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There are currently 34 member reviews
for The Typewriter's Tale
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Kay D. (Strongsville, OH)
A Return to Literary Writing
After a slight need to adjust to the flowing language of this novel, I fell into it completely. In fact, it was a joy to re-engage with literary writing. Given the short, abbreviated writing of the current day (texts, emails, etc.) it was a wonderful experience to submerge into unique words, crafted sentences and expressive paragraphs. The premise of looking into the lives of Henry James, Edith Wharton, and Morton Fullerton (to name but a few) through the eyes and mind of Frieda Wroth, James' typist, was an interesting angle. Not only did I experience these notable lives, but was given the chance to experience the life of a working woman of the era. Overall I enjoyed the book. It moved at a good pace and kept me engaged. I would recommend this book.
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Claire M. (Wrentham, MA)
Wry Along the Rother
Like all the dressmakers, shop girls, handmaids and paid companions before her the typewriter is afforded a view into another world. Her reticence is her passport into the creative mind of novelist Henry James. The reader sits on Frieda Wroth's shoulder as she types the great man's words and hears her thoughts as she anticipates the next word beyond his pause. In her workday as amanuensis she scarcely has time for thoughts of her own, and James is oblivious to her inner life. He occasionally offers her chocolate bars to keep up her strength, as she observes, a reflexive gesture similar to the treats dispensed to his dog.
What will she choose in her life outside the elegance of James' Georgian home in the Rye countryside? As a top student at her typewriter course she learned to become one with her machine, a seamlessly discrete recorder of the great thoughts of others. Exceptionally pragmatic Wroth accepts her need to work, retaining her own private ambitions. How will she act on these? Will she chose the safety of her constraints or step outside them and pursue her passions?
This novel intricately reproduces James' milieu and presents the reader with a tale both modern and mannered. As Mr. Heyns imagines the life of Wroth and James, so does the typewriter imagine hers and comes to the recognition of a truth - people collude in their own deception. Book Group Readers who enjoy re-imagined classics will be intrigued by the world of Henry James seen through the eyes of the unsung typewriter.
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Myrna M. (Chapel Hill, NC)
The Typewriter's Tale
Mix words like perambulation, amanuensis and colloquy, a bright but naïve young woman who must earn her keep, the working mind of Henry James, and titillating bits of information about the James brothers and you have The Typewriter's Tale.
Unless you are a devotee of Henry James you might not be drawn to this novel. I was slow to become involved and thought of giving up after the first twenty pages. But I am glad I persisted. The language became endearing, the innocent typewriter Frieda grew in development and Henry showed some depth beyond his loquaciousness. The supporting characters of Edith Wharton and Morton Fullerton add a bit of derring-do, and together with the household staff give the reader just enough insight into caste conscious early 20th century England to supply atmosphere.
I help select books for our retirement community library. With limited funds, I would not pick this although Michiel Heyns did a good job of writing a Jamesian novel.
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Linda Z. (Melville, NY)
"The Typewriter's Medium"
A typewriter according to the Oxford English Dictionary is " 1. A writing machine 2. One who does typewriting,esp. as a regular occupation.
In this historical fiction genre, Michiel Heyns discusses the typewriter as someone who does typewriting as an occupation. Enter the fictional main character, Frieda Wroth, who becomes Henry James typewriter, or his "amanuensis".(Dictionary:"A literary or artistic assistant, one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.")
The author uses much of Henry James' history, family and friends as part of this novel. The story takes place in the early 1900's at his estate ,Lamb House in Rye. Henry James writes and dictates his stories to the typewriter, Frieda Wroth. Frieda is an intelligent woman, but shows her naivete in many ways.
Frieda is witness to all the company at Lamb House, and meets the James family, Morton Fullerton, Edith Wharton, and other characters. Frieda is charmed easily by Morton Fullerton, who has his own agenda. He would like Frieda to "retrieve" letters that he wrote to Henry James.
Frieda often thinks of Henry James' words , "Live all you can, it's a mistake not to." from his novel ,"The Ambassadors."
I find that the author writes about loyalty, betrayal, friendship, family and love.
What I like best about the novel is the aspect of telepathy which is observed when Frieda uses the typewriter(machine) to have telepathic conversations with Morton Fullerton. Telepathy and mediums are evident and gives a mystical feel to the novel.
The author also discusses quiet Rye and travels to France, and America, and the new mode of transportation "the motor car".
I would recommend "The Typewriter's Tale" as an intriguing historical novel.
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Cassandra E. (Fort Myers, FL)
Hmmmm
I am sorry but this book just did not interest me and I really tried to read it but just could not get into it. I have not read Henry James so that could be part of the problem
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Rosemary K. (Saginaw, MI)
some slogging required
Michiel Heyns' The Typewriter's Tale focuses on a typewriter/typist for the eminent author Henry James.
I could comprehend a typist working from a written draft, but this story has the author dictating and the typist following along. Being as Henry James is known for his convoluted, lengthy sentences, this method seems very improbable.
The typist has her own goals, one of which is to get psychic readings from a man she's interested in--via the typewriter (the actual instrument).
I'm personally interested in Henry James (although his books elude me--the movies made from them are generally wonderful) and his home called Lamb House (later the dwelling place of E. F. Benson, my favorite author).
However, the unlikely turns this plot takes make the book quite tedious. I recommend it only to readers who enjoy slogging, and who have run out of other reading material.
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Melinda H. (Cornelius, NC)
well-written, however flat
Although The Typewriter's Tale was well written and maintained its integrity to the subject, I found it to be less than engaging. I never developed an attachment to or a sympathy for Frieda, the main character, or to her employer (Henry James) for that matter. Accounts of authors are always intriguing to me, whether fiction or non-fiction. I hoped this fictional account of the relationship between an accomplished author and his typewriter would provide a platform from which one could imagine the intimacy that relationship implies. Unfortunately, the story fell flat for me.
