This will undoubtedly appeal to a large number of readers, but it was just so-so for me. I saw every twist coming from a mile away, and I felt like I'This will undoubtedly appeal to a large number of readers, but it was just so-so for me. I saw every twist coming from a mile away, and I felt like I've read a billion variations on these themes. ...more
I have super mixed feelings about this book. There were some parts of it that were incredibly well-done, but other parts of it that were a slog to getI have super mixed feelings about this book. There were some parts of it that were incredibly well-done, but other parts of it that were a slog to get through because they were so bogged down by scientific detail. I gotta think about it a little more......more
This book surprised the shit out of me, because the marketing copy led me to believe I was getting something other than what it turned out to be. I evThis book surprised the shit out of me, because the marketing copy led me to believe I was getting something other than what it turned out to be. I even wrote a blurb when I was halfway through this one, thinking that it would be perfect for readers of rom-coms like The Wedding Date.
The marketing copy pitches this as a cross of Bridget Jones and Americanah because it features a quirky, unlucky-in-love black woman who wants to be a journalist covering the Black Lives Matter movement from her British/Jamaican perspective while hilariously having bad luck with men.
But, no, that's not really what this book was in the end. What it was was actually so much better than that. It's about Queenie, a black woman in London who, yes, is unlucky in love and wants to advance her journalism career by covering the Black Lives Matter movement. But it's ultimately about Queenie's journey of self-discovery as a woman outside of her identity as an object of men's attention. It's wildly empowering in a thoroughly unexpected way.
When we first meet Queenie, she and her long-time boyfriend Tom are agreeing to try going on a break. He wants it more than she does, so she continues to reach out to him occasionally and is hurt when it's consistently met by radio silence. Despite the fact that she desperately wants to get back together, she responds to this rejection by sleeping with as many inappropriate men as she can find, no matter how terrible this makes her feel. the resulting lack of self-esteem bleeds over into other facets of her life, affecting her performance at work and her friendships (with a group she affectionately calls the Corgis because she is Queenie—a detail I frickin adored).
Yes, this does sound like the set-up of a stereotypical haphazard romantic comedy in the vein of Bridget Jones, but the thing about this book is, without getting too spoilery, that Queenie begins to recognize how problematic her behavior is and she fucking does something about it. When is the last time you read that in a book that gets marketed as "chick lit"?
Queenie is a phenomenal character because her journey feels so real. Her emotional baggage is not only relatable, but it's ultimately fleshed out in a way that feels authentic and not forced. While her personal growth feels a bit rushed at times, given how deep her pain goes, it's done in a way that is brutally honest. There's no sugar-coating here: Queenie has to acknowledge less-than-flattering aspects of herself and figure out how to deal with them.
There are some aspects of Queenie's life that felt a bit glossed over—the roommates that she moves in with are barely acknowledged and the extent of her problematic sexual exploits is covered in a few sentences that sort of minimize their magnitude—but I was able to forgive that quibble because of how much I appreciated the frankness with which Candice Carty-Williams explored the hard work of battling mental health struggles. She doesn't just use depression or anxiety as a catch-all term to show that Queenie has some minor problems—she lays out exactly how Queenie experiences the real symptoms of these issues, how they're rooted in her family history, and the real techniques she learns to combat them.
And at the same time, the book doesn't feel too touchy-feely or didactic. The tone stays relatively light-hearted; Queenie's relationship with the Corgis is admirable and often hilarious. The book recognizes when Queenie's behavior is problematic even when she doesn't, but it treats her with empathy and understanding. Which is, honestly, something that we could all stand to learn to do a little better.
A great read, highly recommended. Just don't go in expecting it to be "the black Bridget Jones" like the publishers seem to want you to do,...more
When a book is as good as this one, it’s sometimes hard to write a review without feeling like I’m falling into hyperbole. But believe me when I say tWhen a book is as good as this one, it’s sometimes hard to write a review without feeling like I’m falling into hyperbole. But believe me when I say that A Ladder to the Sky is an absolutely remarkable literary accomplishment that will easily land among my top five books of the year.
John Boyne has created a novel that so completely diverges from the other works that I know by him—The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and The Heart’s Invisible Furiesthat it’s actually hard to believe that they’re all by the same author.
Here, readers are introduced to Maurice Swift, perhaps the most unlikable character I’ve encountered in years. As the novel opens, in 1988, Maurice is a young waiter and aspiring writer living in Berlin. One day, he meets celebrated novelist Erich Ackermann. A bit lonely, Ackerman takes Maurice under his wing, inviting him to travel with him on his book tour and attend various literary functions. As the two become closer, Maurice teases out of Ackerman the story of his most shameful, long-held secret. Ackerman is stunned, then, when Maurice publishes a novel based on the terrible secret. Ackerman’s career is ruined—he loses his teach job, his novels are taken out of print, and he is essentially forced into hiding. Maurice, meanwhile, is applauded and his novel becomes a sensation. And once he’s had a taste of that fame and fortune, he’ll stop at nothing to hold onto it.
The subsequent sections of the novel show the myriad writers affected by Maurice’s underhandedness. In a brief interlude, Maurice attempts to befriend an aging Gore Vidal. Years later, Maurice is married to a fellow writer whose second novel is expected to make a huge splash. A young woman finds success after Maurice rejects her from the literary magazine he started. And then, as an old man himself, Maurice meets a new aspiring young writer who expresses an interest in becoming Maurice’s official biographer.
The depths that Maurice will sink to in pursuit of critical acclaim and fortune are stunning. Boyne throws some surprises at his reader that I absolutely did not see coming. One even made me exclaim so loudly that my husband came running into the room to make sure I was okay. This is that kind of book and it’s absolutely delicious.
It’s not easy to write a book about an abhorrent character and keep your readers engaged, which makes Boyne’s feat all the more impressive. Maurice is not just sneaky and amoral; at times, he’s downright evil. And yet, he is completely fascinating. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I found myself rooting for him, but it’s hard to turn away from him. You want to see how far he will sink, you want to see what he will get away with, you want to see how long he will continue getting away with it.
And, my God, that epilogue was just fucking brilliant. I really can’t recommend this book enough. It’s drawn comparisons to The Talented Mr Ripley, but I think it’s even better than that. It’s smart, unpredictable, and thoroughly engaging. It should appeal to readers who love psychological thrillers and readers who love literary fiction....more