Devoured it in one evening. The setting is the same as that of The Searcher (which I loved) except this time we're not focusing on Cal, but rather on Devoured it in one evening. The setting is the same as that of The Searcher (which I loved) except this time we're not focusing on Cal, but rather on the relationship between him, Lena, and Trey. We get to see their three different points of view and there is just as much focus on communication and relationships as on the crime element (which also was brilliantly executed). Loved it - Tana French is a reliably good author who keeps getting better....more
Brilliant book explaining salmon farming in Norway through a historical perspective. Not only it details the environmental impact of the salmon aquacuBrilliant book explaining salmon farming in Norway through a historical perspective. Not only it details the environmental impact of the salmon aquaculture industry – on the farmed salmon itself; on other sea life such as wild salmon, the wrasse, and crustaceans like lobsters and shrimp; on humans’ health – but it also uncovers how the industry in Norway has shaped the media narrative and research efforts. Full of information, yet very simple to read. Highly recommended, especially if (like me) you know little about this....more
**spoiler alert** The Home-maker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher was such a lovely read. I dare say it’s what got me back into sitting down in the evening **spoiler alert** The Home-maker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher was such a lovely read. I dare say it’s what got me back into sitting down in the evening to enjoy a book. The book is built on the simple but intriguing premise of a story of (traditional) role reversal between husband and wife (housekeeping / earning an income). There’s so much more than this.
The writing is brilliant and it’s all I love about all of the Persephone Books selection. The subject matter might be mundane, yet each character is treated with so much depth. Through her word choices she conveys so much and paints a small window into the inner thoughts of each character, reminding us how lived experiences and thoughts differ (the nuances! the different povs!) and how everyone (even, and especially, the children) has a rich interior life and a lot to be valued for. Each having his own merit and his own intelligence. I found her approach of telling the story through the minds of the different characters very refreshing. Not one single character was one-dimensional. We get to see different facets of Helen, the wife, for example: we see her overlooking and frightening her children (involuntarily) but we also understand why she’s behaving like that and what’s making her miserable [“What she thought was her duty had held her found fast in a death-like silence and passivity” is such a good sentence]. We get to see Lester, the husband, and both how society sees him and how this reflects on how he sees himself. But we also see them evolve throughout the story, both becoming more at ease, changing their views of each other, and also dedicating more time to the children.
The kids are at the centre of the story and you can see between the lines some of the Montessori principles at work – mostly, I think, Canfield is arguing that children needs respect. Next to the recognition of the value of homemaking, this is very much central to the book. The “little human souls” are as worthy as the adult ones. I can say it did make me think about raising children a lot.
I was hooked from the first chapter, where I could relate a lot about the duty and stress of housekeeping – all the little things that need to be done, the thoughtful considerations, the sense of duty and of never-ending work. I found that I could understand a lot of the subtext because I could relate in many ways, either because of my own experience or because of that of people close to me (my grandmother came to mind for example). The children’s reaction (fawn / flight / fight) for example. The description of anxiety. The psychosomatic connection with stress as a catalyser, which is a prevalent theme throughout the entire book for pretty much all of the Knapp family (Henry and Lester and their stomach issues, Helen and the eczema). Considering when this book was written, I found it eminently brilliant. Yet, there’s still so much more. She touches on the role of poetry and the arts. She comments on how this arrangement can work only as long as it is socially acceptable (which is when it is forced upon the family, not chosen). She comments intelligently on consumer trends. She hints at conflicting values and different dispositions. Her portrait is a nuanced one, that is not all rosy.
Towards the last few chapters I had a growing anxiety – I was left waiting for a bad turn. Yet, like the other Persephone books I read, it has a happy ending. I wasn’t prepared for that. I somehow can’t have only good things happening, not being thwarted.
Overall, it was a great piece of fiction that’s both insightful and relevant to the day, while being also a comfortable, good read. The introduction and the final essay written for the edition were equally great....more
Exactly what it says on the tin: mushrooms and grief. However, the two stories were not intertwined enough for me - I thought the premise was very comExactly what it says on the tin: mushrooms and grief. However, the two stories were not intertwined enough for me - I thought the premise was very compelling, but then the unfolding was decidely less so.
On a different note, as someone living in Norway, I found this entertaining when it was commenting on Norwegian customs and useful when it pointed out practical information about the country....more
Sorry, that person's shelf is private.
Loading...
