While I have not read Nazi Literature in America, a novella from which the final chapter has been fleshed out and developed into Distant Star, it is cWhile I have not read Nazi Literature in America, a novella from which the final chapter has been fleshed out and developed into Distant Star, it is clear that this is very much Roberto Bolaño’s world. This felt at home in the world of the Savage Detectives; easily feeling like a meandering section that had been cut.
All of Bolaño’s compulsory and frenetic style is on full display here, but the novel never reaches the height or depth of Savage Detectives. The novel’s exploration of the ethics of art can be a little monotonous at points, and while the prose is as lush as you’d expect from Bolaño, for such dense writing, I would have expected to come away feeling more fulfilled.
That said, Distant Star has its moments and is certainly worth a read, particularly for fans or maybe someone who’s new to Bolaño and not ready to commit to either of his longer more acclaimed works....more
An excellent read on all fronts. Hum is a particularly poignant examination of technology’s relationship with society. Set in a not so distant future,An excellent read on all fronts. Hum is a particularly poignant examination of technology’s relationship with society. Set in a not so distant future, much of the setting, while remaining somewhat fantastical, is easy enough to believe. We watch as the stories protagonist navigates modern life, with all its dwindling beauty and pitfalls.
The prose here doesn’t particularly stand out, but services the story and pace perfectly. I tend to only give 5 stars to books that resonate with me, and stand out in my memory. This most certainly will linger, as its characters and world drew me in completely and I connected deeply its dramas.
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for their generous ARC even though I completed it after release. If you’re looking for something modern and impactful with just enough science fiction to keep it exciting,I strongly recommend this great book. ...more
A little mystical for my taste, but beyond the spiritual leanings of this book are some essential concepts that I think we can all benefit from. Rest A little mystical for my taste, but beyond the spiritual leanings of this book are some essential concepts that I think we can all benefit from. Rest it it won’t take long I promise. ...more
Brett Easton Ellis� style is on full display here but the Informers feels like a bunch of character sketches for any of his other novels thrown togethBrett Easton Ellis� style is on full display here but the Informers feels like a bunch of character sketches for any of his other novels thrown together to fill a contractual obligation. Taken as a short story collection there are a couple of excellent ones, but most are fairly bland. If you’ve already read his early successes and are desperate for more, there is plenty of Wayfarer sunglasses, cans of Tab, and heaps of nihilism for you; just don’t expect cohesiveness or depth. ...more
As with all of McCullers oeuvre, A Member of the Wedding is little dated but still a classic. Almost all of what made The Lonely Heart is a Hunter so As with all of McCullers oeuvre, A Member of the Wedding is little dated but still a classic. Almost all of what made The Lonely Heart is a Hunter so wonderful can be found here with the exception of depth. I found that in this short little novel, there were a few too many loose ends that didn’t allow this to reach the same heights as her debut. But fear not this is well worth your time and McCullers quirky writing shines throughout. ...more
It’s kind of amazing how some books can go relatively unnoticed despite their depth and prescience. They by Kay Dick is a collection of loosely knit sIt’s kind of amazing how some books can go relatively unnoticed despite their depth and prescience. They by Kay Dick is a collection of loosely knit stories which comprise a rural dystopian novel. The text alludes to ambiguous roving gangs who destroy art and stamp out individuality violently, simply referring to this omnipresent threat ambiguously as “they.� Vacillating between describing the sinister atrocities “they”commit and passages of beauty, whimsy, and true human connection, all taking place in an idyllic rural seaside, the book manages to balance the two in a way that feels very real and resonates today. Despite its expertly crafted literary mechanism the novel went relatively unnoticed until recently after the authors passing. My only real gripe was that characters are only really in one story each and even though we relate to them, we never get a chance to become attached to any of them. The message of this is book rings clear though, and in my opinion belongs in the same breath as other more popular dystopian novels. Give this a read, it won’t waste your time. ...more
Hiroko Oyamada’s novella about isolation, flirts with magical realism and spirituality, but never quite commits to either. The writing here is well doHiroko Oyamada’s novella about isolation, flirts with magical realism and spirituality, but never quite commits to either. The writing here is well done, even if possibly a little lost in translation. I enjoyed it, but never felt hooked, which is why it took me longer to finish than it probably should have. Fun for a short little summer read. ...more
Excellent, albeit too brief short story collection. Well crafted, but not quite as impactful as his two masterworks. Any Dazai is good Dazai though, sExcellent, albeit too brief short story collection. Well crafted, but not quite as impactful as his two masterworks. Any Dazai is good Dazai though, so give this a shot! ...more
I’m sure there are people who are going to view this book as Doomsday Prepper fear mongering, but I think that’s would be a narrow minded take on whatI’m sure there are people who are going to view this book as Doomsday Prepper fear mongering, but I think that’s would be a narrow minded take on what is a valiant attempt at jarring the reader into realizing just how unprepared they might be for any type of catastrophe. The author has also been through the media rinse cycle for his American Contingency organization which is meant to be a place to help others find community and preparedness, so you may have some pre-conceived notions even looking at this book. What he (and by exetension I) ask/s is to keep an open mind.
I heard about this book from an episode of the Shawn Ryan podcast; a show I began listening to in an attempt to understand more about people who’ve made uniformed service their career. What I have learned in the time I have been listening to the show, is that the freedom and safety we take for granted on a daily basis is much more tenuous than many of us think.
The book makes a pretty succinct point that most people have not thought much about preparing for disaster and this is much to our detriment. It gives the reader a lot of things to think about and focuses a lot on mindset. There are some practical applications throughout the book, but what it is not, is a field guide to survival. A lot of it is challenging the reader to shake their own life up, which may be a tough pill for some to swallow. It’s not as extensive as maybe it could be, and some of it is based on the authors personal military experiences, which again could be a turn off.
All this said, I think it does a good job of laying out some basics and giving some good pointers, and I think is worth a read (it’s not particularly long) if only to get some conversations started with your loved ones, and give you some ideas that could one day save your life. ...more
Negative Space is a meditation on exactly that. Gillian Linden has focused in on the moments between moments, and has found a dark humor in them. I doNegative Space is a meditation on exactly that. Gillian Linden has focused in on the moments between moments, and has found a dark humor in them. I don’t know that I’ve read anything like this. It is particularly sparse, but there is much that goes on despite its limited text. Every word here counts. I want to thank NetGalley for an ARC which I read half of and realized had expired when I went back to finish it. I ended up getting the audiobook, and started over. I thought the reader did a relatively good job but there were some inflections I read into the text that were done differently, and I think I enjoyed my own reading better for what’s that’s worth. My biggest complaint was that I wanted more! Looking forward to the next Gillian Linden novel! ...more
Always up for a rediscovered talent! Sad that this is all we’ll get from this promising author, but glad we did. These stories are excellent, the firsAlways up for a rediscovered talent! Sad that this is all we’ll get from this promising author, but glad we did. These stories are excellent, the first 4 in particular. There is a bit of Shirley Jackson in them which for me is always a plus. As is my issue with most short story collections, this is a little uneven, and the the front half eclipses the back. But that said there are a a couple really excellent pieces toward the end, particularly the experimental “Frozen Voices� which reminded me of Clarice Lispector. Happy to have this little collection but sad it’s all we’ll ever get. ...more
This is not just a thoroughly researched history of Crownsville Institution in MD, but also an examination of the history of mental health in the blacThis is not just a thoroughly researched history of Crownsville Institution in MD, but also an examination of the history of mental health in the black community. I cried twice reading it. I strongly suggest you add this to the top of your list. ...more
I’d like to say I was surprised backlash from so many people about this novel, but then I remember that many people only know McCarthy from his most rI’d like to say I was surprised backlash from so many people about this novel, but then I remember that many people only know McCarthy from his most recent works and the films thereof.
Now, I am far from a McCarthy scholar(though I do plan to read them all,) but I loved this and found it reminiscent of some of his earlier work. This is not the straightforward narrative of The Road, or No Country For Old Men, but it is chock full of the ambiguity, symbolism, and motifs that bound Outer Dark together. Maybe this is because supposedly he began working on this in the 70’s, but regardless, it truly feels like full circle of his career.
His beautiful prose is fully on display here as his his extraordinarily realistic dialog, the violence is toned down here and he seems a bit more reflective. To me, it seems he has always been a master, but here his craft feels the most honed of all the works of his I have read. McCarthy has also always seemed to have an otherworldly connection that permeates his writing, almost as though he pulls these lines from the same ether as a religious text, and this book is no different. Particularly the last chapter here is a masterpiece; the kind of writing that keeps me reading literature.
I may write more after reading Stella Maris, as it is the companion to this, but I truly hope you will give this a chance, ignore the numerous frustrated reviews, and forgo your reliance on plot. You may find it less important to good literature than you thought.
Merged review:
I’d like to say I was surprised backlash from so many people about this novel, but then I remember that many people only know McCarthy from his most recent works and the films thereof.
Now, I am far from a McCarthy scholar(though I do plan to read them all,) but I loved this and found it reminiscent of some of his earlier work. This is not the straightforward narrative of The Road, or No Country For Old Men, but it is chock full of the ambiguity, symbolism, and motifs that bound Outer Dark together. Maybe this is because supposedly he began working on this in the 70’s, but regardless, it truly feels like full circle of his career.
His beautiful prose is fully on display here as his his extraordinarily realistic dialog, the violence is toned down here and he seems a bit more reflective. To me, it seems he has always been a master, but here his craft feels the most honed of all the works of his I have read. McCarthy has also always seemed to have an otherworldly connection that permeates his writing, almost as though he pulls these lines from the same ether as a religious text, and this book is no different. Particularly the last chapter here is a masterpiece; the kind of writing that keeps me reading literature.
I may write more after reading Stella Maris, as it is the companion to this, but I truly hope you will give this a chance, ignore the numerous frustrated reviews, and forgo your reliance on plot. You may find it less important to good literature than you thought....more
First Advance Listening Copy of the year for me and it was a real doozy! Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, because this was great! I first discFirst Advance Listening Copy of the year for me and it was a real doozy! Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, because this was great! I first discovered this book as part of a Kirkus list of recommendations, and they didn’t steer me wrong.
Dead in Long Beach California is an experimental novel about grief that is expertly crafted. Each chapter we get bits of plot, remembrances, history, fantasy; all blended together. This is high level writing without being impenetrable. It meanders at times and might be a hair too chaotic for the casual reader, but is very rewarding on the whole. I found the narrator excellent, and did great job of not losing the thread despite the quick changes in writing.
At times this novel is hilarious and others heartbreaking, but overall I enjoyed this very much, particularly for its realistic representation of how the mind deals with grief and trauma. I would recommend to anyone looking to broaden their literary horizons. Give it 50 pages, you’ll know if it’s for you or not. Looking forward to what’s next from Venita Blackburn. ...more
A modern thriller with an interesting setting and relatable characters, Birnham Wood is a bit of a snowball rolling down a winding hill. The book takeA modern thriller with an interesting setting and relatable characters, Birnham Wood is a bit of a snowball rolling down a winding hill. The book takes its time introducing its characters and slowly setting the plot. It takes almost two thirds of the book to really get moving but after, never slows right up until the shocking conclusion. While this may sound daunting it never feels as much because we get plenty of character development which I think makes the book work.
I don’t read a lot of thrillers, so this book may lean on some of the popular authors of that genres styles as some others have noted in their reviews, but I would never know. I did however read Naomi Alderman’s The Future not long ago, and found some similarities, but enjoyed the whole of this book much more than that.
To me the book was a gripping and entertaining little read. It’s not breaking any literary ground (except maybe it’s “Kiwi Eco-Thriller� plot which was new to me) or winning any prose contests, but I get the hype, and it endeared me enough to the author to want to read her other novels.
Give this a shot, it won’t waste your time. Just don’t expect Booker quality despite Eleanor Catton having won the award a decade prior. ...more
Trying to remove the film’s imagery from this excellent debut by Irvine Welsh was almost if not completely impossible. None the less, this novel oozesTrying to remove the film’s imagery from this excellent debut by Irvine Welsh was almost if not completely impossible. None the less, this novel oozes style with its fast paced conversational vernacular written in phonetic spelling to really sell the characters. Having seen the film many times as a teen, but not having seen it in many years, many of the vignettes from this novel came flooding back, but hit hard just the same. The soiled bed sheets scene, was just as laugh out loud funny, as was Spud’s speed induced interview. There were a few scenes that didn’t make it into the movie which made reading this worthwhile even for someone who’s very familiar with Danny Boyle’s excellent portrayal. There’s plenty of nastiness in this book so it’s not for everyone, but I can’t expect a bunch of Scottish junkies in the 90’s to be anything but. Read it if you dive into the pesh and shite. ...more
I didn’t intentionally bookend my year in reading with two very possible or even probable looks into the near future, yet here we are. Prophet Song woI didn’t intentionally bookend my year in reading with two very possible or even probable looks into the near future, yet here we are. Prophet Song won the Booker this year and rightfully so. Paul Lynch has written an extremely well balanced novel, both beautiful in its prose and very unsettling in its vision.
Earlier this year I read Stephen Markley’s The Deluge which detailed a very possible crumbling of society due to climate change. Utterly unsettling and absolutely possible which made it all the more terrifying. Here a rolling fascist take over is depicted within these pages and it occurs in such a way that it also seems an absolute possibility.
Novels like these are so important as they serve as a warning, blending past and current history to remind us of our own mistakes, and how to avoid them. I strongly recommend both. This being about a third of the length of Stephen Markley’s book might make this an easier choice, but both are absolutely worth your time. ...more
More excellent work from Ling Ma. These stories are extremely adept at bringing reality to their weird little worlds. There are a couple of less memorMore excellent work from Ling Ma. These stories are extremely adept at bringing reality to their weird little worlds. There are a couple of less memorable stories, but the majority here are the type that will stick with you. Give it a read it won’t waste your time! ...more
Naomi Alderman had a tough job following up a home run like The Power, and while she gets a base hit here it’s only a single at best.
The Future startNaomi Alderman had a tough job following up a home run like The Power, and while she gets a base hit here it’s only a single at best.
The Future starts off strong enough, building a solid foundation between its two main protagonists. Alderman employs a similar technique as her previous book jumping around between character stories, we get some main plot, we get some flashback history, we get more plot but from the perspective of a different character, we get more back story, more plot, etc. This is also inter-spliced with message board posts that kind of flesh out the book. I had no problem with this sort of jumbled narrative, and I think Alderman a good enough writer to make this sort of interwoven storytelling work. The section of the story detailing a crisis but told through this message board post style was particularly effective.
The problem for me was that The Future feels rushed. The front half of the book felt like a true successor to The Power, but about halfway through, this book just kind of takes off running and becomes less and less believable. We spend enough time to become attached to a couple of these characters but are then thrust into the second half mostly without one of them, and with some other much more one-note characters. It’s such a shame because the front half has so much promise.
I am honestly torn whether to recommend this, as it does really have some great ideas and it does entertain even in its middling second half, I guess it’s just hard for me to lower my expectations after a book I cherished as much as The Power. Also, having read Stephen Markley’s The Deluge which is a MUCH better book about a not so distant future, it’s hard for me to not push that instead. I guess if you’re looking for some lighter apocalyptic/futuristic fare and aren’t going to think too much about it, give it a go, but it’s not essential the way Alderman’s last book is....more
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