Reviewing novels, short stories, plays and non fiction.
I've always had a soft spot for the Cadfael books by Ellis Peters (Edith Mary Pargeter OBE BEM). The Rose Rent is a classic. It is a medieval mystery novel set in the summer of 1142, as the battle between King Stephen and Empress Maud rages on. This is the thirteenth novel in The Cadfael Chronicles, first … Continue reading The Rose Rent, by Ellis Peters
Soulless by Gail Carriger introduces Alexia Tarrabotti, a strong willed spinster living in an alternative universe Victorian London. The universe of the Parasol Protectorate is much like ours, except the supernatural are an integral part of society, vampires introduced low necklines, and Alexia herself... is Soulless. Intro For Halloween I wanted to review one of … Continue reading Soulless, by Gail Carriger
An Artist of the Floating World, by Kazuo Ishiguro, is a beautiful, hazy portrait of life in post war Japan. It explores generational tension, changing social mores, guilt and atonement. It is also another excellent example of the unreliable narrator, a trope of Ishiguro's work. The Unreliable Narrator "Kazuo Ishiguro’s study of guilt, ageing and … Continue reading An Artist of the Floating World, by Kazuo Ishiguru
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is a tale of beauty, race and social ostracism. It takes place in Lorain, Ohio and centres on the destruction of a vulnerable little girl who believes herself to be ugly. Beauty "What made people look at them and say Awww - but not for me?" - p15 Pecola Breedlove is … Continue reading The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Ragle Gumm is an ordinary man lives with his sister’s family in a sleepy suburban 1950s town. He makes a living by winning a newspaper contest over and over again. He dallies with his neighbour and plots where the Little Green Man will be Next, but starts to realise all is not well. The Suburbs … Continue reading Time Out of Joint by Philip K Dick
What Remains of Edith Finch is a beautiful, haunting tale exploring the death and tragedy surrounding the Finch family. Edith has returned to her family's abandoned home off the coast of the state of Washington following her mother's death. The tale shows Edith discovering their history through exploration of sealed bedrooms / shrines, all with … Continue reading What Remains of Edith Finch, by Ian Dallas
An interweaving tale of two entrapped women; a suicidal noblewoman with no purpose and an imprisoned spiritualist claiming innocence. Reality, voice and oppression - not to mention manipulation - are the key themes in this stunning lesbian Victorian ghost story. A rich, beautiful, haunting novel by an excellent author, set in the late 19th century. … Continue reading Affinity, by Sarah Waters
