Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from
>
Books:
uk-edition
(15)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
my rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1035408236
| 9781035408238
| B0CW98MMNR
| 4.44
| 1,808
| Aug 01, 2024
| Aug 01, 2024
|
really liked it
|
A new installment in author Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series is always among my most anticipated reads, so much so that I don’t mind ordering a cop
A new installment in author Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series is always among my most anticipated reads, so much so that I don’t mind ordering a copy from the UK so as not to wait for the book to become available in the US ( Thank you, Blackwell’s for the getting the book to me a day before UK publication day!). I’ve enjoyed (in varying degrees) all the previous books (including one short story and one novella) in this series and I’m glad to say that the latest installment Witness 8 is a worthy addition to the lot! Ruby Johnson, a young woman in her twenties, works as a maid and nanny in several houses in an affluent New York neighborhood. Once a resident of the same neighborhood, she is haunted by the events that caused her family’s downfall. She is cunning and perceptive and one night, after witnessing the murder of the wealthy socialite, she decides to use this information and manipulate the truth to further her own agenda. The narrative follows Eddie Flynn and his team as they work on defending the successful surgeon who is accused of murdering his neighbor, based on evidence recovered at his home. Complicating matters further for Eddie is the fact that in the course of one of his previous cases, he has provoked a few very corrupt yet powerful people who have taken out a hit on him. Therefore, now, along with working to prove his client’s innocence, he has to dodge the hitmen and assassins (including a very interesting Mr. Christmas, who has a history with one of Eddie’s team) out to collect the bounty on his head while also trying to figure out how to deal with the friction with the criminal entities in the mix. Needless to say, a lot is going on and Eddie and his team will have their hands full! It’s always a pleasure following our con man-turned-lawyer, who now works with a very competent team comprising his mentor retired Judge Harry Ford, fellow defense attorney Kate Brooks, investigator Melissa Bloch, former FBI profiler Gabriel Lake and their office manager Denise, and never hesitates to rope in help from his friends and associates from his former life as “Eddie Fly. This time was no exception! The author deftly weaves the numerous threads of the plot and multiple perspectives into a consistently paced, twisty, tension-filled narrative. I enjoyed the dynamic between Eddie’s team members and thought they made a formidable team. In this context, I should mention that we don’t see Eddie as much as in the previous books, but I do appreciate that each of the characters has a distinct role to play. The author always infuses a healthy dose of humor into these books, and I find these segments-both in and out the courtroom and, of course, Eddie’s very creative methods of fact-finding and besting his opponents- very entertaining. I will admit that there were aspects that were not entirely unpredictable and while the twists were well-executed, overall, this wasn’t as complex as some of the previous books, but this in no way makes it less enjoyable! I found Mr. Christmas to be a very interesting character and hope that we do get to see more of him in future books. Overall, I did find this to be an absorbing and entertaining read and I eagerly await the next book in the series! Please note that this book would work well as a standalone, but I definitely recommend reading all the books in series order . You won’t be disappointed! 3.75⭐ Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
not set
|
Aug 2024
|
Aug 01, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 1804940410
| 9781804940419
| 1804940410
| 3.97
| 1,368
| unknown
| Jun 20, 2024
|
really liked it
|
The second book in British criminal barrister/author Rob Rinder’s Adam Green Mystery series begins with the murder of a popular television presenter c
The second book in British criminal barrister/author Rob Rinder’s Adam Green Mystery series begins with the murder of a popular television presenter captured on live television. Jessica Holby, co-host of “Wake Up Britain!”, dies from anaphylactic shock after tasting a dish prepared by celebrity chef Sebastian Brooks, a regular guest on the show. Brooks is the prime suspect after it is discovered that the dish was laced with an ingredient to which it was public knowledge that Jessica was allergic. Though he is expected to watch and learn as they prepare for the upcoming trial, it soon becomes clear to Adam Green, now a Junior Barrister, that there might be more to the case than meets the eye and as he pursues his deep dive into Jessica’s life and her associates, it is gradually revealed that Jessica had a fair share of people in her life who possibly held a grudge. Adam is also asked by one of his seniors to help on another trial involving a teenager found in possession of illegal weapons and whose family is suspected of having criminal connections. As with the The Trial, the plot is not particularly intense or complex, despite the parallel storyline woven into the primary narrative, but it is definitely well-written and entertaining. The narrative is consistently paced and well-structured. The mystery is well-crafted and I enjoyed following Adam’s character arc as he navigates a stressful work environment and the expectations of his seniors, tries to strike a balance between his personal life and professional friendships, struggles to venture out of his comfort zone and begins to realize that mistakes can be made in the pursuit of justice despite the best intentions. I also liked how the author describes Adam’s work environment. The characters and the setting are portrayed realistically and I liked how the author depicts the competitiveness and the work pressure and how the same affects Adam and other newcomers. I enjoyed the courtroom scenes and the investigative segments. I also appreciated the element of humor added to the narrative, in the form of his phone conversations with his mother, in chapters interspersed throughout the narrative. The ending is indicative of a third book with what (I hope) might be a relatively more intense plotline. Overall, I enjoyed The Suspect by Rob Rinder and I eagerly await the next book in the series. Though this is the second book in the series, it does work well as a standalone. I would, however, recommend reading the first book as it is an enjoyable read and does give you a bit more insight into Adam as a character. Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
not set
|
Jun 29, 2024
|
Jun 29, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 1035408171
| 9781035408177
| B0BWFQ2NPX
| 4.20
| 46,907
| Jul 20, 2023
| Jul 20, 2023
|
it was amazing
|
4.5⭐️ Having read and loved the author’s Eddie Flynn series, this is my first time reading any of his standalone novels (I’ve yet to read Twisted) and 4.5⭐️ Having read and loved the author’s Eddie Flynn series, this is my first time reading any of his standalone novels (I’ve yet to read Twisted) and I loved it! Amanda and Wendy meet in a grief support group, bond over drinks and share their stories of loss with one another. Both have lost a loved one as a result of separate acts of heinous crime and believe that law enforcement has failed to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice. They devise a plan to help one another – “kill for me kill for you” - each with a foolproof alibi to keep themselves off the radar of investigators. Sounds familiar, right? Initially, though I was enjoying the plot, the well-fleshed-out characters and the incredible writing, I was prepared for a formulaic read. You’ll agree that a Patricia Highsmith-like plot (I loved the way the author weaves the same into the narrative), though enjoyable, isn’t quite unpredictable. I WAS WRONG! (I love when that happens!) I won’t say more because I do not want to give too much away. The plot progression is a tad slow initially, but after the 25% mark, with its multiple twists, shocking revelations and satisfying ending, this was UNPUTDOWNABLE! (I felt one thread was left somewhat unresolved. Can we hope for a sequel?) Told through multiple perspectives, the suspenseful narrative kept me hooked until the very last page. (I’m still thinking about the ending and it’s been a few days since I finished the book!) There are moments where I couldn't not feel sympathetic toward the main characters and in others, questioned their choices or was horrified by their actions. This is a thriller that sets you on an emotional roller-coaster along with its characters. There are aspects that would require a suspension of disbelief, but fans of this genre would agree that is to be expected in such stories. Don’t overthink it and enjoy the wild ride! Is this my favorite Cavanagh novel? Probably not. The author sets a high bar with his Eddie Flynn series. But there is no doubt that Cavanagh is a master storyteller and with his latest offering, he does not disappoint! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh, and can't wait to read more from this talented author in the future! P.S. Though this novel is not part of the author’s Eddie Flynn series, a character we’ve met in the books is mentioned briefly. Loved that! Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jul 20, 2023
|
Jul 20, 2023
|
Jul 20, 2023
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1529196388
| 9781529196382
| 1529196388
| 4.24
| 13,455
| Jun 22, 2023
| Jan 01, 2023
|
really liked it
| Public hero and “pride of the nation” DI Grant Cliveden collapses in Old Bailey just minutes before giving testimony in a drug case. All evidence poin Public hero and “pride of the nation” DI Grant Cliveden collapses in Old Bailey just minutes before giving testimony in a drug case. All evidence points to him being poisoned and the prime suspect is career felon Jimmy Knight, who has only recently been released after serving a ten-year sentence for armed robbery. Jimmy had a history with the deceased and had met with him in a local pub before his death. The theory is that Jimmy slipped the poison in Cliveden's drink. Though there is no forensic evidence linking Jimmy to the poisoning, he is arrested and set to be tried for murder, based on the discovery of a burner phone, from which he sent a text message setting up the meeting, in his possession and CCTV footage of the same meeting which shows Jimmy buying Cliveden a drink. Pupil barrister Adam Green is on Jimmy’s defense team headed by his pupil master Jonathan Taylor-Cameron, who would rather Jimmy plead guilty so that he could devote his attention to more high-paying clients. Though his pupil master is leaning toward establishing reasonable doubt, Adam is convinced of Jimmy’s innocence and tries to gather evidence that would prove the same often attracting the ire of his pupil master who is happy to let Adam shoulder most of his caseload while he pursues other interests. As the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that the “pride of the nation” might not have been the honest, hardworking member of law enforcement he was made out to be. This is a high-profile case and the first major case that Adam has been assigned. Adam is in the second six stage of his pupillage and his future at the Chambers is at stake. Is Jimmy truly innocent or is Adam being played by a career criminal? Will his pursuit of the truth end up jeopardizing Adam’s career prospects? With its intricate plot, even pacing, and interesting cast of characters The Trial by criminal barrister and television personality Rob Rinder is a cleverly crafted courtroom drama/ murder mystery with plenty of twists and surprises along the way. The narrative flows well and the author also injects a healthy dose of humor into the narrative. Adam is a very likable protagonist and I loved how the author describes the dynamic he shares with his colleagues, the competitive work environment and his courtroom scenes. I also enjoyed the telephone conversations between Adam and his mother, who frets over her son’s well-being and is intent on finding him a girlfriend. Adam’s personal history and his motivation for helping Jimmy are skillfully woven into the narrative without compromising the pace or suspense. Though a few aspects of the mystery were not entirely hard to predict, this did not detract from the overall reading experience. The ending, though not entirely convincing, did come as a surprise, which is always a good thing! Overall, I thought this was an entertaining read and an impressive debut. Though not particularly intense, it's definitely enjoyable! I certainly hope this novel is the beginning of a new series and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future. 3.75⭐ Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
not set
|
Aug 10, 2023
|
Mar 06, 2023
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 0857529404
| 9780857529404
| 0857529404
| 4.28
| 101,688
| Mar 07, 2023
| Jan 01, 2023
|
it was amazing
|
“There is a kind of sadness that transcends sadness, that runs like hot syrup into every crevice of your being, beginning in the heart then oozing int
“There is a kind of sadness that transcends sadness, that runs like hot syrup into every crevice of your being, beginning in the heart then oozing into your very cells and bloodstream, so that nothing— not earth or sky or even your own palm— ever looks the same. This is the sadness that changes everything.” In 1948, a chance meeting between seventeen-year-old Victoria “Torie” Nash meets a young man by the name of Wilson “Wil” Moon, a drifter of Native American descent triggers a sequence of events that changes Victoria's life forever. Victoria, the only female in her household, since her mother perished in a tragic car accident when she was twelve, was responsible for taking care of the household while her father and other men of the family and those in their employ worked their family’s peach farm in Iola, Colorado. Victoria is lonely and Wilson is kind and caring and makes her happy. She keeps her relationship with Wilson secret for good reason. But in a tragic turn of events, Victoria finds herself alone and fending for herself, knowing that neither her life will ever be the same again nor will she. “Just as a single rainstorm can erode the banks and change the course of a river, so can a single circumstance of a girl’s life erase who she was before.” The narrative follows Victoria over the next four decades as she builds a life for herself after enduring tragic loss and much more. Eventually, in the late 1950s, she leaves Iola when she accepts a buyout offer by the government as they plan to flood Iola and two neighboring towns to build the Blue Mesa Reservoir. She remembers Wil’s words and decides to “go as a river” and take life as it comes doing the best she can do. Her move to Paonia comes with its own set of challenges but Victoria leads a quiet life with dignity, with the memories of the places and the people she has left behind. Some wounds are deeper than others and some decisions, taken in moments of despair will haunt her throughout the years. “Strength, I had learned, was like this littered forest floor, built of small triumphs and infinite blunders, sunny hours followed by sudden storms that tore it all down. We are one and all alike if for no other reason than the excruciating and beautiful way we grow piece by unpredictable piece, falling, pushing from the debris, rising again, and hoping for the best.” Go as a River by Shelley Read is a stunningly beautiful novel. I honestly could not believe that this was the author’s debut novel. The beautiful prose and the vivid descriptions of the landscape and nature make for an immersive read. The story touches upon themes of discrimination, love, loss, motherhood, sacrifice, resilience, friendship and how one defines family and home. Each of the characters in this story is well-fleshed out. Strong and resilient, compassionate and kind, Victoria is a memorable character. I was completely invested in Victoria’s story, sharing her sorrows and pain, rejoicing in her triumphs and hoping that eventually, she would find some peace and happiness. The story is presented to us from the first-person PoV of Victoria in 1971 who recalls her past and the events that led to her being at the reservoir on that day. The narrative is well –structured and the relatively slower pace is perfect for the story. I’m glad the author chose to end the novel on a hopeful note but not too neatly tied up, which would have been unconvincing. Overall, I found this to be a powerfully evocative story that will stay with me. I originally read this on loan from my library and loved it so much that I just had to order a personal copy. I decided on the UK edition for the beautiful cover! “Imagine a town silent, forgotten, decomposing at the bottom of a lake that once was a river. If this makes you wonder whether the joys and pain of a place wash away as the floodwaters rise and swallow, I can tell you they do not. The landscapes of our youths create us, and we carry them within us, storied by all they gave and stole, in who we become.” Note: I enjoy reading up on historical facts that inspire fiction whenever I come across something new. While reading up on the flooding of Iola after reading this novel, I came across an article from 2018. In 2018, The Blue Mesa Reservoir dried out during a severe drought, causing what remained of the long-submerged town of Iola to reemerge. https://coloradosun.com/2018/12/10/io... Connect with me! My Blog The StoryGraph ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Apr 18, 2023
|
Apr 20, 2023
|
Feb 16, 2023
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1800810407
| 9781800810402
| 1800810407
| 3.95
| 20,085
| Sep 14, 2023
| Sep 14, 2023
|
really liked it
|
"Open the safe deposit box. Inside you will find research material for a true crime book. You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you d "Open the safe deposit box. Inside you will find research material for a true crime book. You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?" True Crime writer Amanda Bailey has been commissioned to write a book on the eighteen-year-old case of the Alperton Angels – a cult led by “Gabriel”, presently incarcerated, three members of which were found dead (apparent ritualistic suicide) in an abandoned warehouse in Alperton, a suburb of northwest London. Another murder, a presumed ritualistic killing committed by Gabriel also figures in the list of crimes. Two surviving members, Jonah and Holly, both teenagers and their baby have withdrawn from the public eye since then. Gabriel, their charismatic leader had convinced them that they were angels in human form and the child was the Antichrist. Holly was instrumental in protecting the child from harm and in the process exposed the members of the group. Amanda’s research includes studying existing documentation, tapping into her sources contacting law enforcement officers, hospital staff and social workers who interacted with the members, attempting to interview anyone and everyone linked to the case including Gabriel and tracking down the survivors including the child who would now be eighteen years old and from whose perspective Amanda’s book is to be based. Complicating things further is the fact that fellow writer Oliver Menzies is also working on a similar book commissioned by another publishing house. Forced to collaborate, but unable to trust one another (there is history here, and it's not pleasant!), they race to uncover the truth behind the story of the Alperton Angels. Assisted by Ellie Cooper, who is helping in transcribing the interviews and phone conversations, Amanda is determined, perceptive and fearless, committed to getting to the bottom of things. But there are forces at play that don’t want them to succeed and people who would go to any length to make sure that the secrets surrounding the case stay buried. Presented through a series of email correspondence, WhatsApp messages, letters, transcripts of interviews and phone conversations, and excerpts from fiction inspired by the Alperton Angels case and other documents, the narrative hooks you in from the very first page. To say that the plot is complex would be an understatement. The twists and turns and the direction the narrative ultimately took left my head spinning. There are more than a few characters to keep track of which adds to the confusion and the pace does waver in parts, but the author cleverly weaves a gripping tale that keeps you guessing, topping it off with an ending that you do not see coming. This book requires a bit of patience (and maybe a bit of notetaking to keep track of who’s who) but it is definitely worth the effort and time invested. With an intriguing premise, clever plotting and an engaging narrative, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett is a thoroughly satisfying read. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jan 30, 2023
|
Feb 02, 2023
|
Feb 02, 2023
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1529061474
| 9781529061475
| 1529061474
| 3.82
| 53,523
| Sep 15, 2022
| Sep 15, 2022
|
really liked it
|
Longlisted for The 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction! “I’m wondering if you still think of her as a monster. I suppose it depends on what you think that Longlisted for The 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction! “I’m wondering if you still think of her as a monster. I suppose it depends on what you think that word means. Monsters are, what? Ugly? Terrifying? Gorgons are both these things, certainly, although Medusa wasn’t always. Can a monster be beautiful if it is still terrifying? Perhaps it depends on how you experience fear and judge beauty.” The mortal daughter of the sea god Phorcys and Ceto, Medusa is raised by her Gorgon sisters, Sthenno, who treats her as if she were her own child, and Euryale who loves her no less. (”we are one, but we are many”). She leads a sheltered life under the loving care of her sisters for sixteen years until she becomes the object of desire of Poseidon who violates her in the temple of Athene. Athene’s rage manifests in the form of a curse. Overnight, Medusa transforms into a Gorgon – anguished not only by the painful physical transformation but also unable to look at any living creature without it turning to stone. Her transformation into a Gorgon also seals her fate. Perseus is on a quest to capture the head of a Gorgon, not without the assistance of Goddess Athene, Hermes, and others who arm him with whatever he would require to complete his quest successfully. Multiple characters (gods, demigods, nymphs, mortals and even a talkative crow) take us through the events that lead to Perseus’ encounter with the Gorgons and beyond. My only complaint is we don’t get much of Medusa’s own voice telling her story (which is what I was expecting.) Though Medusa or rather Medusa’s head does share her PoV, her voice felt overshadowed by that of Athene. I loved how the author describes Medusa’s childhood years and her relationship with her sisters. Medusa’s story is a sad one. She did not deserve the treatment she received from Poseidon, Athene or Perseus. Not only does Natalie Haynes do a brilliant job in voicing her innocence, helplessness and fear as a wronged young girl-turned-Gorgon but she also packs a powerful punch in voicing her rage after being decapitated when her head takes over Medusa’s narrative. Natalie Haynes balances the tragic element of the story with her signature sardonic humor and wit. I enjoyed the stories of the gods and their insecurities and pettiness (Hera and Zeus never fail to entertain!). We also get to know the story of Athene’s origins, the Gigantomachy and the story of Perseus and Andromeda. Much of the narrative focuses on Perseus (his conception, his quest and the aftermath). In keeping with the strong feminist overtones of Natalie Haynes’ mythological retellings, the author holds nothing back in her portrayal of Perseus “as arrogant and spoiled”. “He is a vicious little thug and the sooner you grasp that, and stop thinking of him as a brave boy hero, the closer you’ll be to understanding what actually happened.” Despite the multiple perspectives, the narrative is well structured, flows seamlessly and the pacing is consistent. The author provides a list of characters at the beginning of the book which makes it easy to place the characters, the varying timelines and the role they play in Medusa’s story. Those who follow Greek mythology might be a tad disappointed that the author chose to leave out a few details from Medusa’s story, which would have added a bit of depth to Medusa’s narrative but overall this is an absorbing read. Natalie Haynes is a masterful storyteller and her prose is exquisite. Having enjoyed both Pandora’s Jar and A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes I could not wait to pick up her latest offering. I was thrilled when I found out that her new novel would be based on Medusa, a character whose story has always fascinated me. I promptly pre-ordered my copy of Stone Blind: Medusa’s Story from the UK and I must mention that this beautiful edition is a worthy addition to my personal collection! ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Sep 22, 2022
|
Sep 24, 2022
|
Sep 24, 2022
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1529344778
| 9781529344776
| B08R89B82X
| 3.87
| 11,680
| Jul 07, 2022
| Jul 07, 2022
|
really liked it
|
4.5⭐ “How to explain? How to explain to my partner and my best friend that this task, the clearing of Mum’s house, was my last opportunity to say goodb 4.5⭐ “How to explain? How to explain to my partner and my best friend that this task, the clearing of Mum’s house, was my last opportunity to say goodbye? How to explain that I needed to show this final kindness to her? How to explain that I needed to sort through each of her belongings alone? That I wanted to make every last decision to do with dismantling her life from the biggest to the smallest without the help or hindrance of others? How to explain that I wanted to put as much love and care into the taking apart of my wonderful mum’s home as had been poured into bringing it all together in the first place?” Almost a year has passed since Jessica “Jess” Baxter lost her mother to cancer. Jess is in the process of clearing her mother's home before putting it up for sale – a difficult task, emotionally draining, and heartbreaking but Jess manages to clear out most of her belongings selecting a few significant items that hold a special place in her heart. However, there seems to be no place to keep her precious set of encyclopedias in the home she shares with her partner, Guy, which they are also putting on the market with plans to move into a ‘forever home”. Her best friend, Luce, tells her about a place she has heard about - the “Museum of Ordinary People”- a space in the warehouse of a home clearance company where the now deceased owner looked after the belongings of those unable to find space for it – letters, furniture, suitcases and much more - tagged and detailed with how and when it was acquired by the said museum. The new owner, Alex, initially clueless about the existence of said space, allows Jess to explore the space and though initially reluctant grants Jess’s request to open the museum to the public with Jess, who is qualified in Museum Sciences, as Curator, but only for a duration six months after which the property in which the museum is located is to be sold. As the story progresses and the Museum is opened to the public, Alex and Jess try their hardest to garner public interest in their museum and Jes tries to explore possibilities of finding a new location to keep the museum open. As Jess’s dreams of working in a museum begin to take shape, there are other aspects of her life that she needs to take into account– her friendship with Alex, the cracks in her relationship with Guy, a revelation about her identity of her father that could fracture some of the most important relationships in her life – a lot is going on in Jess’s life and we feel invested in her journey as tries to navigate her way through the changes in her life. The grief Mike Gayle describes is not unknown to me. At times I had to put the book down because it reminded me of how I’ve avoided stepping foot into my parents' home since I lost my mother to cancer over four years ago. Living halfway across the world and the pandemic (and the international travel restrictions that followed) made for a good excuse to not travel. It broke my heart to have to go through my father’s things after his demise some years earlier and neither my brother nor I have been able to do more than the bare minimum after our mother passed. I can relate to how the most seemingly insignificant and mundane things can evoke sorrow and nostalgia and open a floodgate of memories. “ And although the objects themselves are no replacement for the people we ache for, they are a reminder of the fact that those people were here, and they mattered and will be missed.” The Museum of Ordinary Things by Mike Gayle is a beautifully written novel that revolves around themes of loss, grief, memories, kindness, love and friendship. The writing is beautiful as is the concept. The characterizations are on point ( even the unlikable Guy) and realistic. Needless to say, I felt a personal connection to Jess and all she was going through. I could also understand how the loss of her mother triggered Jess to take stock of other aspects of her life – her personal relationships, professional aspirations and dreams. What kept me from giving this book a 5 rating was the unnecessary and forced (in my opinion) subplot revolving around Jess’s father. I felt that adding this complication to Jess’s story distracted from the primary narrative. The pace is on the slower side, but I felt it suited the story. Overall, The Museum of Ordinary People is a moving story that I would definitely recommend. I believe we could all use a “museum of ordinary people” to keep the memories and the stories alive. “We give value to the overlooked, to the ordinary, to that which the world thinks of as commonplace. And we do this in the hope that the lives and the stories of the people these seemingly unremarkable things once belonged to will be treasured and remembered long after they’re gone.” ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Sep 06, 2022
|
Sep 13, 2022
|
Sep 06, 2022
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 1838933573
| 9781838933579
| 1838933573
| 4.22
| 13,443
| May 12, 2022
| May 12, 2022
|
really liked it
|
4.5⭐️ “Gaia Plinia Amara, Liberta” In AD 75, Amara from The Wolf Den is now a freedwoman, no longer owned by Felix and forced to work in his brothel. S 4.5⭐️ “Gaia Plinia Amara, Liberta” In AD 75, Amara from The Wolf Den is now a freedwoman, no longer owned by Felix and forced to work in his brothel. She now lives in 'The House with the Golden Door' as a concubine to Rufus to whom Pliny has signed over his rights to her. But is she truly free of her past and all she has had to bear to get to this point? As she navigates her way through her new life she is haunted by the brutality, pain, loss and tragedy in her past. “Her past is the whirlpool Charybdis, pulling her down under the waves where she cannot breathe.” While she adjusts to her new life, she acknowledges that her well-being is contingent upon how happy she can keep her Patron, Rufus, who though not quite as true as Felix, is jealous and possessive and does not hesitate to hurt her when displeased. Amara is strong and pragmatic enough to acknowledge that her arrangement with Rufus is not permanent and a time will come when she would have to fend for herself. “The things people do when they know you don’t matter. When they know you are nothing.” As the story progresses, we see how she learns to harden her heart and use her intelligence and understanding of the people around her to further her interests and those she cares about. She uses her knack for business and numbers to continue her own money lending operations and creates a network of trusted friends and allies – courtesans, business owners and former clients. She misses her sisters from the brothel and is concerned with their fate in the hands of the cruel Felix. Her relationship with Felix remains complicated and she is also not quite free of Felix’s hold on her as her intentions to help her sisters who remain in the brothel results in her in debt to him and having to deal with him and his devious intentions, all the while keeping this a secret from Rufus. “I am like you Felix, but not you. If you could have brought yourself to acknowledge me, instead of humiliating me, nobody would have been more loyal.” The House with the Golden Door by Elodie Harper is a captivating story. I enjoyed the setting of the ancient city of Pompeii, the descriptions of the festivities and the ceremonies as well as the references to Greek and Roman Mythology. Elodie Harper shines in her characterizations. I enjoyed Amara’s character development- we see her strength and also her vulnerability and her desire for respect, true love and friendship as is evident in her relationship with Philos. Though her position has been elevated by her 'freedom', her status is not a secure one. It is often difficult to justify the risks she takes and the decisions she makes,but the author does a magnificent job of depicting the complexities in Amara’s character. I also loved how Britannica’s character was developed in this story. Even the characters of Rufus and Felix, though immensely unlikabe, are well fleshed out. Amara’s story and the stories of those around her present a heartbreaking picture of the degradation and abuse endured by slaves and their offspring in that era. The descriptions of the slave market and treatment of slaves – those born into slavery and those turned into slaves from captivity are hard to read. Freedom came with a price with terms solely dependent upon the owner’s discretion and came with no guarantee that freedom could prevent you from being separated from your family. As with the previous book, each chapter begins with a quote from either graffiti on the walls of the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii or from the writings of ancient Roman speakers. In the author’s note at the end of the book , she discusses the importance of these quotes. “It is easy to minimize the difficult experiences of Roman women and enslaved people after the passage of so many centuries. They did not have access to belief systems- such as Feminism or the emancipation movement- which would have allowed them to challenge their treatment in a systematic way. But we do have evidence that the Romans fully understood the horror of having your agency denied.” The author also shares a line from Pompeiian graffiti that “boasts about the endemic abuse enslaved women endured” that reads “Grab your slave girl whenever you want; it’s your right to use her”. The author also mentions that most of the accounts of slavery from that era were written by slave owners and that one could try to comprend the slaves' perspectives in their own voices only from their epitaphs. In The Wolf Den Trilogy, Elodie Harper attempts to reimagine the lives of the enslaved women of that era and gives them a voice. Throughout the narrative , as we follow Amara in her new life, it is difficult to not question the meaning of "freedom" in the context of Amara's life and whether Amara is truly"free". Is she truly more in control of her life now ? To what extent is her life and her fate influenced by those more powerful than her? Having loved The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper, I was eager to read the second book in the trilogy and I was not disappointed. A lot is going on in this novel but the author manages to tell the story without it becoming too heavy or tedious. While I will admit that this might not have been as compelling as The Wolf Den , The House with the Golden Door is a beautifully-written novel and a magnificent continuation of Amara’s story. I cannot wait for the final installment of the trilogy! ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
May 15, 2022
|
May 17, 2022
|
May 17, 2022
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1788165314
| 9781788165310
| 1788165314
| 3.62
| 27,233
| Jan 13, 2022
| Jan 01, 2022
|
really liked it
|
The narrative of Janice Hallett’s The Twyford Code is presented through a series of 200 audio files that have been recovered and deciphered from an iP
The narrative of Janice Hallett’s The Twyford Code is presented through a series of 200 audio files that have been recovered and deciphered from an iPhone 4 belonging to Steven Smith, an ex-con recently released from prison after being incarcerated for 11 years. The files have been transcribed using specialized software and though the end result isn't quite perfect, it renders the content not too difficult to understand. As the narrative progresses, Steven talks about his early childhood, him and his older brother Colin being abandoned by their parents and how after the mysterious disappearance of their remedial English teacher, Miss Isles, during a field trip to Dorset almost 40 years ago , he stopped going to school and fell in with a bad crowd which led him into a life of crime. Steven's memories of the day his teacher disappeared are vague and he is consumed with the need to uncover what happened to her. When he was 14 years old (1983), he had found a copy of a children's book written by author Edith Twyford (similar to author Enid Blyton) , on a bus and brought it to school where Miss Isles read it to the whole class, despite the author’s work being banned on account of “sexism, racism, misogyny and xenophobia”. It was rumored that Edith Twyford was more than just a childrens' author. Miss Isles believed that Twyford’s stories contained coded messages that would ultimately lead to the solution to a puzzle/ mystery dating back decades. In the present day, Steven reaches out to his former classmates from his R.E. classes- Paul, Shell(Michelle), Donna and Nate (Nathan) and though a few of them initially show an interest in the mystery and the code, one by one they opt out from pursuing the matter further. From the audio files, it is apparent that Steven and his friends are not alone in their quest and Steven is being followed by people who don’t want him to succeed. Steven befriends Lucy who works in the local library and she enthusiastically assists Steven in trying to crack the code. All of Steven’s efforts- his interviews and conversations, details about the places he explores and the history he uncovers, his successful and unsuccessful attempts at cracking The Twyford Code and details about his life and ties to a crime family are recorded as entries in his phone. Is there any truth in the story behind the Twyford Code or is it just a myth or a figment of the author’s imagination? Is Miss Isle’s disappearance truly linked to The Twyford Code? Who are the people trying to prevent Steven from uncovering the truth? Can he trust his friends or do they know more than they are letting on? The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett is a sharp and unique novel with an engaging premise, a well-woven mystery and an ending that I did not see coming! For those who enjoy puzzles, codes and acrostics, this book is definitely a treat. The beginning and the unique format hooked me in from the very first page. I will admit my interest did wane in the middle and I was prepared to be bored with the slow progression of the plot but after a series of clues, clever twists and red herrings, the author manages to pull off a magnificent ending (which elevated my original rating from a 3.5 to a 4). The audio transcription is not great (by design) and the approximations and errors take a while to get used to. (We are provided a key to help us make sense of it)This is not a novel that you can flip through or skip sections and requires more than a little patience and diligence to follow, but I would advise you to not give up because it is totally worth it in the end! I loved the literary references in the narrative and enjoyed the intrigue behind both Edith Twyford’s story and the present-day adventure and loved how everything comes together in the end. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and well worth the time invested! ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
May 05, 2022
|
May 09, 2022
|
May 05, 2022
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 178730289X
| 9781787302891
| 178730289X
| 3.67
| 14,288
| Jan 17, 2022
| Sep 16, 2021
|
really liked it
|
Twenty-one-year-old Pandora “Dora” Blake lives and works in her late parents' antiquities shop in Georgian London. Her parents had been renowned antiq
Twenty-one-year-old Pandora “Dora” Blake lives and works in her late parents' antiquities shop in Georgian London. Her parents had been renowned antiquarians specializing in Grecian artifacts and had made their living excavating tombs in South-Eastern Europe. Their untimely death in a mishap during an excavation twelve years ago left Dora orphaned and under the care of her unscrupulous and corrupt uncle Hezekiah Blake who promptly took over the shop and is responsible for its present state of disrepute, dealing mostly in forgeries and objects with not much historical significance. Dora aspires to be a jewelry designer and spends time honing her craft with her faithful pet magpie Hermes by her side, despite the constant beratement and ridicule of her uncle who would rather be rid of her. One day her uncle acquires a mysterious crate and stores it in the basement of the shop under lock and key. Hezekiah’s obsession with the object and strange sounds coming from behind the locked door of the basement fuel Dora’s curiosity and she manages to trick her uncle and enter the basement and is fascinated by what she sees. The crate contained a rare Grecian jar or “pithos” in pristine condition with images of Greek mythological figures across its surface. “There is a sudden sigh, a hum, a fluttering. It comes not from behind but in front of her, from within the vase, and Dora hears all at once its siren call, its darkling plea. It is the hush of wind, the whisper of waves, the music of grief, and she cannot help it, she cannot resist. Dora lifts the lid.” The intricate patterns on the artifact inspire Dora’s new designs that she hopes will attract the interest of local jewelers who up until then haven't been too impressed with her sketches. To find out more about the pithos and its origins she enlists the help of bookbinder and aspiring antiquarian Edward Lawrence, who expresses a scholarly interest in the same, in hopes that his research into this mysterious artifact would earn him a place with the Society of Antiquaries, an endeavor in which he has been unsuccessful so far. It also appears that the pithos has brought with it a bout of bad luck to those involved in the acquisition- the Coombes brothers who extracted it from a shipwreck are each afflicted with strange injuries and illnesses that won’t heal and Hezekiah incurs an injury while transporting it to his shop which also seems to fester. Together as Dora and Edward dig deeper into the origin and history of the pithos and also try to figure out how it ended up in Hezekiah's possession, they uncover much about Hezekiah’s nefarious dealings as well as the secrets and myth surrounding the pithos and how it connects to Dora and her family. Susan Stokes-Chapman's Pandora is an impressive debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story with its historical backdrop of Georgian England, a cast of interesting characters, engaging narrative and a mystery with the Greek myth of Pandora at its core. The prose is elegant, the story is well-paced and the setting is quaint yet atmospheric. I found the segments detailing facets of the antiquarian trade and illegal practices in the sale of valuable artifacts prevalent in that era very interesting. The cover design of the physical book is stunning and worthy of display. I would definitely recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction who don't mind a bit of fantasy and myth thrown in for good measure. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Mar 11, 2022
|
Mar 14, 2022
|
Mar 11, 2022
|
Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 1472273915
| 9781472273918
| 1472273915
| 3.68
| 43,700
| Apr 26, 2022
| Apr 28, 2022
|
it was amazing
|
4.5⭐️ For readers who are familiar with the Classics and/or enjoy the plethora of retellings revolving around the Trojan War, it should not surprise yo 4.5⭐️ For readers who are familiar with the Classics and/or enjoy the plethora of retellings revolving around the Trojan War, it should not surprise you that there is not much about the Trojan War itself in the retellings that will strike you as completely new. But the beauty of Jennifer Saint’s Elektra lies in how the author chooses to highlight the perspectives of the women from these stories as told from their different vantage points. In Elektra, the author focuses on the “tainted” bloodline of the cursed House of Atreus and three women whose “fates inextricably tied to this curse, and the fickle nature of men and gods”. Our narrators are not on the battlefield and they don’t share the same loyalties or motivations - but Cassandra, Clytemnestra and Elektra are three women whose lives and destinies are irrevocably impacted by the events preceding, during and after the fall of Troy. Cassandra, daughter of King Priam of Troy and Hecabe , blessed with prophetic vision that nobody believes, her warnings and pleas fall on deaf ears as Troy falls. “Every word I speak is unwelcome. My throat is raw from the words that are torn from me when I touch someone, when I look into their eyes and see the blinding white truth. My prophecies rip out my insides, but still they come, unbidden, even as I quake at the consequences.” Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon, King of Mycenae of the House of Atreus, mother of Iphigenia, Elektra and Orestes. Her rage resulting from Agamemnon’s sacrifice of her firstborn daughter Iphigenia in Aulis before the Trojan War wreaks havoc in Mycenae and the cursed House of Atreus “In the light of the rising sun, I prayed that my husband would survive this war and come home safe to me. I wanted no Trojan soldier to take what was mine; no glory-seeking warrior to seize his chance of fame by plunging his sword into Agamemnon’s heart Let him come back, I hissed into the empty sky. Let him come back so that I can see his eyes as the light drains from them. Let him come back and die at the hands of his bitterest enemy. Let him come back so that I can watch him suffer. And let me make it slow.” Elektra, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, unflinching in her loyalty to her father chooses to justify his actions as the will of the Gods and will do anything to exact revenge on those who were responsible for her father’s demise. “ I have always wanted to grow up to be the woman he thought I would become, the woman I could have been, if only he had been able to stay. To live up to the name he gave me.” A major part of the narrative is shared between Elektra, Cassandra and Clytemnestra- each of whom gives us a brief picture of the significant events that impact their lives before, during and after the fall of Troy. Only after almost ¾ of the novel does Elektra’s voice become stronger in the narrative. There is a lot packed into the novel without it becoming too tedious. There is a certain amount of repetition but given that each of the narrators tells the story from different vantage points, nowhere did I lose interest. Cassandra’s narrative was heartbreaking as was Clytemnestra’s agony in witnessing Iphigenia’s death. The author is brilliant in her portrayal of the strong emotions and complexities in these women- Clytemnestra’s rage and agony, Cassandra’s innocence, despair and frustration and Elektra’s loyalty, anger and desire for revenge. The scenes between Cassandra and Clytemnestra were stunning in their emotional depth despite rarely anything being said between the two. The complicated mother-daughter relationship between Clytemnestra and Elektra, each obsessed with their respective quest for revenge, was brilliantly penned. Elektra does not come across as very likable but I think hers was probably the most complicated character to develop, a task that the author does expertly. Many of her actions and motivations might not feel justified but she is her father’s daughter and is unapologetic in her quest to avenge her father’s death and willing to sacrifice and bear the consequences of her actions. Author Jennifer Saint masterfully weaves the multiple PoVs together with elegant prose and superb characterizations in a well-paced and intense narrative. While I enjoyed Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne, which I thought was an impressive debut, I found Elektra to be a more powerful and absorbing novel. I would not hesitate to recommend this to those with a fondness for feminist retellings of stories from the Greek myths. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and eagerly look forward to more from this author in the future. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
May 02, 2022
|
May 03, 2022
|
Jan 17, 2022
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1547607599
| 9781547607594
| 1547607599
| 3.87
| 18,664
| Oct 28, 2021
| Jan 11, 2022
|
really liked it
|
“If I told you that I’d killed a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the how, what happened next? Or would you run from me, t
“If I told you that I’d killed a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the how, what happened next? Or would you run from me, this mottled mirror, this body of unusual flesh?” In this fascinating reimagining of the myth of Medusa, author Jessie Burton presents us with a novel feminist twist to a character and story that has, for the most part, featured as one of Perseus’s heroic exploits. Simply put, Perseus has always been the hero and Medusa the vanquished. But Jessie Burton’s Medusa is much more than that. Cursed by the Goddess Athena and transformed into a Gorgon with snakes in place of her once beautiful hair, the once beautiful Medusa now lives on a deserted island with her sisters, Stheno and Euryale,and her dog Argentus. Her transgression? Being raped by Poseidon within the premises of the Temple of Athena. “Woe betide any man fool enough to look upon you now!” Four years into her exile, when Perseus moors his boat on the shores of the island, he catches Medusa’s eye. Medusa longs for his company and companionship. However, she is uncertain of how Perseus would react to her appearance (at this point she is unaware of the full weight of Athena’s curse) and speaks to him only from behind the shelter of rocks at the entrance of her cave while her sisters are away during the daytime. Perseus and “Merina” (the name she uses with Perseus) share their stories and initially, Medusa is unaware of Perseus’s real intentions behind his journey to her island just as he is unaware of her true identity. As the story unfolds and secrets are revealed Perseus and Medusa must make choices that will irrevocably change their lives forever. “No woman is an island—unless she’s been forced there by a bunch of strangers.” Medusa, in this version, is a lonely young girl , the victim of a horrific act of rape, exiled to a “half-life”, disfigured and insecure, fearful for her future, loved and protected by her sisters but seething with rage within. She experiences the full spectrum of human emotions - love, sorrow, pain, jealousy and rage. Though unhappy with her appearance, she shares an interesting relationship with her snakes who each have names and moods that need to be tended. Medusa’s story also sheds a light on complex issues such as sexual abuse and victim shaming along with the psychological effects of insecurity and isolation resulting from the same. Jessie Burton gives Medusa a voice to tell her story and an opportunity to chart her own destiny. She is much more than a monster whose head is a coveted prize for Perseus and the King who sent him on his quest. “My name was Medusa, and I was a girl. Perseus had made me sound like a mythical beast. I didn’t want to be a myth. I wanted to be me.” The prose is beautiful and unambiguous in keeping with the author’s intention to make this story accessible to a younger audience. Therefore, this might not read as comprehensive or complex as similar retellings featuring strong female protagonists from the Greek myths. Both young and older readers will find this a captivating read, not overly long but deeply thought-provoking.The full-color illustrations by Olivia Lomenech Gill are stunning and I could spend hours just poring over them. This is a beautiful edition that I’m happy to be adding to my personal collection. “Some people think that we’re born with our destiny mapped in our blood. But mapped by whom? By the gods? By fate, a mysterious mix of birth and starlight? We were all planned out, we just didn’t know it. We tread a fully formed path, and those who stray from it will crash and die. Then there are others who believe we’re born blank. Clean as spring water, we become the creators of our own hurricanes. I think it’s both. I had a map, I had a star, but I also made some hurricanes.” ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Feb 26, 2022
|
Feb 27, 2022
|
Jan 16, 2022
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1838933530
| 4.05
| 32,596
| May 13, 2021
| May 13, 2021
|
it was amazing
|
Set in AD 74, Elodie Harper’s The Wolf Den is the story of Amara , a prostitute in the lupanar of Pompeii. Amara was not born into slavery. The only c
Set in AD 74, Elodie Harper’s The Wolf Den is the story of Amara , a prostitute in the lupanar of Pompeii. Amara was not born into slavery. The only child of a Greek doctor in the city of Aphidnai (“Twelfth city of Attica, once the home of Helen of Troy”), she is an educated and intelligent girl whose fortunes were reversed after her father's demise. Sold as a house slave by her mother, she was forced into the life of a concubine before being sold to Felix, who changes her name to Amara and puts her to work as a prostitute in his brothel, The Wolf Den, in the Ancient Roman city of Pompeii. “Nobody in Pompeii has ever dared ask her this. It’s the last remnant of privacy, of self, that a slave who was once freeborn possesses. Their real name.” She becomes one of the “she-wolves” subject to the brutality and perversion of the men she is required to entertain in the course of her enslavement. Her clients vary from those she picks up in the street to those whose affluent parties she is made to attend. She shares a complicated dynamic with Felix and a sisterhood with the other prostitutes owned by Felix , especially Dido to whom she feels the closest. Despite the petty jealousies and rivalry that crops up from time to time, the she-wolves are a close-knit group who share their traumas, joy, pain, hopes and dreams. They support each other in doing whatever they need to do to survive. Amara dreams of a day when she would save enough from her earnings to buy back her freedom. Even amid the humiliation, pain, and heartache she endures , she relies on her instincts and intelligence to create and utilize opportunities that would bring her closer to her goals. The narrative follows Amara in her attempt to evolve from a victim of circumstance to a resourceful woman who rewrites her own story in a world that is not kind to women in her position (or women, in general) and where most men would rather exploit than assist and kindness is hard to find. Will she be able to find her way out of this life and away from Felix's manipulation ? What (or who) would she have to lose or sacrifice in order to fulfill her dreams? “She takes her sprig in both hands, crushing it to release the scent. May men fall to me as this offering falls to you, Greatest Aphrodite. May I know love’s power, if never its sweetness. Amara drops her mangled garland on the ever-growing pile of heaped offerings from the desperate whores of Pompeii.” The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper is an exquisitely written novel that blends historical fact (The Lupanar of Pompeii can be found in the ruins of the Ancient Roman city of Pompeii) and fiction, with an absorbing narrative and strong characterization. The realistic depiction of the characters and their relationships and the vivid imagery used to describe the daily lives of the people, the streets and shops in the vibrant city, the religious festivities and the frescos and graffiti in the lupanar transports you to Amara’s world. I enjoyed the references to Greek and Roman mythology (especially in the context of religious beliefs of that period). I felt invested in Amara’s story from the very first page and rooted for her as she attempted to navigate her way through the challenges on her journey, rejoicing in her small victories and sharing in her pain over her numerous setbacks. However, this is not a book I would recommend to everybody. It is not easy to read about the sexual and physical violence that these women have to endure despite it being integral to the plot of the novel. To the author’s credit, she has exercised considerable restraint and has emphasized the cruelty of the acts rather than go into unnecessary graphic descriptions of the same. Overall, this is a compelling novel that I found hard to put down and a story that will stay with me for a long time. I am glad that the author is not done sharing Amara’s story and eagerly look forward to the next installment in The Wolf Den Trilogy. “Being free. What does it feel like?” What did it feel like to be Timarete? Amara’s past life blazes into her mind’s eye, with all its love, innocence and hope. “When you see a bird flying,” she says, “that moment when it chooses to swoop lower or soar higher, when there’s nothing but air stopping it, that’s what freedom feels like.” ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Feb 19, 2022
|
Feb 22, 2022
|
Nov 17, 2021
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||||
| 0399563644
| 9780399563645
| 0399563644
| 4.03
| 33,275
| Sep 21, 2021
| Sep 21, 2021
|
it was amazing
|
Winner of The Women's Prize for Fiction 2022! 4.5⭐️ The Book of Form and Emptiness is an astonishingly beautiful novel written by Ruth Ozeki. At the hea Winner of The Women's Prize for Fiction 2022! 4.5⭐️ The Book of Form and Emptiness is an astonishingly beautiful novel written by Ruth Ozeki. At the heart of this novel are Benny Oh and his mother Annabelle who are reeling from the shock of Benny’s father’s untimely death in an accident. A young sensitive 12 year old boy , Benny starts hearing inanimate objects speaking to him with their voices cluttering his mind. His mother deals with her emotions by hoarding material possessions. Benny’s problems cause him to exhibit behavior that gets him into trouble at school and subsequently institutionalized more than once while Annabelle struggles with guilt, grief and loneliness while trying to hold her family together. What sets this novel apart is the unique narrative shared by Benny and his Book (The Book) which is telling Benny’s story to help him recall details of his life and emerge from the shell he has wrapped himself in. As The Book tells Benny, “We have to be real, even if it hurts, and that’s your doing. That was your philosophical question, remember? What is real? Every book has a question at its heart, and that was yours. Once the question is asked, it’s our job to help you find the answer. So, yes, we’re your book, Benny, but this is your story. We can help you, but in the end, only you can live your life." Themes of love, family, grief, substance abuse and mental health are touched upon with great compassion by the author. As the narrative progresses, the author paints a compelling portrait of how our interpersonal relationships are impacted by the importance we give to material belongings and the clutter we allow in our lives. Our inability to comprehend the “impermanence of form, and the empty nature of all things” often costs us our human connections. The profound impact that books can have on our lives is a running theme in this novel and is eloquently expressed throughout the narrative. “Every person is trapped in their own particular bubble of delusion, and it’s every person’s task in life to break free. Books can help. We can make the past into the present, take you back in time and help you remember. We can show you things, shift your realities and widen your world, but the work of waking up is up to you.” Adding to the depth of this novel are elements of magical realism and an interesting mix of characters such as the Zen Buddhist monk whose book on decluttering finds its way into Annabelle’s proximity, the European 'hobo’ Slavoj who befriends Benny in the library (the only place the voices are quiet and Benny finds some respite) and shares his wisdom and insight with him and a young teenage girl who calls herself The Aleph- ‘a gleaner, a freegan, an artist who worked with garbage’ who Benny meets while institutionalized. The Book of Form and Emptiness is a complex, layered and lengthy novel that inspires pause and reflection. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and definitely recommend it. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Oct 18, 2021
|
Oct 21, 2021
|
Sep 04, 2021
|
Hardcover
|
Loading...
15 of 15 loaded
