Take a photo of a barcode or cover
733 reviews by:
erinreadstheworld
The first of Ali Smith's seasonal quartet, Autumn, is the kind of book that needs to be savoured. You can't rush it, lest you miss out on a key detail.
The writing is experimental and not every chapter relates to the plot. It's at times chaotic, at times deeply comforting. Dreams and reality become mixed, and much of the book is told through memories and flashbacks.
Autumn, the season, is associated with turning inwards. It's when we shed expectations and parts of our selves. A time to prepare to hibernate or to begin to transition from life to death.
We see this transition through Daniel. He's over 100, on the precipice of death and even dreams that he is dead.
I loved the enduring and endearing friendship of Daniel and Elisabeth, who originally bonded when she was a young child and he was her elderly neighbour. I adored the look at their memories and the ways he taught her to question time, perceptions and stereotypes.
Autumn is noted as a post-Brexit novel so I expected to see more of an exploration of the political and personal remifications of the Brexit vote but this is only briefly touched on. One chapter was superbly done. It shows the contrasting reactions of people on the day the results were announced - from those who were happy, to those who were deeply upset. I wanted more of this!
The relationship between Elisabeth and Daniel, and Elisabeth and her mother are the easiest parts of the book to understand. But there's many, many layers in the book to dissect. Some which you really need to work at understanding.
This is much like trying to understand a Pauline Boty artwork, a little known Pop-artist whose life and art is unveiled throughout the book. Is it a purposeful collage or a mish-mash of things? Do they go together or not? Does it have a deeper meaning? Is it a haphazard jumble or perfectly orchastrated?
That all depends on how you look at it, what you take from it and how long you spend ruminating on it.
Working to understand a book isn't a bad thing. It's just something you need to be in the mood for. I think I've only really scratched the surface and I look forward to following the crumbs in the other three books.
The writing is experimental and not every chapter relates to the plot. It's at times chaotic, at times deeply comforting. Dreams and reality become mixed, and much of the book is told through memories and flashbacks.
Autumn, the season, is associated with turning inwards. It's when we shed expectations and parts of our selves. A time to prepare to hibernate or to begin to transition from life to death.
We see this transition through Daniel. He's over 100, on the precipice of death and even dreams that he is dead.
I loved the enduring and endearing friendship of Daniel and Elisabeth, who originally bonded when she was a young child and he was her elderly neighbour. I adored the look at their memories and the ways he taught her to question time, perceptions and stereotypes.
Autumn is noted as a post-Brexit novel so I expected to see more of an exploration of the political and personal remifications of the Brexit vote but this is only briefly touched on. One chapter was superbly done. It shows the contrasting reactions of people on the day the results were announced - from those who were happy, to those who were deeply upset. I wanted more of this!
The relationship between Elisabeth and Daniel, and Elisabeth and her mother are the easiest parts of the book to understand. But there's many, many layers in the book to dissect. Some which you really need to work at understanding.
This is much like trying to understand a Pauline Boty artwork, a little known Pop-artist whose life and art is unveiled throughout the book. Is it a purposeful collage or a mish-mash of things? Do they go together or not? Does it have a deeper meaning? Is it a haphazard jumble or perfectly orchastrated?
That all depends on how you look at it, what you take from it and how long you spend ruminating on it.
Working to understand a book isn't a bad thing. It's just something you need to be in the mood for. I think I've only really scratched the surface and I look forward to following the crumbs in the other three books.
Manchester Happened is a short story collection by the talented Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi. The book is split in two - half the stories focus on people departing Uganda and moving to the UK, the other half is dedicated to those returning to Uganda.
Makumbi's style of writing is heavily influenced by the oral storytelling traditions of Uganda and are sprinkled with humour. The book explores racism, class and a myriad of harsh realities for those living as immigrants, and it does it all with compassion.
The book is rich in Ugandan culture and language. It brutally and honestly reflects the experience of immigrating to a country where you look and sound noticeably different. Where right from the start people are aware that race and rasicm will be an obstacle they constantly face. It shows the dreams (both dashed and realised) of people who immigrate.
It also explores how you can hold your home culture dear to your heart but suddenly feel like an outsider when you do return to your home country. It asks the tough question, is life really better in the West?
I personally have never moved countries, but I imagine that people who have would find parts of the book that really resonate with their own experiences.
My absolute favourite story in the collection was 'Memoirs of a Namaaso'. It's a story told through the perspective of a street dog who accidentally finds himself living in England and reluctantly becoming a house pet. It's delightfully funny but also says a lot on what can be lost (and gained) when uprooting your life. I also loved the character Poonah and both the stories she appeared in, particularly 'Love Made in Manchester'.
There were some stories that I didn't like as much, and I do think her novel The First Woman/A Girl is A Body of Water was stronger. In saying that, I enjoyed the collection as a whole and appreciated the insights into Ugandan culture and the immigrant experience.
Makumbi's style of writing is heavily influenced by the oral storytelling traditions of Uganda and are sprinkled with humour. The book explores racism, class and a myriad of harsh realities for those living as immigrants, and it does it all with compassion.
The book is rich in Ugandan culture and language. It brutally and honestly reflects the experience of immigrating to a country where you look and sound noticeably different. Where right from the start people are aware that race and rasicm will be an obstacle they constantly face. It shows the dreams (both dashed and realised) of people who immigrate.
It also explores how you can hold your home culture dear to your heart but suddenly feel like an outsider when you do return to your home country. It asks the tough question, is life really better in the West?
I personally have never moved countries, but I imagine that people who have would find parts of the book that really resonate with their own experiences.
My absolute favourite story in the collection was 'Memoirs of a Namaaso'. It's a story told through the perspective of a street dog who accidentally finds himself living in England and reluctantly becoming a house pet. It's delightfully funny but also says a lot on what can be lost (and gained) when uprooting your life. I also loved the character Poonah and both the stories she appeared in, particularly 'Love Made in Manchester'.
There were some stories that I didn't like as much, and I do think her novel The First Woman/A Girl is A Body of Water was stronger. In saying that, I enjoyed the collection as a whole and appreciated the insights into Ugandan culture and the immigrant experience.
Written as a collection of letters, addressed to his illiterate mother, Little Dog shares his memories, feelings and experiences of growing up as an immigrant in America. Knowing that she'll never read his letters Little Dog doesn't censor himself. The good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the heartwrenching and the heartwarming. It's all laid out, in sublimely written prose.
Little Dog tells us the stories of his childhood, spent mostly with his mother and grandmother. We also see what life was like for his mother and grandmother in Vietnam, as he recalls the stories his grandmother told him. We see him as a teenager, falling in love and coming to terms with his sexuality. We see him making friends, losing friends, and trying to find his place in the world.
Ocean Vuong tackles some big issues in a relatively short book. The themes of belonging, homosexuality, poverty, drug abuse and addiction, mental illness, and death are all explored. The book is at once tender and brutal; showing us a beautiful yet biting look at life. It never shies away from the harsh moments of Little Dog's life (of which there are plenty), but there are many life-affirming moments too.
The book feels like a memoir. It's filled with memories and streams of consciousness. The characters feel real and raw. It's a story that feels like it's based on real life. Sometimes I read memoirs and they read like a fiction. But On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is a fiction that feels so personal and intimate that I often forgot that it wasn't a true story. (Although if you read about Ocean Vuong there's certainly parallels to be drawn between his life and Little Dog's.)
If you want a book that will make you feel all the feelings, or if you love beautiful, flowery writing, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous will be right up your alley.
Little Dog tells us the stories of his childhood, spent mostly with his mother and grandmother. We also see what life was like for his mother and grandmother in Vietnam, as he recalls the stories his grandmother told him. We see him as a teenager, falling in love and coming to terms with his sexuality. We see him making friends, losing friends, and trying to find his place in the world.
Ocean Vuong tackles some big issues in a relatively short book. The themes of belonging, homosexuality, poverty, drug abuse and addiction, mental illness, and death are all explored. The book is at once tender and brutal; showing us a beautiful yet biting look at life. It never shies away from the harsh moments of Little Dog's life (of which there are plenty), but there are many life-affirming moments too.
The book feels like a memoir. It's filled with memories and streams of consciousness. The characters feel real and raw. It's a story that feels like it's based on real life. Sometimes I read memoirs and they read like a fiction. But On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is a fiction that feels so personal and intimate that I often forgot that it wasn't a true story. (Although if you read about Ocean Vuong there's certainly parallels to be drawn between his life and Little Dog's.)
If you want a book that will make you feel all the feelings, or if you love beautiful, flowery writing, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous will be right up your alley.