oliviawinchester's reviews
170 reviews

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

5.0

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Nothing But Blue Sky by Kathleen MacMahon

emotional reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

dark emotional funny inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this. It was beautifully written and the discussions about language and sociolinguistics were particularly well crafted. I'm not sure I've read anything like this before and I certainly understand why it made the women's prize longlist. Would definitely recommend.

Welcome to Our Hillbrow: A Novel of Postapartheid South Africa by Ghirmai Negash, Phaswane Mpe

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My favourite book of the year. Was so pleasantly surprised, have never read a post-apartheid South African novel and happy this was my first. So beautiful written and such a clever narrative style that complemented the overall message. The novel deals with issues of race, space, community, xenophobia, the power of narrative/stories/music and AIDS so cleverly. I loved the unique narrative voice and its poetic quality. Definitely would recommend, and would argue it is a must read for anyone. Going to delve into Mpe's other work now!

Loitering with Intent by Muriel Spark

reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Edward II by Christopher Marlowe

adventurous reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In the Cage by Henry James

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Geek Love by Katherine Dunn

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Definitely worth a read but bear in mind there are several topics and events in the novel that may be triggers (body modification/mutilation, incest, murder, animal cruelty, sexual assault).     

Very interesting in terms of discussing theories of the Grotesque, particularly grotesque bodies and the Carnival. It also alludes to novels such as Frankenstein dealing with issues of creation and grapples with white man's continuous aim to conquer nature and undermines it. It is a complex novel, and although it points to some conclusions I do not agree with on the whole is very interesting in its discussion of topics that are normally the taboo. It makes you question whether the grotesque is more the norm than the norm. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Incest, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder