Скачать или смотреть "The Portable Veblen" By Elizabeth McKenzie

The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth McKenzie is a novel that explores the complexities of modern relationships, the nature of love, and the role of science and technology in our lives. The book follows the story of Veblen Amundsen-Hovda, a young woman who works as a translator of Norwegian for a medical device company, and her fiancé Paul Vreeland, a neurologist who is working on a project that could revolutionize the treatment of traumatic brain injuries.

At the heart of the novel is the relationship between Veblen and Paul. While they are deeply in love with each other, their relationship is marked by a series of misunderstandings and miscommunications. Paul is focused on his work and often neglects Veblen's emotional needs, while Veblen struggles to understand Paul's obsession with his project. As the novel progresses, their relationship becomes increasingly strained, and they are forced to confront the issues that have been simmering beneath the surface.

One of the central themes of the novel is the tension between science and nature. Paul is obsessed with his work on a device that can help heal the brain, but his pursuit of this goal comes at a cost. He neglects his relationship with Veblen and becomes increasingly disconnected from the natural world around him. Meanwhile, Veblen is deeply connected to nature and finds solace in the animals she encounters on her daily walks. She is suspicious of the technology that Paul is working on, and her skepticism leads to a series of conflicts between the two of them.

Another important theme of the novel is the nature of love and relationships. Veblen and Paul's relationship is complicated by their different approaches to life and their different priorities. Veblen is deeply connected to her family and her Norwegian heritage, while Paul is more interested in his work and his ambitions. They struggle to find common ground, and their differences threaten to drive them apart. Ultimately, they must learn to compromise and find a way to make their relationship work.

The novel also explores the issue of mental illness, particularly in the context of the healthcare system in the United States. Veblen's mother suffers from a variety of psychological disorders, and her treatment by the healthcare system is portrayed as inadequate and often harmful. Veblen's frustration with the healthcare system reflects a broader critique of the way mental illness is treated in modern society.

McKenzie's writing style is marked by a whimsical, almost surreal quality that gives the novel a dreamlike quality. The narrative jumps back and forth between different characters and time periods, creating a sense of disorientation that mirrors the characters' own struggles to understand each other. The novel is also marked by a sense of humor and playfulness, even as it tackles serious issues like mental illness and the nature of love.

Overall, The Portable Veblen is a complex and deeply thought-provoking novel that explores a wide range of themes and issues. It is a novel that rewards close reading and reflection, and it is sure to resonate with readers who are interested in exploring the complexities of modern relationships and the role of science and technology in our lives. McKenzie's writing is both beautiful and haunting, and the novel is sure to linger in readers' minds long after they have finished reading it.