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A review by whatellisreadnext
Strega by Johanne Lykke Holm
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My first 5 star read of 2023 is a book that's difficult to put into words. You're in a sort of tense dreamlike state whilst reading it. You've not a clue what's going on, but you also can't stop reading.
On the surface, it's a weird novel about a young girl who starts seasonal work at the empty Olympic Hotel in the town of Strega. But once you get deeper, it highlights the violence felt by women at the hands of men and also how harmful societal pressures can be for women.
I really enjoyed how Lykke Holm made the hotel feel like its own character. The walls damp, mould growing, housing these women. The red walls felt womb like and ominous. It felt like this overbearing presence they couldn't escape.
You'll really enjoy this if you like vague fever dream narratives in weird isolated settings where nothing much happens, but you feel uneasy and intrigued
On the surface, it's a weird novel about a young girl who starts seasonal work at the empty Olympic Hotel in the town of Strega. But once you get deeper, it highlights the violence felt by women at the hands of men and also how harmful societal pressures can be for women.
I really enjoyed how Lykke Holm made the hotel feel like its own character. The walls damp, mould growing, housing these women. The red walls felt womb like and ominous. It felt like this overbearing presence they couldn't escape.
You'll really enjoy this if you like vague fever dream narratives in weird isolated settings where nothing much happens, but you feel uneasy and intrigued