‘North Woods’ is a fascinating and unique novel, with a structure that links short stories by their shared location. The use of nature writing further‘North Woods’ is a fascinating and unique novel, with a structure that links short stories by their shared location. The use of nature writing further accentuates the themes of life and death, intelligently mapping the extended life of the woods and house itself over the centuries of human experience described within. This book did not start out well for me, probably due to its chronological structure and the use of era specific language; immediately it felt jarring and forced but the further in I got, the more enchanting this book became. It’s strange and eccentric, with themes that border on supernatural, and is truly genre defying in that it could be described as historical fiction or magical realism, but doesn’t fit perfectly in either of those categories. The writing is very clever and engaging, I very much recommend pushing through the initial chapters to get to the real depth of the book. ...more
Thank you to Faber & Faber for the advanced proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a stunning and delicately layered examinaThank you to Faber & Faber for the advanced proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a stunning and delicately layered examination of grief through the lens of familial, romantic, emotional and parasocial relations. The characters are so fleshed out they are living in their own right, and the complexities of the story are perfectly balanced; there are moments where they will be discussing something seemingly unrelated, which ends up highlighting the entire meaning of the book. Moments like that are just examples of the mastery of this book. The denouement is beautiful and so moving. I wouldn’t have asked for more from this. My only slight gripe with this (and it is slight) is the sometimes jarring use of consistent short sentences; this is purely personal preference, and although it took me a while to get into this style of writing, it did not take away from my enjoyment of this novel....more
Thank you to Calon for sending me a proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
I would rate this as 3.5 stars; Seaglass is a lovely collection of thoThank you to Calon for sending me a proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
I would rate this as 3.5 stars; Seaglass is a lovely collection of thoughtful and reflective essays, which steer its genre further towards nature writing than memoir in my opinion. Having said that, there are a few essays that stand out as not adhering to a set genre or structure, like the essay about the Tann's struggle with acne and subsequent relationship with makeup. Due to this wide selection of essays, the book did feel a little incoherent at times. There were also variations in style throughout, as the opening pages of the book read as metaphorical and delicate, where the reader can read between what is written to interpret a meaning that works for them. However, further through the book the style becomes much more 'matter-of-fact', not allowing much space for personal connotations and understanding. I preferred the initial style and would've enjoyed the book more if it was written this way, as a personal preference. Overall, this is an enjoyable and readable work of nonfiction, with some lovely short excerpts and illustrations between each essay. ...more
The Napoleon of Notting Hill is a book set in 1984, written in 1904 and being republished in 2024; this is a fascinating and hugely entertaining read,The Napoleon of Notting Hill is a book set in 1984, written in 1904 and being republished in 2024; this is a fascinating and hugely entertaining read, playing on the same ideas of political satire that are so prominent today. Its opening and closing passages are full of quotes transferable to societal commentary, whilst the plot itself is as ridiculous and absurd in nature as the main characters. With the newly chosen King reigning in chaos and humour exclusively, we see the whole of London react in different ways to his intricate joke, at times both ironic and on the nose.
Thank you to Penguin Classics for this proof copy.
Some enjoyable quotes: ‘Have you not noticed how continually in history democracy becomes despotism? People call it the decay of democracy. It is simply its fulfilment.’
and
‘All that we want for Government is a man not criminal and insane’ … cough cough trump....more
J'ai lu ce livre en anglais l'année dernière, mais je l'aime plus en français. Le style de la langue est plus complexe et sophistiqué, et j'ai trouvé J'ai lu ce livre en anglais l'année dernière, mais je l'aime plus en français. Le style de la langue est plus complexe et sophistiqué, et j'ai trouvé l'histoire plus émouvante cette fois-ci....more
This edition of Aimé Césaire’s long poem is well translated and includes a beautiful introduction, which presents ways in which the poem can be undersThis edition of Aimé Césaire’s long poem is well translated and includes a beautiful introduction, which presents ways in which the poem can be understood and appreciated. The poem itself is gorgeous, metaphorical but also viscerally physical in many ways. The anti colonial commentary throughout is powerful and moving, it is clear that this poem had a profound impact on the understanding of the African diaspora, and the experiences that were so often brushed aside by those who colonised. ‘Beware, my body and soul, beware above all of crossing your arms and assuming the sterile attitude of the spectator, because life is not a spectacle, because a sea of sorrows is not a proscenium, because a man who cries out is not a dancing bear.’ Thank you to Penguin for the proof copy of this book....more
Madame Dodin est un livre un peu inutile. J'aime souvent les oeuvres de Marguerite Duras, mais quand il y a quatre-vingt pages sur un concierge qui déMadame Dodin est un livre un peu inutile. J'aime souvent les oeuvres de Marguerite Duras, mais quand il y a quatre-vingt pages sur un concierge qui déteste les poubelles, je m'ennuie un peu....more
‘Nightbitch’ is a wonderfully weird book, which brings the brutality in femininity, motherhood and creation into a tangible state of being. The whole ‘Nightbitch’ is a wonderfully weird book, which brings the brutality in femininity, motherhood and creation into a tangible state of being. The whole book is a fever dream, where a mother of a young boy intermittently goes to baby book clubs at the library, gets involved briefly in multilevel marketing, struggles with what it means to no longer be a ‘working mother’ and transforms into a wolfish creature, hellbent on protecting her child, whilst also indulging in her most carnal and primitive natural instincts. Written very well by an evocative author, ‘Nightbitch’ makes the most farfetched moments in the plot’s ‘metaphor’ feel perfectly natural for the character progression. ‘Nightbitch’ is as honest as they come, provided the reader is able to read between the lines of the physical and mental transformation of our titular character to benefit from the lesson behind it....more
this is a well written study into the lives of the roman emperors, their families, slaves, colleagues and people; it does however fall into the trap othis is a well written study into the lives of the roman emperors, their families, slaves, colleagues and people; it does however fall into the trap of overgeneralisation, meaning some of the small stories feel unnecessary, and the bigger retelling of events feel rushed. there are also lots of examples of Beard condemning other writers for making assumptions and asserting them based on things no one could know or ever prove right or wrong, but she is also guilty of this. overall, this is a good read for people interested in the inner workings of the roman empire, but it is not without certain issues....more
'Kala' is a wildly immersive novel, full of unexpected moments and unforgettable characters. You don't as much read this book as fall into the pages; 'Kala' is a wildly immersive novel, full of unexpected moments and unforgettable characters. You don't as much read this book as fall into the pages; whilst not technically a thriller or crime book, its multi-faceted plot and intricately woven lore are so deeply enthralling that you cannot put it down. The writing is beautiful, and Walsh masterfully uses different voices for each character's point of view, further progressing the illusion of truly being inside their heads. 'Kala' is a gorgeous read which should not be underestimated in terms of the themes it tackles. After hearing comparisons to Donna Tartt, I was sceptical, but I can honestly say I haven't read a novel so engaging since The Secret History....more
3.5. the writing style is gorgeous and very engaging, but there are some issues that can’t be ignored; the main event of the plot was dealt with so qu3.5. the writing style is gorgeous and very engaging, but there are some issues that can’t be ignored; the main event of the plot was dealt with so quickly and deftly that it felt rushed and didn’t have any deep effect on me as a reader. it is an atmospheric book but some traits of the narrative voice kept kicking me out of being fully immersed. an example of this is the author’s murakami-esque way of writing about women, painfully single faceted and over sexualised for no gain to the plot rather than evoking the feeling of a very horny preteen, which i suppose fits with part of the story. an enjoyable novel but not without issues....more
this book did what i doubted was possible; it outshone the first part of levy’s memoirs. the cost of living is a powerfully vulnerable and fascinatingthis book did what i doubted was possible; it outshone the first part of levy’s memoirs. the cost of living is a powerfully vulnerable and fascinating gem of a read, executed in levy’s stunning writing style. i’m running to read her whole oeuvre....more
4.5. Parade is a novel that transcends literary conventions; it reads almost like a collection of fictional memoirs. The nonlinear structure of the bo4.5. Parade is a novel that transcends literary conventions; it reads almost like a collection of fictional memoirs. The nonlinear structure of the book is formed in four parts, each exploring different areas of humanity and inhumanity. Cusk has gone further into analysis of the cultural psyche here than in any of her other works, and the result is a densely thought-provoking book, written in her signature intelligent and unflinching style. I would recommend this to anyone who appreciates a slightly cynical philosophical rambling....more
Loading...
