My last book of 2023 is André Gide’s “The Immoralist”. It follows a young man called Michel who after marrying, travels to North Africa for his honeymMy last book of 2023 is André Gide’s “The Immoralist”. It follows a young man called Michel who after marrying, travels to North Africa for his honeymoon. After recovering from a serious illness, he experiences an awakening, of sorts, that encourages him to finally lead life on his own terms.
In the introduction of this copy, Alan Sheridan describes Gidé as akin to Oscar Wilde, except without his trademark humour. I definitely see the similarity. The novella also reminded me of André Acimen’s “Call Me By Your Name”, which follows a similar plot of sexual awakening in Mediterranean heat.
Though well written, the book’s very short length leads the story and characters to feel very underdeveloped, and it ends abruptly, almost just when it felt like it was just getting started.
“Tomorrow They Won’t Dare to Murder Us” is the true story in fictionalised rendering of Communist militant and “pied-noir” Fernand Iveton, the only Eu“Tomorrow They Won’t Dare to Murder Us” is the true story in fictionalised rendering of Communist militant and “pied-noir” Fernand Iveton, the only European executed during the Algerian war of independence, for planting a bomb at a factory - even though it failed to go off.
Published under the title “De Nos Frères Blessés” in French, it is Joseph Andras’ first novel and was acclaimed by critics, winning him the Goncourt Prize. However, Andras declined the prize, stating that “competition and rivalry were foreign to writing”.
The beginning of the novella is fast-paced - switching quickly between different points of view. The reader is shoved into the narrative in a very disorienting way, immediately forced to confront the events. The next part, however, is slow paced and reflective, building an emotional connection with the characters and ruminating over the consequences, before an ending that gives the reader a lot to think about.
My connection and interest in the Algerian war is obvious to anyone who knows me, but I had never heard of this particularly thorny episode, and in many ways the book left me stunned. Over the course of just over a hundred pages, Andras creates an arc that immediately hooks you, and shines a light on the crimes of French colonialism, all while maintaining the personal and human element a novella requires.
Kazuo Ishiguro’s “The Remains of the Day” received the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1989. A film adaptation of the novel, starring Anthony Hopkins and Kazuo Ishiguro’s “The Remains of the Day” received the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1989. A film adaptation of the novel, starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, was made in 1993 and was nominated for eight Academy Awards. It remains one of the most highly regarded post-war novels. And yet initially I did not find myself really connecting with this work as much as I would have liked.
The novel follows Stevens, a butler with a long record of service at a stately home called Darlington Hall, as he takes a road trip to visit a former colleague, and reminisces about events between the two world wars in the 1920s and 1930s.
The story is incredibly simple, with most emotional beats coming from flashbacks from an unreliable narrator. It’s only when truth is slowly revealed that the novel finally clicks, and becomes partly a comedy of manners that satirises the British ‘stiff upper lip’, and a more horrifying account of how appeasement led to the rise of fascism across Europe. With hints that the appeasement of fascist sentiments didn’t entirely disappear after the war was over.
Upon finishing this book, I confess to feeling a little cold on it, but the more I reflect on it, the more I come to appreciate it. ...more
It was during the early months of lockdown that I first watched the acclaimed mini series Normal People, and it’s taken me about three years to finallIt was during the early months of lockdown that I first watched the acclaimed mini series Normal People, and it’s taken me about three years to finally get round to reading the source material (quietly ‘borrowed’ from my sister’s bookshelf)
The novel follows the complex friendship and relationship between two teenagers, Connell and Marianne, who both attend the same secondary school and later, the same university. The two weave in and out of each other's lives, developing an intense bond that exposes their traumas and insecurities.
I’d never read any of Sally Rooney’s work up to this point, but her reputation precedes her; so I was aware of some of her quirks, like her slightly annoying lack of speech marks, and I, of course, already knew the story. None of this would stop me from finding “Normal People” a tender yet also sometimes devastating story about love and how class divides keeps people apart and affects their relationships.
Just like the tv show, Connell and Marianne both found their way into my heart and stayed there....more
Cited frequently as a ‘modern classic’, Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” follows a group of intelligent yet eccentric misfits studying at a New EnglCited frequently as a ‘modern classic’, Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” follows a group of intelligent yet eccentric misfits studying at a New England university. But their isolation and the study of classics leads them down a dark path into evil.
It is easy to see why the books popularity has endured. Tartt skilfully weaves satire of bourgeoise students, with a page-turning, inverted detective story about betrayal, corruption and death.
I was gripped through most of the story. The climax of the story comes somewhere around the middle (not so much a twist, since the first line of the novel reveals it), and the vast majority of the rest of the novel involves dealing with the aftermath. This meant that there were some pacing issues around two thirds into the book, but the tension manages to cumulate well for the final kick at the end. ...more
Initially published in Paris in 1938, when Lawrence Durrell was only twenty six, “The Black Book” was banned in Great Britain for nearly four decades Initially published in Paris in 1938, when Lawrence Durrell was only twenty six, “The Black Book” was banned in Great Britain for nearly four decades until 1973 due to its ‘obscenity’. Understandably, this immediately piqued my interest, but I was left a little disappointed on this front as its debauchery doesn’t really go beyond explicit references to sex, homosexuality and swearing - all pretty tame by todays standards.
It follows Gregory, who upon disappearing, leaves behind his diaries in a seedy London hotel. Discovered and read by Lawrence Lucifer, they describe the exploits of a clique of intellectuals living a life of squalid debauchery: struggling writers and artists consumed by loves, lusts, and a quest for innovation. But as they satisfy violent appetites of the flesh - and mind - their descent into darkness accelerates.
I found this book hard to get through at parts. Written in a dreamlike, almost nonsensical, stream of consciousness, it reflects the narrator’s state of mind, but made it hard for me to follow. Though this dense text has the occasional description that I liked and I can understand it’s historical significance, it was not a book I can honestly say I enjoyed reading. ...more
Brazilian author Raduan Nassar’s 45 page novella “A Cup of Rage” has seven chapters and seven full stops. Seven intensely long sentences track the risBrazilian author Raduan Nassar’s 45 page novella “A Cup of Rage” has seven chapters and seven full stops. Seven intensely long sentences track the rise and fall of a brief relationship between an unnamed male and female character. Commencing with them spending the night together and the vitriolic argument that occurs the next day. Through this, Nassar explores power, domination and alienation. This is particularly notable as the book was published in 1978 when Brazil was still under, but beginning to crawl out from, a military dictatorship. The couples’ argument contains many political allusions as a result.
As a modernist author, Nassar plays with the form and structure, and challenges the traditional idea of what a novel can be.
All very different and very interesting, but maybe not quite for me. ...more
Inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s 1930 stay at the real Jamaica Inn (a pub that still exists in the middle of Bodmin Moor), “Jamaica Inn” is a gothic peInspired by Daphne du Maurier’s 1930 stay at the real Jamaica Inn (a pub that still exists in the middle of Bodmin Moor), “Jamaica Inn” is a gothic period piece, set in Cornwall around 1815. It follows Mary Yellan, a young woman who moves to stay at Jamaica Inn with her Aunt Patience and Uncle Joss after the death of her mother. She quickly finds out that the inn is a mysterious and unsavoury place, mistrusted by the locals, and that her uncle is closely linked with a group of suspicious men.
Put simply, the novel is a classic that is a genuine page turner, and can easily be devoured in a day.
Du Maurier creates a dark, spooky and atmospheric setting, complimenting a story with many twists and turns, that keeps the reader in suspense the whole way through. It contains everything you would want from a gothic novel: a mystery, intriguing characters, a bit of the occult and even a twisted romance.
It’s perhaps a shame that I picked this up during August, as its evocative descriptions of the weather and the Cornish landscape makes it the perfect book to read on a dreary Autumn or Winter evening. ...more
“This Time Tomorrow” follows Alice on the eve of her fortieth birthday. With a disappointing boyfriend and job, and her beloved father in hospital, sh“This Time Tomorrow” follows Alice on the eve of her fortieth birthday. With a disappointing boyfriend and job, and her beloved father in hospital, she feels stuck. But after a few too many drinks, she wakes up in her childhood home on her sixteenth birthday. She now gets the chance to relive this same day in 1996 over and over, with the slightest change impacting the rest of her life. Can she fix her life and save her father? (Sort of…)
The plot already sounds reminiscent of films like “Groundhog Day”, “Back To The Future” and “13 Going On 30”, and it is hard for Straub to avoid the clichés of this already well trodden genre. This doesn’t stop this book from being a very cute tale about growing up, moving on, letting go and accepting all of life’s challenges for what they are.
Written when she was just 17 years old, S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders” would revolutionise the coming-of-age novel in the US upon its release in 1967. Written when she was just 17 years old, S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders” would revolutionise the coming-of-age novel in the US upon its release in 1967. Courting controversy with its portrayal of gang violence, underage smoking and drinking, and strong language, the novel presented a darker side of adolescence that shocked readers at the time.
The book follows 14 year old Ponyboy, a member of the working class “Greasers”, who are in conflict with the upper class “Socs”, as one single murderous catastrophe changes his life forever.
For a book primarily revolving around teenage gang violence, the most surprising element here is how moving it is. Focusing on how class affects life chances and one’s dreams. These boys, far from being “violent hoods” (by their own assessment), are sweet, caring of one another and disappointed and dejected by their circumstances. Hinton immediately and effectively draws you into their world and their mindset, creating a most sympathetic anti-hero in less than 200 pages. Perhaps in our times, the realism that made the book so popular upon its release will not have the same impact, but it remains as contemporary as ever....more
There were parts that I liked and parts that made me roll my eyes hard. No doubt Coco Mellors is a good writer, so it’s a shame that she wasted that tThere were parts that I liked and parts that made me roll my eyes hard. No doubt Coco Mellors is a good writer, so it’s a shame that she wasted that talent on a bit of a meh story.
It’s muddled-ness and the slight obnoxiousness of all the characters is sort of the point, but it became very grating towards the end.
In its attempt to be unique, it becomes quite cliché....more
Elena Ferrante confirms herself as one of my favourite writers with this book. Never before has a book where so little really happens, left me so stunElena Ferrante confirms herself as one of my favourite writers with this book. Never before has a book where so little really happens, left me so stunned ...more
**spoiler alert** It’s a testament to how much I loved the first one that I thought this was a bit of a disappointment, despite enjoying a lot of it. **spoiler alert** It’s a testament to how much I loved the first one that I thought this was a bit of a disappointment, despite enjoying a lot of it. Much like Find Me, the sequel to Call Me By Your Name, I find it struggles to justify its existence.
Oh and I fucking hate Charles. Maybe if this had ended with Flannery leaving him, I’d have liked it so much more....more
This book was recommended to me by my English teacher a few years ago and I’ve just got round to reading it. What can I say? He has excellent taste. AThis book was recommended to me by my English teacher a few years ago and I’ve just got round to reading it. What can I say? He has excellent taste. A fascinating and engaging book...more
**spoiler alert** I have so many thoughts about this and Taylor Jenkins-Reid’s style, having also read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I don’t real**spoiler alert** I have so many thoughts about this and Taylor Jenkins-Reid’s style, having also read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I don’t really know where to start.
There is no doubt that she is an engaging writer, but her issues with pacing are particularly bad in this book. We spend so much time in the middle section and then the band’s downfall at the end is really rushed.
Most of the characters are very flat. Only Daisy, Billy and maybe Karen are given full character developments everyone else is incredibly one dimensional. Warren, Graham and Pete may as well be the same person, and Camila, who could have been an incredibly interesting, is just sort of relegated to the “good wife” role.
I actually quite like the faux-interview style of the book, it was an interesting choice to make, though I didn’t really understand the point of revealing the author to be Julia - felt like it happened just to add a bit of shock value.
However, I am intrigued to see how the Amazon Prime series adapts this. ...more
Entertaining enough but I really struggled to entirely get into it. Primarily, I believe because the story is told mostly through other people tellingEntertaining enough but I really struggled to entirely get into it. Primarily, I believe because the story is told mostly through other people telling stories. Final act is quite good though ...more
A haunting read, containing one of the most heartbreaking ‘twists’ I’ve ever read, as we follow a woman finally confronting her own reality.
In a way, A haunting read, containing one of the most heartbreaking ‘twists’ I’ve ever read, as we follow a woman finally confronting her own reality.
In a way, this book hits so hard because it depicts something so common, yet heartbreaking: the refusal and struggle to accept yourself as a victim. We see this struggle through our protagonist.
In this novel, violence pervades everything, it is everywhere and yet the book is hopeful.
As the author writes in the acknowledgements: “…brutality is an inescapable inheritance of humanity, but so is love. As terribly as we can be hurt, so deeply can we be healed.”...more
I was initially quite receptive to this book, but the longer I read the less enthusiastic about it I became.
The book was originally published as threeI was initially quite receptive to this book, but the longer I read the less enthusiastic about it I became.
The book was originally published as three separate short stories and later combined into one novel. This is very obvious in the book as the three sections contain tonal shifts and different character perspectives and focuses. The first is written in first person and feels like the beginning of a psychological thriller. The last two are written in second person, focus on two completely different characters and play out more like a drama. I found this quite jarring to be honest. Though they are all connected and there is a narrative, it still made the plot feel a little muddled as we jolted from different perspectives, times and characters. The first section really hooked me and so the last two felt like a bit of let down. To my understanding this book is supposed to be an allegory of modern day South Korea - I respect that, I still didn’t really understand it.
I quite like the central premise. The author is clearly capable and there are some scenes that I really do quite like.
My main issue here is really the depiction of the central character Yeong-hye and mental illness in general. The two male characters obviously objectify her. I appreciate that this is the point, and her sister doesn’t seem to think all that much about her either. Again I understand that this is essentially what the author is going for, but it does lead to Yeong-hye not really feeling like a proper character at all. I feel by the end that she is the most interesting character and yet I don’t really know anything about her or understand her generally. Again maybe this is the point, but it just made the whole thing feel incredibly lacking for me. The character with some kind of mental illness is in the end treated as a bit of caricature and quite one dimensional as a result.
I’d heard a lot of good things about this book and I initially did quite enjoy it, but I did end up feeling a little underwhelmed. ...more