While I’d read none of the titles previewed in April’s first instalment, three are tried and tested in the second batch beginning with the first. I’ve long been a fan of Percival Everett so jumped at the chance to read James, a reimagining of Mark Twain’s American classic, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Everett’s novel turns the narrative around, unfolding the story through Jim, the slave Huck grew up with, sticking to much of the original plot, narrated at a page-turning pace, including Twain’s set pieces while adding some of his own. As you would expect, there’s a great deal of satirical humour in this characteristically smart, funny, thought-provoking novel. Review soon…
Rachel Khong’s Real Americans takes us back to late 1999 when the world was in the grips of Y2K anxiety. Chinese American Lily Chen is an unpaid media intern in New York City when she falls in love with a young banker who can offer her a life of luxury. Fast forward to her son in high school in Washington State, eager to break out of his isolated community and away from his secretive mother to track down his absent father. ‘Real Americans is a family epic about identity, sacrifice, choices and fate. It is a wildly imaginative and profound story of betrayal and forgiveness that asks us how far we should go for those we love’ says the blurb which sounds like something to get your teeth into.
I’ve read and enjoyed several books by Rupert Thomson, each very different from the others. He’s an inventive writer which is what makes me keen to read How to Make a Bomb which sees an academic returning from a conference finding it hard to settle back into his normal routine after an odd occurrence. Hoping to find answers he flies first to Cadiz to visit a fellow academic then to Crete after a chance encounter. ‘Is he thinking of leaving his wife, whom he claims he still loves, or is he trying to change a reality that has become impossible to bear? Is he on a quest for a simpler and more authentic existence, or is he utterly self-deluded?’ asks the blurb intriguingly.
Niamh Mulvey’s The Amendments follows three generations of Irish women, from the 1970s to 2018 when Nell and her partner Adrienne are expecting their first child, a prospect that terrifies Nell. Mulvey’s intricately plotted novel shifts perspectives between Nell and her mother Dolores. Through the experience of Brigid, Dolores and Nell, a carefully nuanced picture emerges of a country which has changed beyond recognition, from the 1970s, when Brigid had no choice but to carry seven children, to her granddaughter’s marriage to the biological mother of their son. I thoroughly enjoyed this deeply immersive, compassionate novel. Review shortly…
Kate Murray-Browne’s One Girl Began has a very pleasing structure. It tells the stories of three women all of whom have lived in the same building. In 1909 Ellen works in a box factory where she forms a close circle of friends. By 1984 the house is a ruin, occupied by a group of squatters including Frances. In 2020, Amanda has moved into a tiny flat in a gentrified conversion, trying to get to grips with motherhood as the pandemic kicks off. ‘Over the span of 111 years these three women will come to haunt one another backwards and forwards in time, each immersed in the ripples of the lives that came before, and each struggling with the same questions of who to be and how to live’ according to the blurb. Very much like the sound of that.
The Start of Something is Holly Williams’ second novel although some might call it a very closely linked set of short stories
or, perhaps, episodes which follow ten disparate characters over the course of a summer, beginning and ending with Will whose partner left him after persuading him to move with her to Sheffield. The overarching theme explores sexuality, gender and identity with empathy, compassion, and the occasional warm-hearted flash of humour. Each character has slept with the next in the chain providing a link between them but it’s their backstories and relationships which grab your attention. Many are lonely or sad, several are trying to please their partners at their own expense, others are heartbroken, but Williams chooses to end her book with a welcome episode of joy and hope. Review to come…
April’s short story collection is by Naomi Wood whose Mrs Hemingway and The Hiding Game I loved, although I think I’d want to read This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things for that title alone. According to the blurb Wood’s stories illuminate ‘the lives of malicious, subversive and untamed women. Exploring failed sisterhood, dubious parenting and the dark side of modern love, this powerful and funny collection exposes how society wants women to behave, and shows what happens when they refuse’ making me all the more keen to read them.
That’s it for April’s new fiction. As ever, a click on a title will take you to a more detailed synopsis should you want to know more, and if you’d like to catch up with part one it’s here. Paperbacks soon…
I’m really excited about One Girl Began – I loved Murray-Browne’s debut.
That’s encouraging! I’ve yet to read anything by her.
I’ve got a Netgalley copy of James and am hoping to read it in the first few weeks of April!
I loved it! He’s such a brilliant satirist.
I’m keen on the Khong and Wood.
Both on my tbr. I’ve enjoyed both novels I’ve read by Wood but Khong’s writing is new to me.
Her Goodbye, Vitamin was very good. Quirky but also poignant (a parent’s dementia).
Thanks for the tip. I’ll look out for that.
A fascinating selection of titles. James sounds well done but it’s One Girl Began that appeals most. Thank you .
You’re welcome! I like that structure of telling a story of a house through the people who live there over time.
I’m a big fan of Rupert Thomson and don’t think his work gets nearly enough attention so looking forward to this new one.
He does seem underrated. I’ve certainly enjoyed everything I’ve read by him.
Same for me! But I’m also a big Percival Everett fan and am especially tickled by the idea of adding to the ideas of Huck Finn.
James is a treat! I love the way Everett satirises racism.
James appeals to me, I shall look out for it.
I hope you enjoy it, Rosie. I’ve a feeling it’s going to get a lot of attention when it’s published.
James and How to Make a Bomb are both in my virtual TBR pile on my Kindle.
Oh, excellent! I can certainly vouch for James and hopes are high for the Thomson.
The Amendments sounds appealing. I’ll look forward to your review!
It’s really well done. Makes you realise what an amazing social revolution Ireland has been through in the past few decades.
One Girl Began and Real Americans stand out most to me. I’d like to read James too at some point but would like to revisit Huck Finn first, too long since I read it.
They both look good, don’t they. James is so well done. A smart piece of satire.
I’ve got Real Americans on NetGalley and Real Girl Began has been intriguing me for a while.
The idea of telling a story through the inhabitants of a single house across time is such an attractive one. I’ll look out for your review of Real Americans.
This is an altogether appealing bunch. I love a linked collection of stories, so the Wood’s on the list. Niamh Mulvey’s generational saga looks good, as does the Kate Murray-Browne. Well, I don’t think I’d turn down any of them actually.
Good to hear, although I have since read the Wood and was a little disappointed. I’ll be reviewing it next month.
My question is: Is the novel James too dark or brutal? I have just been revisiting Twain’s Huck Finn to get ready for Everett’s take. thx
Inevitably, there is some darkness in it and some brutality, too, but it’s offset by Everett’s always brilliant use of humour. I’m very keen to know how this one goes down in the US when it’s published.