The second batch of September fiction begins with a novel heading straight to my books of the year list. I snapped up Pick a Colour having greatly enjoyed 
A bestseller in France, Thomas Schlesser’s Mona’s Eyes follows a grandfather who wants to share the beauty of fifty-two pieces of art before his granddaughter loses her eyesight, picking her up every Wednesday after school. Each piece is given a chapter as they visit the museums of Paris, growing closer and learning from each other about art, love, generosity and loss. ‘A profound, beautifully crafted novel about the fullness of life and an enthralling guide to the world’s most renowned art, Mona’s Eyes is a moving story about the bond between a young girl and her grandfather’ says the blurb which sounds rather lovely.
Colm Tóibín’s A Long Winter is set in the Spanish Pyrenees where Miquel’s mother has walked out into the snow after arguing with her husband, leaving father and son to fend for themselves over a long winter during which Miquel searches fruitlessly for her. When an orphaned boy arrives to cook for them, Miquel is faced with the reality of his mother’s disappearance but begins to entertain hopes of another sort of love. A Long Winter was originally published in Tóibín’s collection Mothers and Sons, making me wonder if Claire Keegan’s standalone So Late in the Day has set a trend although this one does seem to be novella length.
That’s it for September’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…
Pick a Colour looks appetising: reserved at the library. As is the Colm Tóibín. How could a former resident in the French Pyrenees not want this on their list? Sadly, Mona’s Eyes is not in the library catalogue, but it’s a book that’s firmly on my list too. I agree about the Rooney references. It’s lazy and unhelpful, and often (though I don’t know in this case, obviously) untrue.
That’s a high score! Those comparisons have been a bugbear for me throughout my years as a bookseller and reviews editor. They are rarely accurate and do both readers and writers a disservice.
I absolutely agree, but it’s so interesting that when you’re trying to sell your novel to agents or publishers, the right comps seem to be so important.
I’d love to know how much influence they have on readers. I’m sure many, like, Margaret, are heartily sick of them and how misleading they can be.
I have to admit, I am deeply suspicious of them but they do pique my interest…
I’m more seduced by author puffs although that has paid off well on the whole.
Agreed!
Pick a Colour does sound great; I haven’t read How to Pronounce Knife because I’m weird about story collections, but recall the universal praise! Mona’s Eyes seems like it has the potential to be either a bit sentimental, or great – I’ll keep an eye out for reviews.
I know what you mean about Mona’s Eyes but can heartily recommend Pick a Colour.
Definitely interested in the Colm Tóibín.
I’ve got to read Pick a Colour! Hmm, now I’m wracking my brains to remember if I’ve read Mothers and Sons — I saw my library was acquiring this ‘new’ book and was very surprised it was the first I’d heard of it. How unusual to go that far into his back catalogue.
I know. Unusually for me, I’ve not read it as I think it was published well before I became a short story reader. Pick a Colour is a treat!
Interesting to see Colm Toibin’s new book is set in Spain. He has written about Spain before in The South, which is a very good book.
I suspect this one is from that time given that it’s already been published in an early collection. Seems a little cheeky but it is quite lengthy and perhaps will bring it to a new readership.
I have Pick a Colour stacked up on the Kindle from NetGalley, to look forward to after August’s slew of nonfiction!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Liz.
Pick a Colour sounds unmissable! Novels set over a single day are always appealing.
My high expectations were more than met with this one. A future #NovNov possibility maybe…
LOVE the sound of Pick a Colour!
I feel a little peevish about the publication of stories as stand-alone books after they’ve been included in a collection… I will often buy favourite authors, even when I have unread stuff by them in my stack (have done this recently with Curtis Sittenfeld and have now doubled-up).
It’s superb! And I agree with you about short stories. I hope the Keegan hasn’t set a trend. At least this one is lengthy.
Oh Emm Gee, I am SO excited to hear your more detailed thoughts on the Thammavongsa. I haven’t read it yet, but can hardly wait.
I’ll be posting my review in October but I included on my Booker wishlist which gives you a clue!