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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
I read this book for the gimmick (the front cover to the middle is Lyle’s story, then the back cover to the middle is Lili’s—two in one), then found out the author’s Sri Lankan (you know how I feel about Lankan authors), then discovered it’s actually a stunning look at the hell of intersectionality: gender, race, age, class, religion, sexuality, nationality, and more. This book felt like a delicate piece of origami that managed to become more beautiful as it was unfolded to reveal the intrigue within.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was my first Michelle de Krester book. Based on the blurb, I expected stories about the migrant experience, possibly with some kind of essential link between them since the two halves are two separate stories and can be read in any order.
I read the Lili part and then Lyle, so I'll review them in order:
Lili: 1 Star
This part was incredibly dull for me because not much happens plot-wise and the whole thing is about a transient bit of travel rather than an immigrant experience. I assumed the lynchpin relationship between Minna and Lili would resolve in some meaningful way, but it never does and nothing else of note happens. The best parts of this were the scant descriptions of the danger sense all women have venturing in the dark when there is a creepy man trying to get access to her nearby. Overall, I was bored and didn't get anything meaningful out of this part.
Special shout out to this contender for worst sentence in this book: "A week had passed since he went away forever, but my small, high breasts still grew warm as I thought of him."
Lyle: 2 Stars
Lyle's story is certainly more grounded in the migrant experience but the satire is far too clumsy and heavy-handed for me to enjoy. I enjoyed it initially as a change from the boredom of Lili's story, but quickly the satire became too obvious to enjoy. There are grains of interesting ideas in here, such as discarding your old identity to assimilate, judging other immigrants as lesser than, despite being an immigrant yourself, and the idea of dealing with older people when you come from a culture where assisted dying for the elderly is unthinkable. None of these come to much and the characters are all unlikeable caricatures so not interesting.
Overall, I gave this book a two for the grains of interesting ideas but otherwise I did not enjoy this at all.
I read the Lili part and then Lyle, so I'll review them in order:
Lili: 1 Star
This part was incredibly dull for me because not much happens plot-wise and the whole thing is about a transient bit of travel rather than an immigrant experience. I assumed the lynchpin relationship between Minna and Lili would resolve in some meaningful way, but it never does and nothing else of note happens. The best parts of this were the scant descriptions of the danger sense all women have venturing in the dark when there is a creepy man trying to get access to her nearby. Overall, I was bored and didn't get anything meaningful out of this part.
Special shout out to this contender for worst sentence in this book: "A week had passed since he went away forever, but my small, high breasts still grew warm as I thought of him."
Lyle: 2 Stars
Lyle's story is certainly more grounded in the migrant experience but the satire is far too clumsy and heavy-handed for me to enjoy. I enjoyed it initially as a change from the boredom of Lili's story, but quickly the satire became too obvious to enjoy. There are grains of interesting ideas in here, such as discarding your old identity to assimilate, judging other immigrants as lesser than, despite being an immigrant yourself, and the idea of dealing with older people when you come from a culture where assisted dying for the elderly is unthinkable. None of these come to much and the characters are all unlikeable caricatures so not interesting.
Overall, I gave this book a two for the grains of interesting ideas but otherwise I did not enjoy this at all.
This is an excellent book from de Kretser, which have been hit and miss for me. I’ll need to gather my thoughts but this is one I’m ready to start all over again tonight.
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
After reading the book, I do have mixed feelings about it. It wasn't something I absolutely hated, but there were issues with it, and as a result, I could have been satisfied with returning the book without finishing it. It is difficult to explain why, but the main reason, for me, is because the book lacked a definitive conflict even though it discusses racism, misogyny, and ageism. As a reader, they are "noted", but more or less, the book is just about the everyday lives of people, which is unfortunate because Lyle's story, especially the scenario with his mother, could have made a 300-page book. How is the author going to give the reader 30 or less pages of the fact he has to euthanasia his mother? For me, Lyle's story could have been the bread and butter of these topics. As for Lili, the author could have made a separate book about her, detailing the youth culture and the racism in 1980s France.
Overall, I enjoyed reading both parts, especially Lili's since it was set in a different time period and country, but the author did not validate Lyle as a character or the subject matter, which left me disappointed and unsatisfied.
Overall, I enjoyed reading both parts, especially Lili's since it was set in a different time period and country, but the author did not validate Lyle as a character or the subject matter, which left me disappointed and unsatisfied.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
Broken into two distinct stories, both about Australians but one set in the 1980s with Lili and the other in the near future with Lyle. Each novella starts at a different end of the physical book and I'm impressed that de Kretser managed to make them equal in length without it feeling like either story was compromised. While the two stories both tackled heavy issues, each of them differed in tone and approach.
The story of Lili was one focused on the sense of place being set in France. The descriptions felt rich and immersive, you could feel cold in the stones. It offered a reflection into racism and sexism in a time not that long ago. Focusing on what it meant to be alien in a place like this, to have a past of immigration which leaves Lily feel like she doesn't belong, she does her best to forge ahead and carve out a new path for herself.
Then we flip the book over and meet Lyle. At first, I wasn't picking up on the satire being put down. Maybe that's embarrassing or maybe it's a scary reality check for how close we are to things escalating in this manner. As the story escalated the satire became more blatant and there were some very funny, albeit dark moments. Exploring issues of immigration, racism, agism and environmental issues this is a confronting book which demands that we reflect upon the trajectory we are poised for if we don't make significant changes.
It also challenges us to think deeply about the impact on the culture and identity of those who migrate. How much of themselves are they expected to give up in order to assimilate? And what are they sacrificing when they do? What are they giving up as individuals and what are we giving up as a human race? Things start to look a whole lot less rich.
The exploration on euthanasia was also highly thought-provoking. Imagine people encouraging their elderly family members to sign up in to order deal with an aging population and to cash in on their futures. Some seriously scary stuff.
Smart book.
The story of Lili was one focused on the sense of place being set in France. The descriptions felt rich and immersive, you could feel cold in the stones. It offered a reflection into racism and sexism in a time not that long ago. Focusing on what it meant to be alien in a place like this, to have a past of immigration which leaves Lily feel like she doesn't belong, she does her best to forge ahead and carve out a new path for herself.
Then we flip the book over and meet Lyle. At first, I wasn't picking up on the satire being put down. Maybe that's embarrassing or maybe it's a scary reality check for how close we are to things escalating in this manner. As the story escalated the satire became more blatant and there were some very funny, albeit dark moments. Exploring issues of immigration, racism, agism and environmental issues this is a confronting book which demands that we reflect upon the trajectory we are poised for if we don't make significant changes.
It also challenges us to think deeply about the impact on the culture and identity of those who migrate. How much of themselves are they expected to give up in order to assimilate? And what are they sacrificing when they do? What are they giving up as individuals and what are we giving up as a human race? Things start to look a whole lot less rich.
The exploration on euthanasia was also highly thought-provoking. Imagine people encouraging their elderly family members to sign up in to order deal with an aging population and to cash in on their futures. Some seriously scary stuff.
Smart book.
challenging
reflective
medium-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
A very interesting concept but the two books were so independent of each other it felt like they were written by two different authors. The tone was completely different and they were in no way connected which was disappointing because I felt lost and confused.
Brilliant for book club because there is lots to chat about
Brilliant for book club because there is lots to chat about