Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley and to Henry Holt and Company for the gifted finished copy! All opinions expressed in this reMany thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley and to Henry Holt and Company for the gifted finished copy! All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 30, 2024.
4.5⭐
Revolving around themes of friendship, family, personal growth, self-acceptance and human connection, The Wedding People by Alison Espach is a beautifully written novel that will strike a chord in your heart.
As the story begins, we meet Phoebe Stone, an adjunct professor in literature in her forties, as she arrives alone at the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, with a heavy heart. This was a place that she had hoped to visit with her now ex-husband, but here she was, in a green dress and heels with no luggage. Phoebe’s room is the only one not booked for the wedding of twenty-eight-year-old Lila, who has meticulously planned a week-long sequence of pre-wedding activities leading up to the day of her nuptials. Initially mistaken to be one of the wedding people, the misunderstanding is soon cleared up, but much to Lila’s dismay, she realizes that Phoebe’s plans for her own stay would surely ruin her wedding. The narrative follows as Phobe and Lila strike up an unlikely friendship as Phoebe soon becomes one of the wedding people – an experience that might just be the nudge she needs to rethink her own priorities.
There is a lot about this book that is praiseworthy and the glowing reviews are more than justified. The description of the book suggests that this might be a light-hearted read, but this novel proved to be much more than I had expected. The author writes with heart, wisdom and humor. The narrative does suffer from minor pacing issues, but overall, the story flows well. Each of the characters was well thought out - authentic, relatable and endearing. I adored Phoebe and loved how she bonded with a complete group of strangers showing kindness and empathy to those who needed the same but also being strong and forceful in situations that demanded attention. Lila did strike me as a tad immature at times, but I could understand her motivations and why she behaved in certain ways. I loved the coverage of the pre-wedding activities – the chaos, confusion and unforeseen complications – which result in situations both humorous and heartwarming. The author’s strength lies in her characterizations and depiction of complex human emotions and I enjoyed following both Lila's and Phoebe's individual journeys over the course of the events described in this story. The author addresses several sensitive topics such as infidelity, bereavement, infertility, mental health, depression and suicidal ideation with insight and compassion. The story emphasizes the importance of being kind – to one another and oneself – the latter being something many of us forget.
Overall, I found this to be an evocative and thought-provoking read that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven fiction.
I listened to the audiobook brilliantly narrated by Helen Laser who made the characters and this story come to life. I couldn’t recommend the audiobook enough!
The fourth installment in Michael Robotham’s Cyrus Haven is a dark, suspenseful, heartbreaking, and incredibly moving read and a worthy additio4.5+⭐️
The fourth installment in Michael Robotham’s Cyrus Haven is a dark, suspenseful, heartbreaking, and incredibly moving read and a worthy addition to the series.
Years ago, Evie Cormac, then a child of eleven/twelve, was rescued from a room in a home where she had been hiding, where she witnessed a man brutally tortured to death. No one knew who she was or how she came to be in that room. In the years since, Cyrus Haven, a forensic psychologist and profiler who works with law enforcement, has helped Evie in her efforts to deal with her trauma and has been a supportive presence. Her true identity and what she has endured are no longer a mystery, but there are memories of her earlier life and how she fell into the hands of her abusers that have yet to be recovered.
Evie is now twenty-two years and though she has been able to move forward, she is still haunted by the traumatic events in her past. Evie’s memories of certain events are vague, but she is triggered when she witnesses the horrific scene of the bodies of migrants washing ashore at Lincolnshire beach during a seaside trip with Cyrus. The sole survivor, a traumatized teenager, reveals that the boat carrying him and other migrants was deliberately rammed by a trawler, causing it to sink.
Cyrus who is asked to assist in the investigation into the incident, also tries to help Evie unlock her repressed memories as they search for the people responsible for the tragedy – a search that takes Evie and Cyrus to Scotland among people who know more than they are disclosing and would not hesitate to hurt them to protect their secrets. What awaits them in Scotland? Who is The Ferryman? Is he just a myth, or does this entity truly force migrants to pay for their crossing? Will Evie finally be able to remember what happened to her and her family, or will this lead to another dead end?
Intense and gripping, Storm Child by Michael Robotham is an exceptionally well-written novel. The narrative, presented from the first-person POVs of Cyrus and Evie, touches upon themes of trauma and healing, criminal conspiracy and human trafficking, kidnapping and sexual abuse of minors, murder and the refugee crisis. Evie’s memories are shared in flashbacks as the narrative progresses and the author deftly weaves past and present timelines, dual POVSs and several subplots into a well-paced, tension-filled and deeply immersive narrative with a satisfying ending. The author writes with depth and strong attention to detail. I’m glad the author ends the story on a positive note and I enjoyed following the narrative as the mysteries were unraveled with plenty of surprises that kept me hooked until the very end.
Given the subject matter, this is not an easy read. The dark themes are disturbing and might be triggering for some readers and descriptions of the migrant bodies washing ashore will remind you of the heartbreaking pictures we have seen in the headlines.
I loved how Evie has evolved over this series and I continue to appreciate the dynamic between Cyrus and Evie and how their connection has helped both of them explore their own tragic pasts. Both character arcs are well thought out and I’m curious to see what the future holds for both characters. I eagerly await the next book in the series.
Many thanks to Scribner for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Though this book could be read as a standalone , I would recommend reading the books in series order for a better understanding of the characters.
*Many thanks to Pantheon Books for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was published on April 02, 2024.*
Set i*Many thanks to Pantheon Books for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was published on April 02, 2024.*
Set in 1943, Victory Parade by Leela Corman is a brutal yet profoundly moving meditation on the horrors of war and trauma, the challenges faced by the women who contributed to the WWII effort back home while they waited for their men to return from the war front, Jewish refugees fleeing persecution and the physical and psychological scars left on those returning from home.
The narrative, presented in vivid watercolor, follows the cast of characters among whom are Rose, a married woman employed as a welder in Brooklyn who is involved in a relationship with a disabled veteran; Ruth, a German Jewish refugee taken in by Rose who finds a violent outlet to vent the simmering rage she harbors; and Sam, Rose’s husband who returns home destined to be haunted by visions of what he witnessed in the liberated concentration camps. Through haunting imagery illustrator Leela Corman presents their stories - perspectives from their past, present and beyond– real and surreal – cathartic, nightmarish and devastating.
Intense and dark yet brilliantly composed, this graphic novel is an experience that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who read WWII fiction.
Until August by Gabriel García Márquez (translated by Anne McLean) revolves around forty-six-year-old Ana 3.5⭐ (rounded up because I liked the ending)
Until August by Gabriel García Márquez (translated by Anne McLean) revolves around forty-six-year-old Ana Magdalena Bach and her annual visits (on the 16th of August) to the island where her mother is buried. Ana’s itinerary includes a visit to the cemetery where she places a bouquet of her mother’s favorite flowers and indulges in a one-night stand with a different man every year before she returns to her family – her musician husband of over two decades and her two adult children. One of her trysts ends in a humiliating gesture and she carries both the emotional and physical reminder of the same through the years. Every visit to the island and her experiences with the men she meets inspires her to reflect on her actions, her marriage and her family. In sparse prose we are given insight into her hopes and motivations, her internal conflict and much more in a journey of self- explorations with a thought-provoking ending.
A departure (in terms of theme and approach) from the nature of Gabriel García Márquez’s more famous works, this is not the author at his best but for those of us who have enjoyed the author’s work in the past, it won’t be difficult to appreciate the segments that shine with author’s brilliant writing. But sadly, that is all we can expect from this short novella. I have no doubt had this manuscript been developed into a full-length novel with well-fleshed-out characters, and their motivations and relationships explored deeper; this would have been a worthy addition to the author’s oeuvre.
Please read the Preface to the novel where the author’s sons discuss their decision to publish this novella posthumously despite his wishes to discard the draft manuscript. A segment of this novella (translated by Edith Grossman) was previously published (1999) in the form of a short story.
I appreciate the publisher including printed pages from the author’s unfinished manuscript in the end pages of the hardcover edition. This in itself makes this a copy I will cherish as a part of my personal collection just like my treasured hardback edition of Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky that includes similar material between its covers.
- Do I regret reading this book? No - Do I think this unfinished manuscript should have been published as a novella? Probably not. - Am I happy that I could read part of what could have been another masterpiece written by one of my favorite authors? Absolutely
Many thanks to Knopf for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Note: The short story Meeting in August (translated by Edith Grossman) was published in the December 6, 1990 issue of The New Yorker Magazine and is available in the Archives section. I don't think this can be accessed without a subscription, but I am sharing the link here
Set in the 1970s, the novel revolves around the members of an exclusive hunting club in upstate New York. Long-standing members gather to discuss and Set in the 1970s, the novel revolves around the members of an exclusive hunting club in upstate New York. Long-standing members gather to discuss and disagree on the club’s finances, the admission of a new member and much more. Joining them for the Bicentennial weekend is a detective who manipulates his old college friend whose family is among the members to invite him along. Unbeknownst to the friend or the others, the detective has been hired to gather information about the club and its members and report back on the goings-on to his client, whose identity is gradually revealed. The weekend festivities take a sinister turn when the club turns into the scene of crime for a series of deaths. With inclement weather cutting them off from outside assistance, it is up to the members to find the killer in their midst. As the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that more than one person has secrets they would kill to protect and nobody is above suspicion.
West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman is an interesting locked-room murder mystery that certainly keeps you guessing till the very end (and beyond). The novel pays homage to Golden Age murder mysteries with a few twists added to the mix, adding a touch of uniqueness. Shared from the perspective of the detective in the first part and an unknown narrator (we assume to be one of the guests) in the other also, the narrative is shared from multiple perspectives switching from the first-person to the third person, also featuring a metafictional element in the form of the author’s commentary, directly addressing the reader, interspersed throughout the narrative. Atmospheric and suspenseful with a healthy dose of wry humor thrown into the mix, the plot development was well executed, but I can’t say the same about the dénouement. While I can appreciate the author’s use of multiple formats to tell the story, the ending leaves much to the reader’s interpretation and imagination. I also had a few issues with the structure of this novel. I enjoyed reading the segments on classic mystery writers, the discussions on the format and tropes used in crafting stories in this genre and the author’s musings on the same. However, these segments interspersed throughout the primary narrative of this novel impacted the flow of the story, often distracting the reader. It is evident the author is a skillful storyteller who knows much about his craft and has not hesitated to demonstrate the same, but that does not necessarily translate into a particularly satisfying reading experience.
In short, while I did have fun following the mystery, I can’t say that I enjoyed this book in its entirety.
Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the digital review copy via NetGalley and the gifted hardcover edition. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. West Heart Kill was published on October 24, 2023.
“But the era/ of progress/ and the world's/ conscience/ does not contain/ the full history of their land”
Aednan by Linnea Axelssonn (translated by Sas“But the era/ of progress/ and the world's/ conscience/ does not contain/ the full history of their land”
Aednan by Linnea Axelssonn (translated by Saskia Vogel) is a brilliantly penned novel-in-verse that shall definitely go on my list of favorite reads this year. To be honest, I was hesitant to pick this one up as I’ve never been completely comfortable with the format, but I have to say that reading Aednan (which means the land, the earth and my mother in Northern Sámi) is an experience that will stay with me.
A story about family, community, displacement and forced migration, intergenerational trauma and the struggle to preserve and protect one's cultural identity, this saga is shared through several voices, spanning over a century and tells the story of the nomadic Sámi community through the eyes of the members of two families.
“We were to be driven/from the forest fells/lakes//migration paths and songs/had to be stifled/stricken from memory”
The Sámi people originally inhabited an area where the borders of Norway, Sweden, and Finland met. This is where the story opens in 1913, where we meet Ber-Jona and his wife Ristin and their sons, Aslat and Nile. With the political changes in the region, border policies and governmental legislations restricting the movement of the reindeer herding Sámi community’s migration routes between their summer destination in Norway and their winter camps in Sweden. As the narrative progresses, in the wake of a family tragedy, they are forcibly displaced from their summer homes in Norway, leaving behind much more than just their homeland. Over the years, after being uprooted repeatedly, they ultimately settle in Norrbotten County in Sweden, forced to assimilate into a culture and land far removed from their own. The story continues with Lise in the 1970s – also a descendent of the reindeer herding Sámi community, one of a generation of Sámi who were forced to attend the Nomad Schools where they were taught to associate with Swedish culture and language and are gradually stripped of their indigenous identity.
“But of our own/ history not a word/ was written// as if our/ parents and we/ had never existed// had never shaped/ anything”
Unwilling to share her childhood experiences with her inquisitive daughter Sandra, who grows up to be an activist, Lise internalizes her trauma. We follow Sandra as an adult, her desire to connect with her roots, her activism and resilience and her desire to preserve and protect her heritage. The author references the legal battle between the Girjas Sami Village and the Swedish government in this context and how modern history needs to enlighten the present generation of all that has never been written about or has been deliberately erased from its pages.
“Our land// of course is one/ they've never/even seen//Do they even know/ how we have been/ removed between/ four nations”
Written in simple yet elegant prose, Aednan is a beautifully penned novel-in-verse. Incredibly moving and impactful, the sparse yet evocative prose and the vivid imagery render this novel an absorbing read. The author explores the community’s connection to nature and how the trauma of their displacement from not only their land but also their way of life impacts the generations that follow when forced into occupations that gradually drain their souls. Ristin, Lise and Sandra are women from different generations – but the legacy of grief and displacement they carry finds its way into their personal relationships, their sense of self-worth and their respective worldviews. We also hear from several characters connected to these three women including the voice of a young boy whose soul follows his family as they migrate as he lies in a grave across the border as well as Per, Lise’s son whose life and struggles are in deep contrast to that of his sister. I will admit that the non-linear nature of the narrative in the latter half of the novel took a moment to get accustomed to, but the author captures the sense of each era and each voice skillfully, weaving the narrative voices through the generations into a coherent soulful saga. This was my first time reading about the Indigenous Sámi community and I’ve spent hours reading up on the historical events mentioned in this novel. It is easy to draw parallels between the injustices experienced by Indigenous communities across the world throughout history and the treatment meted out to the Sámi people.
Heartbreaking yet powerful and memorable, this book left me with a heavy heart.
“Isn't it about time/ that their children/ also learn to hear/the voices/ of our shared/ history”
Many thanks to Knopf for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Aednan was published on January 09, 2024.
Written with wisdom, much emotional depth and insight, the stories in Old Crimes: and Other Stories by Jill McCorkle depict how secrets, mistakes, andWritten with wisdom, much emotional depth and insight, the stories in Old Crimes: and Other Stories by Jill McCorkle depict how secrets, mistakes, and regrets can leave an indelible impact on the human psyche and relationships. Despite the short length of each of these stories, they are emotionally heavy reads that inspire pause and reflection.
In turn, profoundly insightful, heartbreaking yet reflective and thought-provoking, these stories explore the human condition through complex yet real and relatable characters in various stages of life. The common thread among these stories is deep-rooted sorrow, loneliness and the desire for human connection, the life changing consequences of the choices people make and the emotions they choose to internalize – voluntarily or otherwise – the “crimes’’ they commit toward oneself and those they hold dear. Few of the characters appear in more than one story, allowing us to explore their character arcs from different vantage points. The tone of these stories ranges from melancholic to nostalgic and contemplative, though there are some moments of humor to be within the pages as well . Overall, I found this to be an impactful and exceptionally well-written collection of short stories that I would not hesitate to recommend this collection to those who enjoy character-driven short fiction.
Many thanks to Algonquin Books for both the digital review copy via NetGalley and the physical ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was published on January 9, 2024.
Individual rating for the stories with brief descriptions: (not spoilers per se, but I've chosen to make this segment optional)
(view spoiler)[ In the first story, ” Old Crimes” (4.5/5), we meet a high school teacher who ruminates on her memories of a trip to New Hampshire from decades ago when she was a college student. Her encounter with a six-year-old girl in the run-down inn where she was staying prompted her to think about her own expectations from life and influenced her perception of cruelty and evil in the world -thoughts that have remained with her through the years. “The Lineman”(4.5/5) revolves around a telephone lineman who tries to come to terms with how human connections and relationships have been impacted by dependence on technology and digitization. He regrets his failed relationships and struggles to hold on to those he holds dear, hoping that one day, when all technology fails, he will be appreciated for his skills. A woman experiences much regret over her inability to speak up for herself or her son as she reflects on the forty years, she has spent in an abusive marriage to a man who was loved and admired by everyone in town in “Low Tones”(5/5). In “Commandments” (5/5), we follow a group of women, a “self-help group of sorts”, each of whom was romantically involved with and dumped by the same man. Their interactions with the strong-willed waitress who serves them in the café where they meet once a month, inspire them to take stock of their lives and reevaluate their priorities.
Our protagonist in “Swinger”(4/5) is grappling with the recent loss of the man with whom she had been in a live-in relationship for the past three years. As she prepares to vacate the home they shared, a box of photographs she finds among his belongings seems to deepen her insecurities, prompting her to question the depth of his commitment to her. In “A Simple Question”(4/5) a woman reflects on her friendship with her older colleague, a woman twice her age, from twenty-five years ago and how own insensitivity and immaturity contributed to their drifting apart. In “Baby in the Pan”(4.5/5) we meet a young mother whose choices cause friction with own her mother, who harbors painful childhood memories. A man rents a room in his late grandparents' former home which is now a gas station when he visits his hometown to visit his dying high school shop teacher in “Filling Station”(4/5) but his attempts to surround himself with happy memories from his childhood for his peace of mind don’t quite go according to plans.
A young couple purchases an old confessional from an antique shop unprepared for the awkward and uncomfortable situations that arise from what was intended to be a source of entertainment among their friends in “Confessional”(5/5). We meet a retired elementary school librarian who does not back down from expressing her opinions and holds her own in her crusade against several social issues in “The Last Station." (4.5/5) A holiday gathering with her adult children and their families brings back memories of the years gone by for a retired high school drama teacher as she contemplates sharing news of her failing health in “Act III”.(5/5) While attending her son’s Little League matches, a young newly divorced mother of two is befriended an elderly woman who shares stories about the town in the aftermath of a recent tragedy, in ”Sparrow”. (4.5/5) (hide spoiler)]
The gruesome murder of a local teen sends shockwaves across the close-knit community of Granite Harbor, a coastal town in Maine. The body of the teenaThe gruesome murder of a local teen sends shockwaves across the close-knit community of Granite Harbor, a coastal town in Maine. The body of the teenager was discovered strung up for display in a local historic tourist attraction known as The Settlement. Former novelist turned Detective Alex Branwen is tasked to lead the investigation. The nature of the crime has also attracted the attention of the FBI who suspect that a serial killer is at large. Alex, whose teenage daughter was friends with the victim, must leave no stone unturned in trying to find out whether a criminal in is their midst even if it means ruffling more than a few feathers. A second murder , also a teenager, changes the direction of the investigation and Alex must race to find the killer before anyone else ends up dead.
Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols is a dark, gritty, immersive read. The narrative is shared from the perspectives of Alex and Isabel Dorr, a resident of Granite Harbor and single mother of a teenage son who was friends with the two murder victims, with chapters detailing the killer’s past (not revealing the identity) interspersed throughout the present-day narrative. The pace is slower in the beginning but picks up as the story progresses. The characters are well thought out (even the unlikeable ones) and the author skillfully captures the dynamics of a small town and the interpersonal connections of both the adults and the teenagers and how the brutality of the crimes and suspicions threaten to fracture those connections. While the identity of the killer was not entirely unpredictable, I thoroughly enjoyed the suspenseful build-up, the surprise along the way, and the dark, atmospheric vibe and finished the book in a day. There are a few aspects that I wish had been explored in more detail , but this did not detract from my overall reading experience. This was my first time reading Peter Nichols, but it surely won’t be my last.
Many thanks to Celadon Books for the gifted copy of Granite Harbor. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The expected publication date for this novel is April 30, 2024.
Please note that certain content (animal cruelty, gruesome descriptions of the crimes) might prove disturbing for some readers.
Set in 1872, Leesburg, Virginia, Veil of Doubt by Sharon Virts is based on the true story of Emily Lloyd, a widow who stands accused of poisoning4.5⭐️
Set in 1872, Leesburg, Virginia, Veil of Doubt by Sharon Virts is based on the true story of Emily Lloyd, a widow who stands accused of poisoning her three-year-old daughter Maud. Maud had been recovering from a bout of ill health when her condition suddenly deteriorates and the attending doctor voices his suspicions. Maud’s death had been preceded by the deaths of Emily’s three other children and other members of Emily’s family, which resulted in rumors with many convinced that Emily was somehow responsible. Though initially reluctant to take Emily’s case, Powell Harrison, a brilliant attorney who has experienced similar loss in the past, finds himself sympathetic to Emily’s situation and eventually agrees to take her case. The narrative follows her defense team, headed by Powell, as they leave no stone unturned in unraveling the mystery behind the deaths in Emily’s family and proving her innocence.
Veil of Doubt is an exceptionally well-researched and gripping work of historical fiction. Superb characterizations, consistent pacing, and a skillfully structured narrative that combines elements of social commentary, forensics, courtroom drama, and suspense make for an immersive reading experience. I found the details on forensics and the legal procedure/justice system of that era fascinating. Not only do we get a glimpse into the societal divide and resulting tensions and socioeconomic struggles in the post-Civil War era, but the author also addresses how issues such as mental health and women’s rights were perceived in those times. I was invested in the story from the very first page and as the story progressed, I found myself conflicted over the question of Emily’s innocence – sympathetic to Emily’s grief and losses she suffered and the judgment she faced but also suspicious of the inconsistencies in her story and her demeanor. Though I wasn't completely surprised by a few revelations toward the end, this did not detract from my overall reading experience.
Do read the brilliantly penned Author’s Note, where she discusses the true events that inspired this novel, the facts and fictionalized elements in the plot, and much more.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and would not hesitate to recommend it to fans of historical fiction based on real events.
This was my first time reading this author, and I look forward to exploring more of her work in the future.
Many thanks to Girl Friday Books for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Veil of Doubt was published on October 10, 2023.
In the second installment of David Baldacci’s The 6.20 Man series Former U.S. Army Ranger Travis Devine is tasked with solving the mystery behind4.5⭐️
In the second installment of David Baldacci’s The 6.20 Man series Former U.S. Army Ranger Travis Devine is tasked with solving the mystery behind the murder of a CIA operative Jennifer Silkwell in her hometown in Putnam Maine. Her laptop and phone are missing, which raises national security concerns. Travis’s handler has a close personal connection with Jennifer's family, which also makes it personal. Posing as a special investigator with Homeland Security, Travis collaborates with local law enforcement in finding the killer. But a small town has many secrets and people aren't too welcoming to outsiders and local officials extend their hospitality only up to a point. As Travis investigates the Silkwell family, Jennifer’s siblings, and the townspeople, it is evident there is more to Jennifer’s murder than meets the eye. Travis uncovers a possible connection between Jennifer's murder and past crimes (and coverups) committed in the area and soon discovers that there are forces at play that would resort to any measures to keep secrets buried.
When it comes to intricately plotted, action-packed page-turners, David Baldacci seldom disappoints. The Edge is no exception. Baldacci weaves a consistently paced, suspenseful plot with great attention to detail and more than a few suspicious characters and secrets that keep you immersed and guessing up until the very last page. I really liked the protagonist and his approach to crime-solving. There is a relatively large cast of characters in the fold, but at no point is the narrative difficult to follow. There were a few segments in the narrative that were seemingly unrelated to the case, which might have been inserted foreshadowing future events in the series. Overall, The Edge by David Baldacci is an intense absorbing read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The ending indicates a thrilling third installment in the future. Needless to say, I can’t wait!
It should be noted that although The Edge is the second book in a series, it can be read as a standalone.
Many thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Edge was published on November 14, 2023.
“To be haunted by a memory and to be haunted by the feeling that you have lost all memory are nearly the same thing; it is all lost. You are never4.5⭐
“To be haunted by a memory and to be haunted by the feeling that you have lost all memory are nearly the same thing; it is all lost. You are never getting the real thing back.”
Six months after losing his younger brother Kai to drowning, Damien, consumed with grief at losing the only family he had left, leaves his job as a cook in a restaurant on a journey with no destination in sight. His journey takes him across a grueling trek through the desert where he meets a Goatherd who directs him to a village, “a land for the grieving”, where he believes Damien will find what he is looking for. Damien lands up in the village, which is home to a struggling fishing community on the day of the funeral of one of its residents. Damien finds himself amid the deceased Carla’s family, her mother Ana-Maria, and Carla’s younger sisters Paola and Marta. Rumored to be “Bruja” whose fate is intertwined with that of the village and therefore influential, Ana Maria is an imposing presence. She is kind to Damien and employs him in her family’s shop, but rumor has it that she is the one responsible for Carla’s death and her youngest daughter Marta believes this to be true. Between Ana Maria and Marta’s manipulations, Damien finds himself unable to figure out the truth behind their intentions. Paola has a deep connection with nature and tries to maintain peace within the family. She also expresses concern for Damien’s well-being and her mother’s influence on him. On the personal front, Damien is also grappling with a mystical physical transformation that is symbolic of his relationship with the very waters that took his brother from him. We follow Damein as he navigates his grief and his dynamic with the family who has befriended him, as the village gears up for an impending storm that could possibly lead to the destruction of the entire village.
“Humans over the years have lost their ability to commune with the ocean and desert and mountains everything below and beneath, all the sacred directions stop from the overfished waters to the now empty mines, the polluted rivers now conduits for oil, the slashed and burned forests choking out what lungs we have left. It is only a matter of time before we are all evicted. Might be too late to stop the storm, but not too late to hide.”
Steeped in magical realism, metaphors and symbolism, Swim Home to the Vanished by Brendan Shay Basham is reminiscent of works by authors such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Juan Rulfo. The author taps into the history of the Diné, incorporating the story of the Navajo Long Walk into the narrative and Damien’s family history. Revolving around themes of loss and grief, revenge and jealousy, and climate change, this is an immersive but heavy read. The author’s writing is descriptive, and his use of vivid imagery transports you to Damien’s world. The narrative is a tad disjointed, but overall, I found this novel to be a compelling read.
“We long for nostalgia, crave its pain, for in that remembrance is a kind of cure, a beautiful handful of a gift, like a handful of dirt, joy running through our fingertips, and what better gift than a handful of dirt?”
Many thanks to Harper Books for the gifted copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Twenty-seven-year-old Ava Harrison has spent most of her sheltered life tethered to her fear of new experienceHappy Publication Day! August 1, 2023
4.5⭐
Twenty-seven-year-old Ava Harrison has spent most of her sheltered life tethered to her fear of new experiences on account of a health condition that restricted her activities throughout her childhood and early adulthood. Though she has been in remission for two years now, the fear of falling ill again keeps her from enjoying everything life has to offer. But when she receives a mysterious letter written by her deceased former boyfriend with a job listing in the coastal town of Driftwood Alabama, she decides to take a chance on herself and step out of her comfort zone. Ava can feel a change in herself the moment she arrives in Driftwood but is also curious about who sent her the letter and why?
“Everything you’ve always wanted is only a job interview away.”
Ava’s trip to Alabama brings her to Magpie’s, a coffee shop run by thirty-eight-year-old Maggie Brightwell who had briefly advertised for a caretaker for her father, sixty-eight-year-old Desmond ”Dez” Brightwell, whose increasingly erratic behavior has her concerned. Maggie takes a liking to Ava and employs her, dividing her work between helping Desmond and helping out at the coffee shop. Maggie, a single mother whose son Noah is away at college, hides much pain and past trauma underneath her cheerful demeanor. The shop belonged to her mother, who is presumed to have died in a drowning accident years ago – a loss that has haunted Maggie, who finds it difficult to acknowledge her death. In memory of her mother, she keeps everything the same and is resistant to initiating any kind of change in how the shop is operated – a fact that frustrates her father who is rumored to be considering selling Magpie's, much to Maggie’s dismay. Her coffee shop is the heart of the town and caters to its quirky residents, with each of whom Maggie shares a special rapport. Maggie’s coffee shop also houses a “Curiosity Corner” – a collection of odd items collected by Maggie over the years from which she matches items to those whom she senses need them the most.
“The Curiosities most often acted as reminders of something that once brought joy that might be missing from that person’s life. Then they sparked a desire to seek that happiness again.”
The narrative follows Ava and Maggie as they both embark on a personal journey of grief, acceptance, and catharsis and open their hearts to change and new opportunities with the help of their friends, neighbors and a little bit of magic.
Combining elements of magical realism with a touch of intrigue, humor, romance, and small-town drama, At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber is a beautifully – penned novel. The narrative is presented from the first-person perspectives of Ava and Maggie and flows well at an even pace. Both Ava and Maggie are well-fleshed-out characters and I absolutely adored Dez and his quirks as well as the enigmatic Estrelle whose gift of “knowing” keeps everyone on their toes. I also enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters (including Norman, the “quabarking” dog, Molly the cat, and a very interesting chicken by the name of Cluck Cluck) and loved how the author describes the small-town dynamics – the rivalries, love stories, the gossip, the camaraderie and the local customs. Grief and fear of the unknown can often consume our lives and this story is one of how one can find courage and support in oneself and in one another to move forward. The symbolism of the butterfly was beautifully incorporated into Ava’s journey. This is a heartwarming read that revolves around themes of found family, belongingness, hope and healing. I was invested in this story from the very first page and would have loved to stay with these characters a little longer. This is my first Heather Webber novel and now I’m eager to explore her backlist.
Many thanks to Forge Books/Tor Publishing Group for my gifted hardcover copy.
I paired my reading with the incredible audio narration by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis, who made the setting and characters come alive, making for an engaging immersion reading experience. Many thanks for Macmillan Audio for the ALC of At the Coffeeshop of Curiosities.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“Hard times could be overcome, given time. Given heart. Given determination. Life could be rebuilt. Fresh starts were possible.”
“There were seven of us in all, trapped on the island. One of us was a murderer.”
When former Hollywood movie star Lana Farrar invites her friend4.5⭐️
“There were seven of us in all, trapped on the island. One of us was a murderer.”
When former Hollywood movie star Lana Farrar invites her friends to join her on Aura, the idyllic small Greek island gifted to her by her late first husband, for an Easter weekend getaway with her family, little does she know that one of the seven would not leave the island alive.
Who was murdered and why? One of Lana’s guests, Elliot, a dramatist by profession, takes us through the events that transpired over that fateful weekend and that led to the murder in question. Through Elliot we get to know more about Lana and the others on the island - Kate, theater actor and Lana’s and Elliot’s friend; Leo, Lana’s seventeen-year-old son who wishes to pursue an acting career despite his mother’s disapproval; Lana’s second husband Jason who doesn’t seem too fond of the other guests; Lana’s housekeeper and confidante Agathi and the caretaker of island Nikos, both of whom have been in Lana’s employ for a long time. Beneath the friendship and camaraderie, there seems to be much tension, unrequited feelings, lies and resentment, and it becomes evident that there was no lack of motive to turn on one another.
Elliot tries to be a “reliable” narrator of events, but as he so rightly observes, “We are all the unreliable narrators of our own lives.”
Named after the Greek goddess of the breeze and the morning air, the island is rumored to be haunted, and the locals believe that stepping foot on the island brings bad luck. The ferocity of the winds – “to meno” - “the Fury” in the region often makes it difficult to travel across the Aegean waters, trapping the visitors on the island with a murderer in their midst.
With an interesting cast of characters and a skillfully structured narrative, The Fury by Alex Michaelides is an atmospheric and suspenseful page-turner. I loved the setting and thoroughly enjoyed the intricately plotted Agatha Christie-ish (though Elliot insists it isn't so) murder mystery with more than a few twists! The author seamlessly weaves past and present events into a skillfully crafted narrative divided into five parts or “Acts". The narrative, presented from Elliot’s first-person PoV, kept me engaged and entertained until the very last page.
Though The Silent Patient remains my favorite of all three of Alex Michaelides’ novels, I found The Fury to be a very satisfying read!
I have a feeling that with the right narrator, this would be PHENOMENAL in audiobook format!
Many thanks to the Celadon Readers Program for inviting me to be an early reader. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Fury is scheduled to be released on January 16, 2024.
On the third of September, 1986, Nina Beau, Étienne Beaulieu and Adrien Bobin are placed together in the same fifth grad“They were three, or nothing.”
On the third of September, 1986, Nina Beau, Étienne Beaulieu and Adrien Bobin are placed together in the same fifth grade class of École Pasteur in La Comelle, Burgundy. Nina, abandoned by her mother as a baby, father unknown is being raised by her loving grandfather, a postal worker. Étienne belongs to an affluent family and lives with his parents, younger sister Louise and has an elder brother who is away pursuing higher studies. Adrien is being raised by his mother who was once the mistress of Adrien’s father who is a fleeting presence in Adrien’s life, paying support to Josephine and meeting Adrien infrequently.
“Étienne was the leader, Nina the heart, and Adrien followed with never a complaint.”
What follows is a wonderful childhood- inseparable friends sharing their joys, their sorrows, their families and their respective dreams - dreams beyond La Comelle - making plans and promises of a future spent supporting one another as they pursued their dreams.
“Adrien secretly dreams of recognition, he wants his compositions to be lauded to shut his father up, and never have to smell his chlorophyll breath ever again. Étienne dreams of what accompanies fame: the gilded existence, the easy life. Nina hopes to sing, draw, and fall passionately in love.”
But when Nina’s grandfather meets with a fatal accident in 1994 weeks before Nina is to leave for Paris with her friends, life changes for all three of them. Three friends embrace their new realities and their lives take them in different directions and away from one another. Nina stays back to marry her obsessive suitor which leads to an unhappy marriage. Adrian and Étienne leave and eventually, Adrien finds fame as a writer and Étienne becomes a police officer.
On the very same day, 17 August 1994, eighteen-year-old Clotilde Marais, known to all three of them, disappears without a trace. On 5 December 2017, a car reported stolen in 1994 is found after having been submerged in “Lac de la Forêt”. Human remains are found in the car and after years of being apart, the three of them are drawn together once again by “the secret that only the three think they know” and much more. After years of avoiding one another, the three are forced to confront their secrets, lies and betrayals and accept who they have become and reveal the same to one another.
"We think we know everything about our friends, when really we know nothing.”
It is rare to finish a 550+ page book and come out saying that you wish it hadn’t ended. That is how I feel about Valérie Perrin’s Three (brilliantly translated by Hildegarde Serle). From the moment I met these three characters, I felt invested in their stories- both as individuals and as friends. As we follow Nina, Étienne and Adrien from their childhood through their adolescence and adulthood we bear witness to their struggles, their resilience and their friendship. They triumph, they stumble, they hurt one another, they are hurt by one another and others, they make mistakes, they are weak, they are strong - in other words, they are real and relatable, simple in what they want from life yet complex in their emotions and their relationships with one other, with others in their lives and in how they perceive themselves.
While we not may always agree with what they say or do, these are characters that we want to stay with and be a part of their stories. The mystery surrounding Clotilde Marais’s disappearance and the discovery of the car found submerged in the lake is intriguing and serves as the bridge between the past and present. Virginie’s first-person narrative, which is interspersed throughout the main narrative, also lends a sense of mystery around her relationship with the 'Three', and her intimate knowledge of the three friends and their lives also keeps you guessing as to who she might be.
“My name is Virginie. I’m the same age as them. Today, out of the three, only Adrien still speaks to me. Nina despises me. As for Étienne, it’s me who can longer stand him. And yet, they’ve fascinated me since childhood. I’ve only ever become attached to those three. And to Louise.”
The author does an excellent job of transitioning between past and present-day events and never for a moment does the reader lose interest. The author touches upon many important and relevant themes in this novel such as abandonment, jealousy, obsession, sexual identity,spousal abuse, and grief- and does so with great emotional depth and the utmost sensitivity. I loved how the love for and protection of animals was woven into the narrative. The writing is exquisite, the narrative is engaging and flows seamlessly across different timelines and the characterizations are superb. The author does justice to not only the main characters in the novel but also every one of the supporting characters in their lives, Louise , in particular.
Having loved Valérie Perrin’s Fresh Water for Flowers, I could not wait to pick up this novel and I was not disappointed. I cannot thank Kristi Bontrager at Europa Editions enough for the digital review copy of this beautifully written, compelling and immersive novel.
“Imagine you’ve been unable to move for years because your fist is clenched inside a container, and to manage to pull your hand out, to free yourself, you just need to let go of what you’re clutching in your clenched fist…..You open up your hand, you lose what’s inside it, it falls to the bottom of the container, but you are free.”...more
Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from
>
Books:
gifted-book-publisher
(15)
Loading...
