Reviewing novels, short stories, plays and non fiction.
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
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
Unusually, I got the Kindle version of Tin Can Cook. I tend to have my phone handy when cooking so I figured it would be appropriate. So far, it's introduced me to the joys of tinned potatoes (9/10 most of a fresh bag will end up in the compost before we use it). FYI, if … Continue reading Tin Can Cook by Jack Monroe
Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends series started with a weekend at the Wild Horse Resort and Spa. It tackles the voyeurism, affection and exploitation at the heart of Louis Theroux's documentary style. This non-fiction book follows Louis Theroux as he travels America ten years after his Weird Weekends series, and catches up with a select group of former interviewees.
