Rachel´s Random Resources: The Girl from Normandy by Rachel Sweasey

 

I love to start my week with a well-written historical novel, and so can you too. A plus, if you love France and subjects inspired by the Resistance against the German occupation. 

The Girl from Normandy by Australia-based Rachel Sweasey, published by Boldwood Books has a dual timeline: Paris and Normandy in the 1940s, when Marie-Claire left behind her half-Jewish husband and son to join the fight against the Nazis, and the 1990s, when Esther is trying to return to a dreamy place of her childhood. As she discovers there an old cookbook, she may be lead to a different trove, the one full of secrets long burried.

I am always fond of books outlining the brave women of the Resistance and I will leave any other book I am reading to discover more real and fictional stories inspired by them. In The Girl from Normandy though, it is much more to explore, especially the ways in which a personal family sage connects with international historical events. 

I loved the weaving of the story and the trans-historical emotional connection between Esther and Marie-Claire. While respecting the time-bounded historical context, Sweasey penned unforgettable strong and resilient characters. 

This book only open up my interest for this historical period and its literary rendition.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Wenn ich nicht Urlaub mache, macht es jemand anderes by Giulia Becker

It´s so much to say about the German sense of humor - some cannot find it at all, it seems it is a mystery well hidden. And some may also say a lot about recently published books with extremely long titles - short words, in a friendly cadence; harder to pronounce than the never ending, longer ones. 

This weekend I´ve marked another - book in German, with long title. Also, with a lot of humour that prompted me laughing on myself. Hopefully, my neighbours will not suspect anything about my reading habits.

Wenn ich nicht Urlaub mache, macht es jemand anderes - in my free English translation: When I don´t go on vacation, someone else will - by actress and writer Giulia Becker just took away all my worries and unhappiness following hours and hours and days and days of scrolling news, not any kind of news though. 

There are short installments, with clear biographical touch, set in Germany, embracing various literary formats - a haiku, or even one or two open questionnaires. Magnified to the grotesque, the scenes embrace our daily consumerism and taste for ridiculous. As a chameleon, the storyteller is moving through events and social contexts, looking to every detail through the magnifying glass. In this light, everything looks gigantesque, out of place, hilarious. This strangeness out-of-this world provokes laughing because there is no other reaction to expect. 

Me, just kept laughing, getting out of my nervous system all the toxicity of the last weeks. From now on, I will read everyting Giulia Becker will publish. It suits so well the contemporary neurosis.

Rating: 4 stars

Houris by Kamel Daoud

Long before I´ve read Houris by Kamel Daoud, the 2024 Prix Goncourt winner, I´ve read a lot about the controversy. I am fascinated by the violent clash between governments and literature, but I am in team literature. But curious to see how governments try to control literature, and expose it.

The ways in which governments are desperately trying to control the narrative goes very far. In the case of Kamel Daoud, French-Algerian citizen, it brought him the danger of being imprisoned if back to Algeria. The long arm of politics can operate as far as it can get: Daoud was supposed to attend recently a literary event in Italy, but due to a recent gas-agreement between Italy and Algeria, he could have been arrested. There is no price to pay for ´national identity´. 

What Daoud put into question in his book is the massacre of civilians during the ´dark decade´ in Algeria: 1992-2002. During the clashes between fundamentalists and the Army, 200,000 civilians died. I´ve learned in the French school about it and I am in awe that after so many years there is still no clear historical agreement about what happened. Especially, when thinking from the point of view of the victims. But, that´s nothing new under the sun: Armenia genocide happened more than a century ago with at least four time casualties and there are still some - governments especially - fully denying it ever happened.

Houri refers in the Islamic faith to the pure women with beautiful eyes - dark, beautiful eyes - that are waiting in paradise to be companions to the faithful. The famous virgins the wearers of bomb-stuffed jackets dream about before blowing themselves in the middle of populated places killing innocent civilians. Is there any reward for the innocent children killed during the paradise-induced detonation? Need to investigate.

The storyteller is a woman, Fajr (dawn in Arabic)/Aube (down in French). She survived a massacre committed in Oran, while playing dead, witnessing the slaughter of her parents and sister. Her throat was sliced, she lost the capacity of talking. A victim without a clear voice. In addition of being left voiceless by her condition as a woman. A woman that should be always kept under control, including when she only wants to offer her services to women - like in the case of the hair salon, opposite the mosque, stirring the (un)righteous anger of the imam next door. She goes on a road trip by herself, to counter her limitations and push away the social limits.

Her life is a retelling of her story, numbers mean more than a mathematical calculation, they account for facts of the past, numbers of the victims, dates, encounters. The narrative line is intertwined, with the past and the present overlapping. Sometimes it is not easy to follow exactly the train of thoughts, but the story follows the traumatic memory patterns, with sudden images igniting vivid re-enactments of events from times past.

The woman character voice in the story is very clear and realistically encompasses the struggles of women, from victims of violences - of any kind - to expected caretakers and submissive citizens. It is a social model that a book like Houris may distrupt. Hence, the institutional hate.

Rating: 5 stars

Random Things Tours: No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done by Sophie Hannah

Who decreed that crime mysteries should not be funny? No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done by bestseller author Sophie Hannah proved the impossible with grace and inspiration. 

From the choice of the characters and the plot lines, this book beats all expectations. Hannah is a complex author, who explored before many aspects of the crime genre and even a bit a horror, but this time it went beyond any creative limits.

Just to keep you interested and curious: we have a furry character who risks to be in huge trouble, two families that hate each other and a village too small for so many conflicts. The crime line of plot is not very clear and I doubted myself several times until the end of the book - full disclosure: all my assumptions were false. The characters are hard to like, they are hilarious, grotesque even, especially the women.

Short story short: Sophie Hannah went again against all odds, pushed far away the limits of the genre and wrote a book that it´s hard to equal. I don´t remember when was the last time, if ever, when I laughed my lungs out while reading a crime novel but it´s always a first time.

If you want to have a completely unique reading experience, use this weekend for discovering No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Compulsive Readers Blogtours: When the Fireflies Dance by Aisha Hassan

When his brother was murdered Lalloo was a seven years old boy. This incident around which most of the When the Fireflies Dance by Aisha Hassan was built is not necessarily explained, but fuels from the background the intentions of the characters and the directions of the plot.

Shortly after, his parents are trapped working hard to pay their debts, and Lalloo´s dream is to be able to help them end their painful situation. But as he grows up and is trying to build up his own life, there may be things happening that will request a decision on his part. He falls in love, learn life´s hardest lessons. 

The world where Lalloo grows up is cruel, unfair and desperately fighting for survival is what keeps people alive. Despite everything though, the characters have a natural way of being human, with all their flaws and shortcomings, but also with hopes and suffering that may comes with. 

The evocative tone suits the best the ambiance of the story, with family secrets deeply burried and a sense of brotherhood and honor that is deeply rooted in Lalloo´s personality.

This debut novel is one of the most emotional I´ve read recently, with a strong storytelling voice that hopefully will be used to tell more stories soon. The tone of the story is clear, empathic and able to convene the emotions of the characters as well as their everyday life constraints. 

Beautifully written, When the Fireflies Dance convenes a slice of humanity and resilience but also of hope, against all odds.

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

A Door in the Earth by Amy Waldman

 

I am always supporting the idea of journalists writing fiction. Especially when they approach topics of high political and social relevance. In some cases, they have the information and the practical skills allowing to reflect through fiction the worries and debates of our times.

Parveen, an anthropology anthropology student of Afghan origin, is returning as a volunteer at a women´s clinic tracing the footsteps of an American memoir. Still innerly mourning the death of her mother, she is enthusiastically trying to see with her own eyes how good intentions can make a difference in a part of the world unjustly accused of being a hotbed for terrorist and underdevelopment.

However, Parveen will be faced with a different, dramatic reality, as she is confronting the assumptions from the book. Soon, she will discover that almost everything is a work of fiction, and her dilemma is at what extent exposing the truth may actually fuel the stereotypes about Afghanistan. After all, the book changed the hearts of many people and denying its affirmations may have effects on the representations of local communities. It is the truth worth assuming in this case?

A Door in the Earth by Amy Waldman reads as a modern intellectual coming-of-age following a predictable logic. All the (many) characters in the story do play a role in the revelation, from Waheed, her host and the husband of the women who died in childbirth, in the honor of whom the women´s clinic was created by the author of the memoir. 

The dilemma of the characters, as well as the geopolitical context is related in an informed way. I do have some objections regarding the course of action - my main one is why Parveen didn´t try to contact the author directly and reclaim her findings, instead of just getting in touch with her teacher with the same aim, who shared publicly her worries. Also, in this case, it seemed that the author did not exist as a real character, except being an author.

What I really appreciated about the book though was the intellectual outline of the story, as well as the empathic yet non-hysterical approach to it. A journalist may know how to tackle with grace such sensitive topics.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Rachel´s Random Resources: Dead Reckoning by Rob Sinclair

Ex-soldier Simon Peake is an ex-soldier in a desperate need of a job. And as always in such situations, the best decision may not be the honest one. He ends up offering his services, and a bit of his conscience too, to an Irish mobster. But as he is trying to accomplish different tasks for his boss, his eyes are also set on the mobster´s niece. And from now on, it can only get better.

Dead Reckoning by best-selling author Rob Sinclair is an adventure in the world of ´no second options´, a world where there is no coming back from mistakes. An ex-special forces with a complicated personal history, Peake is aiming at survival, but life may take him to the most darkest spots.

The book has many violent episodes with a high body count; it is not for the faint of heart, but from the point of view of the character construction, he is playing his role very well. He is so important in the projection of the story, that it is hard to focus on the other characters. 

This is the first book in a new series and as for now, I cannot wait to see what are the next thrilling adventures of the characters. 

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Random Things Tours: Second Skin by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart

 

When Alistar Haston is suddenly informed that he may have a son, he is as expected shocked, but as he is trying to trace the genealogy he may get caught into a very dangerous race of survival. Second Skin by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart is packed with action and very unexpected twists, keeping the reader engaged and curious until the end.

The book is a continuation of the bestseller The Lizard - also turned into a motion picture - but can be easily read as a stand-alone. 

The gripping thriller is enjoyable not only from the point of view of the action, taking place mostly in Greece, the place where the main character witnessed a murder five years ago, but also from the writing style and character construction. 

The beautiful setting may distract you from the intricacies of the story - featuring some spy action as well - as it receives the full attention from the author, playing an important role in the overall setting of the story. 

As a character, Alistar is adventurous, curious but a honest man, who may be eager to meet his secret son. He is the type of person that may assume the consequence of his actions, but acknowledging being completely out of control when it comes to the actions themselves. He may be taken away by his own desires and feelings, not always leading him to the right place. But, definitely, good and normal people will never inspire a good thriller.

Second Skin is a recommended book to anyone looking to some adventurous story set in the beautiful Greece. That kind of action that you hopefully will encounter only between the covers of a book.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources: Once Upon a Thyme by Jane Lovering

 

Natalie Fischer is a shy person, focusing on the family herb farm that she just took over. But the summer just started and until the beginning of autumn there will be many things happening that will completely change her and her life in general. 

Once Upon a Thyme by Jane Lovering published by the prolific Boldwood Books is the kind of book I take with me during a summer trip. Well written, it fills you with energy, without trying to be ´positive´ no matter the literary price to pay. 

I appreciated the slow pace, that give space to the story to grow. Through the farm story, Natalie becomes a past and a history explaining her personality and her decisions. The farm is part of her and she cannot be understood without this background. The revelations that are about to change her life do add another element of surprise to the plot. 

The humour of situations and characters balances sometimes with Natalie´s vulnerability, slowly leading us to the love story subplot. Because, indeed, there is more to Once Upon a Thyme than family secrets.

This is a book to add to your summer to-be-read list. Likeable characters are waiting to tell their story and lead you with hope towards autumn.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Random Things Tours: The Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine

Romance and books, how things can get any better? Romance stories built around the love for books, there are just another level.

Lucy Vine, a book lover herself, wrote a lovely romcom with exactly this focus: romance and books, preferably happening at the same time. The result, a book - The Book Boyfriend - going beyond the usual romcom standard. 

Jemma is a book lover, with a passion for the written world. Also, she loves a specific book Too Good to be True, that she may often read on repeat. But when her beloved library copy is impossible to retrieve any more, the plot moves in the direction of finding who took it away. 

On the other hand, her twin sister, Clara, who just returned from the States, also develops a passion around the same topic, only that in her case, it has to do with a lovely actor playing in the movie made after Jemma´s beloved book.

Both Jemma and Clara will develop their own love stories whose next events are hard to guess until the very end. In addition to the intricacies of the story, those unexpected twists turn the reading into an even more entertaining one. Also, the dynamic between the twins, as two separate personalities, trying to overcome the gaps and misunderstandings of the past adds a welcomed line of diversion to the story, as it makes the characters more human, adding depth and complexity to their individual eatures.

It´s hard not to fall in love with The Book Boyfriend and even harder to forget the characters. It is a recommended summer read for all the book lovers among us.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Compulsive Readers Blogtours: My Husband´s Lies by Maryann Webb

Some of the best psychological thrillers are inspired by everyday life, interactions and...relationships. Nothing special at the first sight, maybe a burgeoning love story, a happy marriage, a bright future...until...boom, an unexpected thunder put everything in jeopardy. Past may be rewritten, present is hard to cope with and future, there is none.

My Husband´s Lies by Maryann Webb is based on such a ´normal´ plot: Aria is in love with Ethan, they got married and life is following its course after a lovely honeymoon. Suddenly, all turns into a curse: Ethan works late, Maryann wishes for a baby but nothing happens so far. And it gets only worse: after a girls´ night out, her beautiful friend Isla is brutally murdered. As the police investigation advances, Aria is becoming more and more aware that the man she loves may be a completely different, dangerous person.

It was very difficult to get away from this book until the end. It has a very elaborated plot, with twists placed when you expect less and unexpected turns of events. This is what one may expect in a psychological thriller, indeed, but in this case, Webb forced the borders of psychological surprise with her game of smoked mirrors confusing not only the characters, but the readers themselves as well. 

Webb wrote series as well, but My Husband´s Lies reads as a stand-alone. 

Rating: 4.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Random Things Tours: The Kismet Pension by Melanie Ann Gilbert

A small conservative Turkish village, Ortakoy, is about to be turned into a (symbolic) fighting arena between two mindsets, two personalities, two ways of life. The energetic Fatma, the owner of the only guest house, and the bold entrepreneur Harun, who dreams building there a fancy retreat. 

The Kismet Pension by Melanie Ann Gilbert - before thinking to start reading the book, just take your time to admire this beautiful cover - is a story of struggle between tradition and modernity, past and future, set in an atmospheric Turkish village. 

Out of all the characters, Fatma is my favorite, for her flaws and struggle, to survive as a woman, small business owner and mother - teenagers, anyone? Her challenge faced with Harun´s ambitions do open an interesting line of thought, leading to more than business decisions. The ways in which the author explores the unseen ways of anger and revenge was very interesting both from psychological point of view and as a story direction as well. For me, it provided very interesting observations that I may keep thinking about in the next days.

The cultural and historical ambiance is reproduced with sociological attention, which helps create an authentic world nurturing the fictional story. 

It was hard to part ways with The Kismet Pension but some ideas will stay with me for longer. That´s the effect of good books, isn´t it?

Rating: 4.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources: Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge by Alison Sherlock

Situated in the picturesque Cotswolds, Maple Tree Lodge was a family business for decades. But following the death of the family patriarch, architect Ben Jackson is supposed to get more involved into the business. Otherwise, there is no chance to save the hotel. Through a game of circumstances, he is joined in the project by interior designer Lily Watson. Two divergent personalities with often conflictual perspectives on how the hotel may finally look like. Will those sparks lead to something else?

Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge by Alison Sherlock, published by Boldwood Books was my second rewarding cosy read of this hot summer weekend. A good choice that I recommend to my readers for their next weekend read as well.

I personally enjoyed the evolving dynamic between the two, as well as the precious professional exchange. The author is well documented and everything related to the design and architectural details felt very authentic and real. The romance though may find its way through the intense renovation works and this is just sweet. 

I personally also loved how Lily was developed as character and her search for home. She is relatable, hard not to empathise with. All the main characters, Ben, his sister and Lily do have professional expectations and self doubts and I love watching how they navigate the complex adulthood maze of decisions.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources: A Perfect Devon Pub by Debbie Morrison

Daughter of over-achieving parents, Fiona felt the failure of not being able to get her sommelier degree. Soon after, not only her self trust will be shaken, but also the long-term relationship with her business partner Rub. As she will have the revelation that ´(...) he didn´t listen to her dreams; they were drown out by his own´ while vacationing in Devon, she will reject his marriage proposal.

Scarred by her courage, but aware that there is no coming back, Debbie may be forced to really start living her real life, planning what she really wanted and not what others may expect from her. Encouraged by her pious aunt Ivy, she starts anew in Devon, and as usual, chance may make things happen, this time maybe better.

A Perfect Devon Pub by Debbie Morrison may be a good written summer romance but there is so much more to it. From the very fine foodie details to the everyday insights and the local ambiance in both London and Devon, through the decisions of the characters and their interactions, we may learn a lot about life, and where it does take us when we trust ourselves and we assume our decisions. 

Also, it sends a kind reminder that a life lived at its fullest may be more than a collection of certificates and successfully passed exams. A note to myself for another time.

The book is part of a 3-book series set in Devon, but it reads independently as well, although it may just make you curious to explore more. Also, maybe to include Devon on your summer travel plans. I haven´t been there yet but I would love to breath the same air with those characters.

A special note as well is well deserved for the pastel cover. The graphic visual part - not too entinced by the lettering though - is an invitation to romance, although the questions about how to reach that romance are still to be answered under the covers of the book.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources: Girls Just Want to Have Sun by Jo Lyons

 

Her mother died, her father is starting a new romance and her career is in trouble. Life was not kind with Connie lately. As she lost her job and has to focus more on her failing singing career, she is sent by her agent to a last-chance assignment in Benidorm - no need to panic that you never heard this name, I did the research for you: it´s a popular seaside resort town on the Costa Blanca. There, she is about to meet a group of funny girls - who want to  have sun, but not only - and an attractive character called Matteo. Yeahh, she promised herself to focus on her career and career only, but why would someone miss the chance in a lifetime...to have sun, of course.

Girls Just Want to Have Sun by romantic comedy bestseller writer Jo Lyons is everything I wanted to wind up the stress of a way too emotionally heavy week. The situations the characters are in, as well as the ways in which their reactions are described put things into a cinematic perspective.

Personally, I liked Connie very much, for her personality, especially the ways in which she interacts with people around her. 

If you are looking to some heartwarming read this summer, in Spain or in your backyard, Girls Just Want to Have Sun is my top recommendation. It may help your tan while fuelling some hot dating fantasies.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Corylus Books Blog Tour: Broken by Jón Atli Jónasson translated by Quentin Bates

 

One of the many reasons I love reading crime novels is because of their connection with real stories and real people. Crime novels cannot be fantasy or creative, they need a logical red line and characters as human as possible. In a perfect world populated with perfect people there are no crimes and sorrow. 

For a very long time, Corylus Books is a delightful oasis for any serious crime reader. The books they pubilshed until now have in addition a very relatable connection to daily crime, corruption and political implications. Exactly the reason why as I love my books and the reason why I seldom read fantasy. Especially their Nordic-related literature do reveal a different, lest commercial version of the daily lives.

My next literary journey took me to Iceland, again. An Iceland less postcard-perfect, nevertheless more real. Broken, by the famous novelist and playwriter Jón Atli Jónasson, translated by was published originally in 2022, but only now published for the English-speaking readership. 

Dora and Rado, an unlikely team, with many dark secrets and flawed, as we all are, are assigned to find a disappeared teenage girl. Rado is a Serbian immigrant with deep family ties in the Reykjavik underworld. Their work together will bring them to some underworld closets too, revealing the diverse structures of the Icelandic society. 

The story is told in an alert tone, short yet impactful chapters, with a strong visual appeal. The author´s experience in theatre is obvious and helps to outline both the story episodes and the characters. Talking about the characters, there are so many of them, with well assigned roles in the story, but part of a well coordinated story. 

A special note for the cover as well, with a strong visual impact.

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Cover Reveal: The TOKEN by Sharon Bolton

Sharon Bolton is a well known name among the lovers of thrillers, therefore I am thrilled to be part of an exciting cover reveal virtual event. 

The TOKEN is her next thriller, to be published on the 6th of November 2025, by Orion. The plot is entincing: sevel strangers are notified that they received a fortune left by a billionaire. But getting rich is not as easy as it sounds: each is given a token and they need to survive a journey that may not necessarily lead to a clear success. 

As the last drafts are still ongoing various editing, the cover is ready and, as expected, it is stunning. I´ve watched for a long time the covers of the books published by Orion and they have everything I look in a beautiful cover: a lettering that suits the story, dynamic photo and overall strong impact. 

My favorite part is the floating waters, threatening and framing the uncertainties surrounding the fate of the characters. Destiny is floating and this image cannot leave a potential reader indifferent. The contrast between the book title, in the magnified format, increases the expectation of what can happen in this book.

Personally, I´m thrilled and already counting the weeks until the book is on the market! Would you not?

Many thanks to Tracy from Compulsive Readers for the opportunity. 

Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman

There are few things that I actually liked about Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman. 

- For example, the cover, a cartoonish brightly colourful appearance that you cannot miss. (This time was not the reasons why I´ve picked up the book but it would have count nevertheless). 

- I hearted that Chani, the voice of the story is not only Jewish but also a journalist, a good writer. It is hard to find open Jewish characters nowadays, but this one really assumed her identity.

- I also loved the sense of humour of  the characters, especially Chani. 

- The articles that were part of the story were very well written. Good openings, attractive catch. It´s a good example of writing in the time of social media.

But...

...there were also many things that I didn´t like about the book.

For instance, the love story between Gabe and Chani, which started with Chani´s almost obsession with the attractive actor, who spans ten years of unspoken love, it´s irritating. When they both met for an interview that made Chani famous, she was not a teenager who fell in love with the Michael Jackson from her virginal room posters. She sounds so delusional, wasting her time with ´The Novelist´ only because her actor crush just got married in Las Vegas, shortly after an interview following a party where she may or may not kiss Gabe; or whatever she tried to do with him or him with her.

The back and forth timeline is even more irritating, as Chani may share some small details from the past, that instead of bringing more light into the story, just makes everything even less trustworthy. It´s like we are guided to believe a story that doesn´t distinguish clearly wishes from reality.

The fact that Chani is the predominant voice doesn´t help the story, as I felt being all the time told what to think about the story, what it is important about it and almost leaded towards the end (happy end). This unidimensionality of the narrative also steals any chance of developing the character of Chani. 

Although we are leaded ten years back and forth, it feels like Chani just kept herself busy with some writing - good - but otherwise kept Gabe in her thoughts. A lot, it seems. 10 years, and nothing else. What a waste.

I did not expect too much from this book, I was expecting some entertainment and sweet romance, but unfortunately no magic worked for me. I´ve read it until the end, but not sure if it was a good time investment after all.

Rating: 2.5 stars

Random Things Tours: The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei

There are debut novels that should be classified simply as good novels. Or extraordinary novels. Adding ´debut´ to their description just may put into question their value which is beyond the numbers of novels the author wrote. 

That was one of my many thoughts after finishing The Original Daughter by Singapore-born Jemimah Wei. A book about sisterhood, deeply flawed family relationships and social dynamics that may distort normal human relationships.

Arin and Gen may look like a sisters duo but in fact they are desperately trying to build themselves outside the other´s existence. Arin is adopted which may make the rivalry even more dramatic, fueling decades of ambition and jealousy. The relationship between the two is reaching high levels of complexity, and we are privy to it in the highly maginified version. 

The sisters´ destiny cannot read independently of their family background, in a Singapore who is changing, reaching economic achievement and a highly competitive social structure. Arin and Gen may struggle to go beyond their inherited modest condition, but do they really have the steady ties to jump from one step of the ladder to the upper one? No they don´t and this lack of direction may damage their soul one day.

This emphasis on over analysis and emotional details may be overwhelming at times and The Original Daughter is not an easy read. It charges the reader, it questions the unfathomable and leaves us emotionally depleted. And it is such a beautiful reading feeling to experience such a literary immersion. Indeed, there is nothing that screams ´debut´ in this book. It´s just literature, good literature.

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources: Death at Fakenham Races by Ross Greenwood

Weekends are my favorite moments for crime stories, because I have enough time to follow the investigations from one end to the other, while during an average working day, I may have to just use my time in-between working assignments.

My choice today was Death at Fakenham Races by Ross Greenwood. Based in Norwich, it is the latest in the series build around DI Ashley Knight, but it can be read as well as a stand-alone. 

Following an argument at Fakenham, police discover a corpse in the snow. As the investigation advances, there are many details revealed that may indicate that there is more to Fakenham races than horses. Some of those revelations may be strong enough to indicate that there are many reasons explaining the crime.

The more we advanced into the investigation the more details are challenging the plot. At the same time, we can also observe the characters and their complex behavior. I was pleased by the twists and also by the ending, although I had little doubts about where the story leads to. Hence, the element of surprise that suits so well this genre. 

Death at Fakenham Races was an adventurous read with a lot of police investigations details. Recommended if you want to spend your weekend in the company of complex characters with a lot of secrets to hide.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

 

Some may consider Sophie Kinsella superficial, consumerist or irrelevant unless you are born priviledged, with a rich - eventually family - support that may help you pay the humongous debts done through random shopping sprees.

Personally though, I see her books from a very different angle. First and foremost, I used to be that kind of girl happy to shop. An activity that used to come with a price tag, and some bank letters about maxed out credit cards. Very often, I was just able to understand the characters. Second, I will always associate her books with a very interesting time of my life: I was working in the most glamorous and boring job of my life, being paid most of the time just to be present, doing nothing. I needed an escape from this and as usual, the escape was offered by books. Books in English that I spent most of the time reading it. Kinsella´s books to be precise.

I have skipped many of Kinsella´s books lately, but her latest time, What Does It Feel Like? interested me for a long time. Inspired by her own encounter with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, it is a fictional story about Eva, a successful writer, whose luck stops suddenly. As Kinsella herself, she is diagnosed with glioblastoma and survives the average of 18 months life expectations while coping with severe short memory loss.

It is a very short read - a novella a bit over 100 pages - which maintains the usual self-ironic and humorous style from her previous books, with a separate note though on fate and facing one own´s death - with a smile. How everything can change from one day to the next, with no further ado. (been there, done that).

Shortly, it says everything one may expect, but felt that everything ends too fast and the story could have had more narrative content. Enough for a short story, a bit too short for a novel.

Rating: 3 stars

The Adivasi Will Not Dance by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar

India is in my opinion very much neglected from the discussions about world literature. A diverse enormous country, with a very dense population and a high incidence of languages, we rarely hear about the books and novels coming from the country. There are so many fantastic authors of Indian origin living abroad, but I want also to get to know the local voices.

I´ve started this new literary project with a collection of short stories, The Adivasi Will Not Dance by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar. The author himself belongs to the Santhal tribe and lives in Jharkhand. Placed in the early 2000s, the stories are diverse in length and topics, but they reflect everyday interactions and situations: from betrayal to love and dysfunctional family dynamics, poverty and unexpected alliances.

The dialogues between characters or the voice of the storyteller give the tone of the entire plot, leading us towards the end of the story or sharing unique takes on characters and their intentions. In between robberies, escapes from poverty and desperate dreams of love, the twists of destiny may change everything or just delude the characters to believe, only for bringing them back on their knees in the most possible cruel ways. 

The tone is very realistic, using local vocabulary and fine sociological and psychological observations. It is a world on survival mood that doesn´t need the priviledge of luxury - either material or time.

Not all story are equal, some may just end too abruptly when we were about to become more and more familiar with the story. Some do focus too much on characters only neglecting the plot, or in some cases the plot takes over the character development.

However, reading this collection, I´ve feel like there is a door towards the many hidden worlds of India, leaving me with a thankful feeling of gratitude.

Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar is a doctor by day´and he writes also poetry and novels, as well translates from Hindi and Santhal into English. The Adivasi Will Not Dance was shortlisted for the Hindu prize.

I am looking forward to continue my ´Indian project´, hopefully opening up new worlds and human possibilities, as well as bringing me more knowledge about the diverse local literary realm.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Rachel´s Random Resources: The Evacuee´s Secret by Deborah Klée

 

It happens more and more lately to fnd myself immersed in historical novels, Either focused on famous characters or eventful timelines, or both, those time travels do offer me right now the right comfort and refuge.

The Evacuee´s Secret by Deborah Klée´s was my fourth book with a historical touch this week, and one of the books I´ve read in one day. 

Louise Pearson has to leave her Yorkshire village on the brink of tumultous events. But she left behind a terrible secret that will haunt her few years later, as she returns after a failed marriage. She may get a secret identity, but her past is there and is about to influence the rest of her life, especially her love life.

This book does not have a fast pace, but has a soothing effect on the reader. I liked how her secret remains so persistent in her life, as most secrets usually do. The ambiance of the village is very well described, allowing the reader to easily imagine the details of the daily life and the inhabitants´ personalities. Small places often do have a strong unique identity and this is clearly true about this cozy Yorkshire village.

The Evacuee´s Secret is a book for books built around everyday people living in off the radar place, nevertheless worth a mention in the history of times.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Random Things Tours: The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak

It is always a great pleasure and honor to read something written by a very special writer. Elif Shafak is one of those writers that I love for their strength in taking the reader on different levels of understanding. Every time when I am reading something by her, I know that at the end of the story I will be a different person, a better one.

The Forty Rules of Love is one of her most read books and it is re-published in a better graphic version outlining the power of books, their inspiration and transformative role.

It is a story of intertwined 1 person account, bridging centuries and different cultural realms. On one hand, we have Ella, a Jewish mother of three, working in publishing, and generally unhappy with her current life. As she is assigned a manuscript telling the story of Rumi and Shams of Tabriz.

The love described in The Forty Rules of Love is not your everyday life story, is the longing for achievement, for spirituality and deep connection. It is about a deep human longing that is going beyond cultures and ages. Before reading the manuscript, Ella did not have any connection with Shams and Rumi, sp far away from the expectations of a middle class American, but reading it she acknowledged a different world. Nothing may remain alien as long as we explore our humanity. 

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Orenda Books Book Tour: Double Room by Anne Sénès translated by Alice Banks

 

How far one can go for keeping the memory of love alive? But, after all, is the memory of love also love? Or it is just a fuel to our failed dreams we keep alive because we need to stay alive?

Set between London and Paris, covering two different timelines, Double Room by Anne Sénès, translated into English from French by Alice Banks for Orenda Books, sounds like a ballet aire and reads like an impressionist painting. For a very long time I haven´t had the occasion of breathing so many different impressions while reading.

Stan is a composer who lost the love of his life, Liv. Starting again, this time in Paris, he wants to keep the memory alive, building himself an AI-machine reproducing his beloved voice - sounds a bit like Machines Like Me but offers a deeper message and as usual when machines are taking over human´s lives, it may take a difficult pathway. But will it be enough to maintain the beautiful memories they created long time ago? Could, after all, science and particularly AI, challenge the ways in which we reproduce memories?

I have so many questions after reading this book, that keep growing as I continue to think about the book, connecting the dots of fiction with those of the everyday life embracing more and more a different level of technical intrusion into almost everything.

The book is also reach in musical and literary references, The Portrait of Dorian Gray and Alice in Wonderland are aptly chosen, echoing the different moments in Stan´s life and love memories. Those references, alongside with the musical reverberations create the unique ambiance of the book.

I´ve read the book in the excellent English translation, but would definitely love to have a look at the French original text as well to better connect with the music of the language.

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own 

Le Gardien de Téhéran by Stéphanie Perez

Journalists can make the best writers, especially when they are able to metamorphosize historical and political facts into unforgettable stories. 

French journalist Stéphanie Perez, with an extensive experience covering Middle East and conflict areas in general, was inspired by the tumultous last years of the Shah Pahlavi in Iran to paint a story of the power of art against the ugliness of the everyday life.

Cyrus is a modest young man, living in the outskirts of Tehran, far away from the luxury of the elites. The Pahlavi dynasty who actively promoted Iran´s modernisation and its opening towards the American and Western culture in general, are living their last days of glamour, more and more disconnected from the everyday reality. People from all strains of life are protesting against the enormous display of power and money in the midsts of a population struggling to survive (sounds a bit similar with the current situation). 

Cyrus is chosen based on his modesty and lack of ambitions, to be part of the maintenance team in charge with preparing the grandiose opening of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, who long before the Louvre Abu Dhabi was aimed to attract art lovers from all over the world but also to show the enormous soft power accumulated by Tehran. An impressive collection covering a long list of artists, from Renoir to Francis Bacon, Gaugain and Andy Warhol (who lavishly visited Tehran) that will be targeted by the newly reinstated regime of the mullahs. Cyrus though will remain when everyone is leaving, a guardian of Iran´s treasure.

Le Gardien de Téhéran is Perez´s debut novel, but it promises a lot in terms of treatment of historical events as well as story construction. Pahlavi´s regime last years are accurately reproduced. A story of Iran, the book is also a story of love for the history of arts. 

What I particularly loved about this book was the choice of characters, each representing different social categories involved in the regime change. Thus, the historical perspective comes to life through a diverse cast of persons, from art dealers to members of the feared secret police Savak. 

In the midst of the turmoil, Cyrus is the one keeping himself in the middle. Not blinded by the shining diamonds of the royal court but not trusting the mullahs either, he is able to clearly understand the dramatic changes that are about to destroy his beloved Iran. A love without emphasis, just deep love. 

Rating: 4 stars

Random Things Tours: The Spirit of the Rainforest by Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza

I´ve read many accounts of rainforest experiences but none compares to the journey Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza takes us to. A Peruvian chemical biologist and conservationist of indigenous descent, she is exploring the rainforest from both a personal and scientific perspective.

The curious scientist is classifying facts and observing trends, while the storyteller is connecting the ancestral dots. This is the unique take of The Spirit of the Rainforest, a well-documented and interesting book that can be also taken as an example of good writing practice for scientific works. 

Science should not overwhelm us with facts, but shall made them relevant.  The author´s passion is well-tempered and balanced by the scientific purpose. But the most important, it takes the rainforest out of the science books and bring us in our own homes as an important part of world´s heritage. Our own heritage that it is important to maintain and acknowledge. 

The book is also a warning: so many cultural and medical traditions can get lost any minute, if not properly documented. The Spirit of the Rainforest is also an encouragement to scientists and storytellers to use their wordings and knowledge to save worlds from oblivion. 

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

L´Alphabet du silence by Delphine Minoui

The ways in which intellectuals react under dictatorships and how power put a strain on freedom of thinking is one of the most important topics I am interested in as a historian of mentalities. Intellectual elites do write everyday cultural stories, once to be part of the national intellectual representations therefore, reading their interpretations and misinterpretations is very important for understanding a country´s psyche.

Delphine Minoui´s L´Alphabet du Silence - in my own free translation, The Alphabet of Silence, or even better, The Unspoken Alphabet - interested me because it deals with a topic not too much discussed in the West - for some unfortunate political and maybe economic reasons too: the state of art of the intellectuals during Erdogan´s long reign. A long reign, as we may remind, corrupts, and Erdogan´s grip on power already has decade-long history. The oppression of journalists and intellectuals, many of them highly educated in British and French universities is a real threat, hence the decision of many Turkish intellectuals to leave their country. A country they love and would dearly miss.

Göktay, the male character of the book, is an university teacher who signed a protest for peace. He is kept in prison, in isolation, without contact with his daugher or wife. The son of a Turkish general killed by a Kurd, he broke the alphabet of silence. His wife, Ayla is going meanwhile through an intellectual transformation. A teacher herself, Sorbonne-graduated, a rebel with strains of purple hair, she will not only start her own curious activist´s journey, but will also inspire change and nuances into the conservative Fatma, a woman who´ve found their cat, with a conservative, pro-Erdogan background.

Besides the intellectual story, this book is also a love story to Istanbul, the city of residence of Minoui as well. Love story for a place where ´le monde entier se donne rendez-vous´, with its rebel spirit, and melting pot of so many different cultures.

I really got caught by the story and the storytelling, unable to abandon the characters and especially Istanbul until the very end. I will continue to read more - in both fictional and nonfictional format - about the nuanced intellectual stories of Turkey, and everywhere else where power is trying to suffocate free spirit. Hint: the experience shows that they will hardly succeed, if ever. 

Rating: 4 stars