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dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, Suicide, Death of parent
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, Religious bigotry
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a contemplative book that beautifully explores the complicated nature of forgiveness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Suicide, Terminal illness, Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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I’m glad that Stone Yard Devotional made its way onto the Booker Prize longlist (and shortlist!), or else I may not have ended up reading it, and that certainly would have been a shame.
The book is about an unnamed Australian woman who has abandoned her life to live at a convent, not because she is religious but because she is burned out and craves a quieter existence. It takes place largely during the pandemic, as they are simultaneously hosting an unexpected long-term visitor, mourning someone from their past, and fighting a literal plague of mice (which apparently really happened??). The narration flashes backward and forward in time to examine the value of a quiet life and the permanency of grief.
The book is very atmospheric and effective at striking the hushed, reflective tone and mood it’s going for, which makes the experience of reading the book feel like an in-between place just like the convent itself is. I also found the mouse plague to be extremely effective; it was gross and poignant and appropriately allegorical — instead of feeling on the nose (given that they’re at a convent and it’s pretty clearly a biblical allusion), it feels exactly right.
I don’t know if it will stick with me long-term, but I definitely enjoyed my time reading it. If you’re curious about it, I say pick it up!
I’m glad that Stone Yard Devotional made its way onto the Booker Prize longlist (and shortlist!), or else I may not have ended up reading it, and that certainly would have been a shame.
The book is about an unnamed Australian woman who has abandoned her life to live at a convent, not because she is religious but because she is burned out and craves a quieter existence. It takes place largely during the pandemic, as they are simultaneously hosting an unexpected long-term visitor, mourning someone from their past, and fighting a literal plague of mice (which apparently really happened??). The narration flashes backward and forward in time to examine the value of a quiet life and the permanency of grief.
The book is very atmospheric and effective at striking the hushed, reflective tone and mood it’s going for, which makes the experience of reading the book feel like an in-between place just like the convent itself is. I also found the mouse plague to be extremely effective; it was gross and poignant and appropriately allegorical — instead of feeling on the nose (given that they’re at a convent and it’s pretty clearly a biblical allusion), it feels exactly right.
I don’t know if it will stick with me long-term, but I definitely enjoyed my time reading it. If you’re curious about it, I say pick it up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Grief, Suicide attempt
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Death of parent
Minor: Racism, Religious bigotry
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
emotional
reflective
sad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Terminal illness
This a tough book to read emotionally as the main protagonist feels hopeless and finds life pointless, but despite this it is a great book.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This novel is not for the faint of heart. It delves deeply into introspective and contemplative themes, tackling weighty subjects with unflinching honesty. Written in an epistolary style, the narrative leaves the protagonist unnamed, adding a layer of anonymity that draws the reader further into the narrator's internal thoughts.
The story follows the narrator as she retreats from society after experiencing profound loss, and seeks refuge in a religious commune. The quiet, monastic life of the commune provides an ideal backdrop for a journey of deep inner reflection and vulnerability.
While at the commune, the sisters face the return of a former member’s remains, a severe mouse infestation, and an unwelcome guest from someone in the narrator's past. The author has cleverly written the story in such a way that as the seasons shift towards colder, darker days, so do the emotions and the intensity of the mouse infestation, heightening the novel's sense of isolation and the burden.
Guilt, regret, forgiveness and grief are explored throughout the story. These feelings and emotions are personal, solitary experiences. By that I mean that the path to healing is dealt with differently by every individual and there is no prescribed right or wrong way to go about it. The story also touches on societal topics like vegetarianism and homeschooling, among others, that, in earlier times, led to alienation . The mice are, therefore, in my opinion, are a metaphor for the emotions, differences, and discomforts society often tries to suppress.
Though this is not a fast-paced action story, its emotional depth is compelling. It invites one to ponder some of life's most important and difficult questions. Despite its somber tone, there is some hope, offering solace amidst the darkness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Minor: Eating disorder, Suicide, Murder