I still have a book hangover.

It has been a while since thinking about a book constantly and grabbed any chance I could to continue reading. A book that will be unforgettable both thanks to its writing and uneasiness it made me feel throughout this reading experience it offered me.

We follow a couple, Norah and Art from the moment they first meet at a restaurant until well into their life journey.   Through a first person point of view we entered Norah' mind and feelings whilst unravelling the consequences of a disaster that has made the world poisonous and toxic; so much that animals are no longer and the soil, water, food is contaminated. Living with purifiers, and the short life spans due to the 'greying' life is no longer how it used to be when Norah' mom was alive. Here enters Eastern Grove, a company seemingly willing to help the situation by merging with the NHS in the promise of offering solutions to be able to continue walking on this Earth.

Caroline Hardaker's writing is unique; reflecting Norah's emotions so beautifully, I could feel all the sadness and loneliness she was overwhelmed with. Extremely well penned by an author who clearly has (or had) a pet cat and is a mother (or has taken care of children she has come close with). I felt every little thing, and though it was a tough read, I kept wanting to immerse myself into this odd world where some people sign off their bodies to a company, owning them whole; even their privacy, relationships, and life decisions.

Some quotes that stuck with me either due to the imagery or the emotions weaved among the chosen words of Hardaker's prose:

'We kept it light, and skimmed dialogue across the table like pebbles across the pond'.

'..he sensed that I was deep in some internal mood-swimming'.

'We split ourselves open and then stitched ourselves together, sharing everything in that parasitical way only students do.'

'Mum had always been the sun and I a body in her orbit, finding my way by her light, no matter how far I'd strayed'.

'It was a relief to let my body fall into that rushing stream without having to swim, or paddle, or fight'.

The book was a mix of dystopian, sci-fi and literary fiction. Melancholic, queasy that will create goosebumps down your spine; and yet you will be hungry for more. This book needs to be seen, read, devoured.

I am incredibly thankful to Netgalley, Angry Robots and Caroline Hardaker for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Awww I really wanted to like this one. I’ve been on the hunt for wholesome mother and daughter relationships but no avail. I know this one is written by a YouTube and well.. it shows.. it started with a promising writing style but got repetitive already at 16% and well. Too much about needing a man not in a healthy way.. I would have enjoyed this ten year ago maybe but I can’t get passed this anymore.

Second book I am reviewing from the Women’s Prize Longlist 2021. 

 

The book cover prepared me for a Greek retelling as I thought it was portraying Pan on the cover but I was wrong. 

 

Piranesi, the main character, lives in the House, a never-ending expanse of Halls and Statues with the ocean flowing through. He works with The Other on their mission to learn the House’s Great and Secret Knowledge. We follow his journey through diary entries and through his solitary writings we discover Clarke’s world. 

 

After reading up on the book title name as suggested by @booksfullosky, it is worth reflecting on the subject of Clarke’s homage on the historical Piranesi, an 18th-century engraver, is celebrated for his intricate and oppressive visions of imaginary prisons. Goethe, it is said, was so taken with these that he found the real Rome to be greatly disappointing. 

 

Clarke succeeds in blending these themes together, attracting at first the reader with the architecture of the world Piranesi lives in, only to slowly bring the structure down through the consequent revelations that hide behind the grandeur of the labyrinth, its statues, staircases and halls. 

 

Only for me the second part felt short. Although the writing kept being atmospheric and eerie, I was not fully immersed and enchanted as I initially was. After discussing it with a friend, we both agreed that it was hard to pin down what felt wrong to us in our reading experience but it seemed that it took away some of the magic which is why it did not end being a five star read for me. 

 

However, I did i like the overarching message, at least how i interpreted it, of being so trapped in a mental state that even when there is a way out and you are offered help to make the transition, one lacks the tools necessary to go back to normal and instead finds comfort in that state even if it is destructive to a third party observer. That becomes even stronger of a feeling especially if a lot of time has passed and that state becomes and feels more familiar and closer to oneself. 

 

Definitely a memorable read, but not my favourite! That being said, I am definitely going to read her debut novel Jonathan Strange which she is famous for. 

 

Two books down from the #womensprizelonglist! 

 

#spoonfulofhygge #piranesi #susannaclarke #womensprize #bookstagramreadsthewomensprize #bookreview #bookstagram #under4k #fantasy #fantasybook 

This book was not (solely) about sexual consent as I initially thought looking at the cover. Instead it explores a variety of themes revolving around consent. 

 

Through the stories of two sets of sisters whose relationships makes an interesting and disturbing character study, we explore that life is not always black and white, but rather grey where morals, emotions and decisions are not always conducive to a life we want. 

 

What is consent in the eyes of the developmentally challenged? What is consent in the eyes of the ones unable to take initiative for their own basic needs? What about consent on relationships (sexual and not) for the ones unable to grasp the holistic meaning of them? 

 

Complicated relationships? Check! 

Difficult to read? Check! 

Morally grey characters? Check! 

Dark writing style? Check! 

Perfumes, scent and fashion as recurring themes? Check! 

 

The first part will be confusing at first glance but the stories weave together slowly as the storyline progresses. 

 

A unique read for sure! 

Trigger warnings should have been included in the book. 

 

I felt numb after reading it. Still am. 

 

#spoonfulofhygge #consent #annabellyon #womensprize #bookstagramreadsthewomensprize #bookreview #bookstagram #under4k #contemporary #contemporarybook #uppsala #bokrecension

I really enjoyed this poetry / prose collection that read like a lyrical memoir. It was warm and cosy and could skillfully evoke a sense of smell and taste which I savoured.  The only aspect I disliked (due to my personal beliefs) was the reference to God. I also hope that the font colour used for this collection would be another as it was hard to read.