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The Archivist
The Archivist
Author: Martha Cooley
A debut novel about an archivist at a university, whose life contains many parallels to the life of the poet T. S. Eliot. When a graduate student requests access to letters written by Eliot to a woman in Boston, the archivist--whose wife committed suicide-- discovers things about his own past that lead to a renewal of his faith in life. A New Yo...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780316158466
ISBN-10: 0316158461
Publication Date: 4/8/1999
Pages: 336
Rating:
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 49

3.2 stars, based on 49 ratings
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Archivist on
Helpful Score: 2
This book was alright, but I grew bored at Part 2 of the book detailing Matt's wife's letters or journal entries. The book's premise reminded me a lot of and was similar to A.S. Byatt's Possession, minus the panache and symbolism involved. I gave up midway through the book because I simply was no longer interested in the plot, especially since I found it highly predictable.
Best of luck to the next reader!
reviewed The Archivist on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A lovely look at the life of a somewhat isolated librarian, his love of his work, and the relationship that upsets his views of how things work. Somewhat reminiscent of "Possession" by A. S. Byatt.
MOMSBOOKS avatar reviewed The Archivist on + 64 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This would be an ideal read for a T.S.Eliot fan, or perhaps someone with a deep understanding of TS Eliot, fan or not. It is tightly written, a tad too esoteric for my tastes. It revolves around Matt, the archivist, his wife Judith and later Roberta, a TS Eliot scholar. It is set during and after WWII and relates to holocaust atrocities.I believe it was a first novel and as such it takes a huge bite into how guilt and passion affect the life of an otherwise compulsively ordered man.
reviewed The Archivist on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is very good read and lets you into a very small, but interesting academic world.
reviewed The Archivist on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was a really intersting story that crossed over topics like survivor's guilt after WWII, marriage/relationships, depression, attraction, and library stewardship. Enjoyable but with some very heavy moments.
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CharleneY avatar reviewed The Archivist on + 80 more book reviews
I would say an enjoyable and challenging read, nothing earth-shattering.


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