" In Nürnberg, the S.S. was proclaimed an army of criminals. It may sound paradoxical, but Kempf may have kept that seal of belonging just because in " In Nürnberg, the S.S. was proclaimed an army of criminals. It may sound paradoxical, but Kempf may have kept that seal of belonging just because in his case there could be no question of real belonging."
It's such a big book in every way: scope, structure, story. The Age of Brass by Slobodan Å najder is a powerful and intricately layered novel that intertwines personal and historical narratives to explore the legacy of war, complex identity, belonging, and memory.
The story spans over 200 years. In 1769 , as a year of famine strikes Germany, Kempf the ancestor, leaves his homeland along with others like him , seeking a better life, a land of prosperity promised by Maria Theresa. Over the years, generations of Germans settle in Slavonia, making it their new home. But as Europe plunges into war by 1940, this minority group, the Volksdeutsche, are summoned to fight for the Reich—a country that has become alien to them. Among them is Georg Kempf, the father of the narrator. Drafted into the Waffen SS against his will as a forced volunteer, Georg deserts after a while, fully aware of the grave risk. At the war's end, he falls in love with Vera, a dedicated partisan but the thing is : had they met earlier, they would have been compelled to kill each other. They are enemies. Can they beat that even at war's end?
It's a really complex, intricate with shifting perspectives, an unusual narrator that's outside the flow of time and covers a really vast region and intersections of various interests, personal conflicts and identities on top of timely questions about how wars are waged and where it leaves innocents. How historical shifts sweep individuals along.
The novel’s structure is non-linear, fragmented and told through shifting perspectives, reflecting the fragmented and often contradictory nature of memory. One of the most unique and intriguing aspects of *The Age of Brass* is its narrator: the protagonist’s unborn son. This choice of narrator adds a layer of distance and reflection to the story, as the unborn child observes and recounts the events leading up to his own conception and birth. The narrator’s position outside the flow of time allows for a broader, more philosophical perspective on the events that unfold, imbuing the narrative with a sense of inevitability, albeit he does sometimes question it and points to alternate ways things might have gone. This narrative voice deepens the exploration of legacy and identity, as the unborn son contemplates unfolding events. The story continues mostly in his voice afterwards,but still shifts to his parents for the briefest time left.
The novel is rich with themes of guilt, complicity, and the burden of history. Å najder skillfully portrays the psychological and emotional toll that the war has taken on his characters, particularly the father. The characters are complex and deeply human,, he presents a nuanced portrait of individuals caught in the tides of history, forced to navigate the treacherous waters of complicity and survival. And hus take really is very broad, taking in the political situation of the entire region, including Poland with all the emotional turmoil.
The Brass Age is an affecting and intellectually stimulating novel that confronts the moral ambiguities of history....more
Rwandan genocide of 1994, an event in which between 800,000 to 1.200.000 individuals were killed, most with weapons wielded by their neighbours, captuRwandan genocide of 1994, an event in which between 800,000 to 1.200.000 individuals were killed, most with weapons wielded by their neighbours, captured in two moments- before the impending doom and the aftermath. It's shown through a chorus of voices - of both the aggressors and the victims and leaves one feeling fear and anger. And profound sadness at how some obscure idea of ethnicity can suddenly turn even your loved ones against you. At the core of the story is Cornelius, a history teacher and novelist, who returns to Rwanda after years of exile and has to come to terms with some truths that leave him both a perpetrator and product of the genocide.
I don't pretend to understand the complexities of African politics or specifics of its history and I was very young when all of this happened but, as I observe current events, it saddens me how history repeats itself all the time, everywhere. As always there are quiet heroes who go against the grain - a Hutu nun who refuses to quit helping, for instance. Some break, others become martyrs. And these wounds cut so deep. There are disturbing images and passages, every page leaves you boiling. But the book also shows Rwandan people as struggling, continuing and alive beyond that.
"I didn't realize that if the victims shouted loud enough, it was so I would hear them, myself and thousands of other people on earth, and so we would try to do everything we could so that their suffering might end. It always happened so far away, in countries on the other side of the world. But in these early days of April in 1994, the country on the other side of the world is mine."
When your husband murders you because you're of different blood, what else is there to say? When thousands kill and rape because they feel they can get away with it- and do- what more is there to say about humanity? So many scarred lives. All in the name of what? And then there was Joseph Karekazi. There are those, as always who try to go against the grain. Some break, others try to help until the bitter end but is that enough to make people forgive ?
And like the writer of Prophet Song writes - the world but of what has been done and what will be done and what is being done to some but not others, that the world is always ending over and over again in one place but not another and that the end of the world is always a local event, it comes to your country and visits your town and knocks on the door of your house and becomes to others but some distant warning, a brief report on the news, an echo of events that has passed into folklore....more
Books like this , to me, feed VERY false ideas about what it means to be strong and Independent. Addie is terribly self-absorbed and sex hungry, nothiBooks like this , to me, feed VERY false ideas about what it means to be strong and Independent. Addie is terribly self-absorbed and sex hungry, nothing more. Her pact with the demon is lame, the book, instead of being interesting, offers casual sex filler material. The other characters also just focus on that and don't get me started on the idiot supposed love interest who is bi. Ridiculous mess of a book.
Pulp fiction, nothing more. Very shallow, monotonous, brings no historical depth, nothing interesting but self-serving filler material....more
A group of girls are raised in a weird sick cult. They do weird shit, are abused and are confused and stupid as hell. You're placed inside a cult and A group of girls are raised in a weird sick cult. They do weird shit, are abused and are confused and stupid as hell. You're placed inside a cult and see it from the perspectives of characters affected by it. The narrators are very unreliable. I appreciate that, it's one of my favourite devices.
But overall, I found it pretentious. Piles contrived sensationalist shocks and delivers them through muddled, pretentious storytelling to sound mysterious and "literary". Particularly the bizarre rituals of the family are incomprehensible. Faux, and with a man-hating mentality streak....more
I really liked this story with its imaginative flair, a flair for the wonderful and fantastical. It's a lovely faiThe Circus arrives without warning.
I really liked this story with its imaginative flair, a flair for the wonderful and fantastical. It's a lovely fairy tale with a touch of well- placed romance but also about the fantastic in our lives. It's a well-structued meandering story, we visit the circus as events unfold in it and as it begins to unravel. It's storytelling where you are inside of things, a microcosm built of wonder and intrigue and the protagonists strive to find a way out to forge their own path, their happiness; in general to make their own choice at last. But to gain something, they must lose something else. Is the price too high? You decide.
-the plot revolves around a bet, a game of wits between old adversaries who choose to imprison two young people in an impossible situation. it propels the story forward, we observe how the game affects not only the chosen ones, Marco and Ceila but others around them - I loved this -also loved how we travel with the circus in space and time , meeting ensemble cast, seeing how the lore of the circus spreads and grows, what it brings to people outside the circus -the descriptions of the circus are wonderful, you feel the sense of wonder - I love how Ceila and Marco fall in love, that was a very palpable connection between them, and I was happy they found their freedom from roles neither of them ever wanted and that freedom was in each other. -the ending brings more to the table and all in all I'd say it's a thoughtful fairy tale.
Note that while Ceila, Marco and others were absolutely lovely, it's not a story you will remember for characters, but for the central idea and some considerations about storytelling and where events take the characters. The circus is central to everything, the circus is the main character as well as the field, where everything happens: the wonders, but also how those wonders affect others.
The central idea was super and I loved meandering through the circus, loved observing the game and loved how the game turned into a desire to give and collaborate; that Marco and Ceila couldn't help but fall in love and that feeling helped them challenge the game and build a collaboration instead. It's a pleasant read, the game propels the plot and you are drawn into the night circus , enjoying all it has to offer, you cheer for Marco and Ceila and for the supporting characters.
Ordered a physical copy and going to enjoy the love story in the night circus again. It's a good read for when you look for something magical and fairy tale like.
"And there are never really endings, happy or otherwise. Things keep going on, they overlap and blur, your story is part of your sister’s story and is part of many other stories, and there is no telling where any of them may lead."...more
In the phrase ' human being,' the word 'being' is much more important than the word 'human.'
1. The importance of empathy. How we treat animals and theIn the phrase ' human being,' the word 'being' is much more important than the word 'human.'
1. The importance of empathy. How we treat animals and the ethical implications of animal experimentation. 2. Family dynamics and how they change and shape us. 3. Keeping secrets damages bonds 4. Nature vs nurture: growing with animals and the impact of the environment. 5.The power of language- the protagonist struggles to find her voice.
An interesting and well-intentioned book about how we treat animals and live with them, but also about how we develop, imitating behaviours and how it affects us. Lots of well- informed research has gone into this and the author presents many arguments that are thought-provoking. It's also about what it means to be human and who is more human and how humane we are to animals.
Tw: references and descriptions of cruelty to animals.
There is a family: a father, mother, son and two daughters. A happy family, except one of them is a chimpanzee, meant to twin grow along with the protagonist as part of an experiment. But then the chimpanzee Fern grows strong and scares her human sister, driving a rift in the family. Who are we? What does it mean to be human? What is family? What is animal?
The structure of the story is interesting as it starts in medias res. It's a common classical trope that I personally find very engaging and in this case, it really built the interest over time and was an effective way to spring into the story while withholding some secrets.
The strongest point is the research and how the story builds off it. The main character and her behaviours, how she experienced living with an animal. What was it like for her growing up.. There's lots of room to discuss and consider the ethics of experimenting on animals and humans like this. And what happens when you grow attached but then suddenly you are forced to make a hard choice? What happens to the animal when you make that choice? Sometimes that choice is hard, but there are plenty of cases where, say, dogs and cats are discarded like unwanted thrash. The novel asks us to consider that. It's not preachy....more
"the world is always ending over and over again in one place but not another and that the end of the world is always a local event, it comes to your c"the world is always ending over and over again in one place but not another and that the end of the world is always a local event, it comes to your country and visits your town and knocks on the door of your house and becomes to others but some distant warning, a brief report on the news, an echo of events that has passed into folklore".
Similar in style to The Road, but a lot more powerful. Because the Road feels too distant. Prophet Song could take place here and now. And in some places - it does. It hits as close to home as it can. The setting in Ireland highlights just how much. And it's shattering. Because the end of the world is a local event, but at the same time, putting in a specific locality like Dublin, you highlight so much more powerfully how UNIVERSAL it is.
It portrays the rapid collapse of a society that is intimately familiar to us, our very own. The speed at which our known world, along with its laws and relationships, can disintegrate is what lends this book its profound impact. This style of writing seems even more potent here than in works like McCarthy's, as it reflects a chilling reality that is not just possible but actually happens. Everything is normal - until it's not. Is it too late then?
The story unfolds against the backdrop of an encroaching totalitarian regime, gradually stripping away freedoms and rights, invading every aspect of life. It poignantly explores a woman's fight to keep her family and her own world amid the crumbling structures of law, education, work, and societal bonds. Even as everything else fades into chaos, the significance of loved ones remains paramount. The narrative's relentless pace mirrors the protagonist's struggle, set in a contemporary, developed Western nation, making the events feel all too real. All too close. It's a stark reminder of how quickly rights can be eroded, emergency and martial laws enacted in the name of false truths, false ideology, rights to information likewise taken away, mounting - and very costly- bureaucracy, and ordinary people can vanish without a trace � a scenario that has been a reality in many parts of the world. But we cling to hope along with the character. Even in the face of facts, until one particularly hard hitting event finally strips us of all illusion.
It's a sobering reminder to cherish and protect our freedoms, as they can be swiftly taken away by those in power. It really makes you appreciate what you have. Powerful read, truly. Like a punch in the gut. It's unrelenting from start to finish. You literally feel the oppression coming down on you....more
A great Halloween read, a compelling ghost story about taking lives to live on. I enjoyed the thrill and the concept of a decaying house flickering inA great Halloween read, a compelling ghost story about taking lives to live on. I enjoyed the thrill and the concept of a decaying house flickering in and out of reality and of two souls desperate to survive against all odds and across time. I felt most sorry for Sally Timms in all this. It's insanely compelling.
*Fresh take on Haunted house *Oppressive and claustrophobic atmosphere *Characters are flawed and desperate and it makes them vulnerable to the house's dark influence.
I'll read Bone Clocks, but this was dark and thrilling and a fast read that pulled me in with its eerie mystery. I swallowed in one sitting. I should read Cloud Atlas soon.
I'll reread on Halloween, it will hit that spot.
I'll return to this after reading other Mitchell books....more
Reviewing this as part of Coffee and Thorn Book Tours. My reviews are guaranteed to be honest. My ratings are based on how much the book resonated witReviewing this as part of Coffee and Thorn Book Tours. My reviews are guaranteed to be honest. My ratings are based on how much the book resonated with me.
My brother had a phase in his life when he lamented that we are all living dead people. Well, I did not expect to find that phrase reflected so chillingly here.
A story about a historical topic I had no idea about. Luminous presents the fight of women who were employed by radium dial paint companies
I read that the women painting dials were instructed to lick their paintbrush tips while painting the numbers on the dials. They were not warned about dangers and did not suspect problems until they began to suffer severe symptoms. The tragedy is that for its time, this work was well-paid skilled labour available for women, and could even be considered patriotic contribution to WWI effort. They painted watch dials for soldiers and instrument panels for military equipment—all glowing in the dark.
The story focuses on Catherine Donahue, a strong and compassionate woman who joins Radium Dial to support her family. The book paints a fairly idyllic picture at first, but as the consequences of radium exposure become evident, it takes a chilling turn.
Catherine lives with her Uncle and Aunt and tries to come up with a way to help them financially � she finds the ad for Radium Dial and enrols nearly immediately. It’s sad how that’s pretty much her only option. She is told lies about radium and though initially work and camaraderie are as I described � quite idyllic and Catherine meets the love of her life � things begin to change drastically very soon. First, they are but distant echoes but materialise into something truly hard hitting the closer to home things start happening.
In the midst of this Catherine enjoys a truly heartwarming happiness with her husband Tom and their kids. All those early moments , falling in love, hopes and plans, and warm moments are written with such endearing charm that it makes me want to revisit them.
Catherine's bond with Tom, is a highlight of the story, showcasing unwavering support in challenging times.They enjoy the kind of strong bond one can be jealous of. It was truly something I fell in love with in the book. The stalwart, unbreakable support was something to treasure throughout the pages. Catherine made significant observations that I strongly agreed with about how such everyday things, the love and support you get, especially in small, subtle everyday ways, shouldn’t be taken for granted. But even more so the love that comes when the going really gets hard, as it most definitely did for Catherine,Tom and their children.
Their faith plays a significant role in their lives and keeps them resilient. I am usually wary of religious worship in books, because sometimes it’s too preachy, but Catherine and her husband are presented from the start as having strong faith, it’s part of who they are, and maybe part of the community they live in, with a simpler way of life. But faith keeps them fighting.
This small community they are part of has its dark side, as few believe Catherine's fight against Radium Dial, most are against it considering it's a major source of employment. This kind of desperation is what really got to me. Tom and Catherine count their blessings among all this, their life is fortunate - they start out with no mortgage, a meager life but blessed with love and joy. And even when things take a turn for the worse, they find their silver linings and their love is like a beacon. In a sense this bittersweetness is amazing - radium helped them meet, radium forces them to say goodbye.There's a scene in which Catherine says something to the effect that she at least wanted to look like a glowing angel for her husband, because that's the final thing she'd be able to do to show she loves him. That really hit me hard.
The writing is simple yet effectively conveys the contrast between the idyllic beginning and the chilling reality that unfolds under the surface and creeps on its victims when their lives are at their high points. Each chapter is preceded by telling quotes that reflect the developments. She shows how far reaching the consequences of radium were and even more so � how steep was the price for naivety at the hands of a company with no integrity. Naivety, but also unnerving lack of viable employment choices.
The girls keep working happily despite the distant echoes that not all may be well. It’s chilling to see how the mood gradually changes as they start to see their suspicions are true and their fears come to pass as the illness starts claiming more and more of them. It’s chilling how desperation to keep a job leads them to the horrors they have to live through. It’s chilling to see the first victim experience the effects of radium poisoning. Catherine reflects how lonely and terrifying that must have felt. It's chilling how even doctors tell them there is no such thing as radium poisoning. Tom and Catherine have every reason to be furious because they know their life, the life they'd live with love, has been stolen from them.
The gradual change in mood and the desperation to keep their jobs,and the impact of radium poisoning are unsettling, with Catherine's love providing some comfort amidst the grief.
Catherine is half-prepared for what’s to come as a "living dead woman", she fights for her family, but even in all the grief the love she has is comforting. It kind of cushions the impact for the reader, but at the same time makes it even more hard-hitting because for such people, you want a happy ending and yet it's one that cannot come in this case. There is a particularly heartbreaking scene in the courtroom when all emotions spill out. It's devastating and doesn't leave you indifferent. And yet, Catherine and Tom keep the love and the fight until the end, against the odds.
They are fictionalised but they were real people and I’m, glad the writer decided to write the book the way she did, because she created emotional attachment to characters and through that � the story resonates more strongly with me. And chills me more. I also appreciate she picked up a topic I had no knowledge of and also showed the resolve of these women. And the meaning of simple happiness, where love is true, despite the odds. I believe in these things.
However, I also think it would be interesting to write the novel from the perspective of the Reeds, the company owners, the lawyers defending them. The novel creates emotional attachment and successfully conveys the sense of dread that unfolds for good people, good people you want happy. . But I think I'd like to read this story from the side of the Reeds- could be interesting. How did all this affect them when they hid the medical results, when they kept lying? The grey morality here would be interesting to explore. There's potential there....more
"You yourself have precipitated it. You came here. Unwanted. Unwelcome. But you came. Filled this place with yourselves. And now we will fill ourselve"You yourself have precipitated it. You came here. Unwanted. Unwelcome. But you came. Filled this place with yourselves. And now we will fill ourselves with you".
Content warning : death, sexual imagery
It's an enthralling novella that breathes new life into the werewolf trope. This story is all about contemplation and rich storytelling. It's a blend of atmosphere and thought-provoking themes, showcasing the author's talent for immersive, visual storytelling.
Meet Crowning, a soldier of the legion, moulded by strict rules. His life revolves around discipline, and he's stationed at a now-deserted fort that has faced relentless attacks. It's cold and deserted, but filled with haunting memories. As the sole survivor, he represents the last stand against the encroaching monsters.
What sets this novella apart is its ability to make you question the essence of humanity. Was Crowning, who served an army that pillaged and plundered under orders from a leader he never even personally saw or knew, a monster from the start? In contrast, the creatures he battles against seem to enjoy a freedom he can only dream of. It's almost like a poetic justice—those who conquer are now being conquered by the wild and its creatures.
The prose is captivating, immersing you in the harshness of a soldier's trance-like daily survival, surrounded by an ever-present sense of dread. Loneliness and coldness permeate the narrative, making it incredibly evocative. The atmosphere is really pitch-perfect. A quick and gripping read, informed by the writer's knowledge of military life. The style really puts you there and then.
At the risk of sounding ignorant because there are many things I don't know, the only thing that to me felt somehow out of place was coffee. As far as I read, coffee wasn't known in ancient Rome and soldiers would more likely drink posca so I kinda questioned its presence here and it felt a little immersion breaking.
Overall, it's a compelling read. The author's deep understanding of military life shines through, enhancing the immersion. The story unfolds naturally, not forced, which is the hallmark of a truly engaging read—one that's born from genuine experiences and solid knowledge, with a thought-provoking concept and a message that resonates...more
"He had done many things in the world—he had done almost all but one: he had never, never forgotten".
Haven't read much of James but this particular s"He had done many things in the world—he had done almost all but one: he had never, never forgotten".
Haven't read much of James but this particular story is spiritual and emotional. It's a story of a man who doesn't forget the dead, does everything he can to preserve their memory from being lost in the rush of everyday life.In doing so, he befriends a woman who turns out to be related to a friend that betrayed him and who remains devoted to this one memory, the memory the protagonist doesn't face. They drift apart and he sees more of his friends depart this world, with that one unlit candle kind of haunting him.
In the end, the story is more than about honouring the dead: it's about unselfish love and how forgiveness and love can overcome past wrongs. A beautiful, heartfelt, touching read....more
A guy gets into an accident and is saved by unorthodox nuns. As he recovers and gets to know them, he starts suspecting there's something fishy going A guy gets into an accident and is saved by unorthodox nuns. As he recovers and gets to know them, he starts suspecting there's something fishy going on.
I can detect notes of Shirley Jackson in it , with a twist ending but in general find it cheesy and a bit contrived. Sexy nuns worshipping deity, and separate from mainstream Church, hateful patriarchal Catholic priests (very shallowly treated) and a guy in the middle of it Lacks depth and tension isn't really all that strong, even though I can't deny it is there to get you going. It's all in all an easy read, though leaves a so-so aftertaste with little to sink my teeth into .There is a certain visual thinking behind it but it just doesn't quite reach the depth I would have liked. And I could smell where this was going a mile early. So was expecting it to do something unexpected with what I was expecting. But it failed me.
I do like the theme, though. It's about church. Even though I consider myself a religious person, I like my worldview to be challenged and I can't deny that church has brought a lot of trouble, and there is a hint of criticism here that, if deepened,could have made a shattering tale. think it could have been a bit more , and explore more the idea of women as witches/ possessed by Satan from a deeper angle. As such, it failed to shatter me.
I recommend "Mother, Joan of the Angels" for a deeper treatment of a similar theme. Still, it can be a fun read for Halloween. But it just doesn't cut it for me....more
I read it online,just picking a single story edition to add to my shelves.
A family embarks on a road trip that takes a dark turn when they encounter I read it online,just picking a single story edition to add to my shelves.
A family embarks on a road trip that takes a dark turn when they encounter a criminal known as The Misfit, leading to an unexpected and unsettling conclusion.
It's a powerful gothic south story about redemption and Grace of God. Is only God good?...more
"The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton: Set in an ancient kingdom, this story presents a moral dilemma where a condemned man must choose betwe"The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton: Set in an ancient kingdom, this story presents a moral dilemma where a condemned man must choose between two doors, one hiding a tiger and the other a lady.
It stands for an unsolvable dilemma. Great story....more
A cute little story about giving with love, gifts that from the heart.
A couple in dire financial circumstances each sacrifices their most prized possA cute little story about giving with love, gifts that from the heart.
A couple in dire financial circumstances each sacrifices their most prized possession to buy a gift for the other, resulting in a heartwarming and unexpected conclusion....more
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