no flim-flam or fancy stuff - but every word counts as Morton creates fully-developed, real people. There are: Nora, who writes short stories in which she skewers those she cares about; Isaac, the love of her life whom she left but wants back; Aunt Billie, weak - but wonderful; and a supporting cast of characters with quirks and egos that are immediately recognizable. I found myself reading it fast, wanting to find out what would happen to everyone I had met. I was not disappointed, from the first page to the last.