Winner of the Waterstones Book of the Year 2020 and the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020, Hamnet is Maggie O’Farrell’s eighth novel. Although named after Shakespeare’s son and focused around his short life, the narrative strand of Anne Shakespeare (here known as Agnes) is much more prominent. She explodes from the novel as a fascinating,Continue reading “Hamnet: Reviewed”
Tag Archives: Books
Lanny: Max Porter
I devoured Porter’s first book Grief is a Thing with Feathers in one sitting, so I cleared an afternoon and settled in. Although I am a bit of a traditionalist in terms of form, there’s something about the way Porter dissolves the boundaries of form that is really accessible. Lanny opens with a barrage ofContinue reading “Lanny: Max Porter”
Absent Presence by Mahmoud Darwish – a fascinatingly undefinable piece of beauty
Described by the author as “a baffling text”, this is an entirely unique piece of literature. Admittedly, it’s quite difficult to grasp at the outset, written in the second person where the narrator seems to be addressing other forms of himself – but the beauty of the language and the phrasing compelled me to persevere. Continue reading “Absent Presence by Mahmoud Darwish – a fascinatingly undefinable piece of beauty”
Amy Sackville’s Orkney – a haunting week by the seaside.
It’s difficult to decide whether the main feature in this novel is the relationship between the honeymooners or the Orkney seascape. This is a novel with a very voyeuristic feel – a nameless young bride with long, silvery hair sits for hours gazing out at the sea. Inside the rented cottage, her husband Richard, aContinue reading “Amy Sackville’s Orkney – a haunting week by the seaside.”
A Journey round Suffolk – Sebald’s Rings of Saturn reviewed
It’s with some shame that I admit I’ve had this book on my shelf for years but only just got round to reading it. Described as an influence by many of the psychogeographers that fill my bookshelves, I was expecting great things. Based in August 1992, this piece of writing weaves history and landscape togetherContinue reading “A Journey round Suffolk – Sebald’s Rings of Saturn reviewed”
Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin: Selected Poems. A Review
This is an extensive selection of poems, many of which feel like the poetic interpretation of a Chagall painting, full of dream-like, surreal imagery haunted by ghosts and steeped in natural imagery such as ‘The Girl who Married the Reindeer’. The earlier poems at the beginning of the collection are filled with references to agricultureContinue reading “Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin: Selected Poems. A Review”
All the Beggars Rising: Lucy Caldwell
Being Various was one of my favourite books in 2019, so I was intrigued to read more fiction from Lucy Caldwell. Enter All the Beggars Rising. Written from the point of view of Lara, a middle-aged woman with a chequered childhood, it’s a story about struggling to shrug off the ghosts of the past. It’sContinue reading “All the Beggars Rising: Lucy Caldwell”
Christmas in Austin: A Review
Centred around the four Essinger family as they descend upon their family home for Christmas, this is Markovtiz’s seventh novel and a typically incisive examination of the tensions in familial relationships. With each member of the family given their own turn at the narrative we get an insight into the conflict between living a lifeContinue reading “Christmas in Austin: A Review”
Big Sur – A Review
Big Sur is the quasi-autobiographical tale of Jack Duluoz who tries to escape his life in San Francisco by seeking solitude in a cabin the wilds of Big Sur. Expecting a lyrical exploration of adventures in the wilderness, I settled down in the dark night at Deetjens on Big Sur with the copy I’d pickedContinue reading “Big Sur – A Review”
Put that Phone Away! Review of Cal Newport’s ‘Digital Minimalism’
Everyone knows that social media is making us unhappy. If like me, you’ve tried to put your phone away, cut down on social media use etc only to fail miserably after a couple of days, you’ll understand the frustration of feeling like you’re controlled by the need to ‘stay connected’. What makes this book suchContinue reading “Put that Phone Away! Review of Cal Newport’s ‘Digital Minimalism’”
Nicola Heaney 