Blood Meridian is a relentless, bleak, blood-soaked novel. It is also one of the most beautiful novels I’ve ever read. Not a read for the faint hearteBlood Meridian is a relentless, bleak, blood-soaked novel. It is also one of the most beautiful novels I’ve ever read. Not a read for the faint hearted, McCarthy commands a lot of his reader here. Both content and style mean that this is not easy reading, but as always McCarthy is the master and I am in awe....more
Finally the time has come for another woman to win the Man Booker Prize and Milkman was my pick to take it out this year. Burns style is challenging bFinally the time has come for another woman to win the Man Booker Prize and Milkman was my pick to take it out this year. Burns style is challenging but the narrative voice is vivid. This isn’t a novel you can read quickly, it commands all of your attention. If stream of consciousness isn’t your buzz, this definitely isn’t for you. That being said, Milkman is an important, uncompromising and disturbing story about Ireland during ‘The Troubles’ and about what it is to be a girl, growing up into an adult world that you don’t fully understand. I thought it was genius, and I’m glad this won the Man Booker, but that’s just me....more
There is so much going on in this book, and all of it is good. The Long Take is so deserving of its place on the 2018 Man Booker Shortlist. I was hesiThere is so much going on in this book, and all of it is good. The Long Take is so deserving of its place on the 2018 Man Booker Shortlist. I was hesitant about reading this- I’m always wary of extended narratives written in verse. I often find it gimmicky; that either the form or narrative suffers. This is not the case with The Long Take. This book is about many things: post-war America, the veteran experience, isolation, poverty, and most interestingly to me, the life of cities. As an unapologetic, dedicated city girl, this part of the narrative really spoke to me. I love how the protagonist Walker sees cities as living entities, with stories, and hearts, and life cycles. A place is more than just a setting or a framework, it’s a character. Robertson is nuanced and insightful in discussion of all his major themes, but it was the analysis of the cities which spoke to me most. How does Robertson tie all these big ideas together? For me, this was a story about crumbling and failure. But in spite of this, in the end I was reminded that all success is born of failure, and that it is in being broken and failing the we truly know ourselves....more
This was a dream re-read. Hardy remains one of my favourite writers. Far From the Madding Crowd is beautifully written, the description of landscape uThis was a dream re-read. Hardy remains one of my favourite writers. Far From the Madding Crowd is beautifully written, the description of landscape unrivalled. It’s a soap-opera style triumph. Gabriel is the ultimate, dreamy love interest, Bathsheba makes innumerable absurd life choices, what a story! Hardy never fails to entertain me....more
Rachel Cusk is a genius. Outline has just skyrocketed to my number one read of 2018 spot.
That being said, it’s almost impossible to review. Outline isRachel Cusk is a genius. Outline has just skyrocketed to my number one read of 2018 spot.
That being said, it’s almost impossible to review. Outline is essentially plotless. It’s not a novel about events, or even particular characters. Even the narrator herself is barely seen, only in the reflection of those she interacts with.
Why is it so effective then? Cusk’s novel is, in being about no one, or no thing in particular, is really about all of us, and all things. In reading this, we are all outlines, waiting to be filled by the reflections of others, the things that we engage with and which happen around us, which allow us to see ourselves. ...more
This is an excellent graphic novel. This isn’t the tale of Dahmer’s crimes, but instead, a personal examination of an adolescence which left one youngThis is an excellent graphic novel. This isn’t the tale of Dahmer’s crimes, but instead, a personal examination of an adolescence which left one young man, isolated in the face of immense challenge and internal turmoil. What I found most powerful, was the way that Backderf consistently illustrates the missed opportunities to help. He leaves us with the enduring question- where were the adults?...more
Moon Tiger is easily the best book I’ve read in 2018. I find it almost impossible to review a novel that has affected me in this way. I’ll leave it toMoon Tiger is easily the best book I’ve read in 2018. I find it almost impossible to review a novel that has affected me in this way. I’ll leave it to say that Lively is expert in her use of language, and characterisation. This is a novel at once about a personal history, and the history of the world. It perfectly captures the intersection between private and public history, the collective and the individual. We are everything, and we are nothing....more
Sodden Downstream is a relentless, epic odyssey. Although the narrative is relatively simple- one woman’s quest to get to work one night during a tropSodden Downstream is a relentless, epic odyssey. Although the narrative is relatively simple- one woman’s quest to get to work one night during a tropical cyclone, Gnanaligam’s novel is so complex. Clearly, this is a novel that makes direct comment on the refugee experience in New Zealand; and it is fairly cutting in its portrayal of this. It is also an illuminating narrative about the atrocities of the Sri Lankan civil war. Although engaging and confronting, these weren’t the ideas I found most compelling in the novel. Gnanalingam demonstrates most skill exploring humanity on both an individual and broader systematic level. The individual encounters in this novel might seem almost idealistic- how many heroic and helpful strangers might one really meet on a night like this? However each of these scenes counters a failing in our systems and organisation, to recognise, respect and support the humanity of the most vulnerable. This story is persistently bleak, and beautifully written. It is a real achievement....more
An authentic story of the life (so far) of an inspiring woman, who has faced challenges and experienced great privilege with humility and gratitude. TAn authentic story of the life (so far) of an inspiring woman, who has faced challenges and experienced great privilege with humility and gratitude. The Obamas legacy will always be the value they place on hard work, true human connection, and commitment to equity; values which underscore every story in this book. A wonderful read....more
This is a super important collection of comics about abortion. Comics for Choice shares personal abortion stories, histories and commentaries on the pThis is a super important collection of comics about abortion. Comics for Choice shares personal abortion stories, histories and commentaries on the politics of abortion. Each story is an important part of an open narrative about abortion, and is central to removing the stigma around the choice each of us has to determine what is right for our lives and our bodies. Required reading....more
The Mars Room is an absolute show-stopper and Kushner’s writing is only getting better (if that’s even possible). This novel is an unrelenting portraiThe Mars Room is an absolute show-stopper and Kushner’s writing is only getting better (if that’s even possible). This novel is an unrelenting portrait of incarceration; a story of the prison-industrial complex, which shies away from none of the gritty, bleak, hopeless details. Kushner’s strength is the honestly of her storytelling. The danger in telling stories like this, is that characters and narratives are thinly constructed, and used to pass social comment. Kushner avoids this trap though. Although her characters are born into harsh lives, with limited options; Kushner consistently reminds us of the role that choice plays in crime. Although each prisoner has almost certainly been failed by society, they are never portrayed as entirely helpless. This is a thoroughly researched novel, and that’s something that I can see might annoy some readers. The fragmented structure of the vignettes in which the story is told foreground the role of this research. I found it made the narrative more real, but can see how it might be problematic for some. In short, I found The Mars Room almost faultless, beyond that it left me wanting more. Well worthy of its place on the Man Booker longlist, it would almost delight me if this took out a third American win....more
I was entirely surprised with how taken I was with Ondaatje’s latest novel. Warlight has certainly met mixed reviews, and to some extent I can see whyI was entirely surprised with how taken I was with Ondaatje’s latest novel. Warlight has certainly met mixed reviews, and to some extent I can see why others were not as absorbed by it as I was.
Warlight is an intensely introspective novel, and heavily focused on the unknown. As such, every scene we read, every interaction between characters seems like a fragment, one which is missing crucial reference points which would allow the reader to understand its significance, to piece it all together.
I was struck, in the early stages of the novel by the following quotation: “Your own story is just one, and perhaps not the important one. The self is not the principal thing.” In the end, this notion seemed to be at the centre of my reading of the novel. Warlight is a story about isolation, the solitude of each lived experience, and the many ways in which we cannot know even those who are closest to us. The lives lived by each character were many and their sins “various”. The achievement of Warlight is in reminding us of how we perceive others in relation to ourselves, and revealing how true it is that “the self is not the principal thing”....more
Essential reading. Beard’s writing on women in power is brief but perfectly formed. I can see some might criticise her over-reliance on classical examEssential reading. Beard’s writing on women in power is brief but perfectly formed. I can see some might criticise her over-reliance on classical examples, but ultimately, her area of expertise serves her arguments well. I was most interested in Beard’s discussion of the silencing and sidelining of women’s voices, especially as voices of authority. Beard asks some critical questions in this text, that we all best be thinking very carefully about. “If women aren’t perceived to be within the structures of power, isn’t it power that we need to redefine?”...more
Tim Winton is basically a genius. I can’t believe it took me so long to start reading this novel, or to finish it once I started. The Shepherd’s Hut iTim Winton is basically a genius. I can’t believe it took me so long to start reading this novel, or to finish it once I started. The Shepherd’s Hut is an exceptional, thorough, and critical study of toxic masculinity culture. Jaxie Clackton is a vivid antihero- an unforgettable Australian voice; a voice that speaks for generations of young men, brought up in tough places and tough times, and for whom adults have been found wanting. This too, is a novel of Australia, Winton writes with precision and awe, bringing to life the unforgiving landscape, which is central to our ability to find ourselves. This is a most exceptional novel. ...more
The first thing we need to address in this review is HOW DID THIS NOT MAKE THE MAN BOOKER SHORTLIST in 2017?! Literally, how? This is, full scale, a sThe first thing we need to address in this review is HOW DID THIS NOT MAKE THE MAN BOOKER SHORTLIST in 2017?! Literally, how? This is, full scale, a spectacular five star read and I’ll make the early call it might be one of my best reads of the year. I’m baffled.
There is a lot going on in this seemingly unassuming, measured novel. First, it’s a retelling of Antigone. I’m only loosely familiar with this narrative- so I enjoyed picking out some of the more basic parallels, and I think Shamsie did a great job of bringing this tale into the modern shambles we are living in. I’m sure Antigone aficionados will rejoice in making comparisons.
Secondly, this novel is a brutal and unrelenting portrait of the climate of “fear of the other” in which the global community is drowning. It’s a slow start, and a carefully paced, subtle read. The characters are complex, their motivations and wills veiled- you almost don’t see it beginning to unravel until the devastating conclusion is upon you.
In short- Shamsie is basically a genius, and this book is amazing. Y’all should read it ASAP....more
This is simply one of the most stunning works of true crime I have ever read- and not just because I’ve read it at this timely moment- when the GoldenThis is simply one of the most stunning works of true crime I have ever read- and not just because I’ve read it at this timely moment- when the Golden State Killer has finally been captured. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is certainly a work tainted by tragedy- not only the innumerable personal tragedies of the crimes perpetrated by the Golden State Killer, but the tragedy of the untimely end of Michelle McNamara’s life, before she was able to see this case solved. McNamara is simply, an excellent writer. Her prose is affecting; stark and spare when it needs to be, at once distant and yet immensely personal, detailed without being dull, intensely observant, measured, thoughtful and evocative. As I read this book, I was horrified by the crimes, outraged that the responsible remained at large, compelled to read more, to know more, but most of all I was scared. McNamara captures so perfectly, the intense, inescapable fear that pervaded communities in California where the killer struck. It takes immense skill to elicit such an emotional response from me. What I appreciated most about this book, is that it is so much more than a true crime narrative. Sure, it’s the story of a Killer, the crimes, and the communities which were victimised. But it is also a story about what it is to be consumed by a mystery- and that’s a story that will speak especially, to any reader of true crime....more
The hype was absolutely real for this one. I can’t believe I waited this long to read it. Madeline Miller’s reimagining of The Iliad strikes, for me, The hype was absolutely real for this one. I can’t believe I waited this long to read it. Madeline Miller’s reimagining of The Iliad strikes, for me, the perfect balance between faithfulness to the classic text, and creative originality- in doing so, she truly brings this epic narrative into the modern age.
Miller is expert in her imagining and expansion of Homer’s characters; adding new dimensions to old friends, in a way that feels like getting to know someone better, rather than a deviation.
It would be easy to criticise this text for veering into melodrama at times, for being overly emotionally charged. In that sense you do need to be in the right mood for this kind of story. However, I see that Miller uses this tone effectively, in a way that is true to the epic nature of ancient storytelling.
At a more basic level, this is a thought-provoking narrative about what we do for those we love: the complex nature of sacrifice. It is about prophecy and destiny, and how these both make us and break us. Although we may not believe in these ideas in quite the same way as ancient times, there’s a lesson here for us all, about being true to ourselves, being wary of who leads us, and remembering always what is important....more
Red Clocks is a masterful, speculative narrative about a world in which abortion is made illegal. Although much less dystopian than I’d anticipated, IRed Clocks is a masterful, speculative narrative about a world in which abortion is made illegal. Although much less dystopian than I’d anticipated, I found this novel highly disturbing- perhaps more so, because I had to work to find the minute differences between this world, and my own. In her expertly crafted prose, Zumas is skilled in her drawing of characters. The slow and measured way in which each of the 5 central characters are revealed to us is effective. Each moves with fluidity from alien to recognisable- by then end we can see elements of ourselves in each of them. This novel really shines as a thematic discussion of womanhood. As the cover of my edition states, Zumas asks the question “what is a woman for?” For me, this novel was really about women, and their relationships with their bodies, and their selves, and the people with whom we form relationships. It’s about how these relationships change when the right to choose is stripped away. These are challenging questions to consider- especially when this reality doesn’t seem so impossible at all....more
It has been quite awhile since I’ve read a short story collection and this one definitely nailed it for me. It is brutal, confronting, visceral and exIt has been quite awhile since I’ve read a short story collection and this one definitely nailed it for me. It is brutal, confronting, visceral and explicit; but in this way it is a really effective analysis and commentary of women’s bodies and the way they are constructed by society. I thought the balance of fantastical elements and reality were used, generally, to effect. Machado’s skill is playing on, and with, easily recognised images and tropes to deliver searing criticism of the way society interacts with women’s bodies. For me, the takeaway was the discussion of how women are defined by our bodies, and yet how they are not our own. An important read....more
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