Rated NW 8/10
A story-suite more than a novel - extremely vividly drawn, emotionally rich as Smith’s books always are, doesn’t quite all fall together as intended. As usual, her focus is on the lived experience of racial, cultural and class divides among a diverse cast of Londoners. Not as gripping as White Teeth or Swing Time but if you liked those you’ll appreciate this one.
Wants to read 1Q84 Book One and Book Two [Hardcover] Murakami, Haruki
Rated Finbar's Hotel 8/10
Ah, collective loneliness and anxiety about life. Enjoyed this. Worth returning it late to the library.
Rated The coup / John Updike 6/10
Hmmm. Enjoyable, but ultimately kind of slight; beautifully written but too in love with its own language; too queasy-making about race and touched through with whatever the Africa version of "Orientalism" would be. Recommended with reservations - I haven't read much Updike but have to assume this is regarded as a lesser work.
Wants to read [(Selected Stories)] [Author: Alice Munro] published on
Rated A Master of Djinn 8/10
<div>While sometimes the writing style wasn't for me — a Me problem, as I like my descriptions unfussy — I was still very much invested in this book. I liked the alternate-history-Cairo setting, where magic is real and its particulars legislated on a variety of planes, and the characters were all very distinct from one another. I'm interested in reading more, which works out nicely, since I have a novella set in this universe too.</div>
Wants to read The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain
Wants to read Djinn
Finished reading Night Watch
Rated Filthy Animals 8/10
<div>I liked this a lot, though I admit to some discomfort with some of the violence. And that feels sort of intentional, theme-wise, which is fine. Ymmv</div>
Wants to read A Line Made By Walking
Wants to read A Certain Hunger
Rated Fugitive Telemetry 10/10
<div>I think this might be my favorite of the bunch?</div>
Finished reading The Best of Me
Finished reading How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures
Finished reading Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law
Wants to read Starfang: Rise of the Clan
Wants to read City of the Uncommon Thief