Hello hello! This one is a little later from me than usual as it's been a little busy on the ol'working and reviewing front but without further ado, I thought I'd review some of the books I read in January. Throughout the month I managed to review whopping TWENTY-TWO books.... yup I'm in disbelief too!
In January I also finally bit the bullet and started Bookstagram so I've been posting and sharing mini-reviews and book thoughts, you can find my page here and see my January round-up here
I thought since I read so many, I'd split this months post into two, sharing five reviews of books that are out now in this post, and then a second post (which I'll link here when it's live) which features five exciting review copies for books out later this year!
So without further ado, here are my reviews of some out now that you can sink your teeth into;
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste NG
Rated: 5/5 🌟
I couldn't have picked a better first book for 2021. Just like Little Fires Everywhere which I read last year, I am left in awe of Celeste Ng's ability to cohesively and beautifully weave a deeply intense plot with exquisite characterisation.
This story focuses on a Chinese American family living in Ohio during the 1970s, and the plot is essentially a family drama focusing on the days following the circumstances of Marilyn and James Lee's middle daughter Lydia’s body being found in the local lake. Its a sensitive yet challenging topic and Celeste Ng's writing not only looks at the intricate details of the Lee family, of their relationships with one another and with the outside world but also looks intently at their emotions. The history of the characters and their emotions is seamlessly interwoven with the after-effects of Lydia being found dead.
I was hooked from the very first sentence which reads 'Lydia is dead. But they don't know this yet.' The third-person narrative for the story, and the fact that we get to see into the minds and emotions of not only Lydia's family but Lydia herself works so well. I'd even go as far as to say that this is a profound piece of literature. It tackles themes of racism and gender roles with three-dimensional characters whose backstory and every mention on the page were relevant and succinct with the plot, there was nothing added just for the sake of it. The family dynamic and small circumstances are detailed so delicately and intricately that you soon become aware that these tiny fragments and splinters, contribute to a cataclysmic devastating ending for young Lydia. It's emotive, excruciatingly slow built tension and a unique perspective on identity.
This book touched me so deeply because just like the work of Sally Rooney the story is powerful, and hauntingly mesmerising but delivered in the subtlest of ways. Whilst the subject matter of death is a little gloomy, this is ultimately a story about the lasting effects of grief, love, resentment and sudden change.
The Binding by Bridget Collins
Rated: 5/5 🌟
Told in three parts, you explore a world where your memories can be taken and bound in a book so you no longer suffer or feel the pain associated with those memories. Emmett Farmer, the main character, is a binders apprentice and is tasked with crafting the books that hold these memories. We soon discover that one of the books contains a memory of his own - so, in the triad narrative, we see his life, the memory, and his life after discovering the book containing that memory.
A fascinating premise of a world where books are something to fear or avoid unless necessary; a world that's atmospheric, full of wonder and is ultimately spellbinding. The characterisation is wonderful - I found myself intrigued and greedily turning the pages to find out more. As many other reviewers have pointed out, part one is a little slow as we are given plenty of foregrounding to this new world, but parts two and three really do pack a punch. This is a humble and unbecoming love story, magic and tender moments between characters that made me think my heart was in my mouth.
Whilst we may be in lockdown, and there’s little else to be doing, this book is hard to put down. There’s a majestic and ethereal quality plus a warmth and richness that comes through. It’s fascinating to involve yourself in a world with a singular fantasy thread and the consequences that change can have. For a debut novel, it’s exquisite - and I’ve read Collins’ second book The Betrayals too which is equally as emotive with pure magic storytelling, meaning she’s fast become an author whose future works I’ll keep my eyes out for.
Night Music by Jojo Moyes (*)
Rated: 3/5 🌟
Night Music interweaves perspectives of two families affected by The Spanish House. A melodrama that tackles themes of grief, love, and secrecy that reminded me heavily of a Nicholas Sparks style movie.
The Spanish House was coveted by builder Matt McCarthy, and his wife, Laura. The pair look after their elderly obnoxious neighbour Mr Potterisworth, expecting to inherit the house after his demise, but of course, this doesn't quite go to plan. The house is instead bequeathed to his grand-niece Isabel.
The Delancy family spend their life in London, where Isabel - a leading violinist - is in financial trouble after the debts built-up by her late husband Laurent. Struggling to cope with his death, and the implications surrounding their lacking financial status, Isabel can no longer afford the lifestyle she has been accustomed to including a Nanny, housekeeping and travelling with her orchestra. She inherits The Spanish House, a derelict building in the countryside, and with few other choices, she uproots with her two children, Kitty and Thierry, to live there. Kitty, the eldest child, has to pitch in and help out including helping Isabel support Thierry who hasn't spoken since his father's death.
There's a certain charm to Isabel's fish-out-of-water demeanour, and her interactions with local man Byron and the personality he coaxes out of Thierry is heartwarming to read. As expected, the charms of small village life eventually win over the Delancy clan and the family find themselves becoming valued and rooted members of the community they were once so incongruous within. This is ultimately a story of personal growth and development, whether that be through Isabel's adjustment to a new life path, or Laura's realisation to what she actual wants, to Matt's deceitful plans, there's always something to uncover and keep you enraptured. Like a piece of music, this story starts slow and builds to a climactic crescendo around the middle of the story when village talk and people's ulterior motives are uncovered.
A Burning by Megha Majumdar (*)
Rated: 4/5 🌟
This triad narrative follows the aftermath of a terrorist attack near a train station in the Kolkata slum. Jivan, a young Muslim woman, comments ‘If the police didn’t help ordinary people like you and me if the police watched them die, doesn’t that mean that the government is also a terrorist?’ on a Facebook video of the event. As a result, she finds herself in a cell and on trial. A trial which if she loses; she'll die. Her pleads of innocence are questioned as those in her community accuse her of speaking ill of her country, seeing her with terrorist supplies, and ultimately demanding justice.
Jivan's story is interwoven with that of her former PE teacher—PT Sir, who forgoes his morals for the affection of a right-wing political party - and Lovely—the inspiring trans actress she used to tutor. Lovely holds the alibi that can set Jivan free, but telling the truth will cost her everything she holds dear including a shot at a blockbuster movie.
The technique of patching together alternating perspectives provides presence and weight to the events. Jivan's trial is the ultimate catalyst for the unfolding of the events which all ultimately tether together in some way to form an all-engulfing fire that sets the three characters' worlds ablaze.
This is an incredibly thought-provoking and poignant look at the themes of ambition, truth, gender, religion and class. It's electrifying and challenging from the offset with a taut sense of injustice and corruption throughout.
An overarching theme of fear and ambition to rise above oneself are the driving forces behind each of the characters' motives and action. There is a heavy theme of political ambition in PT Sir's arc which I was unsuspecting of, but it provided a fascinating look at the consequences of harrowing circumstances, a taste of power and lying for personal gain. Whilst Lovely's story shows the struggle of ambition in Contemporary India, within a landscape she doesn't fit in with people who don't understand. Both Lovely and PT Sir question their own morals, values and human compassion during their opportunities to advance their own livelihoods and career. It's a spectacular take on how marginalized groups will often be forced to take any opportunity to succeed.
High strung with tension this is an electrifying read and a transfixing look at fate and injustice. It's a potent statement that whilst words have the power to provide opportunity and invoke hope, they can also hold the equilibrium between life and death.
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Rated: 4/5 🌟
Framed in the city of New York, a mercurial place of connection and opportunity. A place brimming with humanity and desire; for love, success, and for connection. This is a story about fate. And how fate and free will interact to form a tale of grief and love.
Dannie is a hotshot lawyer with a meticulous five-year plan – she wants to get her dream job, marry her long-term boyfriend and ultimately fulfil her life goals. She gets engaged and has an interview for her dream job one day and thinks she's on track - until she falls asleep, and dreams of a night five years in the future where she’s in a new apartment with a different man. She awakens and is shocked by what she saw – she tries to fight to challenge the fate that she saw laid out in her vision, because that’s not what she wants five years from now, right?
Whilst this dream is the only magic realism element to the story, it’s an interesting concept to kickstart Dannie’s questioning of her 5-year plan, and whether love is for the future or for right now. Interestingly we see the same scene in chapter 3 and in chapter 41 - and whilst they are framed as identical scenes, they have different meanings as you learn the context behind them. The premonition dream gives you a premise/expectation on how you think the story will end, but you find yourself second-guessing how it will actually turn out. It reminds me a little of Hazel Hayes’Out of Love in that you start at the end of the story and work backwards.
The use of flawed characters – including ones that are spoiled, complicated, argumentative – especially in the form of Bella, a tragic heroine, add a touch of grittiness. I like that we get to see multiple versions of each character – not only with Aaron/Greg, but also different sides to everyone, even the protagonist Dannie. I was intrigued by the premise and re-occurring dialogue about choice and destiny – it’s a look at human existence and what we can control.
From the initial concept, I was expecting a romantic comedy something like 13 going on 30, instead, I was pleasantly surprised. This is a story about the passage of time – how friendship and relationships grow and evolve based on challenges presented in life. I like that this wasn’t a typical love story and instead shows that you can learn more about yourself from a platonic friendship, and find love within yourself rather than another person. It was unexpected, but not unappreciated, to see events testing a long-term friendship and the family we can choose to surround ourselves with. It subverts the traditional love story narrative that we usually see within the genre. This book is meaningful, and it's intriguing how it thematically revolves around an interview-style question of 'where do you want to be in five years', and whether your hopes for the future will actually come to fruition. The strong female lead is a great nod to modern feminism and for recognising your worth, and not settling for less than what you deserve.
And there you have it, five shiny reviews and five more to come - and that's not even half of the books for the month!
Kisses Chlo x
0 comments