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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
I'm a reading purist who prefers reading to listening to audio recordings and knowing little about a book's story before reading it. In the case of Cynan Jones's Stillicide, the opposite is preferable:
These short stories were originally written for BBC radio, then compiled for publication by Granta, and now due for release November 17th in what most likely will be a beautifully designed book by Catapult. (It was Catapult's gorgeous publication of Jones's Cove that made me request an ARC of Stillicide).
I suspect hearing these stories might be the most powerful way to receive them. And comprehension is definitely improved by reading the book's blurb: this is collection of stories about a perhaps not-so-distant future when water is commodified and people are fighting in the streets to protest the hauling of broken glaciers through their towns, displacing their homes.
I enjoyed these stories, but a Kindle ARC is not a good way to read them. They felt fragmented and confusing at times, nevertheless compelling by the end. But if you are Jones fan, consider buying the Catapult paperback in November. They do exquisite books, and Jones is a fine writer.
These short stories were originally written for BBC radio, then compiled for publication by Granta, and now due for release November 17th in what most likely will be a beautifully designed book by Catapult. (It was Catapult's gorgeous publication of Jones's Cove that made me request an ARC of Stillicide).
I suspect hearing these stories might be the most powerful way to receive them. And comprehension is definitely improved by reading the book's blurb: this is collection of stories about a perhaps not-so-distant future when water is commodified and people are fighting in the streets to protest the hauling of broken glaciers through their towns, displacing their homes.
I enjoyed these stories, but a Kindle ARC is not a good way to read them. They felt fragmented and confusing at times, nevertheless compelling by the end. But if you are Jones fan, consider buying the Catapult paperback in November. They do exquisite books, and Jones is a fine writer.
challenging
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Stillicide is a collection of short stories that also relate to a whole, larger narrative. Set in the not-too-distant future, people in Britain struggle to survive as water becomes scarce. They have devised a way of bringing icebergs down from the North to melt and irrigate dry river beds. Terrorists stalk water pipes, species become extinct and illness is rife. Through it all are tales of hope and love, perfectly executed by Cynan Jones.
Stillicide started life as a Radio 4 series (I am currently listening to it on BBC Sounds now) and was subsequently published. As ever Cynan Jones weaves his story succinctly and expertly. Beautiful brevity. His take on the effect of water loss on society is interesting and insightful.
Stillicide started life as a Radio 4 series (I am currently listening to it on BBC Sounds now) and was subsequently published. As ever Cynan Jones weaves his story succinctly and expertly. Beautiful brevity. His take on the effect of water loss on society is interesting and insightful.
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Extremely confused but it was still pretty good. Definitely need to re-read this, because I feel like I do not understand majority of the book but still really enjoyed it.
Wonderfully structured. At first, I thought it wasn't nearly as good a book as The Long Dry. In the end, I changed my mind.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated