The Rehearsal (Reagan Arthur Books) Paperback – August 24, 2011

Though this first novel is structurally challenging, the author keeps the tension high in her juxtapositioning of scenes that do not permit the reader to ascertain whether they are witnessing reality or performances - replicas. Ostensibly, the primary concern is to resolve the alleged seduction of a senior student at an all-girls school, Abbey Grange, by a band teacher; but then there is the possibility that the teen-ager has precipitated the situation through purposeful usage of her nubile charms. Eschewing the conventional path of detailing a police investigation, the author dramatizes the event through the vehicle of a play produced by college-aged students at an adjacent drama institute. The subjectivity and arbitrariness of artistic interpretation and persuasiveness are now injected into the entire scenario in addition to the near impossibility of gauging whether scenes and dialog stand outside the play or are a part of it. Given its innovative approach, this novel does require sharp attention.At the drama school, the students are literally forced to "peel" away social veneers and defenses and to embrace authenticity, including a willingness to reveal one's most intimate moments. The school has departments of Acting, Improvisation, Movement, Voice, etc. The instructors are almost harsh in their demands, looking for ways to humiliate. Yet exercises in role playing underscore that actors play parts, which are seldom coincident with searches for truth. One student realizes that "Theater isn't real life, and it isn't a perfect copy of real life. It's just a point of access." This is the sort of training and mindset that are the basis of the drama students' construction of a play to elucidate what happened at the girls' school.On the other hand, the teen-age girls at the school seek to become worldly, game playing and posturing being part of the process. They may have budding sexual prowess, but are apprehensive of how to advance to womanhood, which explains their cliquishness and conformity and their ready cruelty in labeling those a bit different as sexually deficient or deviant. Victoria, the girl who took up with Mr. Saladin, is both condemned for going outside the group and feared because she has gained knowledge and experience that they all desire. Even her younger sister Isolde wonders "How did you know that he would receive you, gather you up and press hard against you and even give out a little strangled moan like a cry, like a cry in the back of his throat?".A very interesting character/actor is an independent teacher who rents space and gives saxophone lessons to some of the girls. Her attitude towards parents and the girls is seen in her caustic comment to a mother:"If I am to teach your daughter, you darling hopeless and inadequate mother, she must be moody and bewildered and awkward and dissatisfied and wrong. When she realizes her body is a secret, a dark and yawning secret of which she becomes more and more ashamed, come back to me. ... I cannot teach children."And the snare drum in the theater goes "kiss-kiss-kiss." She acts as more of a therapist and instigator than teacher, as she practically intimidates the girls into revealing their thoughts and actions and suggests actions to take. Most of these interactions seem to be a part of the play as various moods are created through the use of lighting, music, etc. The explanations presented by the various girls change from scene to scene. For example, has Isolde been sexually awakened by the mature Julia, a senior student, or were her first experiences with Stanley, a hesitant, stumbling student from the institute?The author definitely suggests that the complexity and sophistication of the female personality surpasses that of men; there is a mysteriousness that is reinforced by the uncertainties of this novel. Stanley at one point concludes that girls have a "witchy capacity." They "constantly and consciously [distinguish] between themselves and the performance of themselves." This strangeness, according to one of the instructors, causes "many of us [men] to fear women." But the author is perhaps most interested in the emotions and intensity of young girls attracted to each other. Men are largely secondary in this story: there, but not crucial.More broadly, the point is well made that life in many ways is a play, or more pointedly an ongoing rehearsal; we all play roles, though not necessarily happily. In other words, reality is the sum of performances. Is there room for truth in such a world? If so, it lies largely undiscovered in this novel.One verity is that this novel is a remarkable effort from a young author. It is no small feat to weave a story of this complexity and perceptiveness, although the disjointedness is a bit of a distraction. It is a highly provocative, sensuous, and insightful coming-of-age book. There really is no plot to speak of. It is difficult to speak of characters when they are characterizations of actors. However, the enigmatic sax teacher is central to the book and Julia is a commanding and smart, cynical presence. Of course, props are important in a theater. In the author's eyes a saxophone can become "more alive than you are."; they can be caressed or positioned as an object or weapon.

Tranquil, contemplative, mysterious, slightly vague point of view, weaving in and out of threads slightly connected by one saxophone teacher, some threads woven on the outskirts, some intertwined with the core. Beautiful, approachable prose that never gets in the way, transparent to events, not at all self aware or tricky.I'm only one third through, and savoring it, saving it for just the right moments; one the porch at the lake cabin in the rain, under a blanket by a fire, this book must be parsed out carefully.

I like the storyline. I even like the internal focus on each primary character. Swirling the time line was confusing at first and later made sense. But this twisting of character progress didn't entice me.

I could tell it might be very cleverly written and a good novel but it just wasn't my cup of tea. the structure was to hard to follow, and I don't favor the wry and detached "voice" but prefer one more personalized and empathetic with the main characters. I was disappointed because I had the book on my list quite awhile and had read rave reviews about it. But I wound up not even finishing it.

If you are looking for a book with horrible people as characters, lots of completely unrealistic dialogue, lesbians, a very confusing sequence of events, and a book that is a LOT of work to read, then this is the book for you. I'm sorry I bought it, and sorry for the time I wasted reading it. Complete crap under the disguise of "literature".

This book was fantastic. The topic of a student-teacher relationship can easily be a trite one, but Catton managed to present a different angle. The main subject of the book, the student of the illicit relationship, is not in anyway the main character, which is slightly different. By presenting the story this way, it is more comparable to real life scenarios for the majority of people. Further, the drama school as a sort of mirror or challenger to the relationship is not-expected.

This is an astounding piece of writing. What at first appears incoherent, coalesces into a very clever interlacing of stories. I presume the author's closeness to the ages of the protagonists gives her insight, but I was impressed with her understanding of the feelings and motivations of the characters. I think a second reading necessary to catch everything that is offered, but despite its complexity, I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

This is certainly an interesting read with interesting characters. An interesting take on how affected people react to a teacher/school girl affair.

The writing style is remarkably skilled. But, unfortunately, I couldn't 'get into' it. Too many twists, turns and narrative jumps. Catton is widely admired, so I guess it's just me. I'm sure may would enjoy this book. I took it on holiday to Italy and left it there only partly read - hopefully someone else will find it and appreciate its style and substance.

I try not to abandon books but midway through The Rehearsal I just had to quit. It was the intriguing premise about a sex scandal at a girls’ high school and the author's beautiful writing that had me hold on so long, but eventually the lack of stimulating plot and character development did me in. I lacked the patience and the inclination to ponder the improbable, non-linear plot. I also lack the patience to work out what is real, what is imagined, and what it might all mean. Plus I just could not care less about any of the characters.Plenty of people love this book; there is no denying it is very well written, ultimately though its lack of credibility and coherence was distracting and annoying. I suspect the extent to which a reader might enjoy this book would largely depend on his or her tolerance for ambiguity.

I found this book ridiculously difficult to follow and cannot understandwhy it was so highly praised from other readers. The author really know how toutilize the English language, and she does so beautifully. Maybe that is why I am so sadthat I found her logic to be from out of this world, or that I am evidently too stupid to follow.

I am currently reading this book so it is difficult to comment, however, I like the style of writing and have enjoyed what Ihave read so far.

This is an ambitious, literate novel employing a non-linear approach that catches the reader (this one, anyway) unawares. As for the subject matter, I'm not sure what the fuss was all about.The best aspect is the convincing depiction of teenage schoolgirls.I read this after The Luminaries, which is a much better novel in my view.