elementarymydear's Reviews (967)

 *whispers* is this… my favourite V. E. Schwab book??

There is something extraordinary about a simple story told by an incredible writer. Gallant is so well crafted, so thought-through, and grips you from the very first page to the very last.

The story follows Olivia, an orphan who cannot speak but sees the ghouls that live around us. The only thing she has to connect her to her past is her mother’s journal, but that all changes when she receives a letter from her uncle inviting her to Gallant, the family estate. When she gets there, however, she finds that her uncle is long dead, and that there are dark goings-on in the shadows.

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From a plot perspective, much of this book is exactly what you would expect. Between the blurb and the cover there aren’t a huge number of surprises, yet Schwab still manages to take us down a route that is both unexpected and familiar at the same time. I’m very particular about my ghost stories, and this is my favourite kind; a simple set-up, an atmospheric tale, and a few dark twists. This was a very character-led story, and the journey the characters went on was remarkable while still being understated.

There are also illustrations throughout this book which are stunning and complement the story beautifully. Just like the story itself, they are simple but effective, and filled with tiny details.

This book has confirmed for me that V. E. Schwab is one of the most versatile writers out there. Her ability to draw you into any story is incredible, her imagination knows no bounds, and her books stay with you long after you finish the final page.

Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with an advance copy for review. All opinions are my own. 

 

Fast fashion is become more and more a part of our conversations about climate change, ethical consumption and equality. In Worn, Sofi Thanhauser takes us through centuries of humanity’s relationship to fabric and clothes, showing how society was shaped by our relationship to our clothing and vice versa.

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This was a fascinating book, and a must-read for anyone interested in the textile industry or historical clothing. No stone is left unturned; Thanhauser takes us in detail through all of the major fabrics used in clothing, the history of each, and our relationship with each. It had never occurred to me to wonder about how linen was produced pre-industrial revolution for example, or how viscose was made. Even things where we feel like we know more about the history of their production, such as cotton, there is so many ethical issues and human rights violations involved than is often discussed.

As well as talking about the fabric production, Thanhauser also talks about how our relationship to clothing and fashion has changed, how the idea of the fashion season came about, and how we got to our designer-led industry today. It’s a fascinating story and she does a brilliant job of telling it, taking us through history and around the world. Some of the topics were explored perhaps a little too in-depth, taking us down the occasional rabbit hole that distracted from the main message of the book, but on the whole the variety of topics covered worked well together to give a comprehensive view.

Overall this was a fascinating and timely read, and you will come away from it with a newfound knowledge and appreciation for your clothes and the work that has gone into them.

Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.