This month’s snapshot includes a novel which disappointed several bloggers whose opinions I trust, a short story collection by an International Booker Prize 
longlisted author and a memoir by a museum guard.
The novel I’m reading is Francis Spufford’s Light Perpetual which I started yesterday so it’s early days. It begins with a devastating event – a bomb which fell on South London’s New Cross Road branch of Woolworth’s in 1944. In memory of the fifteen children who died that day, Spufford imagines the lives of five fictional children murdered in the blast through vignettes over the following years, It’s a great premise and I’m quite enjoying it so far although the style is a tad overwritten for me.
The short story collection is Clemens Meyer’s Dark Satellites (translated by Kate Derbyshire) which begins with a dramatic and affecting short piece about a child, poisoned by eating crocuses. Meyer’s characters often live in society’s margins. My favourite, so far, sees a lonely railway shift worker who makes friends with a hairdresser at the railway bar and has her hair done in the deserted salon one night. His writing is quite striking and sometimes unsettling.
The non-fiction book I’m reading is Patrick Bringley’s account of his decade as a guard at New York’s Metropolitan Museum, All the Beauty of the World, which I picked up having often wondered about the work of the attendants at the many museums and galleries I’ve visited. Brinkley took the job after losing his beloved brother when they were both in their twenties, unable to concentrate on his work at the New Yorker. He writes beautifully about grief, camaraderie, art and the occasional joy of watching visitors’ amazement at what they see. I’m almost at the end of his book which I’ve loved.
What about you? What are you reading?
the Patrick Bringley does sound interesting. It’s often struck me what a dull job it is being a guard. There you are surrounded by precious works of art but you can’t afford to gaze on them too much in case you miss an incident. A bit like being on duty in a library but not being able to even look at the books. Refreshing to learn there are moments of joy to lighten the tedium
He seems to have enough time to enjoy the art, not least researching it so that he can answer questions visitors ask him. Not something I do often although I remember a very interesting conversation I had with an attendant at Pallant House in Chichester.
All the Beauty in the World sounds fascinating.
My favourite of the three, for sure.
I enjoyed Light Perpetual, with the caveat that the five characters he choses are all late 20th century issue-driven: a bit box-ticking? Accepting all this, the book is well done and realised and carried me along to its conclusion, a re-working of Psalm 150, which was a staple of my London C of E grammar school days at exactly this period. I’ll definitely look out for the Patrick Bringley. Thanks.
Thanks for encouraging me with the Spufford. I read a bit more this morning and had begun to waver. Highly recommend the Bringley which I’ll be sorry to finish today.
Good to know what you’re reading. I’m impressed you manage so many at once! I’m particularly interested in the Patrick Bringley – I remember reading quite a bit about it when it was first published, so must add it to my list.
A knack from my days in magazines! The Bringley is excellent. I hope you enjoy it if you get to it.
All the Beauty in the World reminded me how much joy and delight can be had even by people in what others might regard as small jobs.
Absolutely! I’m sure that those who do are happier with life.
The Bringley is lovely, isn’t it? I’ve never been to the Met, but I’d like to visit one day. Get the Picture by Bianca Bosker also involves her time working in an art museum, but is more about modern art in general.
I’ll be sorry to finish it. Thanks so much for the Bosker recommendation. Adding it to my list.
All the Beauty in the World is my choice too, what an interesting concept for a book!
Highly recommended, Jane!
I LOVED Light Perpetual! I haven’t been disappointed by a Spufford yet.
That should spur me on!
Three interesting books indeed. I have seen Spuffords books reviewed but not read any yet. Just finished Alan Hollinghurst’s Our Evenings. Really enjoyed it although it’s quite long. Preferred the previous two books of his I have read. Just started Sarah Mosse’s memoir My Good Bright Wolf, early days yet to form a concrete opinion.
Glad you enjoyed the Hollinghurst, Lucy. I’d be interested to hear how you get on with My Good Bright Wolf.
All the Beauty sounds great, hadn’t heard of it before, so thanks for that!
You’re welcome, Cathy. I finished it yesterday. A lovely book!
I really want to read the Bingley.
I finished it yesterday. It was like saying goodbye to a friend.
I enjoyed Spufford’s Golden Hill a lot but am yet to explore his other titles. This sounds good.
I’m close to the end of it now and have quite enjoyed it although some voices didn’t quite work for me.
They sound very good and I enjoy these snapshots of yours.
Last night I was reading (rereading, technically, but it’s been YEARS) Huckleberry Finn, to read James (the retelling).
Usually I read a classic before bed, and it works well, but this one has me questioning that habit, and often going to sleep without reading at all… there are some dark scenes that I don’t remember from earlier readings. Slooooow process.
Best not read dark scenes before lights out, too. I loved James. I’m a keen Percival Everett fan and pleased he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves here.
I have the Francis Spufford in digital form. He’s an author I’ve been meaning to try for ages, and yet hold back on, so I’ll be interested to know how you get on with the novel. The book about the museum guard has been on my wish list for ages too. I’m delighted to hear that you’re enjoying it.
I’ve since finished the Spufford which I enjoyed with reservations. It’s a tad overwritten and some characters are better drawn than others. No such reservations about All the Beauty in the World.