Runner-up by an alphabetical whisker is Peter Carey’s A Long Way from Home which follows the Bobs family, who have moved to Bacchus Marsh in an effort to escape Titch Bobs’ overbearing father, and their neighbour Willie Bachhuber who finds himself navigator in the Bobs’ attempt to win the inaugural 6,500-mile Redex Trial in 1953. Carey tackles themes of identity, racism, sexism and Australia’s shameful treatment of its indigenous people, all framed within the context of a riveting piece of storytelling with a rich vein of humour running through it.
Zipping over to France for the next two novels the first of which is Sophie Divry’s Madame Bovary of the Suburbs. It’s always a risky business when an author writes their own version of a much-loved classic but Divry acquits herself beautifully with this story of M.A., born in the 1950s to parents who’ve lifted themselves up a notch in the world. Hers is an unremarkable life – college, career, love, family, adultery, retirement then a fall – but Divry delivers it in perceptive and insightful prose, laced with a gentle humour.
Jane Delury’s The Balcony is set on a small estate just outside Paris and explores the lives of the people who have lived there over the last century, from a young American au pair who falls for her boss to the Jewish couple in hiding from the Gestapo. ‘The stories of those who have lived within the estate have been many and varied. But as the years unfold, their lives inevitably come to haunt the same spaces and intertwine, creating a rich tapestry of the relationships, life-altering choices, and fleeting moments which have kept the house alive through the last hundred years. . .’ say the publishers rather long-windedly but it’s an interesting idea.
That’s it for July’s paperbacks. A click on either of the first three titles will take you to my review or to a more detailed synopsis for the last two, and if you’d like to catch up with July’s new titles they’re here.
I really enjoyed The immortalists. It kept me thinking from start to the end. Glad to see the paper back in print
I did, too. An absolute treat and a brilliant summer read for those having a lazy holiday.
There’s a benefit to deliberately ignoring newsletters and emails from publishers telling me about new books – I don’t get tempted!. But it does mean I feel out of the loop. Thankfully I know I can rely on your monthly posts to keep me in touch….
Delighted to be of service!
Mmm, I like the look of your latest selection, Susan. Unfortunately I don’t think I can squash any more reads into this month’s schedule – but I’ve made a note of them.
Good to hear, Paula. Treats in store…
I really enjoyed The Library of Unrequited Love,so I’m pleased to see a new release from Sophie Divry, it sounds fun!
It’s very different but I enjoyed it very much.