Quite a mixture this month including one from a much-loved author with a long career behind her and two others by writers I’d not come across before.
The novel I’m reading is My Husband by French writer Maud Ventura (transl. Emma Ramadan) in which the narrator is still in the grips of obsessive passion for her husband over fifteen years since they met, alert to slights or any hint of infidelity, and oblivious to their children. I’m on the last of the six days spanned by the book which deserves its Virginia Feito endorsement. Darkly funny at times, there’s a definite sense of menace knowing, as we do, that the husband has told his wife they need to talk. What does he want to say, and what will she do as a result?
The short story collection I’ve just started is Penelope Lively’s Metamorphosis whose overarching theme is change, as its title suggests. The collection bookends twenty-four stories, published from 1978 to 2016, with two lengthy pieces from 2021. I’ve read the first which follows seven-year-old Harriet from 1915 into her eighties in a whirlwind tour of the twentieth century in which she proves herself to be resourceful, talented, bookish and bright, ready to take up any opportunity life presents and create a few of her own. It’s a brilliant start to what I’m sure will be an enjoyable selection.
The non-fiction book I’m reading is Ana Kinsella’s Look Here subtitled ‘On the Pleasures of Observing the City’. The city in question is London where Kinsella lives and works, having grown up in Dublin. I’m about a third of the way through these enjoyable short pieces which range from interviews to observations made in cafes, on the Tube, in parks or simply wandering around the city. My favourites are the seasonal Field Notes, glimpses of other peoples’ lives noticed by Kinsella who is a sharp, witty observer of idiosyncratic detail with a keen eye for a stylish dresser
What about you? What are you reading?
I don’t know when I last read a Penelope Lively. Time to reacquaint myself I think. That snapshot of London book looks worth a punt. To dip in and out of before passing it on to the London Branch of my family I think.
I’m enjoying the Kinsella. It’s quite varied and very idiosyncratic but I like her observations.
I’ve just ordered it for a family-member’ birthday. But I shall have a good old snoop first. Thanks for drawing it to my attention.
Of course! You’re welcome – I hope they enjoy it.
Consequences by Penelope Lively while on train to meet Amanda. And really enjoying it.
There’s a coincidence! Enjoy your day. See you in June.
I keep meaning to read more Penelope Lively so it’s encouraging to hear you’re enjoying her so far.
These are the first of her short stories I’ve read but I’ve loved several of her novels.
Look Here sounds like a lot of fun. I love it when a writer can bring a city to life when you’re not reading in that city! And I was just thinking about making a more concerted Lively effort to fill the gaps in my reading of her (inspired by her recent mention on a BBC A Good Read program, ok, well 2024, I’m always behind with book-listens heheh).
Isn’t A Good Read wonderful? I’ve picked up so many tips from it over the years.
I read My Husband last year and it didn’t fully work for me, although I loved the overall atmosphere. I am reading Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange and Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor (for the 1952 Club) and loving both!
I remember loving Wise Blood, one of my partner’s favourites! I’d say The Husband’s a wee bit too long although I’m keen to know what he has to say to her.
I just finished Tommy Orange’s Wandering Stars and highly rate it. It’s a kind of expansion of his previous There There, which I loved.
I’m reading “Becoming a Good Relative” which is about White settler colonialism, and Kit De Waal’s new novel, “The Best of Everything” which is about to make me cry …
I must read some Kit De Waal. I’m not on social media much these days but I do follow her on Bluesky. She’s sane, warm presence which is otherwise sadly lacking at times.
I have reviewed Kit de Waal’s The Best of Everything in the Irish Sunday Independent this week. It got a favourable review from me.
Perhaps I’ll start with that.
I just had to linger with it over breakfast and I’m about to finish it. My Name is Leon is wonderful and I also enjoyed her memoir. I came to her late as I didn’t think I could cope with Leon but she’s just an excellent writer.
Excellent – I’ll start with Leon, then. Thanks!
I rather like the sound of the Kinsella. I’m rather drawn to books like this.
It’s quite quirky but I like that.
An Irish writer writing observations about London appeals to me. I am a quarter of the way through Messud’s This Strange Eventful History, which was on some of the longlists last year. Jury is still out on it for me. Also reading an old book by Rebecca Solnit, one of my favourite critical writers. It’s a series of essays on the History of Walking, called Wanderlust.
I’ve enjoyed Messud’s previous work, particularly The Woman Upstairs, but her latest didn’t appeal so much, although I’ll probably read it. As a keen walker, I like the sound of the Solnit.
I’ve had that book of short stories by Penelope Lively on my wish list for ages, so it’s a good prompt to read your comments here! I have loved her fiction for years but haven’t read any in a while. I’ve just finished Clare Chamber’s Shy Creatures which I absolutely loved. I’ve also just finished Dirty Money by Charlotte Philby which I did not love. And I’m starting Bookish by Lucy Mangan, which I’m expecting to love. We’ll see how that goes!
I’m enjoying the Lively. Such sharp observation! A shame about the Philby although I remember feeling disappointed with Edith and Kim. Bookish sounds much more satisfying.
Glad the Lively is shaping up to be good – I’ve been thinking I might need to explore it!
It overs such a long period in her career. Nice idea to bookend it with two recent pieces, too.
All three very tempting reads; the Kinsella especially.
Really enjoying that one.
It’s been a while since I’ve read Penelope Lively. I’ve read her older short stories in a collection named A Purple Swamp Hen. It would be nice to read some more.
I wonder if any of those are in this selection. Some go as far back as the ’70s.