Book news, reviews and recommendations
I was keen to read Maylis de Kerangal’s Canoes as soon as I spotted it in the publishing schedules having very much enjoyed Painting Time. Comprising one novella and seven short stories, its overarching theme is women’s voices, either heard or in narrative. As ever, I’ll pick out my favourites beginning with Mustang, the novella, …
Canoes by Maylis de Kerangal (transl. Jessica Moore): Giving voice to women Read More »
Surprisingly few titles caught my eye in September’s schedules, but there are some gems to be found starting with a big shiny one: Zadie Smith’s first historical novel, The Fraud. Set in 1873, it follows Mrs Eliza Touchet, a woman of many interests and strong opinions who, along with the rest of the nation, is …
The second part of March’s paperback preview begins with two novels on an art theme: one I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed; the other I haven’t but it comes highly recommended. Maylis de Kerangal’s Painting Time follows one of three students who meet in Brussels while on a trompe l’œil course. Paula shares her small apartment …
Paperbacks to Look Out For Out for in March 2022: Part Two Read More »
By May, things were looking up on the out-and-about front. H and I squeezed two holidays into three months, beginning with one in London in mid-May and Sussex at the beginning of July, which may explain the number of novellas in this post beginning with Ailsa McFarlane’s Highway Blue. When Cal turns up two years …
I reviewed Maylis de Kerangal’s The Birth of a Bridge back in 2015. It left me admiring but not entirely sure what I felt about it so I passed on her next novel, Mend the Living, wondering if I’d missed out when I read other bloggers’ reviews. That and its art theme made me put …
Painting Time by Maylis de Kerangal (transl Jessica Moore): Tricking the eye Read More »
I’m going to risk calling May early summer which it’s hoped will usher in a degree of longed-for liberation here in the UK, although not too much for obvious reasons. Lots of books to enjoy in the sunshine if we’re lucky, beginning with one I’ve read already. Four years ago, I was sent Jhumpa Lahiri …
I’d not heard of Maylis de Kerangal before I came across Birth of a Bridge which says more about my ignorance than her obscurity as the novel comes garlanded with praise from all and sundry. It also won the 2010 Prix Médicis, adding to several other literary prizes awarded to her. All this is should …
Birth of a Bridge by Maylis de Kerangal (transl. Jessica Moore): All human life is here Read More »