PERIPATHETIC, NOTES ON (UN)BELONGING TAN, LONGLISTED FOR STELLA PRIZE 2025

I was immensely thrilled when I was invited to read and review some of the longlisted titles by @thestellaprize. Here’s my first book review from the list!

Peripathetic is a nonfiction collection of nine essays, narrated in a nonlinear manner, that reads much like a memoir. Fragmented, fast-moving, and sharply critical of contemporary culture, the book defies conventional storytelling. Cher Tan masterfully captures fleeting moments and fluid ideas, refusing to conform to traditional writing structures. The essays centre on her personal experiences with identity, migration, and digital culture.

Cher Tan, an essayist, critic, and editor at Liminal magazine, was born and raised in Singapore and now resides in Melbourne. Peripathetic is her debut book. The title itself appears to be a deliberate neologism—possibly a fusion of PERIPATETIC (meaning constantly traveling) and PATHETIC, hinting at a restless intellectual journey marked by emotional and existential struggles.

Tan’s essays delve into the precarious nature of work, particularly the experiences of migrant workers. She critiques “shit jobs”—unstable, low-paying, and undervalued forms of labour that exploit workers. As an aspiring writer, she also reflects on the financial instability inherent in pursuing an intellectual career.

Witty yet complex, the book resonates with restlessness and defiance. Movement—both literal and metaphorical—is a recurring theme, explored through her migration, transient jobs, and personal struggles. She highlights issues of underpayment, job insecurity, and the undervaluation of labour.

Tan also examines internet trends, cancel culture, and digital media while addressing contemporary societal concerns. Her critique of capitalism is laced with sharp humour, and the book is filled with rhetorical questions that engage readers, expose contradictions, and mock uncertainties. At its core, Peripathetic explores the theme of (un)belonging.

If you enjoy short but deeply thought-provoking books, Peripathetic is a compelling read. A bold and sharp debut.

BOOK #4 “A LEOPARD-SKIN HAT ANNE SERRE TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY MARK HUTCHINSON, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

 

The title of the novel comes from a leopard-skin hat that the character Fanny shoplifts from a store. Whenever she wears it, she seems happy and carefree. Fanny is a free-spirited woman who follows her whims, roaming unpredictably—even in the middle of the night. The narrator, a childhood friend, is deeply concerned about her well-being and watches her with a mixture of fascination and unease.

The novel raises profound questions about perception and reality. When someone shows us something beautiful, do we always recognize it as such? Even the appreciation of beauty requires a certain mindset. How much of our perception of others is shaped by fiction rather than truth? A Leopard-Skin Hat explores the idea that our understanding of people and situations is rarely straightforward—subjectivity colours everything we see. How much of what we consider "real" is merely our own interpretation? Can we ever truly know another person?

Written after the death of Anne Serre’s younger sister, the novel feels like a quiet homage—an exploration of absence and the lingering presence of those we can never fully possess, whether in memory or in fiction.

Serre’s storytelling is uniquely layered, blurring the line between reality and imagination. The translation captures the novel’s essence beautifully, preserving its hypnotic and contemplative quality. This is a thought-provoking and introspective read, one that challenges conventional notions of truth and perception. A slim book that delivers a sharp, lingering blow—Serre’s storytelling is deceptively quiet yet profoundly unsettling. For those who enjoy literary fiction with an air of mystery, this is a must-read.

BOOK #3 “THE BOOK OF DISAPPEARANCE” BY IBTISAM AZEM, TRANSLATED FROM ARABIC BY SINAN ANTOON, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

This novel tells the story of Alaa, a Palestinian freelance cameraman, and Ariel, an Israeli Zionist journalist. The first chapter begins with the death of Alaa’s grandmother, to whom he is deeply attached. Despite her husband's decision to leave Jaffa, she refuses to abandon her home and stays behind. The author poignantly explores themes of displacement, belonging, and memory.

One day, many Palestinians mysteriously disappear, including Alaa, leaving behind unanswered questions and a sense of emptiness. While the novel's central event is this disappearance, it delves into deeper issues of power, loss, and the forgotten lives that once shaped history. With its dystopian undertones and gripping narrative, the book vividly portrays the struggles of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

Although the novel centers on Alaa and Ariel's friendship, it resonates with a profound and far-reaching message. Ariel, the narrator, is haunted by Alaa’s sudden disappearance, and his presence looms large throughout the novel. Determined to find answers, Ariel searches Alaa’s house and discovers his diary, which offers a glimpse into past events. While other characters appear, they remain in the background as Ariel's focus is solely on uncovering the truth about his missing friend.

The prose is lyrical and evocative, carrying an emotional depth that lingers long after reading. Some chapters are particularly brutal and heart-wrenching, making the novel an intense but necessary read. The translation is excellent, conveying the depth and emotion of the original with great care.

In the afterword, the author reveals a personal connection to the story: "The author herself is a descendant of those survivors. One branch of her family was forced out of their home in Jaffa and was internally displaced."

A deeply introspective and powerful novel, this is a must-read for those interested in stories of resilience, loss, and the impact of history on personal lives.

BOOK #2 “ON THE CALCULATION OF VOLUME (PART 1)” BY SOLVEJ BALLE, TRANSLATED FROM DANISH BY BARBARA J. HAVELAND, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

What a book! Can you imagine being trapped in a time loop—reliving the same day over and over again? That’s exactly what happens to the protagonist of On the Calculation of Volume (Part 1). She finds herself stuck on November 18th, unable to move forward to the 19th. The repetition of a single day takes a toll, and her struggle is both fascinating and unsettling.

“MY NAME IS TARA SELTER. I AM SITTING IN THE BACK ROOM OVERLOOKING THE GARDEN AND A WOODPILE. IT IS THE EIGHTEENTH OF NOVEMBER. EVERY NIGHT WHEN I LIE DOWN TO SLEEP IN THE BED IN THE GUEST ROOM IT IS THE EIGHTEENTH OF NOVEMBER AND EVERY MORNING, WHEN I WAKE UP, IT IS THE EIGHTEENTH OF NOVEMBER. I NO LONGER EXPECT TO WAKE UP TO THE NINETEENTH OF NOVEMBER AND I NO LONGER REMEMBER THE SEVENTEENTH OF NOVEMBER AS IF IT WERE YESTERDAY.”

But what is she truly trying to calculate—the volume of heaviness she carries within? Is her dilemma a metaphor for the monotony of life? Notes on the cyclical nature of human struggles? Or perhaps an attempt to break free from time itself? As she grapples with the endless loop, we are left wondering whether she learns more with each repeated November 18th.

Solvej Balle’s writing is mesmerizing, making a seemingly simple premise feel incredibly intricate. The novel explores the weight of time, routine, and the desire for change in a deeply symbolic way. It’s hard to imagine the psychological strain of being trapped in one day forever, yet Balle conveys this experience with remarkable depth and beauty.


Tara and Thomas Selter, the novel’s central characters, are antique book dealers. While Thomas continues to live a normal, linear life, Tara remains caught in her time loop, desperately searching for a way out. Her attempts to break free raise many thought-provoking questions—what if she had done something differently? Could she have changed her fate?

Despite its brevity, On the Calculation of Volume (Part 1) is a rich and profound read. The translation is exceptional, flowing so seamlessly that it feels as though the book was originally written in English.

 

SOLENOID BY MIRCEA CĂRTĂRESCU, Tr. SEAN COTTER
Mircea Cărtărescu’s Solenoid is an extraordinary novel that defies conventional storytelling. The solenoid itself is likely a metaphor for the forces shaping the protagonist’s reality—both visible and hidden, real and surreal, waking and dreamlike—ultimately causing him to levitate beyond reason.
The novel lacks a traditional plot, instead embracing a non-linear, autobiographical narrative centred on a disillusioned schoolteacher who once aspired to be a writer. The story oscillates between his present life as a teacher, his childhood memories, and his surreal dreams. Set in Bucharest, the protagonist experiences bizarre and fantastical events, many of which are linked to the mysterious floating solenoids buried beneath the city.
Cărtărescu weaves an intricate web of references, delving into the lives of figures such as Ethel Lilian Boole, the author of The Gadfly, as well as Kafka, Tesla, Nicolae Vaschide, and others. One of the most fascinating aspects of the novel is its exploration of mathematical concepts, including topology, dimensions, tesseracts, the history of the Rubik’s Cube, and even the Möbius strip—a one-dimensional loop that I personally found captivating. These elements further enhance the novel’s surreal atmosphere.
The book also paints a vivid portrait of school life, portraying teachers as powerful yet powerless, strong yet weak. The protagonist’s reflections on the staffroom dynamics, gossip, and interactions with colleagues add depth to his character. One particularly intriguing figure is Irina, the physics teacher, who initially avoids him but later befriends him. Another memorable character is the teacher with an enormous gold ring, who knocks students on the head with it—an amusing yet unsettling image.
The novel’s dream sequences are strikingly Kafkaesque, featuring endless falls into the earth’s core or bottomless pits, grotesque human embryos with exaggerated features or spare parts, and an overarching sense of guilt and escape.
The protagonist also revisits his childhood, reflecting on his emotionally detached parents, his battle with tuberculosis, and the existential questions that arose from his suffering.

At times, the boundaries between reality and dreams blur entirely. The novel is grotesque yet dreamlike, phantasmagorical yet deeply human. It is divine, selfish, surreal, infested, levitational, and disturbingly real—all at once.
J. Krishnamurti believed that total awareness is essential for a free mind. As the author references him in several places, one wonders—was this his intention?
I also discovered two intriguing new words: holon and holarchy, terms coined by Arthur Koestler.
Mircea Cărtărescu spent seven years crafting this brilliant, lyrical novel—one that not only questions existence but also delves into human consciousness, the nature of dreams, and the essence of reality itself.
The unparalleled translation brings this world vividly to life, for which I am truly grateful.
Solenoid is an oneiric, labyrinthine novel brimming with symbolism. It is a book that must be experienced rather than simply described. Could it find a place on the International Booker Prize longlist for 2025? I really hope it does!
 

WE DO NOT PART, HAN KANG (KOREAN), Tr. BY E. YAEWON AND PAIGE ANIYAH MORRIS

Han Kang became the first Asian woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2024.

Whether it is Yeong-hye, the protagonist of The Vegetarian (winner of the 2016 International @bookerprize), or Kyungha from We Do Not Part, both suffer psychological trauma triggered by specific events. Both novels are dark and disturbing yet brilliantly written.

Kyungha, a writer who has recently published a book about a city called G-, is tormented by recurring nightmares in which a sea tries to engulf numerous black tree trunks. Unable to sleep, nauseated, and barely eating, she sets out to help her friend Inseon. Inseon, a documentary filmmaker, has been admitted to the hospital after seriously injuring herself. She calls Kyungha for help, asking her to go to her house in Jeju to feed her bird, which hasn’t been fed for two days. When Kyungha arrives, she becomes trapped in a snowstorm, engulfed in darkness.

Though the novel delves into the friendship between Kyungha and Inseon, there is an underlying sense of vagueness in its depiction of the boundaries between life and death, blurring the stark distinction between reality and the supernatural. The author seemingly aims to portray the haunting and lingering nature of historical traumas inflicted by humans. While not a traditional ghost story, the novel plays with the themes of spirits, memory, and loss in a way that feels spectral.

The protagonists wrestle with grief, guilt, and the weight of past suffering, creating an eerie and introspective narrative. The novel powerfully explores themes of isolation, the fragility of life, war, human experiences, memory, trauma, historical violence, and the atrocities humans inflict upon one another. It is a work of dark fiction that examines the lingering effects of the Jeju Massacre, making it feel as though the past remains ever-present in people’s lives. Kang’s signature lyrical yet haunting prose creates a dreamlike, almost otherworldly atmosphere, reinforcing the book’s dark tone.

The translator has done such an incredible job that it feels like I’m reading the original.

A tough read, but if you loved Han Kang’s The Vegetarian, this book will captivate you. It carries the same quiet intensity and emotional weight.

Could this be on the international @thebookerprize longlist?

THE ROAD TO THE COUNTRY – CHIGOZIE OBIOMA

Chigozie Obioma is a Nigerian author whose books The Fishermen and An Orchestra of Minorities were shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2015 and 2019, respectively.

"WAR IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LANGUAGE FAILS." – MARGARET ATWOOD.

All battles are horrific, and this book explores the Biafran War. It follows Kunle, who, while searching for his brother, is forcibly enlisted into the Biafran Army and thrust onto the war front. Though he initially detests it, he gradually bonds with his fellow soldiers and finds himself unable to leave them. Through his eyes, we witness the grisly realities of war—people dying, suffering, and traumatized by relentless violence. Soldiers endure immense hardship, going days without food and resorting to eating anything they can find, even insects. They live in filth, relieving themselves in the same trenches where they hide.

I particularly liked the part that would talk about the folkloric seer who could foresee Kunle’s future and calls him Abami Eda—one who dies and returns.

The last book I read about the Biafran War was Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun.

Chigozie Obioma proves that he is an epic storyteller, narrating heartrending events that expose the horrors of war.

As much as I dislike reading about war, this book is brilliantly written, even as it vividly describes the gruesome injuries and deaths.

You must read this intense and emotional book to understand the Biafran War through Kunle’s eyes—the devastation it brings not only to soldiers but also to innocent civilians, and the displacement it causes.

BY THE SEA, ABDULRAZAK GURNAH, LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKERPRIZE 2001

This book is somewhat tougher to read compared to Dottie and Paradise, primarily due to its nonlinear narrative. Both Dottie and Paradise follow a more linear structure.

By the Sea delves into the lives of two individuals: Saleh Omar, an elderly asylum seeker in England, and Latif Mahmud, a younger man with whom he shares a complex past. Fragmented memories, exile, displacement, identity, and loss form the crux of the novel's themes.

We often judge others based on brief interactions. However, people are often victims of their circumstances, making decisions—some good - some bad—out of necessity rather than deliberation.
One confusing aspect of the book was its narration. At times, it was difficult to discern who was speaking, as the first-person perspective often lacked clear attribution for long stretches.


Set in the late 20th century, the novel vividly portrays the lingering impact of colonialism. It shifts between Zanzibar and England, with its fragmented narrative perhaps symbolizing the disconnection and disorientation of lives shaped by exile.

The mood of the novel is sombre and melancholic, making it a heavy read. I found Saleh's story particularly heart-rending, and one cannot help but feel deeply for his losses.

One aspect of any book that draws me toward it is its portrayal of books. Latif, portrayed as a lover of literature, is seen reading many classics. I really loved that part!

Of the three books by Gurnah that I have read, I enjoyed Dottie the most.

PARADISE, ABDULRAZAK GURNAH, SHORTLISTED FOR BOOKER PRIZE 1994

PRIZE MOTIVATION: “FOR HIS UNCOMPROMISING AND COMPASSIONATE PENETRATION OF THE EFFECTS OF COLONIALISM AND THE FATE OF THE REFUGEE IN THE GULF BETWEEN CULTURES AND CONTINENTS” – as quoted on the Nobel Prize website.

While Dottie, the first book I read by Abdulrazak Gurnah, revolves around the titular girl, Paradise tells the story of a boy named Yusuf.

Yusuf is sold off at the age of 12, as his father is unable to pay his debts, to the man whom Yusuf fondly calls Uncle Aziz.
‘UNCLE AZIZ GAVE OFF A STRANGE AND UNUSUAL ODOUR, A MIXTURE OF HIDE AND PERFUME, AND GUMS AND SPICES, AND ANOTHER LESS DEFINABLE SMELL WHICH MADE YUSUF THINK OF DANGER.’

‘UNCLE AZIZ GAVE HIM, WITHOUT FAIL, A TEN ANNA PIECE EVERY TIME HE STOPPED WITH THEM.’

Did you know the region we now know as Kenya and Tanzania used Rupees and Annas as currency during British colonial rule?

The handsome Yusuf comes across as a quiet, sensitive, bright, and observant boy who is taught the tricks of the trade by another boy named Khalil. Deep down, Yusuf admires everything about Uncle Aziz. Though the topic of selling a boy is rather poignant, Yusuf exudes eagerness and does not appear tormented throughout the story.

Yusuf joins Uncle Aziz and his crew on a trading expedition, during which he learns not only about trade but also about cultures, customs, love, hatred, and morality. The journey takes them through jungles, where they endure mosquito bites, fend off insects, and protect themselves from snakes and other dangers. As the story progresses, a deep sense of colonialism looms in the background of Africa. The narrative highlights superstitions, cultural differences, and conversations among merchants of Indian and African origin, depicting divergent opinions on various aspects of life.


Paradise is an evocative tale that brilliantly weaves Yusuf’s personal story with the broader history of the continent. Through its rich narrative and profound exploration of themes like colonialism, culture, and survival, it offers readers an unforgettable journey. A must-read for anyone seeking a deeply moving and thought-provoking story that lingers long after the last page.

DOTTIE, ABDULRAZAK GURNAH

Abdulrazak Gurnah is a Tanzanian-born British writer who was awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Can a mother be blamed for irresponsibility when she is a victim of hardships and has no guidance herself? 

Dottie Badoura Fatima Balfour and her family live in Leeds (UK). She had learnt to be self-reliant from a very young age as her mother was always unwell. When Dottie turns eighteen, her mother passes away, leaving behind three children: Dottie, the eldest, followed by Sophie, and their youngest sibling, Hudson. Dottie works in a factory, but the younger two are taken into social care by a social worker because they are underage.

Does a sense of security and family bonds sometimes lead us to make wrong decisions? How does one determine what is right and wrong, especially at an age burdened by overwhelming responsibilities? Does turning 18 automatically mean one can take major life decisions independently, or does it take time to truly mature into adulthood? Does everyone reach mental maturity at the same pace?

Dottie is the story of a strong, resilient young woman. It portrays the struggles and hardships faced by the titular protagonist. Dottie is resolute and determined, but the story also highlights the suffering of those around her. Political uprisings and transitions form the backdrop, adding to the challenges people faced during that time.

Often, entire communities are blamed for the misdeeds of a few. The author explores these prejudices, showing how such accusations are misplaced and how understanding emerges through interaction with others. Many people, engrossed in their own struggles and difficulties, often remain unaware of the challenges faced by others.

What is home, and how does a child define their native land if they have been raised in a different country by their parents? This complex feeling is thoughtfully explored in the book.

I loved the fact that, despite not being highly educated, Dottie has a deep love for reading. She tries multiple times to read David Copperfield but, when unable to do so, settles for an abridged version. Her determination and never-give-up attitude shine through as she strives to better herself and her career, starting from a factory worker.


It is an easy read—heartrending yet beautifully narrated.