Part two of July’s paperback preview kicks off with two superb novels from Irish writers, both favourites from last year. Sheila Armstrong’s Falling Animals spans a year in which the authorities try to trace the identity of a corpse found on an Irish beach within sight of the shipwreck that caught fire a while ago, some say the work of the shipping company wanting to hurry along their insurance claim. Witnesses come forward but details are sketchy. A year to the day after the man’s death, a memorial is unveiled filled with names of those who perished at sea. Armstrong’s novel is a mosaic of often strikingly poetic narratives from those who had connections to the man. A very fine debut which reminded me a little of Jon McGregor’s Reservoir 13 in both its structure and the quality of its writing. Shame about that cover, though.
I was hesitant about reading Colin Walsh’s debut, partly because of the hype surrounding it and partly because it came billed as a
thriller, not my favourite genre, but Walsh is a Stinging Fly contributor which swung it for me. Set in an Irish seaside town, Kala sees a reunion of schoolfriends just before the remains of one of their group are found, unearthed at a building site fifteen years after her disappearance. The discovery of Kala’s body sets in train a series of events that reveals who has been controlling the web of corruption and brutality well established in this picturesque small town. I’m a sucker for the friends reunited structure handled with such skill here. I found Walsh’s novel riveting, a proper literary page-turner with a little bit of The Secret History about it.
Huma Qureshi’s Playing Games follows sisters Mira and Hanna who lost their mother in their twenties. Hana is the eldest, a successful divorce lawyer married to the easy-going Samir and the linchpin of her aspiring playwright sister’s life. Nothing deflects Hana from her life plan until her assumption that Samir shares her determination to have children is challenged provoking a crisis. When Mira overhears an exchange between the couple she shouldn’t, an idea for a play is sparked. Qureshi’s novel explores family and relationship dynamics, themes familiar from her excellent short story collection Things We Do Not Tell the People We Love.
I thoroughly enjoyed Andrew Lipstein’s entertaining Last Resort a couple of years ago, making me keen to read The Vegan which sees a hedge fund manager, about to hit the jackpot, hosting a dinner party at his beautiful Brooklyn home. He and his wife have invited their new neighbours in a bid to impress but when the evening descends into dullness, Herschel pulls a trick which backfires badly. ‘In The Vegan, Andrew Lipstein challenges our notions of virtue with a brilliant tale of guilt, greed, and how far we’ll go to be good’ says the blurb mentioning a ‘sudden connection with a neighbourhood dog’ which I hope ends well for the canine.
July’s paperback short story collection is Tessa Hadley’s After the Funeral, comprising twelve stories about small events that have surprisingly large repercussions, from two estranged sisters pretending not to recognize each other in a hotel to a teenager waking up one morning suddenly aware of her parents’ faults. ‘As psychologically astute as they are emotionally rich, these stories illuminate the enduring conflicts between responsibility and freedom, power and desire, convention and subversion, reality and dreams’ says the blurb, promisingly. I’ve had mixed experiences with Hadley’s novels but I think I might get on better with her short stories.
That’s it for July. A click on a title will take you either to my review or 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. New fiction is here and here.
I really enjoyed Falling Animals. But your other choices are – so far – unknown to me. I’m pretty sure that’ll change though.
Delighted to hear you enjoyed Falling Animals. I’m peeved about that cover. The hardback one suited it so well.
Ah well. You can’t judge a book by its cover. Except … I do.
It’s one of my bugbears. Does everyone a disservice if it doesn’t do the contents justice.
Falling Animals was superb. I did love the hardback cover too, but it wasn’t very mass market which is obviously what they’ve gone for here. I got sent a copy of Kala last year, now it’s in paperback, I will try to read it this summer.
I’m so glad you liked the Armstrong, Annabel, and I hope you get to Kala.
I’ll need to know the outcome for the dog before attempting The Vegan!
I know what you mean.
I’m interested in everything you list here. I also enjoyed Last Resort and will be very curious to see what Andrew Lipstein does next. I own a copy of Kala that I’ve been meaning to get to (as ever!) for ages. And I like Tessa Hadley very much, and keep waiting for someone to offer me a cheap kindle version of these short stories (or maybe I can find a cheap hardback if the paperback is coming out). Falling Animals is the only one I don’t know, but it sounds intriguing.
I was so impressed with Falling Animals. Sheila Armstrong’s yet another immensely talented Irish author in a very long line along with Colin Walsh. I hope you manage to get your hands on a copy of the Hadley.
Oh, I loved Last Resort so good to see Lipstein has a new one out! Kala was SO beautifully written that I found it a bit distsncing.
I didn’t spot the Lipstein when it was first published but glad I have now. I was well prepared for style knowing Walsh is Stinging Fly contributor!
I have Falling Animals noted already from your previous mention of it and Playing Games sounds good too.
Falling Animals is superb. I enjoyed Playing Games but preferred her short story collection.
Falling Animals caught my eye, I shall look out for it.
My favourite of the bunch, Rosie.
I massively have to read The Vegan, which looks brilliant! Thanks for alerting me to this 🙂
You’re welcome!
Oops, I’ve got Playing Games in hardback from a book event and I do try to read the hardback before the paperback comes out!
On your marks, get set… Hope you enjoy it!
I started Kala and stopped, but after hearing Colin Walsh speak so well at Listowel Writers Week, I plan to try again. The Vegan has just gone straight on my wishlist!
I really enjoyed Last Resort and can’t imagine how I missed The Vegan. Kala’s definitely worth revisiting.