A pleasing two-parter preview for November’s new fiction, the first of which begins with one I’ve already read. I had no intention of reading a pandemic novel, having had enough of it in real life, but then Sarah Moss’ The Fell turned up so that idea went out of the window. Just as her previous novel, Summerwater, spans a single day in the lives of a group of holidaymakers, The Fell takes place over one night during last year’s November lockdown when Kate breaks quarantine desperate to be outside, only intending to be absent for a short time but injuring herself badly in a fall. Moss’ narrative flits in and out of her characters’ heads as the night unfolds. Loneliness, financial insecurities, mental health, domestic violence are all subtly woven through this brief novella along with the background hum of climate change. Review soon…
I’ve also read Jocelyn Nicole Johnson’s striking My Monticello which is set in a near-future, storm-battered Charlottesville under attack from white supremacists. The black descendent of Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemmings, Da’Naisha has fled with her grandmother and white boyfriend, boarding an abandoned bus with friends and strangers and heading to Jefferson’s plantation home where they stay for nineteen days as the city burns. Both Colson Whitehead and Roxanne Gay are fans, apparently. Review shortly…
Timothy Ogene’s SeeSaw takes a very different approach to race as a Nigerian author is selected for an emerging writers’ programme in Boston. Once installed, Frank realises that he and his colleagues are expected to perform duties which only serve to reinforce their cultural stereotypes. When Frank’s expelled for not complying, he sets off to visit his father’s old friend in Nebraska with surprising results. ‘Seesaw is an energetic comedy of cultural dislocation – and in its humour, intelligence and piety-pricking, it is a refreshing and hugely enjoyable act of literary rebellion’ say the publishers bringing Percival Everett’s novels to mind.
I remember spotting Dan Rhodes’ Sour Grapes on social media shortly after Scott Pack announced he was bowing out of publishing. Rhodes’ novel was Pack’s last as an editor and it sounds entirely appropriate. Broad Bottom is hosting its first literary festival, its villagers unprepared for who’s about to descend on them, not least Wilberforce Selfram, known for his bad behaviour. ‘Sour Grapes is a hilarious satire of the literary world which takes no prisoners as it skewers authors, agents, publishers and reviewers alike. It is bound to cause a storm when it is published, especially when the literati find caricatures of themselves within its pages’ promise the publishers. Can’t wait for this one.
November’s short story collection comes from a writer unknown to me, although her daughter is one of my favourite novelists. Introduced by Elizabeth Strout, Hilma Wolitzer’s Today a Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket is a set of linked short stories, many published in the ‘60s and ‘70s, which explore the intimate world of domesticity. ‘Wolitzer captures the tensions, contradictions and unexpected detours of daily life with wit, candour and an acutely observant eye’ say the publishers promisingly of a collection much praised by the likes of Lauren Groff and Emma Straub. It sounds right up my street.
That’s it for the first instalment of November’s fiction. A click on a title with take you to a more detailed synopsis should you want to know more. Part two soon…
An interesting selection so far, I look forward to your reviews and to the response to the satire. I just started watching Call My Agent and I’m beginning to understand the strategic game they play, and the farcical lengths they go to, to seduce the grand players. The subject of looking into the back office of representation seems to be a popular one at the moment.
I enjoyed Call My Agent. Funny while taking well aimed swipes – always the best kind of satire.
Well now, you’ve made me curious about Sour Grapes – I did like Call My Agent (and the fact that the famous actors were good sports about lampooning themselves). And I cannot wait for the latest Sarah Moss, am a through-and-through fan, although I felt that Summerwater was a bit too short and sudden.
Ah, well I hope you won’t feel the same way about Fell. I’ll be reviewing Sour Grapes at some stage. It sounds a hoot!
I still love her work though…
I have copies of both The Fell and Today a Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket and am looking forward to them both. Sour Grapes sounds like it could be a lot of fun 🙂
It does, doesn’t it? Hope you enjoy The Fell as much as I did, Cathy. Keen to read the Wolitzer.
I’m late to the Sarah Moss party, having only bought Summertime last month.
Never too late to discover a fine writer. I hope you enjoy it, Karen
I have meant to read more by Sarah Moss and The Fell (like Summerwater) really appeals.
It’s a very similar structure and works so well.
Like Marina, I had some reservations about the abrupt ending in Summerwater, so I’ll probably adopt a ‘wait-and-see’ approach with The Fell. Moss is a clearly a very fine writer, though – that’s not in doubt.
She certainly is. The Fell has a similar structure to Summerwater but doesn’t build towards such a crescendo of an ending.
Seesaw looks excellent and I’m going to put it on my wishlist. I’m reading a book about Nigeria by Nigerian writers at the moment, too, so a good match for that.
Yes, I really like the sound of that one. What are you reading?
It’s called “Of This Our Country” – I’ve finished it now, a book of essays by Nigerian writers, some of whom I’d heard of and read books by, some of whom were less well-known to me. Review should be out on Friday with any luck …
Thanks for that. I’ll look out for your review.
How exciting to have the Moss in hand already. I’ve just requested the US edition (she’ll be my next focus author, receiving similar treatment to Emily St. John Mandel and Lauren Groff) due here in March. Also love the sound of the Wolitzer collection; I’m sure you’ll enjoy her style as much as her daughter’s.
I suspect Moss’ publicist has twigged that I’m a big fan, happy to sing her praises! Definitely have hopes for the Wolitzer collection.
I have The Fell, though I have still to read it. Hopefully I’ll get to it this month. It looks like one I can squeeze in amongst the other books I have lined up.
You’ll be pleased to hear it’s a mere 160 pages, Janet. Well worth squeezing in if you can.
Sour Grapes looks like fun, although the rest I can leave (phew!). Have to say, I’ve officially given up on Sarah Moss – clearly I’m missing something because I know others love her work.
Wouldn’t it be dull, though, if we all liked the same things. There’s a copy of Sour Grapes winging its way to me so I’ll be reviewing it nearer the pub date.
I like the sound of Sour Grapes – will be waiting eagerly for your review…
There’s a copy in the post to me, apparently
Oh dear, I think I’m going to have forgive Dan Rhodes for the ending of Timoleon Vieta Come Home, and after I swore I’d never read him again! Sour Grapes sounds unmissable.
I’ll be reviewing it next month. Can’t wait to start chortling!
Interesting choices as always. I read Sarah Moss’s Iceland book and An Available Man by Hilma Wolitzer. I love the title of Wolitzer’s short story collection. I can relate to it so easily.
Well, I hope you manage to stay sane on your next supermarket visit! That was my first Moss book. Really enjoyed it.
I loved Today a Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket. It’s terrifically good. You’re in for a treat!
Oh, that’s great to hear!