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ojtheviking's reviews
111 reviews
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I have to say, the fact that this is Sunyi Dean's debut novel is very impressive! She's flexing her author muscle from the get-go and has delivered a wonderful story that's charming, suspenseful, thought-provoking, and extremely well-written.
The concept in and of itself of a society of a humanoid species that literally devours books is intriguing, and it's all the more of a wonderful read due to the layers Dean has managed to add to that, sprinkling it with a lot of social commentary over this dark fantasy tale.
And the commentary is quite relevant. Feminist at the core, illustrating a severely patriarchal society filled with oppression and a lack of women's rights. And in that context, we have a badass main character willing to do what she can to take care of her son when he turns out to be not quite like the others, and desperately needs a type of medication to function, while the patriarchy considers him a deformity.
This scenario also expands into other themes like racism, ableism, the toxicity of religion, and LGBTQ. Perfectly allegorical, while it also feels like an overall tribute to literature, especially as several chapters start with quotes from other known books and authors, while they also symbolize the progression of the plot within that same chapter.
An overall enjoyable read, and I look forward to exploring more of Sunyi Dean's work in the future!
The concept in and of itself of a society of a humanoid species that literally devours books is intriguing, and it's all the more of a wonderful read due to the layers Dean has managed to add to that, sprinkling it with a lot of social commentary over this dark fantasy tale.
And the commentary is quite relevant. Feminist at the core, illustrating a severely patriarchal society filled with oppression and a lack of women's rights. And in that context, we have a badass main character willing to do what she can to take care of her son when he turns out to be not quite like the others, and desperately needs a type of medication to function, while the patriarchy considers him a deformity.
This scenario also expands into other themes like racism, ableism, the toxicity of religion, and LGBTQ. Perfectly allegorical, while it also feels like an overall tribute to literature, especially as several chapters start with quotes from other known books and authors, while they also symbolize the progression of the plot within that same chapter.
An overall enjoyable read, and I look forward to exploring more of Sunyi Dean's work in the future!
The Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware
3.5
This novel is a slow burn, and I felt that it was trying to channel old-school mystery novels similar to Agatha Christie's Poirot series (which is actually mentioned at some point too; definitely a respectful nod, there), or the Sherlock Holmes stories, only in a more casual, modern package. The part I feel is successful, is how the story starts out relatively simple, but new layers are unveiled along the way until the main character finds herself involved in the overall mystery in ways she initially hadn't imagined. And we, the readers, see everything through the main character's eyes, thus the plot thickens, as they say, for us too along with her.
One thing that was a bit borderline cheesy, though - and it's hard to precisely explain why without spoilers - was the fact that this story is set in modern times, and some of the family drama revealed along the way seems a bit exaggerated in this day and age, compared to how certain things would be a much greater scandal some decades ago. It makes me wonder if the overall plot would have worked better if it were more of a period piece. Mysterious, old secrets hidden in a big mansion belonging to a rich family ... secrets desperately waiting to come to light ... it somehow feels more fitting to have such a story take place in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
I suppose a good way to put it, is that in terms of the "classic, old-school mystery set in modern time" vibe, where a movie like Knives Out completely nailed it, this book didn't fully do so.
Aside from that, I found it to be a well-written novel, with the slow-burn approach providing a nice build-up that will keep you invested and keep you guessing. It was not without certain clichés, but again, I think those clichés would have been less apparent had the story taken place in a different era. The ensemble of characters is sufficiently fleshed out, and you get a good sense of their different personalities, although they also have that feeling of belonging in another time period.
In short, none of the issues I've pointed out are problematic enough for me to consider this a bad or disappointing read. I ultimately enjoyed it for what it was. And I liked how the main character's experience with being a somewhat deceptive Tarot card reader could be utilized in her emerging quest to drag the truth out of people and generally shed some light on the growing mystery.
One thing that was a bit borderline cheesy, though - and it's hard to precisely explain why without spoilers - was the fact that this story is set in modern times, and some of the family drama revealed along the way seems a bit exaggerated in this day and age, compared to how certain things would be a much greater scandal some decades ago. It makes me wonder if the overall plot would have worked better if it were more of a period piece. Mysterious, old secrets hidden in a big mansion belonging to a rich family ... secrets desperately waiting to come to light ... it somehow feels more fitting to have such a story take place in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
I suppose a good way to put it, is that in terms of the "classic, old-school mystery set in modern time" vibe, where a movie like Knives Out completely nailed it, this book didn't fully do so.
Aside from that, I found it to be a well-written novel, with the slow-burn approach providing a nice build-up that will keep you invested and keep you guessing. It was not without certain clichés, but again, I think those clichés would have been less apparent had the story taken place in a different era. The ensemble of characters is sufficiently fleshed out, and you get a good sense of their different personalities, although they also have that feeling of belonging in another time period.
In short, none of the issues I've pointed out are problematic enough for me to consider this a bad or disappointing read. I ultimately enjoyed it for what it was. And I liked how the main character's experience with being a somewhat deceptive Tarot card reader could be utilized in her emerging quest to drag the truth out of people and generally shed some light on the growing mystery.
Savage Season by Joe R. Lansdale
4.0
I first discovered the characters named Hap and Leonard through the TV show whose three seasons were based on the three first novels in the book series by Joe R. Lansdale. I really enjoyed the show, so I started to collect the books, and after finally having read this first installment in the series, I certainly don't regret that decision.
Less than 200 pages long, it's a somewhat compact story, but frankly, this is one of those cases where the story is no longer or shorter than it needs to be. It's a suspenseful thriller with a whiff of country noir, and Lansdale often manages to say a lot in few words, both in conveying the moods and emotions of the characters enough to make them feel sufficiently fleshed-out, as well as describing the surroundings well enough to establish a clear mental image.
In other words, I really like Lansdale's writing style. He has a way of telling the story as if it was just some guy laid back in his favorite chair, having a beer, maybe smoking a cigarette, and telling tall tales about the adventures of his past. The fact that the story is written in first-person from Hap's perspective really helps to establish that vibe. The writing is less formal than other novels because things are described the way Hap would tell it to a friend, complete with that way of spicing sentences up with idioms, analogies, and proverbs that only people from the South do.
One could also say that another reason for the short length of the story is that Lansdale sticks to the plot all the way without any particular digressions or other unnecessary forms of padding. If I had read the books before I even knew that there was a TV adaptation, I would have said that the compact way in which this novel is written would translate very easily into a movie script or episode scripts for a series. Given the fact that they did make a TV series out of this, I suppose I'm not the only one to pick up on that.
It was a very quick read, but an enjoyable one, and I look forward to reading the other installments in the future.
Less than 200 pages long, it's a somewhat compact story, but frankly, this is one of those cases where the story is no longer or shorter than it needs to be. It's a suspenseful thriller with a whiff of country noir, and Lansdale often manages to say a lot in few words, both in conveying the moods and emotions of the characters enough to make them feel sufficiently fleshed-out, as well as describing the surroundings well enough to establish a clear mental image.
In other words, I really like Lansdale's writing style. He has a way of telling the story as if it was just some guy laid back in his favorite chair, having a beer, maybe smoking a cigarette, and telling tall tales about the adventures of his past. The fact that the story is written in first-person from Hap's perspective really helps to establish that vibe. The writing is less formal than other novels because things are described the way Hap would tell it to a friend, complete with that way of spicing sentences up with idioms, analogies, and proverbs that only people from the South do.
One could also say that another reason for the short length of the story is that Lansdale sticks to the plot all the way without any particular digressions or other unnecessary forms of padding. If I had read the books before I even knew that there was a TV adaptation, I would have said that the compact way in which this novel is written would translate very easily into a movie script or episode scripts for a series. Given the fact that they did make a TV series out of this, I suppose I'm not the only one to pick up on that.
It was a very quick read, but an enjoyable one, and I look forward to reading the other installments in the future.
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
0.0
Transphobic, racist, fatphobic and anti-atheist drivel in a way where it's the author's personal views that clearly shine through, rather than the fictional characters' personality traits. The story could have been good otherwise, but that ruins it for me.
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
3.0
Sometimes choosing to read a book simply because of its title pays off. This is definitely such a case. I had not heard of this book (nor, admittedly, its author) before I randomly discovered it in some list of recommended novels. And honestly, the title caught my eye so much that I decided to give it a chance. No regrets whatsoever.
This novel takes the typical murder mystery and puts a few spins on it, including a humorous one. It sort of makes sense, as author Benjamin Stevenson is also a stand-up comedian. But it's a very smooth blend with solid pacing; the humor never gets too silly, nor does the mystery get too convoluted.
One of the most interesting parts of this novel is how meta it is. The narrator is very self-aware. He's sometimes talking directly to the reader/listener (yes, he even accounts for the possibility that some of us are listening to the audiobook), he knows when he's being vague or somewhat misleading, he knows what parts come across as clichéd, and he keeps referring to things that will be revisited in later chapters. In essence, not only is he a character in a crime novel, he is also aware that he is in one, and even acknowledges that his role as a narrator is the only reason he comes across as a main character. That's a very nice approach.
Still, the writing is solid beyond being funny. If you stripped away all the humor, the actual mystery would still be intriguing and cleverly put together. It's just that with the added humor, the drama within the family has a touch of parody in it. Old secrets and lies, betrayals, rumors – all of the stuff you'd expect in a crime mystery involving a family gathered (and isolated) at a ski resort.
It's a quick and fun read, recommended if you want a decent mystery that will also make you chuckle every now and then!
This novel takes the typical murder mystery and puts a few spins on it, including a humorous one. It sort of makes sense, as author Benjamin Stevenson is also a stand-up comedian. But it's a very smooth blend with solid pacing; the humor never gets too silly, nor does the mystery get too convoluted.
One of the most interesting parts of this novel is how meta it is. The narrator is very self-aware. He's sometimes talking directly to the reader/listener (yes, he even accounts for the possibility that some of us are listening to the audiobook), he knows when he's being vague or somewhat misleading, he knows what parts come across as clichéd, and he keeps referring to things that will be revisited in later chapters. In essence, not only is he a character in a crime novel, he is also aware that he is in one, and even acknowledges that his role as a narrator is the only reason he comes across as a main character. That's a very nice approach.
Still, the writing is solid beyond being funny. If you stripped away all the humor, the actual mystery would still be intriguing and cleverly put together. It's just that with the added humor, the drama within the family has a touch of parody in it. Old secrets and lies, betrayals, rumors – all of the stuff you'd expect in a crime mystery involving a family gathered (and isolated) at a ski resort.
It's a quick and fun read, recommended if you want a decent mystery that will also make you chuckle every now and then!
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
5.0
There are some books where it almost feels redundant to write a review, because they've become such highly regarded classics over time, that all former feedback sort of speaks for itself. However, I still want to put some of my thoughts into words. It should also be noted that this is my first meeting with Atwood's dystopian scenario, as I have yet to begin watching the TV series. I wanted to read the book first, simply put.
What makes The Handmaid's Tale so terrifying, is the grounded realism within this fictional dystopia. She has borrowed from both real history and from issues that are in fact relevant topics to this day. Atwood has taken inspiration from some of society's worst sides, making The Handmaid's Tale more of a cautionary tale than pure science fiction. Her story gives nods to, as well as touches directly upon, concepts such as theocratic dictatorship (which in and of itself has one foot in cult and sect structure and mentality); oppression, naturally followed by repression; capital punishment; and, of course, the patriarchy's hunger for power and the desire to control women.
This book was originally published in 1985, but as many of these aforementioned concepts have a tendency to re-emerge like a morbid societal cycle, the book is very relevant to where we've ended up these days. Trump's America, "Straight Pride", abortion issues that threaten to deprive women of their rights and control over their own bodies; children being put in concentration camps. And without having seen the TV series yet, I'd be inclined to believe that the decision to make a TV series adaptation of this novel, and the fact that production of this series started in 2016, are no coincidences. As grim certain aspects of The Handmaid's Tale are, reality is beginning to look equally grim in some ways.
As for Atwood's writing style, I loved it. I've seen some commentaries here and there, with some saying it was too slow, or that the main character's first-person narrative used a lot of off-putting descriptions. Naturally, I can't speak for others, and definitely not for their personal taste. However, with that said, I'm a little curious as to what it was that made them feel this way, and how far into the book they made it before realizing this. And I'm left to wonder if some of the people who disliked it might simply be put off by depressing stories in general. Again, though, I don't want to assume too much.
All in all, it was a masterpiece. One that got me thinking, got me frustrated, got me provoked, but I still enjoyed the writing, and admire how a novel can sometimes be powerful enough to affect you on an emotional level.
Now that I've finally read The Handmaid's Tale, I should get started on the TV series soon. I also know that a sequel, The Testaments, will be published in September, so I'll have to read that one eventually as well.
What makes The Handmaid's Tale so terrifying, is the grounded realism within this fictional dystopia. She has borrowed from both real history and from issues that are in fact relevant topics to this day. Atwood has taken inspiration from some of society's worst sides, making The Handmaid's Tale more of a cautionary tale than pure science fiction. Her story gives nods to, as well as touches directly upon, concepts such as theocratic dictatorship (which in and of itself has one foot in cult and sect structure and mentality); oppression, naturally followed by repression; capital punishment; and, of course, the patriarchy's hunger for power and the desire to control women.
This book was originally published in 1985, but as many of these aforementioned concepts have a tendency to re-emerge like a morbid societal cycle, the book is very relevant to where we've ended up these days. Trump's America, "Straight Pride", abortion issues that threaten to deprive women of their rights and control over their own bodies; children being put in concentration camps. And without having seen the TV series yet, I'd be inclined to believe that the decision to make a TV series adaptation of this novel, and the fact that production of this series started in 2016, are no coincidences. As grim certain aspects of The Handmaid's Tale are, reality is beginning to look equally grim in some ways.
As for Atwood's writing style, I loved it. I've seen some commentaries here and there, with some saying it was too slow, or that the main character's first-person narrative used a lot of off-putting descriptions. Naturally, I can't speak for others, and definitely not for their personal taste. However, with that said, I'm a little curious as to what it was that made them feel this way, and how far into the book they made it before realizing this. And I'm left to wonder if some of the people who disliked it might simply be put off by depressing stories in general. Again, though, I don't want to assume too much.
All in all, it was a masterpiece. One that got me thinking, got me frustrated, got me provoked, but I still enjoyed the writing, and admire how a novel can sometimes be powerful enough to affect you on an emotional level.
Now that I've finally read The Handmaid's Tale, I should get started on the TV series soon. I also know that a sequel, The Testaments, will be published in September, so I'll have to read that one eventually as well.
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
5.0
This was a fantastic read. Almost consistently a perfect blend of melancholy, humor, and absurdity. And the aforementioned humor is very much on the black comedy side of things. At its core, you could say that it's a study of the complicated and often dysfunctional relationships within a family, and the absurdity lies within how things that seem completely bizarre for some are perfectly normal, everyday life for one family.
This can be the truth for strange, yet ultimately harmless habits, but it also rings true for family dynamics that include things most people would consider very unhealthy. And in Katherine Dunn's book, some of this absurdity is thrown right in our faces to make some of us realize how strange the concept of family can really be.
Geek Love is such a well-written book, with an ensemble of unique and memorable characters, both within the traveling circus that the family of the main character runs - the Binewskis, to be exact - and the people these characters meet along the way, past and present.
At the beginning of the book, we jump a little bit forth and back between the main character's childhood and her present life, but overall, a large portion of the story involves her life with the traveling circus. And it's the type of circus that's also a freak show, so you have performers with various types of physical disabilities and functionalities, which is why some of the characters involved are as unique and memorable as they are.
Simply put, to avoid spoiling too much of the general plot, this is a book where the most absurd scenarios are presented as the most normal ones, via the Binewski family. Physical abnormalities are a thing of pride for them, as this is something that will attract an audience to their shows. Their investment in this is so strong, that Mama and Papa Binewski deliberately produce children with physical abnormalities. But there is a blinding bias there, which shows how easily the self-centered, jealous arrogance of a hero could turn them into a tyrant, which in return transforms them into a cult leader. And boy, what a unique cult it is! I will not spoil this part in any way, as it has you'll have to read it to fully understand how such a cult can emerge into existence.
Along the way, we also get glimpses into the main character's present time, as mentioned. For a long time, these parts of the book seem very detached from the storyline taking place in the past, but intentionally so, as the past and the present will come together in a logical way eventually; including a fairly explosive turn of events that changes everything in the blink of a moment, like something taken straight out of a Stephen King novel.
The circumstances in the present storyline also have their share of absurdities, such as three characters living in the same apartment building with only one of them being aware that they are all related. And there's also a more modern focus on physical abnormalities, almost in a slightly more fetishized way, with the freak show circus being replaced by a shady strip club.
Ultimately, this book examines the duality of family life. No matter how normal or eccentric a family is, the ties that bind the family members together can also lead to a paradoxical sense of loneliness. Both in the past and the present, the main character is stuck in a pattern of sticking with her family first and foremost, which she in many ways appreciates, mostly because of the aforementioned sense of normalcy within any family's routines; for her, it's always been that way, which is what we all tend to tell ourselves sometimes. But simultaneously, there seems to be a constant longing for something else, something that she doesn't directly give much thought to, but rather just a feeling deep down that things could have been different, like a fleeting "what if."
I also appreciate that in the everyday world of a group of freak show performers, the outside world is where the true freaks are. Normal people walking around being so disgustingly normal, poking their noses where they don't belong, obliviously displaying their prejudice towards anything that's different and unknown. And there are genuine moments where you are tempted to think that the Binewskis understand family life much better than anyone else out there among the normies. At least with regard to loyalty.
However, there are turns of events that also make it clear that they have very different boundaries than elsewhere in society. And these are the moments where Dunn's writing shines really strong. She can describe a scenario that could be very off-putting in any other context, but describes it in such a matter-of-factly way due to this story being told in first person by one of the Binewskis, that it somehow is a bit more forgivable, at least in the sense that you understand this is no big deal in the life of a Binewski. The biggest moments of betrayal are whenever a Binewski has had any personal interactions with an outsider, a normie.
Basically, it could have been a much more controversial book due to some of the scenarios and elements described, but Katherine Dunn's skilled talent for storytelling, finding humor within the mobid, and beauty within what's otherwise perceived to be ugly, prevents it from being tasteless, and it is instead a very emotionally gripping story, one way or another from one moment to the next.
I've smiled, I've frowned, I've ached for some of the characters, I've cursed at the behavior of others, and ultimately, this book managed to capture me completely. In the description of the edition I was reading, there is a boasting list of name drops, mentioning celebrities who have claimed that this is one of their favorite books. And frankly, after having read it myself, I can understand them. Highly recommended.
This can be the truth for strange, yet ultimately harmless habits, but it also rings true for family dynamics that include things most people would consider very unhealthy. And in Katherine Dunn's book, some of this absurdity is thrown right in our faces to make some of us realize how strange the concept of family can really be.
Geek Love is such a well-written book, with an ensemble of unique and memorable characters, both within the traveling circus that the family of the main character runs - the Binewskis, to be exact - and the people these characters meet along the way, past and present.
At the beginning of the book, we jump a little bit forth and back between the main character's childhood and her present life, but overall, a large portion of the story involves her life with the traveling circus. And it's the type of circus that's also a freak show, so you have performers with various types of physical disabilities and functionalities, which is why some of the characters involved are as unique and memorable as they are.
Simply put, to avoid spoiling too much of the general plot, this is a book where the most absurd scenarios are presented as the most normal ones, via the Binewski family. Physical abnormalities are a thing of pride for them, as this is something that will attract an audience to their shows. Their investment in this is so strong, that Mama and Papa Binewski deliberately produce children with physical abnormalities. But there is a blinding bias there, which shows how easily the self-centered, jealous arrogance of a hero could turn them into a tyrant, which in return transforms them into a cult leader. And boy, what a unique cult it is! I will not spoil this part in any way, as it has you'll have to read it to fully understand how such a cult can emerge into existence.
Along the way, we also get glimpses into the main character's present time, as mentioned. For a long time, these parts of the book seem very detached from the storyline taking place in the past, but intentionally so, as the past and the present will come together in a logical way eventually; including a fairly explosive turn of events that changes everything in the blink of a moment, like something taken straight out of a Stephen King novel.
The circumstances in the present storyline also have their share of absurdities, such as three characters living in the same apartment building with only one of them being aware that they are all related. And there's also a more modern focus on physical abnormalities, almost in a slightly more fetishized way, with the freak show circus being replaced by a shady strip club.
Ultimately, this book examines the duality of family life. No matter how normal or eccentric a family is, the ties that bind the family members together can also lead to a paradoxical sense of loneliness. Both in the past and the present, the main character is stuck in a pattern of sticking with her family first and foremost, which she in many ways appreciates, mostly because of the aforementioned sense of normalcy within any family's routines; for her, it's always been that way, which is what we all tend to tell ourselves sometimes. But simultaneously, there seems to be a constant longing for something else, something that she doesn't directly give much thought to, but rather just a feeling deep down that things could have been different, like a fleeting "what if."
I also appreciate that in the everyday world of a group of freak show performers, the outside world is where the true freaks are. Normal people walking around being so disgustingly normal, poking their noses where they don't belong, obliviously displaying their prejudice towards anything that's different and unknown. And there are genuine moments where you are tempted to think that the Binewskis understand family life much better than anyone else out there among the normies. At least with regard to loyalty.
However, there are turns of events that also make it clear that they have very different boundaries than elsewhere in society. And these are the moments where Dunn's writing shines really strong. She can describe a scenario that could be very off-putting in any other context, but describes it in such a matter-of-factly way due to this story being told in first person by one of the Binewskis, that it somehow is a bit more forgivable, at least in the sense that you understand this is no big deal in the life of a Binewski. The biggest moments of betrayal are whenever a Binewski has had any personal interactions with an outsider, a normie.
Basically, it could have been a much more controversial book due to some of the scenarios and elements described, but Katherine Dunn's skilled talent for storytelling, finding humor within the mobid, and beauty within what's otherwise perceived to be ugly, prevents it from being tasteless, and it is instead a very emotionally gripping story, one way or another from one moment to the next.
I've smiled, I've frowned, I've ached for some of the characters, I've cursed at the behavior of others, and ultimately, this book managed to capture me completely. In the description of the edition I was reading, there is a boasting list of name drops, mentioning celebrities who have claimed that this is one of their favorite books. And frankly, after having read it myself, I can understand them. Highly recommended.
Holt House by L. G. Vey
4.0
This was my first time reading one of the Eden Book Society releases. Since the six titles I found were all from 1972 (albeit not released until 2018), I couldn't ascertain if they were intended to be in a specific order, so I just went by the order in which they were listed on the homepage.
With that said, I honestly think Holt House was a solid first impression of this book series. As I understand it, all the authors in this series wrote their books under pseudonyms, so it's difficult to tell if either one of them is otherwise a known author. Regardless, I feel the person behind the pseudonym L. G. Vey proved themselves to be a very competent writer. The writing style is detailed enough to paint a vivid picture in your mind, and there is a lovely British politeness in its approach, yet it never gets too grandiose, so it's easy to follow along.
Despite this being a fairly short story, it's still a slow burn, but never in a way that seems tedious or drawn out. There are many novels where you could shave off large portions to get to the core story, and Holt House felt like it was all about the core story, and never digressed or went on tangents. And for a story like this, that honestly felt fitting. Straight to the point in many ways, but there was still a noticeable build-up to a greater mystery.
Being a fan of anthology shows like The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt, Tales from the Darkside, and so on, Holt House gave me a similar vibe to shows like that, and both because of the compact length of the book, as well as because of the arc of the story, with things slowly being twisted into something different than they first appear, this could easily have been adapted into an episode of such a show. This leaves me with the hope that reading through all of the Eden Book Society releases will continue to give me that anthology feel.
With that said, I honestly think Holt House was a solid first impression of this book series. As I understand it, all the authors in this series wrote their books under pseudonyms, so it's difficult to tell if either one of them is otherwise a known author. Regardless, I feel the person behind the pseudonym L. G. Vey proved themselves to be a very competent writer. The writing style is detailed enough to paint a vivid picture in your mind, and there is a lovely British politeness in its approach, yet it never gets too grandiose, so it's easy to follow along.
Despite this being a fairly short story, it's still a slow burn, but never in a way that seems tedious or drawn out. There are many novels where you could shave off large portions to get to the core story, and Holt House felt like it was all about the core story, and never digressed or went on tangents. And for a story like this, that honestly felt fitting. Straight to the point in many ways, but there was still a noticeable build-up to a greater mystery.
Being a fan of anthology shows like The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt, Tales from the Darkside, and so on, Holt House gave me a similar vibe to shows like that, and both because of the compact length of the book, as well as because of the arc of the story, with things slowly being twisted into something different than they first appear, this could easily have been adapted into an episode of such a show. This leaves me with the hope that reading through all of the Eden Book Society releases will continue to give me that anthology feel.
The Man Who Didn't Call by Rosie Walsh
2.0
First of all, I don't know why this novel has two different titles; I can't imagine that the content of the book varies depending on which title it has, but for what it's worth, the copy I had picked up was the one called The Man Who Didn't Call.
Sometimes, when I'm at my local bookstore, looking at titles that might be interesting to check out, I take out my phone and search for information to make sure that it's not the fifth book in a series or something. Sure, there are many crime series written as stand-alone stories simply with the same detective as the main character, for example, but I guess I'm a little bit OCD about still wanting to start with the first book in that case. Besides, when it comes to a series like the Norwegian crime books by Jo Nesbø about detective Harry Hole, the stories are part stand-alone, part continuous, with some character development continuing from one installment to the next, which is also why I wouldn't want to start with the fifth book in the series and be confused about some character dynamics and their backstories.
All of this is a long-winded way to say that when I looked up The Man Who Didn't Call, I saw that its main labels were romance, mystery, and thriller. After having read this, I feel that the thriller label is perhaps a bit overstated, or somewhat exaggerated. Maybe if one could say there is such a thing as an emotional thriller, say, as opposed to a psychological one, I can agree. As for the mystery label, fair enough, it did set up a scenario that seemed puzzling, which is kind of an intentional adjective on my part, because the structure of this novel starts out with segments being pieces of a puzzle, a bit scattered around before things eventually start to fall into place.
The writing is decent, and along the way, Walsh utilizes different ways and perspectives from which the story progresses. In some chapters, the story is narrated in first-person, while others are told through the epistolary method, via letters or Facebook messages. And as if to make sure the various puzzle pieces are sufficiently scattered to begin with, the story skips a little back and forth in time as well. It's an ambitious approach, but as I said, Walsh pulls it off competently enough, albeit ultimately more with a slice-of-life feel than the sort of suspense you might expect when you see labels like thriller and mystery.
I suppose it's just that the way things were set up in the beginning, it felt like there was an attempt to make a romance story more compelling by using a partly nonlinear narrative that would keep you guessing for a while. It did keep me guessing, but it also made me imagine potential plot twists that never arrived. It's almost like our attention was drawn towards a mystery to sort of mask the occasional melodramatic tendencies of a not-so-realistic premise. A good thriller with plot twists and a lot of suspense can have some slightly over-the-top moments that are just part of the fun and require some suspension of disbelief, but as this went more along the aforementioned slice-of-life route, the in-book universe was grounded enough in reality that the unrealistic quality of some of the circumstances became a bit more glaring that they might have been in another context.
It is not my intention that any of this comes across as me metaphorically gesturing a finger down my throat because it's a romantic story. I'm open-minded about any genre as such. But just like how books from any other genre - thriller, sci-fi, horror, you name it - enthrall me while others disappoint, so can simpler stories such as this one. Because that's what it is ultimately, a simple story that initially comes across as more complex. And while it didn't disappoint me to the point of earning my resentment, it was still a different story than I originally thought it would be.
Sometimes, when I'm at my local bookstore, looking at titles that might be interesting to check out, I take out my phone and search for information to make sure that it's not the fifth book in a series or something. Sure, there are many crime series written as stand-alone stories simply with the same detective as the main character, for example, but I guess I'm a little bit OCD about still wanting to start with the first book in that case. Besides, when it comes to a series like the Norwegian crime books by Jo Nesbø about detective Harry Hole, the stories are part stand-alone, part continuous, with some character development continuing from one installment to the next, which is also why I wouldn't want to start with the fifth book in the series and be confused about some character dynamics and their backstories.
All of this is a long-winded way to say that when I looked up The Man Who Didn't Call, I saw that its main labels were romance, mystery, and thriller. After having read this, I feel that the thriller label is perhaps a bit overstated, or somewhat exaggerated. Maybe if one could say there is such a thing as an emotional thriller, say, as opposed to a psychological one, I can agree. As for the mystery label, fair enough, it did set up a scenario that seemed puzzling, which is kind of an intentional adjective on my part, because the structure of this novel starts out with segments being pieces of a puzzle, a bit scattered around before things eventually start to fall into place.
The writing is decent, and along the way, Walsh utilizes different ways and perspectives from which the story progresses. In some chapters, the story is narrated in first-person, while others are told through the epistolary method, via letters or Facebook messages. And as if to make sure the various puzzle pieces are sufficiently scattered to begin with, the story skips a little back and forth in time as well. It's an ambitious approach, but as I said, Walsh pulls it off competently enough, albeit ultimately more with a slice-of-life feel than the sort of suspense you might expect when you see labels like thriller and mystery.
I suppose it's just that the way things were set up in the beginning, it felt like there was an attempt to make a romance story more compelling by using a partly nonlinear narrative that would keep you guessing for a while. It did keep me guessing, but it also made me imagine potential plot twists that never arrived. It's almost like our attention was drawn towards a mystery to sort of mask the occasional melodramatic tendencies of a not-so-realistic premise. A good thriller with plot twists and a lot of suspense can have some slightly over-the-top moments that are just part of the fun and require some suspension of disbelief, but as this went more along the aforementioned slice-of-life route, the in-book universe was grounded enough in reality that the unrealistic quality of some of the circumstances became a bit more glaring that they might have been in another context.
It is not my intention that any of this comes across as me metaphorically gesturing a finger down my throat because it's a romantic story. I'm open-minded about any genre as such. But just like how books from any other genre - thriller, sci-fi, horror, you name it - enthrall me while others disappoint, so can simpler stories such as this one. Because that's what it is ultimately, a simple story that initially comes across as more complex. And while it didn't disappoint me to the point of earning my resentment, it was still a different story than I originally thought it would be.
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
5.0
This is a bittersweet story. A love story smack dab in the middle of the harsh reality of certain aspects of society, especially in the US. Injustice, racial profiling, cops always going after the black man first regardless of the circumstances, and so on. And in the middle of it all, you have a young couple in love - Tish and Fonny - who are trying to keep their love, and their chances to become a family, alive.
The thematic contrasts are in and of themselves beautiful, here. The novel touches upon some fairly brutal topics, to such a degree that it in many ways has the makings of a very bleak and desperate story. But somehow, Baldwin still manages to make a love story work within this setting. Tish and Fonny are so devoted to each other even when it seems like the whole world is against them, which to me makes their connection all the more romantic, but also all the more heartbreaking.
Recently, I've read The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, and some of the same topics were present there, but presented in a much more brutal, to-the-point, and in-your-face way. However, I think it should be taken into consideration that Baldwin's novel was written over 40 years prior, at a time when touching upon these topics was perhaps even riskier than now, and as such, I still say that Baldwin is far from subtle, and it is very easy to understand why he is considered one of the most influential writers and social critics. As a side note, it's also a very sad fact that the same hatred towards the African-American community is still written about several decades later. If you knew nothing about the years these two novels were published, they both might as well have been written in the same year.
It's just that there's a certain softness and sensibility to his writing that adds to the aforementioned bittersweetness, and adds a very classic sense of romance in his novel compared to something like Thomas' story. In addition to being an anti-imperialist, and black queer advocate, Baldwin was also a feminist, which I'd say gives him an advantage when it comes to male authors writing female characters. He avoids the standard male gaze, and he tells the story through Tish's point of view with such ease and respect, that I might have guessed this was written by a female author if I had been handed this novel with the author's name blotted out.
I've always heard this novel being mentioned as one of the great, timeless classics, and having finally read it, I certainly understand why. And I consider this to be one of those page-turners you'll have trouble putting down once you get started. (The only reason why it took me a while to finish it was because I was preoccupied for several days in between reading sessions; this could have easily taken me just a day or two otherwise)
The thematic contrasts are in and of themselves beautiful, here. The novel touches upon some fairly brutal topics, to such a degree that it in many ways has the makings of a very bleak and desperate story. But somehow, Baldwin still manages to make a love story work within this setting. Tish and Fonny are so devoted to each other even when it seems like the whole world is against them, which to me makes their connection all the more romantic, but also all the more heartbreaking.
Recently, I've read The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, and some of the same topics were present there, but presented in a much more brutal, to-the-point, and in-your-face way. However, I think it should be taken into consideration that Baldwin's novel was written over 40 years prior, at a time when touching upon these topics was perhaps even riskier than now, and as such, I still say that Baldwin is far from subtle, and it is very easy to understand why he is considered one of the most influential writers and social critics. As a side note, it's also a very sad fact that the same hatred towards the African-American community is still written about several decades later. If you knew nothing about the years these two novels were published, they both might as well have been written in the same year.
It's just that there's a certain softness and sensibility to his writing that adds to the aforementioned bittersweetness, and adds a very classic sense of romance in his novel compared to something like Thomas' story. In addition to being an anti-imperialist, and black queer advocate, Baldwin was also a feminist, which I'd say gives him an advantage when it comes to male authors writing female characters. He avoids the standard male gaze, and he tells the story through Tish's point of view with such ease and respect, that I might have guessed this was written by a female author if I had been handed this novel with the author's name blotted out.
I've always heard this novel being mentioned as one of the great, timeless classics, and having finally read it, I certainly understand why. And I consider this to be one of those page-turners you'll have trouble putting down once you get started. (The only reason why it took me a while to finish it was because I was preoccupied for several days in between reading sessions; this could have easily taken me just a day or two otherwise)