Notevole, erudito, denso, passionale, lirico, avvolgente. This is not just a novel; it is also a poem. And Byatt is a writer with a capital "W", as well as a great literary figure.

One cannot describe the beauty of this book. One simply has to open it and enjoy it. It is like standing in contemplation in front of a monumental work of art. For some reason, the Taj Mahal comes to my mind. It is like reaching the top of a mountain after a tiring climb. I admit that there are roughnesses along the way, but then, there is the charm of a wonderful view. And it is like looking up at the stars and feeling a tingle in the viscera that there is something divine.

And when the reading is concluded, you are filled with the sensation of having completed a long journey that makes you feel richer.

As I delved into the first 10 - 15 pages of Possession, I found myself questioning what I had embarked upon. It seemed rather dry and unappealing at first. However, as the story progressed, the mystery began to unfold, and I was left wondering what was truly happening. And that's when I became completely hooked.

Another unique aspect of this reading experience was that I was simultaneously reading John Fowles’ The French Lieutenant’s Woman. With both novels set in the Victorian Age, it was a bit confounding at times. I would occasionally have to remind myself which book I was engrossed in. After finishing Possession, I delved deeper into the book and came across some remarks by the author, A.S. Byatt. She stated that she had written Possession in response or reaction to The French Lieutenant’s Woman. As I endeavored to understand her comments in relation to the two books, it enhanced both reading experiences significantly.

Possession was one of those remarkable reading experiences that operated on multiple levels and thus had a profound impact on me in various ways. It combines two love stories, one in the present day between two academics, Roland and Maud, who are uncovering the previously unknown relationship between two Romantic poets. The story is captivating as one new discovery leads to another, and the two love interests develop concurrently. There is a sense of urgency in the plot as other researchers catch wind of what Roland and Maud are uncovering. The writing is superb, and Byatt employs a diverse range of vehicles, such as letters, diaries, and poems, to convey the story. The most astonishing aspect of this creation is that Byatt composed pieces of poems or entire poems that were attributed to these two Victorian poets, containing previously unrecognized hints of their relationship. There are additional layers as well, such as the contrast between the independence and success of women in the 1980s and the roles imposed on women in 1860s England. Is Christabel LaMotte a minor Victorian poet because she lacked the talents and output of Randolph Ash, or is it because she is a woman? Not surprisingly, there is also a comparison of extramarital relations and sexual relations across these two time periods. And so much more. It truly requires slow and careful consideration.

This was my first encounter with A.S. Byatt's work. I felt as though I was in the hands of a highly talented author at the zenith of her skills, one who had fully honed her craft and had a rich arsenal of techniques at her disposal. Possession rightfully won the Booker Prize in 1990.

Edit October 2023: This is the ultimate fantasy academia novel.

The long lost descendant of your favorite author? Ummm yes please!

I felt this book in my soul.

This is not an easy novel to read. It's a decent length, filled with a plethora of words, letters, and poems dating from the 1860s and onward. If I had picked up this book three, or perhaps even two years ago, I likely would have held a deep aversion to it.

However, my perspective has now changed, and I have come to love it. It offers a profound exploration of literary academia and the strange, cutthroat behavior that surrounds some written works on pieces of paper. It truly encapsulates the anxieties that pervade universities.

While I relished the entire novel, I must admit that the pacing slows down past page 400. But for the last 130 or so pages, it suddenly transforms into an even wilder adventure with a breakneck pace - at least until another diary interruption.

To anyone who has a penchant for poetry or literary fiction (which is not really my forte), I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

And to anyone who enjoys reading about books, learning, and relishes a bit of mid-1800s scandal (which is definitely me), this book is an absolute must-read.

Personally, I believe that this novel has the potential to significantly influence my opinion of literary and historical fiction in the future.