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ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)
gifted by the publisher & prhaudio
What is the meaning of one's life if not measured by dollar signs? With lush, gorgeous prose that invites introspection, Kunzru asks readers to reflect on the cultural valuation of art and the commodification of human experiences through Jay, a former artist turned undocumented essential worker during the pandemic.
Through the lens of the art world, BLUE RUIN delves into themes of consumerism, performance, and the search for meaning in a world driven by profit, reminiscent of MEMORY PIECE (Lisa Ko). The exploration of the blurred lines between artist and artwork raises questions about the nature of artistic creation and the extent to which we can truly know an artist's intentions.
BLUE RUIN is an intellectually stimulating novel that rewards careful consideration and reflection. I recommend this story to readers who enjoy delving into complex themes and abstract narratives.
What is the meaning of one's life if not measured by dollar signs? With lush, gorgeous prose that invites introspection, Kunzru asks readers to reflect on the cultural valuation of art and the commodification of human experiences through Jay, a former artist turned undocumented essential worker during the pandemic.
Through the lens of the art world, BLUE RUIN delves into themes of consumerism, performance, and the search for meaning in a world driven by profit, reminiscent of MEMORY PIECE (Lisa Ko). The exploration of the blurred lines between artist and artwork raises questions about the nature of artistic creation and the extent to which we can truly know an artist's intentions.
BLUE RUIN is an intellectually stimulating novel that rewards careful consideration and reflection. I recommend this story to readers who enjoy delving into complex themes and abstract narratives.
gifted by the publisher
Set in the Penobscot Reservation, FIRE EXIT is a captivating exploration of identity and belonging following Charles Lamosway, a white man raised by his Native stepdad. Talty's writing has a literary quality, yet his vivid descriptions and skillful storytelling allow for an engaging reading experience.
Talty examines the quantum blood rule, a controversial policy that determines one's Native status based on the percentage of their indigenous ancestry. This rule is a central part of Charles' story, as his severance from the Penobscot culture he was raised in challenges the notion that one's nativeness can be defined by quantitative features alone.
The discussions of being "disremembered" and the subsequent desire to establish a lasting legacy are poignant and thought-provoking. Talty expertly delves into the complexities of cultural identity and the longing to reconnect with one's roots. The ending feels a bit rushed, and I was expecting a bigger reveal. I recommend FIRE EXIT to readers looking for a reflective read about found family and indigenous identity.
Set in the Penobscot Reservation, FIRE EXIT is a captivating exploration of identity and belonging following Charles Lamosway, a white man raised by his Native stepdad. Talty's writing has a literary quality, yet his vivid descriptions and skillful storytelling allow for an engaging reading experience.
Talty examines the quantum blood rule, a controversial policy that determines one's Native status based on the percentage of their indigenous ancestry. This rule is a central part of Charles' story, as his severance from the Penobscot culture he was raised in challenges the notion that one's nativeness can be defined by quantitative features alone.
The discussions of being "disremembered" and the subsequent desire to establish a lasting legacy are poignant and thought-provoking. Talty expertly delves into the complexities of cultural identity and the longing to reconnect with one's roots. The ending feels a bit rushed, and I was expecting a bigger reveal. I recommend FIRE EXIT to readers looking for a reflective read about found family and indigenous identity.
An offbeat & humorous vignette autofiction about a writer and her paranoid family, LOM explores coming-of-age in a family that bends truth and distorts memories. How does one form an identity when stories aren't told? How does one reconcile with the past with mutating memories? I enjoyed this funny story that reminds me of GRETA & VALDIN (Rebecca K. Reilly) with more chaos. While I didn't always get what LOM is trying to convey, I appreciate this novel that explores the divide between generations and all that's lost in translation between readers and writers.
gifted by the publisher
Following a depressed & alcoholic poet searching for his purpose working in a children's hospital, GAZES is a short yet compelling read that reminds me of MARTYR! (Kaveh Akbar). Mencarelli juxtaposes the struggle to find meaning in life and sick children fighting for their lives with sparse and powerful prose. GAZES is a moving love letter to poetry, emphasizing its power to give us the strength to bear witness and the courage to desire. The final moments in the story are particularly moving, with this quote that moved me to tears. "I'll lose the light of this moment, whether a little at a time or all at once, I don't know. But I'll bear witness to it forever because just one of these moments is enough to illuminate a whole life."
Following a depressed & alcoholic poet searching for his purpose working in a children's hospital, GAZES is a short yet compelling read that reminds me of MARTYR! (Kaveh Akbar). Mencarelli juxtaposes the struggle to find meaning in life and sick children fighting for their lives with sparse and powerful prose. GAZES is a moving love letter to poetry, emphasizing its power to give us the strength to bear witness and the courage to desire. The final moments in the story are particularly moving, with this quote that moved me to tears. "I'll lose the light of this moment, whether a little at a time or all at once, I don't know. But I'll bear witness to it forever because just one of these moments is enough to illuminate a whole life."
gifted by the publisher
Inspired by the Hindu mythology of the goddess of purification, we follow Ganga's curse of becoming mortal, leaving her infant half-god son behind when she returns to deity, and the subsequent wars that bind the goddess to the mortal realm. I really enjoyed Patel's atmospheric writing, filled with magic and intrigue, and was sucked into the story in the beginning. Nonetheless, the lack of distinction in the 10+ secondary characters makes RIVER a challenging read, especially after the first 1/3; I was left wanting more oomph and excitement. I recommend RIVER to lovers of myth retellings.
Inspired by the Hindu mythology of the goddess of purification, we follow Ganga's curse of becoming mortal, leaving her infant half-god son behind when she returns to deity, and the subsequent wars that bind the goddess to the mortal realm. I really enjoyed Patel's atmospheric writing, filled with magic and intrigue, and was sucked into the story in the beginning. Nonetheless, the lack of distinction in the 10+ secondary characters makes RIVER a challenging read, especially after the first 1/3; I was left wanting more oomph and excitement. I recommend RIVER to lovers of myth retellings.
gifted by the publisher
Who has the right to artifacts? In this Indiana Jones-esque space heist, GRAIL raises intriguing questions of friendship, loyalty, and atonement following a struggling PhD student through the edge of space. I loved the cross-species friendship arc, reminiscent of stories by Becky Chambers and Andy Weir. The theme of "ethical heists" is another standout, prompting the readers to consider the ownership of cultural artifacts and how societies should deal with their past mistakes. The pacing isn't perfect. The jumps in the narrative between chapters sometimes seem unnatural, and the ending feels rushed—I wonder if it's a setup for sequels? I recommend GRAIL to readers who love topics of heists and friendships.
Who has the right to artifacts? In this Indiana Jones-esque space heist, GRAIL raises intriguing questions of friendship, loyalty, and atonement following a struggling PhD student through the edge of space. I loved the cross-species friendship arc, reminiscent of stories by Becky Chambers and Andy Weir. The theme of "ethical heists" is another standout, prompting the readers to consider the ownership of cultural artifacts and how societies should deal with their past mistakes. The pacing isn't perfect. The jumps in the narrative between chapters sometimes seem unnatural, and the ending feels rushed—I wonder if it's a setup for sequels? I recommend GRAIL to readers who love topics of heists and friendships.
gifted by the publisher
Who would've thought a story set 13000 years from now would include a young boy fighting a wizard dictator with the help of a relic but not evil AI? I was pleasantly surprised by how fun this fantastical story that merges light sci-fi, Studio Ghibli, and Arthurian legends. While not devoid of themes of friendship and camaraderie, I love that MOONBOUND is a celebration of stories and all its possibilities. Consider picking this up if you're looking for an epic summer adventure with magic, dragons, and AI!
Who would've thought a story set 13000 years from now would include a young boy fighting a wizard dictator with the help of a relic but not evil AI? I was pleasantly surprised by how fun this fantastical story that merges light sci-fi, Studio Ghibli, and Arthurian legends. While not devoid of themes of friendship and camaraderie, I love that MOONBOUND is a celebration of stories and all its possibilities. Consider picking this up if you're looking for an epic summer adventure with magic, dragons, and AI!
A sparse novel that reads almost like poetry, NOT A RIVER follows two friends on a fishing trip and their memories of their friend who drowned in the same river years ago. Covering toxic masculinity, survivor's guilt, and the feeling of alienation, Almada examines how one grieves and moves on from tragic deaths. McDermott's translation is superb, where characters seamlessly flow between each other, and timelines jump backward while moving forward.