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astridandlouise's Reviews (665)
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Oneworld Publications via NetGalley.
The New Wilderness is the story of Bea, Agnes, and eighteen others who volunteer to live in the Wilderness State as part of a study to see if humans can co-exist with nature. Living as nomadic hunter-gatherers, this new community wanders through the grand country, trying to adhere to the strict rules laid down by the Rangers, whose job it is to remind them they must Leave No Trace.
I began this book knowing little about it, other than it made the 2020 Booker Prize Shortlist and had been marketed as being somewhere roughly between dystopian and speculative fiction. Whilst there are definitely elements of these two genres, I found this book focused more on the intricacies of relationships and the aspects of human nature. Specifically the relationship between Bea (mother) and Agnes (daughter). How living in such a community alters their relationship as their stay in the Wilderness State lengthens and as Agnes adapts and develops into a young woman in this new environment.
I enjoyed aspects of this book however I found the first half to be quite slow in pace as I was definitely expecting more of the dystopian/speculative element. A handful of characters were quite irritating (as I'm sure I'd be in a Wilderness State), but I found the main set of characters to be well developed and authentic. By the second half I altered my perspective away from dystopia and focused more on what I thought the book was exploring, which was relationships and human interactions. In this headspace I was able to appreciate the narrative to a greater extent.
3.5 stars
The New Wilderness is the story of Bea, Agnes, and eighteen others who volunteer to live in the Wilderness State as part of a study to see if humans can co-exist with nature. Living as nomadic hunter-gatherers, this new community wanders through the grand country, trying to adhere to the strict rules laid down by the Rangers, whose job it is to remind them they must Leave No Trace.
I began this book knowing little about it, other than it made the 2020 Booker Prize Shortlist and had been marketed as being somewhere roughly between dystopian and speculative fiction. Whilst there are definitely elements of these two genres, I found this book focused more on the intricacies of relationships and the aspects of human nature. Specifically the relationship between Bea (mother) and Agnes (daughter). How living in such a community alters their relationship as their stay in the Wilderness State lengthens and as Agnes adapts and develops into a young woman in this new environment.
I enjoyed aspects of this book however I found the first half to be quite slow in pace as I was definitely expecting more of the dystopian/speculative element. A handful of characters were quite irritating (as I'm sure I'd be in a Wilderness State), but I found the main set of characters to be well developed and authentic. By the second half I altered my perspective away from dystopia and focused more on what I thought the book was exploring, which was relationships and human interactions. In this headspace I was able to appreciate the narrative to a greater extent.
3.5 stars
Adelaide Book Club - December Selection
Highly enjoyable. I struggled with Part One of the book and acclimatising to the Indigenous language scattered throughout, but found Part Two picked up speed and really carried the narrative. I wasn't overly convinced by the ending, it did seem to come together too neatly, although some of the revelations were surprising and not the assumptions I had made as the story took shape at the beginning. I was really captured by and enjoyed the inclusions of Aboriginal totems significant to the Salter family, although they did manage to confuse me at certain points throughout the book. I really appreciate reading Indigenous literature as I'm continually learning more about the long lasting effects of racism and generational violence.
Highly enjoyable. I struggled with Part One of the book and acclimatising to the Indigenous language scattered throughout, but found Part Two picked up speed and really carried the narrative. I wasn't overly convinced by the ending, it did seem to come together too neatly, although some of the revelations were surprising and not the assumptions I had made as the story took shape at the beginning. I was really captured by and enjoyed the inclusions of Aboriginal totems significant to the Salter family, although they did manage to confuse me at certain points throughout the book. I really appreciate reading Indigenous literature as I'm continually learning more about the long lasting effects of racism and generational violence.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Scribe UK via NetGalley.
This is the story not only of Miwako Sumida, but also of Ryusei who falls into a deep unreciprocated love with Miwako; and Fumi, Ryusei's older sister who is all but critical to the story as slowly discover why Miwako dies.
I found this to be a highly enjoyable read. If you're a Murakami fan, this would be one you'd enjoy. There are a lot of similarities with writing style and content but not too similar that it comes across as a copycat style. I quite liked all the characters in the book, especially our main three. They all had rich and layered backstories and they were all developed and written very strongly.
I have seen other great reviews that are mindful of the author's Indonesian-born, Singaporean ethnicity, writing a book set in Japan using characters of Japanese descent during a time of strong discussion and heightened awareness of #ownvoices. As a huge reader and fan of Japanese literature, I really enjoyed this but remain mindful of various facets that have been raised as questionable by other readers.
This is the story not only of Miwako Sumida, but also of Ryusei who falls into a deep unreciprocated love with Miwako; and Fumi, Ryusei's older sister who is all but critical to the story as slowly discover why Miwako dies.
I found this to be a highly enjoyable read. If you're a Murakami fan, this would be one you'd enjoy. There are a lot of similarities with writing style and content but not too similar that it comes across as a copycat style. I quite liked all the characters in the book, especially our main three. They all had rich and layered backstories and they were all developed and written very strongly.
I have seen other great reviews that are mindful of the author's Indonesian-born, Singaporean ethnicity, writing a book set in Japan using characters of Japanese descent during a time of strong discussion and heightened awareness of #ownvoices. As a huge reader and fan of Japanese literature, I really enjoyed this but remain mindful of various facets that have been raised as questionable by other readers.
My first Dovey, and I highly enjoyed it. The story of five dormmates, turned lifelong friends returning to Harvard for their fifteen year reunion. Set over the course of the weekend we travel through different points in time with each character, dissecting their life choices since graduating college and whether they're where they expected to be at this point of time in their lives. As someone who in 2020 celebrates fifteen years since their high school graduation and largely has the same friendship base, I really enjoyed reading this. It was a slow burn but I truly loved getting to know each of the characters - I found it to be a great insight into character development rather than a story held by a rich and varied narrative. A story of personal growth and how friendships expand and change to accommodate such growth.
The blurb briefly mentions the murder of an infamous member of their class (senior advisor and son of the recently elected and loathed US president - Dovey actually attended Harvard with Jared Kushner, so make of this what you will) but this is but a minor plotline. Do not read this hoping for a murder thriller, as you'll be quite disappointed.
3.5 stars.
The blurb briefly mentions the murder of an infamous member of their class (senior advisor and son of the recently elected and loathed US president - Dovey actually attended Harvard with Jared Kushner, so make of this what you will) but this is but a minor plotline. Do not read this hoping for a murder thriller, as you'll be quite disappointed.
3.5 stars.
A heartwarming little book about the joy of cats and their close bond with women. I loved the first half - reading about Alexandra’s numerous cats across her life and how they have each impacted her significantly was heartwarming (and also brought some tears). The book dipped slightly for me with the ‘Cats and Magic’ chapter but it’s easy to overlook with a book that contains so many other wonderful tidbits about cats and their unique relationship with humans.
A story about male friendship as characters drift apart, move, forge new paths; but highlights that the strength of a bond forged in adolescence is one of the strongest connections we'll ever possess.
Written between two specific timelines, beginning with a weekend in Manchester at a music festival in 1986 before moving on to 2017, with both main characters in their fifties facing an intense challenge within their friendship. So many recent releases seem to focus strongly on women, their relationships and the incredible bonds they can form, hence it was incredibly refreshing to read about a male friendship and how the dynamic can alter across the years from one period of growth to the next. At times a heartwarming story, but ultimately a heartbreaking story about the importance of friendship and those we choose to have closest to us.
Written between two specific timelines, beginning with a weekend in Manchester at a music festival in 1986 before moving on to 2017, with both main characters in their fifties facing an intense challenge within their friendship. So many recent releases seem to focus strongly on women, their relationships and the incredible bonds they can form, hence it was incredibly refreshing to read about a male friendship and how the dynamic can alter across the years from one period of growth to the next. At times a heartwarming story, but ultimately a heartbreaking story about the importance of friendship and those we choose to have closest to us.
The third installment of the Martin Scarsden series, and easily my favourite so far. Trust is so very atmospheric; strong gangster, underworld, secret society vibes, set in Sydney post-Covid lockdown. Full of "good guys" and "bad guys" yet Hammer makes it difficult to truly know which is which throughout and I found I was often second guessing myself.
It was very cleverly written and also very fast-paced for a book of its size. I definitely think Hammer has found his little niche of magic and if he continues on this trajectory, I can't wait to read what comes next.
4.5 stars.
It was very cleverly written and also very fast-paced for a book of its size. I definitely think Hammer has found his little niche of magic and if he continues on this trajectory, I can't wait to read what comes next.
4.5 stars.
The Book Club - Kayla's Selection
An incredibly profound story of numerous generations from Asante (Ghana) and the movements that see descendants forced across Africa, through the slave trade to America and the eventual return to Ghana.
The stories of these characters were eye opening as well as incredibly informative (I especially loved the story of H) but as we're only given a small snapshot into each of these characters lives, I found myself not connecting to each narrative as much as I would have liked. I wanted to know more, I wanted more insight into each of their lives, I wanted a character-driven book which isn't necessarily what this book is aiming to give us or to achieve. It's a book driven by country, by race, by what true disadvantage looks like spread across an entire generation of one family which I appreciate. However being the kind of reader that I am, detail wins for me - I can't get enough when it comes to detail. I want to be absorbed. Hence whilst this is a strong and an important book, I finished it not feeling completely satiated.
An incredibly profound story of numerous generations from Asante (Ghana) and the movements that see descendants forced across Africa, through the slave trade to America and the eventual return to Ghana.
The stories of these characters were eye opening as well as incredibly informative (I especially loved the story of H) but as we're only given a small snapshot into each of these characters lives, I found myself not connecting to each narrative as much as I would have liked. I wanted to know more, I wanted more insight into each of their lives, I wanted a character-driven book which isn't necessarily what this book is aiming to give us or to achieve. It's a book driven by country, by race, by what true disadvantage looks like spread across an entire generation of one family which I appreciate. However being the kind of reader that I am, detail wins for me - I can't get enough when it comes to detail. I want to be absorbed. Hence whilst this is a strong and an important book, I finished it not feeling completely satiated.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Scribe UK via NetGalley.
Adelaide Book Club - February Selection.
"Parting ways with someone or something doesn't always make sense, so people often create reasons to be angry and resentful, because it weaves a stronger narrative around the process of letting go."
Set in Melbourne, we follow a young woman over the course of one evening as she gets ready and attends a house party, before leaving said party with a new male acquaintance.
Perhaps attributed to being written by a neurodiverse author, this was quite unlike anything I've ever read before. It was refreshing to be introduced to a character so unashamed in sharing and truly owning their beliefs and their truths (if at times also slightly exhausting). It touched on many "hot" topics within in the media and society over the past 5-10 years (namely Indigenous land rights and rape culture) that many people are perhaps cautious to discuss. I appreciated the vulnerability and boldness in sharing these views when many are quick to 'cancel' and shame others in our current climate. I found the privilege toward the end of the book slightly confronting, but nothing that markedly changed my perspective on the narrative. It's definitely a book that will evoke discussions (a very good thing) and a book that made me consider my thoughts from a different perspective.
(Also, Porkchop sounds like a remarkable cat.)
3.5 stars.
Adelaide Book Club - February Selection.
"Parting ways with someone or something doesn't always make sense, so people often create reasons to be angry and resentful, because it weaves a stronger narrative around the process of letting go."
Set in Melbourne, we follow a young woman over the course of one evening as she gets ready and attends a house party, before leaving said party with a new male acquaintance.
Perhaps attributed to being written by a neurodiverse author, this was quite unlike anything I've ever read before. It was refreshing to be introduced to a character so unashamed in sharing and truly owning their beliefs and their truths (if at times also slightly exhausting). It touched on many "hot" topics within in the media and society over the past 5-10 years (namely Indigenous land rights and rape culture) that many people are perhaps cautious to discuss. I appreciated the vulnerability and boldness in sharing these views when many are quick to 'cancel' and shame others in our current climate. I found the privilege toward the end of the book slightly confronting, but nothing that markedly changed my perspective on the narrative. It's definitely a book that will evoke discussions (a very good thing) and a book that made me consider my thoughts from a different perspective.
(Also, Porkchop sounds like a remarkable cat.)
3.5 stars.