The Life and Death of Sophie Stark by Anna North - A Review

The Life and Death of Sophie Stark focuses on a brilliant, yet odd woman who garners attention based upon her strange and well received avant-garde films. Told through narrative by the people who have surrounded her, her voice is always secondary, but it doesn't matter. It's still beautiful, wonderful prose and intense, brief observations and moments of life. You can obviously assume the ending based upon the title, but it doesn't ruin a thing.

Sophie is a catalyst for others to project themselves on, for the individuals in her life to dissect and access their own memories, feelings, and sense of self. That doesn't mean she isn't fully fleshed out, a brilliant and powerful character in her own right. She remains an enigma, to the reader and to those who surround her.

And that's perfect, because you aren't supposed to have an intimate knowledge of her. She is sparse, forthright, doesn't mince words or say anything besides what she wants to know. She is so wholly introspective, so focused on showing the world her way through her films, that she doesn't give a fuck about niceties, societal norms or really, anyone else. Her camera is her barrier between herself and the rest of the world. When she wants someone to enter, she let's them, but it's always temporal, it can never be long-term, it can never be forever. Sophie is too lost to let anyone in too long.  She hurts, but it's not visible often.

Everyone is broken and real, the weirdness soothing and reassuring for the reader. Maybe we are okay after all.