I thought this was a really powerful book. Seldom do I come across a book which I simply cannot put down. And Under the Skin is more than a captivating narrative - it reverberates and resonates with me. The issues it tackles are various and complex, such that, I hardly know where to begin a discussion of them. Moreover, Faber's beautiful narrative invites deep engagement with the story and its characters, an engagement which also provokes the thoughts and minds of his readers long after the book is put down.
First, the book is grotesque. It contains a grotesque twist - the reversal of roles of "human" and "animal". What struck me first was the horror of realisation that Isserley, was in fact not "human", as assumed through much of the book, but an ape-like, fur-covered, four-legged species which called themselves "human beings". And they consumed "vodsels" who were the real human beings. The discovery of this fact is also particularly thrilling. It is like reading an action thriller, or a treasure hunt, where little clues are revealed along the way. I also remembered, distinctly, that Faber does not tell us what is done to the captured "vodsels" until late in the book. The suspense was immense; I was left wondering at the end of each capture what the men did to those "vodsels" they carried out.
My initial fascination was with the discovery of this alien species, something akin to the human tendency of gawking at freaks. More importantly, I began to feel for Isserley. The book invites us into the thoughts of Isserley right from the start, and I believe this has a huge part to play in generating our sympathy for her. And there is so much one can sympathise with her - hers is a painful life indeed.
The novel also raises issues on the physical appearance of women; women who continue, despite the advancement of society, to be viewed and often perused as sex objects. We are objects of the male gaze; Isserley's breasts are fashioned to please the male gaze. And it is true! Many of my male friends admit that this particular female feature bears much attraction. It surprised me how much power Isserley seemed to wield - you have got to admit, the role of lurer and temptor has some degree of attraction, because of the postition of 'power' it entails. But while we think we are the ones holding the gaze, the rape of Isserley causes it all to come crashing down. Once again, I saw with distinct clarity, how women are vulnerable, that our physical appearance can be a prized attribute and yet a dangerous flaw which renders us virtually helpless.
Even in Isserley's species, female physical attributes also wield some sort of power. The same precarious balance of female sexuality is present. She reminisces about her soft fur, her beautiful hair, and in a moving encounter with Unser, laments the very absence of these, "The parts of a woman's face she could have used to plead with him, to implore him without words, had all been removed or mutilated. Only her eyes remained. They shone brightly as she gazed unblinking through space." (228)
- end of part 1 (there is too much to post in one setting!)-
to be continued.
posted by sarah @ 11:10 PM
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