sarahmatthews's reviews
79 reviews

The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya

reflective tense fast-paced

The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya

Read on audio

Narrator: Nisha Ahuja

ECW Press

Pub. 2020, 235pp

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Neela’s a singer-songwriter who’s well respected but isn’t making a huge living from her career yet. One of her songs is suddenly made wildly popular by Rukmini, an enthusiastic YouTuber who covers her favourite tunes for fun and has nothing to lose. When the cover of Neela’s song goes viral Rukmimi’s as surprised as everyone els. they’re both asian Canadians living in Toronto and a friendship slowly builds.

When Rukmini meets Neela in person for the first time (arranged through a DM on Twitter) she’s starstruck and posts a selfie of then both afterwards. She enjoys the ‘likes’ pouring in, then doubt sets in and she dissects their conversation until she’s filled with paranoia that her followers are only clicking ‘like’ for Neela and ends up deleting the tweet. There are so many moments like this that highlight the temptation we can feel on social media to irrationally compare ourselves to others. One of the biggest strengths of this novel is how the power dynamics between the main characters keeps shifting. At a later point Neela is in awe of Rukmini’s effortless social media presence and she begrudges her large follower count and breezy ability to reach an audience.

This book brilliantly examines the tension in friendships when an element of competition is involved; the misunderstandings and insecurities that fuel resentment.

“with every listen and every share, Everysong felt more like Rukmini’s song and less like Neela’s. Faced with this ongoing and uncontrollable transference, she was trying to let go, but The process of separating herself from her song, her work, felt foreign and uncomfortable.”

As you can imagine from the title, things take a bitter turn when an explosive subtweet goes viral (the type of tweet that then gets quoted in online news articles) and the fallout is explored, allowing the author to discuss issues around racial politics ; how creating a cover version that’s more palatable to white consumers was always going to be a winner and the unfairness of that for the original musician.

This book really got me thinking and was fast paced. It covers a huge range of issues and as a consequence it jumps around a bit and I found myself rewinding at times to catch up with where we were and who’s perspective we were focusing on. 

It was impossible not to compare this novel to Yellowface which I read a couple of months ago, covering similar themes but within the publishing industry. I enjoyed The Subtweet more, I think because Yellowface had a thriller element which I didn’t find convincing.

This book is for anyone interested in online culture, the music industry, questions around authorship of art and friendship. If you’re not a Twitter user it will likely leave you cold.   

 

The Lumber Room by Saki

When a storm woke me up in the middle of the night I read this charming classic short story on the Scratch Books website, it’s about a clever and mischievous boy who outwits his aunt and I thoroughly enjoyed it! A fun adventure

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

adventurous funny reflective fast-paced

Less: A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer

Read on audio

Narrator: Andrew Petkoff

Hachette Audio

Pub. 2017, 263pp

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Wow, I had a blast reading this book which kept me entertained on a long flight home from holiday. the character of Arthur Less is so vividly realised and he gets up to some great misadventures throughout the story. in fact he reminded me of a friend who I admire as she gets into all kinds of scrapes by throwing caution to the wind in a way I rarely dare to do!

This is a hard book to review because I went into it knowing only that the main character is a middle aged American writer who goes on a book tour of sorts and I’m glad that was all I knew about it. Sometimes it’s best not even to read the blurb.

what I will say is that, despite mixed reviews, I believe Less totally deserved to win The Pulitzer Prize in 2018. it’s brilliantly quirky and I loved the way language is played with. Here’s a little taster:

“Less wears a pair of natural leather wing tips, a paint stroke of green on each toe, black fitted linen trousers with a spiralling seam, a grey inside out t-shirt, and a hoody jacket whose leather has been tenderly furred to the soft nubbin of an old eraser. He looks like a Fire Island super villain rapper.”

Another highlight was that at one point Less thinks he’s fluent in german but the translation of what he’s actually saying to people shows otherwise!

it’s true that the story meanders somewhat so if you like a tightly plotted novel this may not work for you, but I was totally on board with the writing style from the start. This is a very funny book but it’s balanced with poignant and reflective moments that many readers will relate to. And the audiobook narrator was particularly good, easily switching between languages and accents.

Less definitely appealed to my sense of humour and I highly recommend this refreshing book. Witty and insightful, it’s up there in my top 5 reads of the year!

Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh

mysterious medium-paced

Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh

read on audio

Narrator: Marie McCarthy

Harpercollins

Pub. 1962, 251pp

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This is a classic crime read set in a village among a group of neighbours who’re related in various ways. I knew I was going to get on well with the audiobook from the start as the narrator was instantly engaging, expressing the dialogue brilliantly.

The action centres around the home of snobbish Percival Pyke Period, an eccentric figure who’s writing his memoirs, alongside the cook Mrs Mitchell, his loyal servant Alfred and his new lodger Mr Cartell who has a rather troublesome dog, Pixie. The first chapters set up the world surrounding this household with the introduction of a cast of distinctive characters. I particularly liked Mr Cartell’s ex-wife, the Flamboyant Desiree Bantling, and this great description:

“with her incredible hair brushed up into a kind of bonfire, her carefree makeup, her eyebrows and her general air of raffishness she belonged, asMr Period mildly reflected, to Toulouse Lautrec rather than any contemporary background.”

She’s known for her amusing parties and there’s a long build up to her April Fool’s treasure hunt which is set to end in tragedy. In fact, as the murder doesn’t take place until about Chapter 14 I felt I knew everyone involved very well and of course there were plenty of strong motives for possible killers.

The central idea of a letter being sent in condolence to someone for the death of a loved one before the deceased was discovered was unique and played out well.

One thing that surprised me was the lack of period details to root the story to the 1960s. It seemed to me that it could’ve very easily been set in the 30s or 50s, though there were a few passing references like mentioning TV. I guess it stuck out as my other read for the 1962 club week was The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side by Agatha Christie which was very much about social change.

This is my first Ngiao Marsh novel and I’ll be returning to her in future

The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie

mysterious reflective medium-paced

The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side by Agatha Christie

Read in Braille

Pub. 1962, 280pp

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A Hollywood actress, Marina Gregg, buys a country house near Miss Marple’s village and hosts a garden party where a guest is poisoned. The police believe the lethal cocktail was meant for Marina and she takes to her bed, scared that someone’s out to get her. A whole host of her movie world rivals and others from her past are suspected. She’s not exactly made too many friends over her career!

Meanwhile life in St. Mary Mead isn’t quite what it once was, with progress being viewed with suspicion by many. The Development (as it’s referred to by locals) brings new people and attracts a supermarket which is a step too far!

Miss Marple embarks on her sleuthing in her typical quirky way; asking her hairdresser for old movie mags:

“I think the truth lies somewhere here.” She rustled her magazines and picked up another one. 

“You mean you’re looking for some special story about someone?”

“No,” said Miss Marple. “I’m just looking for mentions of people and a way of life and something–some little something that might help.”

I was struck by how well Christie writes about aging as Miss Marple comes to terms with the loss of independence in her 80s. She has a housekeeper, Miss Knight, who fusses around her, speaking to her in a condescending way. At one point Miss Marple sends herh to town with a long shopping list, so she can escape to explore The Development alone which was a nice detail.

The mystery takes many enjoyable turns, including a fashion photoshoot at Keats’ Hampstead house and the ending is satisfying. I tend to let Christie’s books wash over me but with this one I surprised myself by guessing the killer and motive!

I’ve read that it was based on the life of a real Hollywood actress and that the 1980 movie had the inspired casting of Elizabeth Taylor as Marina Gregg and Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple, so wonderful!

Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov

challenging reflective medium-paced

Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov, tr. Angela Rodel

Read on audio

Pub. 2020

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This book centres around the narrator and someone he meets throughout the novel, Gaustine, who’s obsessed with the past and how people relate to it as they age, particularly those who develop conditions like Dementia or Alzheimer’s. He sets up “clinics of the past” where people can immerse themselves in a decade that brings them comfort. 

This is such an engaging idea and the 1st part of the book which explores how it could work is so enjoyable:

“Reading magazines and newspapers from 30 or 40 years ago, what was worrisome then is not worrisome now.news has become history. Breaking news has long since broken. The paper is slightly yellowed, the scent of damp wafts from the magazine’s glossy pages. But what is going on with the ads? The ones we passed by with annoyance back then have now taken on a new value. Suddenly the ads have become the true news about that time.”

The aim of the therapy is to draw out conversation from the patient as they recognise items, allowing them to recall lost memories. This improves their mood and they relate better to their family.

Following the popularity of the clinic, Gaustine decides to create entire cities set in the past. In one based in the 70s, a patient runs away, and when he returns he reports:

“everyone was being subjected to an experiment. They were playing out the future if you can believe it guys? Some people are walking around with wires in their ears and little TV sets in their hands and they never look up”

Word of the clinics spreads  and people want to join who have no memory problems and things then start to get really twisted! some want to join out of nostalgia and others through fear of the future.

The 2nd part pushes things further, exploring a world where European countries decide to hold referendums about living in the past.

This is a novel full of ideas; disturbing, funny and poetic.   

Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout

emotional reflective medium-paced

Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout

Read in Braille

Viking

Pub. 2021, 256pp

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My Name is Lucy Barton, 2016, was the first book I read by this author and I was struck by the writing style which seemed very different from anything else I was reading at that time. The character is very well drawn and I’ve often thought of the book since. Lucy has certainly stayed with Elizabeth Strout too as she wrote another book loosely based around her called Anything Is Possible which I haven’t read, and one that follows this book called Lucy by the Sea. I can see why she’s returned to Lucy as this book is about her life in her 60s where she’s left her first husband, remarried and is now alone again after her second husband dies. Her girls are grown up and married and William has remarried and has a young daughter. So there’s plenty to reflect on.

Elizabeth Strout’s prose is so distinctive and full of touching, beautifully observed details: “I saw him from afar and I saw that his khakis were too short. A little bit this broke my heart. He wore loafers, and his socks were blue, not a dark blue and not a light blue, and they showed a few inches until his khakis covered them. Oh William,I thought. Oh William!”

Lucy’s thoughts jump around as she recounts episodes from her life and tells the reader the reasons for her actions, and sometimes quite perplexing reactions to situations. She’s living with past trauma which resurfaces and takes her by surprise at times.

Lucy and William are brought together by a discovery made about William’s family and I enjoyed reading about them navigating spending time together now they are divorced; how they annoy each other but are also clearly still so connected and glad to be in each other’s lives. It’s gentle and touching.

Elizabeth Strout really knows how to make her readers feel the emotions Lucy’s going through and I very much enjoyed being in  her company again.

I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel

fast-paced

I’m A Fan by Sheena Patel

Read on audio

Narrator: Sheena Patel

Rough Trade Books

Pub. 2022, 204pp

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This is one of 3 books from the Women’s Prize longlist I’ve read this year. I’m writing this after listening to the audiobook a second time; the book stayed in my head and as it’s so short, I thought I’d return to it and see what I thought a couple of months later.

Well, it’s just as compelling and brilliantly written as I remember. The narrative voice is so distinctive and the audiobook is narrated by the author with great feeling at times, making you wonder if some of these situations/behaviours might be autobiographical. If so, Sheena, I hope you’re ok!

The level of online stalking and general obsession over other people’s lives is quite disturbing but oh so entertaining! 

This book puts a spotlight on performative consumerism, the terrible things people do to each other in relationships and problematic Instagram behaviour. It chronicles the life of a woman who’s view of the world is warped, with self esteem issues which have sent her spiralling, resulting in her becoming isolated, jealous and rather lost. 

This novel also explores issues of race, micro aggressions and the power imbalance that the main character feels within her rather dysfunctional relationship. She’s cheating on her boyfriend with a married man who’s wealthy and is also cheating on his wife (and her) with other women.

“The only way to have a relationship with the Man I Want To Be With is through conflict, the only time he pays rapt attention to me is when I am splitting with rage, when I manufacture needing an urgent answer to an existential question about us. The war is waged like Morse code, needle bursts of pressure and silence. He renders me dead or alive with the flare of his attention. He is like this with all of us. He is a void, and there is no way to fill it.”

This is a raw, uncomfortable and passionate book and I’m sadly pretty sure a lot of readers will recognise some of the male behaviour she describes.

“How does he fill my entire life and I’m only a slither of his?” In turn she’s truly awful to her boyfriend.

I think another reason I connected with this novel is that it’s loosely set in the London art world; I very much enjoyed the passages reflecting on art exhibitions. If you’re interested in the effects of extreme online behaviour in our confusing modern world then this book is for you.         

    

Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro

Tr. Frances Riddle

read as e-book, using a mix of electronic Braille and TTS

Charco Press

Pub. 2021

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I heard about this book when it was longlisted for the Barbellion Prize which promotes literature that concerns issues around illness/disability. The author is known as a crime writer but I knew going in not to categorise it.

We follow Elena, who’s in her 60s and has Parkinson’s, as she goes through her day and we learn that her daughter, Rita, has died and she’s determined to prove that it was murder, not suicide as the police believe.

Elena’s day is not straightforward as even though she has a very fixed idea she must get to Isabel for help (a woman she met briefly 20 years ago) her disability reduces her mobility and everything takes so much longer. Her movements are tied to her medication so she has to carefully pace herself in order to get to the train station, conserving enough to control her body to get through the journey before needing to take another pill. It’s a juggling act she’s learnt over recent years and now thatRita has died she’s all alone in the world.

Piñeiro has structured the book around Elena’s doses of medication which is a brilliant way to weave in the idea of ‘crip time’, something that many disabled people recognise in their lives. This is powerfully explored, showing the frustrations Elena has about not being able to hold her hed up straight and the difficulty she has in walking.

“even though she knows that her time isn’t measured with clocks she looks at her watch; it’s more than an hour until her next pill…her time that isn’t time measured with clocks has begun to run out like sand slipping between her fingers, like water, and, elena knows, she won’t be able to get up off that couch until after she takes her next pill”

Themes of motherhood, identity, religion and who controls a woman’s body are also all woven into this emotional and affecting novel.

Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers

Read on audio

RNIB Talking Books

Pub. 1930, 240pp

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I’ve only read Murder Must Advertise in this series and was going to head for Gaudy Night but someone helpful suggested I read this novel first as it introduces Harriet Vane, who’s also in that one.

Lord Peter Winsey instantly falls for Harriet in court when she’s accused of murdering her former lover and is determined to get her freed as he’s convinced she didn’t do it. The mystery revolves around him trying to figure out a tricky puzzle with little evidence to a tight deadline and is hugely entertaining. He’s smitten with Harriet, she’s having none of it and their dialogue is fantastic.

At the start he’s stumped as to where to begin: ‘As the taxi lurched along The Embankment he felt for the first time the dull and angry helplessness which was the first warning stroke, the triumph of mutability…for the first time, too, he doubted his own power to carry through what he’d undertaken. His personal feelings had been involved before this in his investigations but they’d never before clouded his mind. He was fumbling, grasping uncertinly here and there at fugitive and mocking possibilities.’

And then after visiting a witness he comments ‘everyone’s so remarkably helpful about this case, they cheerfully answer questions which one has no right to ask, and burst into explanations in the most unnecessary manner. None of them seem to have anything to conceal, it’s quite astonishing.’

There are so many wonderful period details, and this one about a document Wimsey reads doubles as a clue:it had been typed on a Woodstock machine with a chipped lower case p and an a slightly out of alignment’

And I loved the bit where Wimsey dispatches one of his assistant sleuths to a town and she goes on “an orgy of teas” in the local teashops in search of her target.

This is a great detective story in which the supporting characters are very strong.