EVERYTHING that Susanna Clarke writes is endlessly so magical, eloquent and has me sinking into an entirely new world. The Wood at Midwinter is no difEVERYTHING that Susanna Clarke writes is endlessly so magical, eloquent and has me sinking into an entirely new world. The Wood at Midwinter is no different... my only fault is that I wish that this was a full novel!!! I adored reading every word of this; in all of its atmosphere, whimsy and hopefulness, it was beautiful. Absolutely will be rereading this closer to christmas!
"A church is a sort of wood. A wood is a sort of church. They're the same thing really." ...more
the writing! the conversation on mortality and the innate desire to be remembered / become a martyr! the characters! I feel like I've just been punchethe writing! the conversation on mortality and the innate desire to be remembered / become a martyr! the characters! I feel like I've just been punched in the stomach this was beautiful...more
This was haunting, melancholic and so so beautiful. Following a 14 year old ghost who develops a tender obsession and fascination with novel4.5 STARS!
This was haunting, melancholic and so so beautiful. Following a 14 year old ghost who develops a tender obsession and fascination with novelist George Sand, this was superb. The dual timeline between Blanca observing George's mundane everyday routine paired with Blanca's past and the lead up to her death ~ Nell Stevens perfectly developed these characters and I couldn't help but fall in love with her narrative. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend!...more
This book was incredibly unique, often times hard to navigate and equally filled with so much hope and despair. Following a couple in the face of 'TheThis book was incredibly unique, often times hard to navigate and equally filled with so much hope and despair. Following a couple in the face of 'The Great Blackout,' they narrate theories on varying kinds of love. This is made up of essays, poetry and often times felt as if it tilted more non fiction that fiction... it was incredibly disjointed.
I adored the essay sections and found so many of these 'loves' fascinating to read about, but that was practically it. As much as I enjoyed certain elements it was completely different to what I was expecting. No plot, not much character analysis (I think that's the point) and it made my reading experience quite slow, at times.
One of the most heart wrenching, astounding, eloquent and haunting books I have EVER read! Following a girl in the afterlife desperately longing to reOne of the most heart wrenching, astounding, eloquent and haunting books I have EVER read! Following a girl in the afterlife desperately longing to remember her name and the life that she lived previous ~ this is a book that will stick to you.
Wholeheartedly recommend this if you love: the walking dead (the zombie narrative is to die for), cannibal*sm as a personification for survival, notes on mortality, post-apocalyptic fiction and books that'll make you question EVERYTHING...more
"Perhaps we always want the person we love, to have an existence of a ghost."
This was surreal, ambiguous and ambitious. It spoke about mortality, the "Perhaps we always want the person we love, to have an existence of a ghost."
This was surreal, ambiguous and ambitious. It spoke about mortality, the expanse of time and the lengths that it links to our identity in such an inventive way that was new and (sometimes) exciting to me. This was an absolute claustrophobic fever dream and one that I would definitely want to revisit again. Although it wasn't everything I had hoped for, I can definitely see how this is loved my so many!
existential, steeped in commentary on grief, beautifully written, fever dream and gross (don't read this if you have daddy issues) existential, steeped in commentary on grief, beautifully written, fever dream and gross (don't read this if you have daddy issues) ...more
Wandering Souls is a heart wrenching story following three Vietnamese siblings as they leave their home and try to find a new one in the UK. The novelWandering Souls is a heart wrenching story following three Vietnamese siblings as they leave their home and try to find a new one in the UK. The novel although short, is one that carries such an imperative message surrounding the hardships of refugees, both in parting from their normal life and the difficulties of starting anew. Cecile Pin's writing was astonishing, offering such insight, emotion and rawness to peak through - it was hard not to be captivated by this story. ...more
It's no secret that this was my most anticipated book of the year and that I had expected it to be my favourite book ever... was it? no. were my expecIt's no secret that this was my most anticipated book of the year and that I had expected it to be my favourite book ever... was it? no. were my expectations too high? I fear they were.
Julia Armfield is an incredible novelist and writes about grief, sisterhood, womanhood and melancholy in a way that resonates with me so deeply; that was no different with this book. So much of this was eloquent, heart wrenching and painfully relatable and I did underline SO MANY quotes as my favourites.
As a novel though, I felt like so much of the apocalypse and end of the world state that the premise promised was missing. This book was incredibly quiet and subtle and whilst (from a narrative POV) I can understand why, it didn't make it any more of an enjoyable read. Dare I say I felt myself dragging my feet with it slightly. The last 50 pages for me were PERFECT and exactly what I wanted from this book ~ pretending that the rest was exactly like that, it would've been all I wanted and more.
Saying this though, I can acknowledge that my expectations were VERY high and perhaps that impacted my reading experience slightly. I would still definitely recommend this, especially if you have already established that you like Julia Armfield's writing!
The way that Claire Keegan can captivate you in less than 100 pages is impeccable. So Late in the Day is undoubtedly my favourite Claire Keegan yet. NaThe way that Claire Keegan can captivate you in less than 100 pages is impeccable. So Late in the Day is undoubtedly my favourite Claire Keegan yet. Narrating the mundanity of life, we follow a protagonist who reminisces on a past relationship questioning whether it is possible to love without sharing. If you are a lover of Keegan's storytelling, you will undoubtedly love this! As much as this immersed me at times, I don't think her storytelling is necessarily for me and thus did limit my enjoyment....more
Darkly humorous, captivating and achingly raw. Watching Women & Girls is a collection of short stories narrating variations of experiences that women Darkly humorous, captivating and achingly raw. Watching Women & Girls is a collection of short stories narrating variations of experiences that women encounter at different stages of their lives. This was so incredibly nuanced, with representations of all kinds of women, careers, paths and troubles. Often a difficult read due to how vivid, flawed and achingly familiar many of the women felt to me, Danielle Pender perfectly executed the traumas and difficulties of womanhood. ...more
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