Fifteen Dogs blew me away. This book equally gave me Animal Farm, and Lord of the Flies vibes, while remaining something that felt incredibly originalFifteen Dogs blew me away. This book equally gave me Animal Farm, and Lord of the Flies vibes, while remaining something that felt incredibly original. It’s not a story for the faint hearted; the lives of these fifteen dogs are brutal and harrowing in both human and animal ways. But Alexis is unwavering in his exploration of the weight of human consciousness. This novel asks big questions about the impact of this consciousness on our interpersonal relationships, our notions of happiness and unhappiness, and the pursuit of meaning in life. It’s quite exceptional....more
The Lebs is a confronting, demanding, yet compulsively readable novel. It's a very real story of a marginalised community, which is focused on a tenseThe Lebs is a confronting, demanding, yet compulsively readable novel. It's a very real story of a marginalised community, which is focused on a tense, conflict riddled moment in Sydney in the early 2000s. Ahmad is both honest and authentic in the way he constructs this narrative, the culture of toxic masculinity that is presented is raw and unrelenting. But at its heart, The Lebs is a story about identity. In it, Ahmad considers in particular, how we are shaped by our cultural identity, what it means when that culture identity operates in opposition to others, and what happens when the expectations and by extension opportunities of your culture, are at odds with what you want for yourself, or who you feel you are. Although in some moments, its changes of direction felt a bit disconnected, ultimately I thought this was an excellent read....more
This is a really interesting graphic novel, comprised of connected mini-comics, which Dhaliwal originally self-published on Instagram. Woman World expThis is a really interesting graphic novel, comprised of connected mini-comics, which Dhaliwal originally self-published on Instagram. Woman World explores a world in which men have become extinct. In it, the exclusively female community re-learns how to connect to each other, form and maintain relationships, and manage society on their own terms. Although at times too brief in its exploration of ideas for my liking, Dhaliwal is able to spotlight some really sharp observations about the way women think and act, and the role that our power relationship with men has in developing such patterns of behaviours. There were also a bunch of funny (punny) moments- which I really enjoyed. ...more
Tell Them of Battles, Kings, and Elephants falls firmly into the wanted to love, but did not category for me. It is inarguable that this is a beautifuTell Them of Battles, Kings, and Elephants falls firmly into the wanted to love, but did not category for me. It is inarguable that this is a beautifully written novella. Ever sentence, on every page, is perfectly measured. It is richly descriptive, and evocative of time and place. Given that I read this particularly because it is translated, I think it is also an example of stunning translation. If any of the beauty of the language has been lost, it must have been exceptional to begin with. In spite of all this, the narrative felt flat. Although I could admire the beauty of the writing, the story, the characters, and the observations failed to move me, and at many times failed to engage me. I think this is probably an interest mismatch in some ways. If meandering, historical stories about art are your interest, this may well work for you better than it did for me....more
David Sedaris is on form with Calypso. This is a great collection of personal essays exploring the changing realities of middle age in the modern worlDavid Sedaris is on form with Calypso. This is a great collection of personal essays exploring the changing realities of middle age in the modern world. As always, Sedaris strikes the perfect balance between serious observation and humour. A great read....more
This is a powerful memoir which demonstrates Woodson’s skill as a writer. Told in verse, these vignettes of Woodson’s childhood in the Civil Rights ErThis is a powerful memoir which demonstrates Woodson’s skill as a writer. Told in verse, these vignettes of Woodson’s childhood in the Civil Rights Era, in both South Carolina and New York, all feel authentic. Her voice in this text is both real and accessible. As with much literature for a younger audience (and knowing I’m not the intended reader), I left this wishing there was a bit more in it. An excellent and worthy read for both young, and not so young....more
Freshwater is unlike anything I've ever read before. Because it lacks precedence (in my reading at least) it's really difficult to review. Needless toFreshwater is unlike anything I've ever read before. Because it lacks precedence (in my reading at least) it's really difficult to review. Needless to say, Emezi is an outstanding new talent. This novel, is exceptional, both in terms of the scope and ambition of the ideas it explores, and the originality of its expression. Freshwater is a dark narrative, one that is awash with intense feelings, passionate deeds, connection, and isolation. I can see that for some readers, this darkness and intensity might be overwhelming, or confronting, but I saw it as a strength. Emezi does not shy away from what they are trying to say. This is a story about identity, what makes us who we are, and what happens when that identity is fragmented and competing. It is also a story about a period of youth and adolescence which is deeply troubled, and the many ways we try to cope with the betrayals of those who we expect to protect us, and the betrayals we commit against ourselves. In short, there's a lot going on here, and all of it is good....more
All thoughts on this need to be prefaced with the understanding that I have a very high tolerance for plotlessness in novel. Sea Monsters is exactly tAll thoughts on this need to be prefaced with the understanding that I have a very high tolerance for plotlessness in novel. Sea Monsters is exactly that, essentially plotless. A teenage girl decides to run away to the coast in Mexico, with a boy she barely knows. What happens to her there, or what doesn’t really happen, is not the point. Aridjis is a deeply poetic writer. This is a novel full of beautiful description, and astute observation of both people and the natural world. Although many of the things observed or analysed turn out to be nothing, this is the beauty of this novel. It is about the pursuit of magic in this world, and just as the illusion of one trick dissolves, another appears before us. In the end, if we find the magic in the moments we live, it doesn’t matter how much of it is real or not. I was entranced....more
They Called Us Enemy is a compelling memoir of a childhood in Japanese American Internment Camps. This graphic novel is an important contribution to tThey Called Us Enemy is a compelling memoir of a childhood in Japanese American Internment Camps. This graphic novel is an important contribution to the literature about this shameful part of history, which is far too often excluded from the narrative of history. Takei’s story, is both deeply personal, and broadly representative. It’s a story that’s told with sensitivity, and in an especially affecting way. A sad, but rewarding read....more
I finally sat down and read this yesterday, and like many readers, I imagine, I have some really conflicted feelings about it that my 4 star rating prI finally sat down and read this yesterday, and like many readers, I imagine, I have some really conflicted feelings about it that my 4 star rating probably doesn’t adequately reflect.
I came to this novel feeling ambivalent about whether it was a story we needed, and about its intent. I love Margaret Atwood more than almost any other author, but it was hard not to feel like this sequel was almost too timely- motivated more by capitalising on a political moment in time, and the commercial success of the TV show.
Then I read the book. While I read I was reminded what an absolutely spectacular, purposeful, and observant writer Atwood is. She’s a consummate wordsmith, with piercing insight into people, especially how they act under pressure. There were, as in all of Atwood’s novels, moments in this that were such word perfect observations of the human condition. This is exactly what I love about Atwood most.
There’s also no doubt that this novel is immensely readable. It’s much more plot-driven than the original, and almost reads like a literary thriller (although the past tense limited some of the pace by presuming it’s ending). This will probably be disappointing for some readers, but it didn’t bother me as much as I expected a change in tone would.
In terms of the narrative at the core of this novel, I also have mixed feelings. The thread voiced by Aunt Lydia was the standout for me. The development of this character felt truest to Atwood’s original world building; like it belonged to the original story in an organic and meaningful way. I felt the voices of the girls were executed less successfully, and that this narrative thread was much more a capitalisation on current global issues, and the TV show (which I haven’t watched beyond season 1).
At it’s heart I felt this was an inconsistently executed novel- one that was compulsively readable, and is still one of the best books I’ve read this year. Is it one of Atwood’s best? Definitely not. It’s a timely, studied analysis of how a totalitarian regime fragments from within. Certainly a story of our time, but one that lacks the gravitas of its predecessor, and in my opinion is less likely to last the distance.
This is an exceptional collection, and Tayi Tibble’s reputation as NZ’s most exciting young poet is one she has earned. At its heart, this collection This is an exceptional collection, and Tayi Tibble’s reputation as NZ’s most exciting young poet is one she has earned. At its heart, this collection is about colonisation, in all its forms- on its grand historical scale, between generations and genders, through culture, and behaviour and art. Tibble’s poems are diverse in setting and character, but her tone is always pitch perfect and her words cut like a knife. This is required reading for NZers. ...more
A more joyful read than my 3 stars suggest. If you want an easy, breezy, holiday read this is the kind of fun you need in your life. Who doesn’t want A more joyful read than my 3 stars suggest. If you want an easy, breezy, holiday read this is the kind of fun you need in your life. Who doesn’t want to read about Joe Biden head-butting a bikie? ...more
An interesting insight into just how conservative Japanese society is, My Brother’s Husband is a sweet story about diversity, acceptance, the innocencAn interesting insight into just how conservative Japanese society is, My Brother’s Husband is a sweet story about diversity, acceptance, the innocence of children, and the weight of social expectation. Although I think these stories are important, I felt that this one barely strayed from conventional narratives and themes, so at time it struggled to hold my attention. ...more
I don’t even really know where to begin talking about how great I think this book is. The Mere Wife is an exquisitely told, brutal revisioning of BeowI don’t even really know where to begin talking about how great I think this book is. The Mere Wife is an exquisitely told, brutal revisioning of Beowulf, set in modern, Stepford-like suburbia. In this way it is a story of mothers and sons, the equal intensity and distance of that bond. However, it is much more than this at the same time. Set against the backdrop of an unnamed (but ultimately recognisable) war, this is a story about the distancing of domestic life from global crisis, and what happens when those two world intersect. It’s a story of the wild and the tamed; the natural and the controlled. Headley asks her reader big questions about the impact of othering, social isolation, and the pressures of suburban conformity. It is excellent in many ways which I cannot adequately express here. A must read....more
My friend Maggie said it best in her review of this book- it feels wrong, inappropriate even to give a star rating to someone’s story of human sufferiMy friend Maggie said it best in her review of this book- it feels wrong, inappropriate even to give a star rating to someone’s story of human suffering like this. So in that sense, my rating is not an expression of the quality of this narrative, but the significance of this text. No Friend But the Mountains is an important story, about refugee experience in Australia. It is a harrowing story, and one which we must engage with critically, in order to restore humanity, to the way we treat those who need it most.
As a text, the origins of this book are also interesting. I appreciated the extensive analysis of the writing and translation process, and the essay at the end explaining some of the more original conceptual and stylistic choices. This is so much more than a work of journalism, it is a literary exploration of the refugee experience, as it is lived. Required reading....more
A great overview of political populism, as an ideology. Mudde’s definition is clearly, outlined logically, and linked to a variety of historical case A great overview of political populism, as an ideology. Mudde’s definition is clearly, outlined logically, and linked to a variety of historical case studies. A perfect intro to 2018 History Scholarship context for this teacher....more
Machines Like Me should have been great; it's my kind of read and I ordinarily love McEwan (even his novels which other people feel ambiWtf Ian? Wtf?
Machines Like Me should have been great; it's my kind of read and I ordinarily love McEwan (even his novels which other people feel ambivalent about). I think I got what McEwan was trying to do here. There's an element of satire which I think is important to a reading of this novel, and the use of context to explore conceptions of the self, and threats to human agency through AI is at times clever, and timely.
Ultimately though, this novel fails on a number of fronts for me. I agree with the criticism I've read elsewhere that the treatment of sexual assault is fundamentally problematic in this novel. Beyond this, I found the characters essentially unbelievable in many places- equally too flat, and too unrealistically detailed. Beyond that, it's hard to pinpoint what was wrong with this for me. The tone was off, and in spite of the plot veering wildly between disparate events and ideas, it still managed to feel dull most of the time I was reading it.
In the end, I felt I could see what McEwan was trying to do, but he failed to convince me of any of it. There was too much that went wrong, and not enough that went right. Thank you, next, Ian....more
WHAT A RIDE. The story of the Theranos scam is compulsively readable, absolutely unbelievable, but somehow true. Carreyrou reports this story meticuloWHAT A RIDE. The story of the Theranos scam is compulsively readable, absolutely unbelievable, but somehow true. Carreyrou reports this story meticulously, without losing his readers' attention to the detail. I still can't really believe that Holmes managed to convince so many powerful, and respected people to invest in, and work in a business in pursuit of a product that fundamentally couldn't do what it proclaimed to. In this way, this novel was as much about the power of persuasion, and the power of privilege, as it was about this particular scam. I couldn't put it down....more
Convenience Store Woman is a brief, quirky story of Keiko, a woman who is committed to her role as a convenience store worker, and who just doesn’t quConvenience Store Woman is a brief, quirky story of Keiko, a woman who is committed to her role as a convenience store worker, and who just doesn’t quite fit in. Although quirky, this novel also offers quite a serious critique of the strength of social norms and expectations, particularly those attached to women. Murata’s strong characterisation of Keiko made this commentary all the more affecting. There’s a lot in this short novel, and it’s a rewarding read....more
This is gritty, literary crime writing at its best. In Bluebird, Bluebird, Attica Locke writes as much about a place (rural Texas) as she does about tThis is gritty, literary crime writing at its best. In Bluebird, Bluebird, Attica Locke writes as much about a place (rural Texas) as she does about the crime that the novel centres on. This is a slow moving, raw, atmospheric narrative. I was as much captured by the question of who did it, as I was with the exploration of racial tension in a world where Jim Crow seemed anything but a memory. Line me up for book 2 because I’m here for it all day....more
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