I set aside a book I was genuinely enjoying to breeze through this one, assuming its slimness would make it a quick read. Big mistake. Beautifully wriI set aside a book I was genuinely enjoying to breeze through this one, assuming its slimness would make it a quick read. Big mistake. Beautifully written, yes, but I would rather watch a documentary. Fiction that does not feel like fiction leaves me cold, unfortunately....more
**spoiler alert** The book is an acquired taste—definitely not for those who dislike raunchy, wretched writing. But honestly, if this novel represents**spoiler alert** The book is an acquired taste—definitely not for those who dislike raunchy, wretched writing. But honestly, if this novel represents the entirety of Miranda July's definition of feminism, count me out. The protagonist was irreparably self-involved, to the point of gaslighting her husband when she was finally caught. Personal accountability could not have mattered less to her, even if it hit her in the face. If this is supposed to be the pinnacle of a white premenopausal woman’s sexual, personal, or whatever kind of awakening, I shudder to think what those who loved this book are like. Personally, I do not know a single non-white woman who has liked All Fours, just by the way.
That said, Miranda July can certainly write, and the novel might be well-suited for a TV or film adaptation (which is understandable given the range of work she has done over the years). Yes, reading this novel was an ordeal, but I also underlined the hell out of it. There are genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, and I do believe the protagonist—however terrible—was sincere in her terribleness. I was not rooting for her, but at least I found her believable....more
I abandoned this book years ago and always had the nagging feeling that I couldn't finish it. Finally, I managed to complete it and realized the reasoI abandoned this book years ago and always had the nagging feeling that I couldn't finish it. Finally, I managed to complete it and realized the reason for my initial reluctance was its excessive self-indulgence. While the book does have some shining moments, its overall rambling style felt too Eat Pray Love for my taste. I found it challenging to overlook Deborah Levy's privilege, evident in her ability to freely travel from one country to another. Her commentary on her experiences in Mexico and India came across as overly stereotypical and lacked depth. Her constant focus on materialism became increasingly grating throughout the book, whereas her feminism seemed utterly banal. It felt akin to a narrative where (white) individuals revel endlessly in mundane conversations and trivial thoughts. Yawn. Read 'The Cost of Living' by Levy instead if you're looking for something less vapid and solipsistic. ...more
An ambitious, though a jumbled, debut novel that I appreciated more than I loved. There were slivers of brilliance in its nihilist[3.5 out of 5 stars]
An ambitious, though a jumbled, debut novel that I appreciated more than I loved. There were slivers of brilliance in its nihilistic ending, which will surely stay with me for a long time. I feel happy to have finally come across Orwellian South Asian fiction that delves so thoughtfully into the relationship between technology and embodiment. ...more
I love absurd, off kilter short story collections, and began reading Cursed Bunny quite excitedly. Unfortunately, I found the collection to be lackingI love absurd, off kilter short story collections, and began reading Cursed Bunny quite excitedly. Unfortunately, I found the collection to be lacking. The stories are all over the place: weird for the sake of being weird, without any rigor or context setting. They do seem to be driven by a sense of morality, therefore being reminiscent of markers of South Korean pop culture, but they don't really land -- simply because they are too busy. Bora seems inclined to explore a plethora of ideas, at the grave expense of allowing her stories to cohere. If you are looking for good surrealist horror, read Argentinian literature (Schweblin + Enriquez) or Han Kang instead....more
I love books that are political but don't lapse into customary navel-gazing. In Chain-Gang All Stars, politics is skillfully employed to carve a dystoI love books that are political but don't lapse into customary navel-gazing. In Chain-Gang All Stars, politics is skillfully employed to carve a dystopian future where inmates within privatised prisons are enlisted in battle squads or "chains" for televised death matches. Their struggle for survival ultimately leads them towards (the elusive promise of) freedom. While delving into the American prison system and the racial and capitalist prison-industrial complex, the novel also offers immense hope through the characters it roots for amid an otherwise dark and violent narrative. What sets this dystopian fiction apart is its refusal to solely portray gloominess, avoiding what I consider a narrative cop-out. Love takes center stage in Nana's writing, even during its bleakest moments. I am still shaking after having read the ending of the novel. So good I am close to crying....more
A hopeful, prescient novel. I almost didn't pick it up because Sea of Tranquility underwhelmed me, but there is a reason why it is considered to be onA hopeful, prescient novel. I almost didn't pick it up because Sea of Tranquility underwhelmed me, but there is a reason why it is considered to be one of the finest speculative fiction novels to have ever been written. I loved every bit of it; worldbuilding at its absolute finest....more
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