We’re hurtling toward Christmas, or at least publishers are at this point in the schedules, with several standout titles in November’s preview beginning with a sequel to a novel published fifteen years ago.
Chad Harbach’s The Art of Fielding was hyped to the skies when it was published in 2011 but actually lived up to its billing. The Brightness sees Pella, now engaged to Mike, helping Owen prepare for his wedding, an event at which her own past and present collide, derailing her plans and sending her off on a chaotic search for identity and purpose in New York City with her best friend. ‘In stunning scenes and spectacular characters, Chad Harbach captures that specific, shimmering anxiety of your twenties when life still feels wide open, even as hard and irreversible choices start closing in. Energetic, funny, and deeply human, this much-anticipated follow-up to The Art of Fielding confirms Chad Harbach as one of the most accomplished and perceptive writers of our time’ says the blurb signalling yet more hype, unsurprisingly. I’ll have to pull my copy of the original off the shelves before reading this one.
I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Mary Lawson including A Town Called Solace, the setting for Solace in Winter which begins in 1969 when a grieving widower rescues first a dog then a young man, a draft dodger, from an accident black spot on an icy road. After several weeks in hospital, Chris is taken in by Jack for a long convalescence, overseen by the local policeman’s wife. Happily married, Ellie’s dangerous winter boredom is filled by nursing this young man, concerned enough about his mental health to contact his friend back in New York. Patrick springs a surprise visit on Chris, rallying his spirits until Jack’s daughter Sally arrives, breaking up the celebrations, resentful, jealous and determined to put a stop to what she sees as skulduggery. Lawson’s a superb storyteller, her characters flawed, believable and engaging. Review to follow…
Set in 1980s Kentucky, Joe Bond’s Hope House is also the name of the group home to which teenage delinquents are sent for rehabilitation. All the inmates run away, the aptly nicknamed AWOL being the most frequent absconder. They tell their stories many times, some true, some embroidered, some changing over time as they learn trust. Over three or so years, AWOL sees new peers come and a few go, their ranks far exceeding the permitted ten thanks to Mr Watts’s zeal and inability to refuse a boy a chance. These are young men who’ve been raised in poverty by parents, either incompetent or facing their own challenges, not least drugs, in a society which offers them no real way out. Hope House is their only chance; it’s where they find their family. I enjoyed this novel which manages to be both heartening and heart wrenching, ultimately living up to its title. Review to follow…
I’m very taken with the premise for Harriet Clark’s The Hill which follows Suzanna whose mother robbed a bank with a bunch of other radicals when her daughter was a baby. Suzanna visits her mother every Saturday knowing she’ll never be released. Her ex-communist grandmother and the friends with whom she planned to change the world find themselves torn between teaching Suzanna about the way the world works and shielding her from it. ‘Told with irreverent wisdom and visionary force, The Hill is an incandescent novel of a child growing up between worlds, and of a family broken apart by the desire for change’ says the blurb.
I read Allegra Goodman’s The Chalk Artist almost a decade ago, a bit of a disappointment after The Cookbook Collector which I loved pre-blog. I’ll be trying again with her new one, This Is Not About Us, which sees the Rubinstein family caught up in a feud after a misunderstanding about an apple cake between Sylvia and Helen, both mourning the loss of their beloved sister. Life goes on as does the silence between the sisters, and their children refuse to get involved. ‘Sharply observed and laced with humour, This Is Not About Us is a story of growing up and growing old, the weight of parental expectations, and the complex connection between sisters – a big-hearted book about the love that binds a family across generations’ says the blurb which sounds very cheering.
That’s it for November’s first batch of new fiction. As ever, a click on a title will take you to a more detailed synopsis for any that take you fancy. Part Two in a few weeks after I get back from our latest railway jaunt. Just off to catch the Eurostar…
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What a promising bunch, and how come I’ve not come across Harbach before? A new Mary Lawson is always good news, and all but the last book, which they don’t have in the catalogue, now on reserve at the library. The books aren’t yet there, and in each case I am in a short queue. Which is fine, as I currently have … er … 18 books on reserve.
Mary Lawson’s such a brilliant storyteller. I love her novels. Lots to get you through those long dark evenings on the horizon!
Hurtling towards Christmas and no mistake!
Horrifying, isn’t it.
I really loved The Art of Fielding so I am looking forward to his new one. Hope House also looks interesting.
I’m a bit wary of sequels but will certainly be reading this one.
All new writers to me Susan. Bond’s book sounds interesting, although similar has probably been written or filmed before. I am reading She Who Remains at the moment. It’s very good. Different but beautifully written.
She Who Remains sounds interesting. I read Elvira Dones’s Sworn Virgin a while ago which was the first time I’d heard of the practice.
We haven’t come across Harbach either.
These books sound that interesting for us. We are looking forward to part two.
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Greetings from Bonn! I remember enjoying The Art of Fielding very much so have high hopes for his new one.
Solace in Winter souns wonderful! I like the cover too.
Highly recommend Mary Lawson. This one’s a perfect wintet read.
This is Not About Us was a dnf only due to the audio personality. I associate her voice with Anne Tyler and couldn’t get over that. I do want to try it again in print. I’ll see what you think first, though.
That’s a shame but I can see how it might get in the way. I’ll be posting a review next month.
I enjoyed The Art of Fielding but not sure I have the time to re-read it then the sequel. Or whether I still have it!!
I was a very keen fan so I’m happy to read both despite my tendency to avoid doorstoppers!
I loved The Art of Fielding so very excited about the new Harbach. Allegra Goodman has been hit and miss for me. I loved Intuition, liked aspects of The Cookbook Collector but struggled with it as a whole, and apparently liked The Chalk Artist, according to my review, but have completely forgotten it. Not sure if the new one appeals.
I was disappointed with The Chalk Artist but plan to review her new one. Very pleased to spot the Harbach. I’d begun to wonder if he’d ever write anything else.
So ready for the new Harbach! I LOVED The Art of Fielding and. at the time, heard him speak in Melbourne and he was so genuinely surprised by his success.
How lovely! I was a reviews editor when it was published so practically drowned in a sea of hype which always makes me sceptical but he’s the real deal.