Trifolia reads in 2023

Read in 2023

September
25. Affections by Rodrigo Hasbún - 3 stars
24. Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry - 4,5 stars
23. About People by Juli Zeh - 3,5 stars

August
22. Force of Nature by Jane Harper - 4 stars
21. Marzahn, mon amour by Katja Oskamp - 4 stars

July
20. Dunkelblum by Eva Menasse - 4,5 stars
19. Juli by Aya Sabi - 3 stars
18. Het lied van ooievaar en dromedaris by Anjet Daanje - 2 stars
17. Carrefour des veuves by Monique Ilboudo - 4 stars

June
16. The Dry by Jane Harper - 4 stars
15. The Lost Man by Jane Harper - 4 stars
14. The Draining Lake by Arnaldur Indridason - 3,5 stars

May
13. Agneta by Jan van der Mast - 3 stars

April
-

March
12. Embers by Sándor Márai - 4,5 stars
11. A Hundred Million Years and a Day by Jean-Baptiste Andrea - 3,5 stars
10. The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman - 3 stars
9. The Colony by Audrey Magee - 3,5 stars
8. Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead - 3,5 stars

February
7. Vida de Guastavino y Guastavino by Andrés Barba - 4 stars
6. Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller - 3,5 stars

January
5. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan - 4 stars
4. Madame le Commissaire und der Tod des Polizeichefs by Pierre Martin - 3 stars
3. Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell - 3 stars
2 Africa Is Not a Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa by Dipo Faloyin (audio)
1. A Bookshop in Algiers by Kaouther Adimi - 3 stars

Author’s Nationality
(* Reading Globally)
*Algeria: A Bookshop in Algiers by Kaouther Adimi - 3 stars
Australia: Force of Nature by Jane Harper - 4 stars
Australia: The Dry by Jane Harper - 4 stars
Australia: The Lost Man by Jane Harper - 4 stars
*Austria: Dunkelblum by Eva Menasse - 4,5 stars
*Belgium: Juli by Aya Sabi - 3 stars
*Bolivia: Affections by Rodrigo Hasbún - 3 stars
*Burkina Faso: Carrefour des veuves by Monique Ilboudo - 4 stars
*France: A Hundred Million Years and a Day by Jean-Baptiste Andrea - 3,5 stars
*Germany: About People by Juli Zeh - 3,5 stars
Germany: Madame le Commissaire und der Tod des Polizeichefs by Pierre Martin - 3 stars
*Germany: Marzahn, mon amour by Katja Oskamp - 4 stars
*Hungary: Embers by Sándor Márai - 4,5 stars
Iceland: The Draining Lake by Arnaldur Indridason - 3,5 stars
Ireland: Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry - 4,5 stars
Ireland: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan - 4 stars
Ireland: The Colony by Audrey Magee - 3,5 stars
Netherlands: Agneta by Jan van der Mast - 3 stars
*Netherlands: Het lied van ooievaar en dromedaris by Anjet Daanje - 2 stars
*Spain: Vida de Guastavino y Guastavino by Andrés Barba - 4 stars
UK (England): The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman - 3 stars
UK (England): Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller - 3,5 stars
UK (Northern Ireland) :Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell - 3 stars
USA: Africa Is Not a Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa by Dipo Faloyin (audio)
USA: Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead - 3,5 stars

Classics
- Embers by Sándor Márai

Non fiction
- Africa Is Not a Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa by Dipo Faloyin

Hi, I'm Monica, a 50-something historian working full time as an information manager (aka archivist). I live in Belgium (Flanders).
I've been a member of LT since 2010, but initially under a different name (JustJoey4 and monicagovers). This will be my third year in Club Read.

My reading preferences are international literature from all over the world, modern literature and classics. In stressful times, I reach for detectives and thrillers. Although I will not officially venture into challenges, etc., I do intend to focus on African literature, Nobel Prize winners, historical fiction and non-fiction.
Looking forward to a brand new reading year!

Welcome to Club Read 2023, Monica. I can't wait to see where your reading leads us this year (because I'm sure we will end up in some of the same places).

Happy New Year, Monica.

Dropping my star! Happy new year!

Happy New Year, Monica. I look forward to following your reading this year.

>4 labfs39: Thanks, Lisa. Yes, I'm sure we will fish in the same fish pond :-) Looking forward to that!

>5 dchaikin: Thank you and to you too, Dan.

>6 Simone2: Thank you, Barbara.

>7 BLBera: And thank you too, Beth.

I've been gone for 24 hours and look what happened to CR2023. I already have to catch up . I know there is always a lot of activity and excitement at the beginning of the year, but still...
I often struggle to find a balance between reading, reviewing and attending discussions. I'm a little jealous of people who manage to keep that balance. How do they/you do that?

Happy New Year, Monica. I'm looking forward to your reading year.
I've been mostly absent last year and will try to do better in 2023. Happy reading.

>8 Trifolia: I hear you. I love the excitement and chatter at the beginning of the year, but it is a serious impediment to my reading! I find it a little stressful until things calm down, but for some reason, I felt like this year wasn't as full-on chaos as last year. I'm not sure if that is supported by data or just perception. Perhaps because it was my first year as admin last year that I felt more pressure.

>9 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara. I'm looking forward to our renewed meeting here and on your thread which I always liked even before your presence in CR.

>10 labfs39: Oh yes, last year was hectic and I can only imagine what it must have been like for you as an admin. I remember the flood of posts I had to process for Rebecca's tribute. But it was fun too!

1. A Bookshop in Algiers / Our Riches by Kaouther Adimi - 3 stars


Author’s nationality: Algerian
Original publication date: 2017
Author’s age when first published: 31
Written in: French
Read in: Dutch translation
Format: e-book

Why I read this :
In my search for suitable books for the African novel challenge in January, this book caught my eye. It wasn't quite what I was looking for, because I actually wanted an Algerian story by an Algerian author in an Algerian context and the French context therefore seemed less interesting to me. But since France is an integral part of Algeria's history and since I have a soft spot for bookstore books, I read it anyway. The fact that it is a short novel made the choice easier.

Summary:
Based on true events, the book tells the story of Edmond Charlot, a young man in his twenties, who opened a bookshop (Les Vraies Richesses) in Algiers in the 1930s and also became a publisher and champion of a literary scene that transcended borders. His bookshop became the place to be for writers, poets, publishers, students, a.o. Albert Camus (who had some of his first works published by Charlot).

My comments:
In this book we follow three storylines: that of Charlot through fictionalized diary fragments, that of Ryad who has to clean up the bookshop in 2017 and the author who's the voice of the Algerian people.
Charlot's diary fragments are interesting because they depict the hectic pace of the entrepreneur and enable the author to give a lot of information in a very concise manner. But sometimes it was a bit too much name dropping without the necessary context. Ryad's story seemed a bit superfluous to me, but perhaps necessary to complete the circle. Perhaps the most impressive was the anonymous voice of the Algerian people, although it is very limited. However decisive the storyline of Charlot's bookstore is, this is also the story of Algeria, a colony of France that tried to become independent and pays a very heavy price for it.
I must admit that I know very little about colonialism and the struggle for independence. That lack of knowledge is one of the reasons I've joined the African Roman Challenge. Ailthough this book offers no more than a very concise look at a complex and painful history, its merits are that it is well written, it rescues Charlots bookshop from oblivion and it has made me curious enough to explore this topic further, so it does have its value.

Recommended for:
Anyone who likes to read about booksellers or wants to take a cursory glance at a small aspect of Algeria's history.

This does sound good. I, too, love bookstore stories.

>12 Trifolia: that’s a lovely review. Algeria made a quiet appearance in The Colony (on last year’s Booker longlist) and left a lingering impression in me.

“I'm a little jealous of people who manage to keep that balance. How do they/you do that?” - yes, how does anyone do that?

>8 Trifolia:, >14 dchaikin: Monica, if you figure it out, let me know! Happy 2023!

>12 Trifolia: This title caught my eye when you mentioned on the What are You Reading thread. I already have a book on my shelves for Algeria, So Vast the Prison, but I will keep an eye out for this one.

Happy New Year! Looking forward to following your reading this year. (I won’t even try to answer your question about juggling reading, reviewing and commenting on others’ threads - I fell off CR completely last year).

>13 BLBera: Bookstore stories are the best!

>14 dchaikin: Yes, I noticed that book. Noticing is the step right before picking it up and reading it...

>15 markon: I will :-)

>16 labfs39: I'm happy to see there is a wider choice for the African challenge than a few years ago. I read The Last Summer of Reason by Tahar Djaout in 2010 and that made a lasting impression on me. But it was one of the few books about Algeria that was available. A lot has changed since then.

>17 rachbxl: Hi Rachel. I'm so happy to see you here. You're certainly not the only one who fell off CR last year, but you're always welcome here.

Happy New Year Monica! Dropping a star for later...

2. Africa Is Not a Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa by Dipo Faloyin - 4 stars


Author’s nationality: Nigerian
Original publication date: 2022
Author’s age when first published: ?
Written in: English
Read in: Dutch translation
Format: audiobook
Genre: non fiction

Why I read this :
In my preparation for the African Roman Challenge I was looking for some kind of overview of African history. This book came up and while it wasn't really what I was looking for (I can see a pattern emerging here…), the synopsis tickled me enough to read it.

Summary:
In this intriguing book, the Nigerian journalist Dipo Faloyin who was born in the US, spent his childhood in Nigeria and now lives and works in London, challenges us to look at Africa differently. Because, for various reasons, we still use stereotypes and prejudices that are detrimental to the development of this continent.
After a first chapter in which he tells the story of how Africa was divided among the Western powers, he explains why charities such as Band Aid are so harmful, that there is much more diversity within Africa than Westerners think. There is a hilarious chapter about how Hollywood filmmakers should portray Africa to fit all the clichés, but he also explains the variety of African dictatorships and the impact of foreign influence, the link with supremacists, the outrage over the plunder of African art and heritage, he writes about the jollof rice war that Jamie Oliver unintentionally unleashed and finally also about possible future prospects for the continent. The common thread running through his story is the author's concern that Africa is being robbed of opportunities by all those wrong assumptions that drive investors away, simply giving a wrong picture of a continent in full development.

My comments:
The author sometimes rambles on and repeats himself, but it never gets boring. It may be necessary to emphasize the seriousness of the message, especially since Dipo Faloyin writes in such a disarmingly humorous, sometimes hilarious way. I can’t really say the facts he mentioned were unknown to me, but he presents them in a way that makes me think and see things from a different perspective.
I don't always agree with the author and I had hoped he would make more suggestions to improve Africa's image, but Faloyin has already given me a lot to chew on. He has made me think and I accept his invitation to try to stay away from clichés and prejudices when looking at this beautiful and fascinating continent.

Recommended for:
Anyone who’s interested in Africa and would like to look at it from a different angle.

Hi Monica! Looking forward to seeing what you read this year. I know you're going to send me to the library catalogue often...

Hope you can find the lost Agent Sonya on your e-reader. It's not a relaxing book - so many near misses and I'm only in Chapter 8 - but it's really good.

>20 Trifolia: This does not sound like a bad introduction

>18 Trifolia: I read The Last Summer of Reason about eight months after you did. It was probably a book bullet from you. I agree that it was a powerful one.

Hi, interesting books you're beginning with.

>12 Trifolia:

I read this on publication so the memories are fuzzy now--may be worth cautioning that it's not a "cosy bookshop" type of read (in case anyone wonders), it's actually very sad. The past promised much, but the present is one of decay and loss, with remaining books being scattered in the street when not destroyed by the elements in the dilapidated shop. Between the Islamists' prohibition on bookselling and the degradation of education, the very memory of Algiers' one-time status as a cultural centre, let alone one with international aspirations, got lost.

>8 Trifolia: The rush does slow down. I don't try to read everything during the first couple weeks - we're nearly done with the first week and I still have a couple dozen threads I haven't opened. I also don't try to read all the threads - I follow those whose reading sounds interesting to me, or I'd be reading nothing but LT all year. But by the end of the month I should be caught up and able to read all the new posts in not too much time a day.

>22 baswood: It certainly wasn't.

>23 labfs39: Those were the days...

>24 LolaWalser: Yes, you're absolutely right. It's not a cosy book. You summarize it a lot better than I did. But I'd still recommend it as I suppose you also do?

>25 jjmcgaffey: ... or I'd be reading nothing but LT all year...Yes, it's hard to keep that balance. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

I’ll be checking in from time to time, Monica. I’m already behind, but hopefully once I’m caught up it won’t seem so daunting a task.

Looking forward to following along again this year, Monica. I tend to get desperately behind on LT these days, so may do more lurking than commenting.

>26 Trifolia:

Oh yes, I liked it a lot, and just like you went on to read about the historical Charlot.

>12 Trifolia:, >29 LolaWalser:, Apparently A bookshop in Algiers is available in the US as Our Riches because my library has it on order as an ebook. Publication date is 2020.

>8 Trifolia: people who manage to keep that balance. How do they/you do that?
Well, I'm not the one who will answer your question as I've finally opened your thread with a two-week delay...
So Happy new year if it's still in order! And count me in to follow your reading this year again! You've already given me some interesting titles from Algeria I should investigate about a bit more.

>27 NanaCC: So lovely to see you here. Seeing all these threads is indeed daunting.

>28 AlisonY: Thanks for visiting too, Alison. I completely understand.

>30 markon: Yes, I had noticed it was available under another name but did not know why and where. Thank you for solving that mystery.

>31 raton-liseur: Don't worry about being suppossedly late. I'm not exactly that punctual myself and I yet have to want to visit your thread. Happy New Year to you too!

3. Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell - 3 stars


Author’s nationality: Northern Irish
Original publication date: 2020
Author’s age when first published: 48
Written in: English
Read in: Dutch translation
Format: audiobook
Genre: historical fiction
Other books read by this author: Instructions for a Heatwave / The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox.

Why I read this:
I have enjoyed reading several of Maggie O’Farrell’s books so I was interested to read this one, especially since it was a historical novel, it was well received and also won several awards.

Summary:
The fictionalized story of the impact of the plague on the lives of William Shakespeare and his family, especially from the point of view of his extraordinary wife.

My comments:
I have started reading this book in december 2022 and in the beginning I liked it very much but somehow, somewhere in the middle, I became more and more frustrated with this book till I reached the point that I put it aside for a few weeks and only finished it a few days ago. It had all the ingredients for me to like it: it’s historical fiction with true to life characters with an interesting plot. Maybe a bit too sentimental and too drawn out at times, but okay, I can take that. So why didn’t I like it more and why did I become frustrated after really enjoying the first chapters. It took me a while to realize it’s probably due to the format! I actually listened to this book and I realize I became frustrated at the very moment the child died. From that very moment, the narrator’s voice was whining. Every word, every sentence: whiny. This had a huge impact on how I perceived this book. She even whined when she could or should have used a more neutral or even optimistic tone.
So, to be honest, I think the format really blew it for me because I think I would have liked the book a lot better if I had read it instead of listened to it.
I started listening to audiobooks last year and liked the experience so far, especially since it enables me to read more often. It has worked well with a few classics and mysteries but I wonder if some books are better read than listened to. Or is it all due to the narrator’s interpretation?
I wonder if you have had a similar experience.

Recommended for:
Anyone who likes intimistic historical fiction.

I’ve had that experience a lot - books ruined or made worse by poor or overly dramatic readers… or readers who just weren’t to my taste. (And audio samples don’t always help me avoid it.) audiobooks change the experience, and it can make the book better or worse.

Seconded! The quality of the reader makes a huge difference. Particularly if you find something annoying in the way they speak - it is really hard to listen past that.

It sounds like the audiobook ruined Hamnet for you. For me, if I don't like the narrator, I usually can't finish listening to the book.

>34 dchaikin: >35 wandering_star: >36 BLBera: - Apparently, I have been rather fortunate so far because it's the first time I really had an issue with the narrator, but I'll be more careful and less indulgent in the future.

It's rarely a good idea to make big plans when you have a few days off. Reality will catch up with you. Despite my good intentions, I've read less than I wanted to in recent weeks. Here's my brief update.

4. Madame le Commissaire und der Tod des Polizeichefs by Pierre Martin - 3 stars

The third part of a cozy police series set in Provence. In this part, the police commissioner investigates the suicide of a colleague which turns out not to have been a suicide. Especially nice because of the atmosphere and the well-typed characters.

5. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan - 4 stars

I read this little book, actually more of a novella in January and was very charmed by it. Although I actually expected something completely different, more historical facts about the Magdalena sisters, it did not disappoint me at all. It's the story of a man who grew up without a father, is now the father of a happy family and looks his past into the eye by being confronted by a girl in the convent where he has to deliver coal. A bit of an open-ended Christmas story, but very nicely told.

>39 Trifolia: I loved this one. After I read it, I listened to it, and the reader did a fine job.

>38 Trifolia: I have read a few books from this series, but not this one yet.

>38 Trifolia: Thanks for the reminder, I am reading the first 'Madame le Commissaire' now.

Nothing to add, but popping up to say hello.

Hello everyone, I’m back after a long absence due to covid. It was a tough time for me and my family, but we are slowly getting better. I’m still very tired and have trouble concentrating, but I miss reading and participating in this wonderful group.

I managed to read and listen to a few books in the past few weeks: an epic historical novel about a female aviator who disappeared in 1950 while attempting to fly around the world; a cozy mystery with a lot of humor and charm about four elderly residents of a retirement village who solve crimes; a contemporary novel about two middle-aged twins who live with their mother in rural England and have to cope with her sudden death and the secrets she left behind; and a literary novel about a paleontologist who goes on an expedition to find the skeleton of a dragon in the Alps.
Can you guess which books they are?

I hope you are all doing well and having a great reading year so far. I’m ready to get back into the swing of things and catch up with you all. I also hope to post some reviews soon. It might take me some time though, as my brain is still foggy from covid. But don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten how to write!
Take care and happy reading!

So sorry you and your family caught covid. I hope the brain fog lifts soon!

>44 Trifolia: Oh, no, Monica. I'm sorry to hear you caught covid. It figures that my book twin and I would have it at the same time. I caught it around the third week of February, and still feel crummy. I've probably cracked that same rib coughing, and I started reading a "real" book for the first time on Saturday. I simply couldn't focus. Yesterday I had a fever again, go figure. How is your mom?

>45 Dilara86: Thank you, Dilara. I hope so too!

>46 labfs39: Lisa, I’m so sad to learn that you have covid too. That’s terrible, especially since you and your daughter have already had it and suffered so much then. I wish you a speedy recovery and a return to good health. It’s hard to be sick and not able to enjoy reading or anything else.

Thank you for your concern about my mom. She had a mild case and didn’t have to go to the hospital, which is fortunate given the fact that she's still frail from her other treatments. She’s still feeling a bit weak but she’s doing well, all things considered.

I’m happy that you managed to read a “real” book on Saturday. What was it? I’ve been reading mostly e-books and listening to audiobooks because they are more convenient. It seems my energy-levels are not up to par with my ambitions yet.

Please look after yourself and rest as much as possible. I’m sending you lots of good thoughts and virtual hugs.

>47 Trifolia: I'm glad your mom's case was mild. I hope your brain fog lifts soon. I started reading The Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta for the African Novel Challenge. I think I'm about 100 pages in.

I checked if this book is available since I do want to commit to the African Novel Challenge and I might as well read a book with you then but it 's only available in the Portuguese version. I can handle a few languages, but unfortunately Portuguese is not one of them :-)

6. Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller - 3,5 stars


Author’s nationality: UK
Original publication date: 2021
Author’s age when first published: 54
Written in: English
Read in: English
Format: e-book

Why I read this:
I had read rave reviews or mentions about this book (thanks BLBera, Nickelini, RidgewayGirl, Caroline_McElwee, arubabookwoman and I may forget more) and it seemed like a book I would enjoy.

Summary:
After the unexpected death or their mother, the 51-year old twin-brother and sister Julius and Jeanie are left unprepared. They have lived a very sheltered life but now have to face the hard reality that their mother had secrets which have a huge impact on their lives and future.

My comments:
I liked the characters, especially Jeanie, who was strong and loyal. The writing was clear and atmospheric, creating a vivid sense of place and time. The plot was engaging, with some twists and revelations that kept me hooked until the end. The book explored themes of identity, family, loyalty, love and survival with honesty and grace.
However, I also felt that the author was sometimes too harsh or unrealistic with the twins’ struggles. The writing was sometimes too slow or repetitive, making the story drag in some parts. Some twists and revelations were predictable, leaving me unsatisfied.
So all-in all, I had mixed feelings: it had some flaws but overall I liked it.

Recommended for:
I recommend this book to anyone who likes character-driven novels with a touch of mystery and social commentary.

7. Vida de Guastavino y Guastavino by Andrés Barba - 4 stars


Author’s nationality: Spanish
Original publication date: 2021
Author’s age when first published: 46
Written in: Spanish
Read in: Dutch
Format: e-book

Why I read this :
I came across this book by chance on my ereader (KoboPlus-account and I was interested.

Summary:
This book tells the story of two Spanish architects, Rafael Guastavino, a bit of a rogue, and his son, who emigrated to New York in 1881 and became famous for their innovative vaulting technique. They worked on iconic buildings such as Grand Central Station and St. John the Devine, but they also had a complicated father-son relationship.

My comments:
The Guastavinos really existed and this story is based on real facts. But the author has worked his own story around it. I liked this book for its historical and artistic interest, but especially for its description of the father-son relationship.
However, the book lacked some emotion and suspense, making it hard sometimes to connect with the characters.

Recommended for:
I recommend this quick read to anyone who likes historical novels with a touch of art and social commentary, but be aware that it’s an very short and not a very exciting or moving book.

>49 Trifolia: Too bad, as The Joys of Motherhood has lots to mull over. Not a very cheerful book though, the title is ironic at best.

>50 Trifolia: Hmm, this one was in my tickler file, but based on your review I'm not going to advance it up the queue at this point.

8. Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead - 3 stars


Great Circle is a novel about two women trying to find their own way in life: Marian Graves, an adventurous pilot who disappeared without a trace over Antarctica in 1950 while trying to fly around the world over the poles, and Hadley Baxter, a modern film star. who wants to change her life by playing her role in a biopic about Marian. The book follows the adventures and misadventures of both women and a host of major and minor secondary characters.

The book is well written and the story reads smoothly, but my interest and initial enthusiasm faded with each chapter. And even after I finished the book, this feeling remained.

I felt that the book captured the atmosphere and history of the different periods and places in which it was set rather well, but some characters and storylines were not very realistically developed. And there were way too many details, sidetracks and loose ends that slowed the story down. Hadley Baxter's side story was also more of an excuse to tell the whole life of Marian Graves than a fascinating story in itself. So the book was way too long for my taste and could have been shortened more than a bit.
But one of my biggest annoyances was that I had the impression that the author wanted to include sexual relations in all possible forms without really adding anything to the story or character development. Once I started noticing this, I even considered compiling a checklist to see which variation hadn't been used, only to find out a few pages later that it was after all.

While I initially considered giving this book 4 stars because of its story and elegant style, I've since revised it to 3 stars and even that now seems flattering. It seems that where some books score better with me over time, the reverse happened with this book.

I also wonder to what extent the form has played a role in the experience of this book. I listened to this as an audiobook. Aside from the fact that it takes me much (but really much) longer to listen to an audiobook than to read it, I can imagine I'd be skimming through some passages faster than an audiobook would allow. And maybe that skimming would have made me feel less annoyed by some of the elements in this book. But since you can never read a book twice for the first time, I will never be able to answer this question.
Have you already experienced something similar?

I mostly listen to audiobooks in the car, and I haven't been out much so I don't have a lot of recent experience to draw upon. The vast majority of audiobooks that I've listened to in my life were children's books as I carted my daughter too and from school (45 minutes each way). I think there's a way to speed up the playback. Perhaps that would help during the less interesting sections? This particular book holds little interest, unless some of it takes place on Antarctica. I'm just not that interested in this type of fiction. Did you pick it up because it was a Booker finalist?

The attack on LT made me realize I missed you all and the vibe around here. Trying to revive my thread with reviews of the books I read since I was last here. So here goes:

9. The Colony by Audrey Magee - 3,5 stars


This book caught my attention because several of you read it and loved it. The subject and setting also appealed to me. Remote regions, personal and social conflicts and contradictions always sound promising to me.

The book is about an Englishman who goes to an Irish island to paint for a summer, much against the wishes of a French researcher who studies the Irish language and fears that the arrival of the Englishman will corrupt the language of the local population. The small local population of a handful of residents watches rather passively when tensions and conflicts arise.

The chapters alternate with objective and therefore heartbreaking accounts of IRA attacks.
This alternation between the events on the isolated island and the horrors of the attacks gives the book a special dynamic. The dynamics between the main characters on the island were interesting enough and were also partly unrelated to the attacks. The Englishman is there to paint and does not shy away from making certain demands and manipulating the locals. But the Frenchman is also not so selfless and has underlying motives, while the locals are the victim of a situation that they neither asked for nor wanted. Hence the title.

Ultimately, in my opinion, the book is about power and the position one takes in that dynamic, but also about the shadows from the past that have an impact on the present.

I sometimes had the feeling that the author wanted to suggest too much and that the book went in too many directions but it contains captivating passages and memorable characters so all in all I really liked, didn't love this book.

Nice to see you back! Interesting review, but one that confirms my decision to pass on it for now.

10. The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman - 3 stars


Author’s nationality: British
Original publication date: 2022
Written in: English
Read in: English
Format: e-book

Why I read this :
I read and enjoyed the first two books in this series (Thursday Murder Club) so when I needed something light during my covid-infection, this was an obvious choice.

Summary:
The Thursday Murder Club is determined to solve the murder of a television star whose body has never been found. In between, one of the members must make sure to kill an old opponent if she doesn't want to be killed herself.

My comments:
The plot lines are far-fetched to say the least. But the characters are so wonderful and the situations and dialogues so hilarious that it was a pleasure to read this book. Not high-quality literature, but still a few hours of pure entertainment.

Recommended for:
Recommended for anyone who needs a break and enjoys a light-hearted detective novel.

11. A Hundred Million Years and a Day by Jean-Baptiste Andrea - 3,5 stars


It seems I have a craving for books set in the mountains. Or is it the desolate aspect that appeals to me? I haven't quite figured it out yet. The brief content of this book immediately appealed to me: an elderly paleontologist hears the rumor that a unique dinosaur fossil is hidden somewhere in a glacier in the Dolomites and sets up an expedition to find it. Together with a former student, his companion and a guide, they spend a summer searching in a harsh and inhospitable landscape. Ultimately it becomes a race against time, against the elements and against themselves. And in doing so, boundaries are crossed.
This book is more than just an adventure story in the high mountains. It is above all the character study of a man who wants to deal with his past and is willing to pay a high price for it. The story is beautifully written and the main character's battle with his own demons is well developed. Still, it was just a bit too theatrical for me to consider it a brilliant book. Or the wrong book at the wrong time?

>58 Trifolia: Even the title is theatrical, lol. Otherwise sounds interesting.

I’ve been finding myself drawn to books set in the mountains recently too. I want to say it’s coincidental in my case, but at the same time I wonder if there isn’t some subconscious choice being made - some yearning for the permanence of the mountains and their majestic beauty. And yes, the desolate aspect, as you say.

As for the Thursday Murder Club books, I couldn’t agree more! The plots are preposterous, the characters are impossible (I wish they existed, though), they don’t have much literary merit…and at times over the last few months when I’ve needed a pick-me-up they have hit the spot perfectly.

>59 labfs39: - You might like this one, Lisa.

>60 rachbxl: - My thoughts exactly.

Ok, I've been thinking about this for a long time. I have an idea that I would like to share with you and ask your opinion on. It's a project I've called Book Focus and it aims to make our reading experience on Club Read even richer and more engaging.

The idea is simple: if you want to discuss a book, you start a thread for that specific book. In that thread you can provide your own analysis, interpretation, and appreciation of the book, and invite others to join in. This way we can have an in-depth and lengthy conversation about a book that interests us.

Why Book Focus? This idea arose from the observation that many interesting books are discussed in different threads, but information is often lost, either because not everyone reads all the threads, or because all information is archived after a year anyway. Some readers read a book that other readers had already read and discussed years earlier, but those readers do not always find each other. Book Focus can be a way for readers to comment on a book over time, without time limits.

Book Focus could be organized as a kind of annual spin-off of Club Read. It is of course not the intention to detract from the personal conversations. On the contrary, you could, for example, choose to give favorite books their own place on Book Focus, so that they receive more attention in a time-independent place. Book Focus would be a way to bundle all these reading experiences per book and share them with each other.

Book Focus would not be bound by a time limit. You can start a discussion about a book you want to discuss at any time, regardless of when you read it or when it was published. You can also reply to an existing thread at any time, regardless of how old it is or how many replies there are already. Book Focus would therefore be a dynamic and flexible project.

Book Focus would mainly focus on the type of books that Club Read members read, but in principle there is no restriction on this. The most important thing is that you are willing to share your thoughts and listen to those of others.

I would like to create Book Focus because I would like to be able to continue talking about a book over the years, regardless of when someone reads a book. This allows for interaction between readers over the years and keeps the focus on the book, unlike group readings and challenges that have a limited scope in time.

But this is just my idea. I already have a number of ideas about how everything can be set up, but everything depends on whether there is interest. My idea is to create a cross-annual spin-off of Club Read (Club Read Book Focus) that will run alongside the annual Club Reads. I'd like to know what you think. Would you like to participate in Book Focus? Would you like a project like this on Club Read? I look forward to hearing your comments.

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

>62 Trifolia: Interesting. This has happened periodically when people agree to focus on a book (group reads), or when a book generates a lot of talk. I remember doing Five Days at Memorial and participating in one on The Master and the Margarita, but that was a loonnggg time ago. I would be game for some books, but not all the books I read. Sometimes it would be really nice to have a place to go to discuss a particular book that I have questions about, for instance, but maybe also reaching beyond CR members. Why don't you copy and paste your message to the CR message board, and see if you reach more people for their opinions?

>63 labfs39: Thank you for your feedback. I would not add all the books I read either, just the ones that stand out and/or that are really worth a discussion for one reason or another.

I'll take your advice and paste my message on the message board.

>65 markon: I can think of one title I'd like to do this for right now! I'm not sure how cross talk would work in time, because you'd have to keep the book starred to know when someone wrote on the thread, but I think it would be worth trying.

>62 Trifolia: I like the idea. As Lisa says, not for systematic use but when I read something I want to chat more about - why not?

I always like a focused book conversation.

Thank you all for your reactions. I've posted a poll on the Message Board to find the best way to organize this. You can find this here

12. Embers by Sándor Márai - 4,5 stars


Embers is an enthralling story about friendship, love, betrayal and revenge, set in the early twentieth century in ancient Hungary. The book begins with a letter from Konrád, an old friend of General Henrik, announcing his arrival after more than four decades. Henrik and Konrád were inseparable as boys, but their friendship was broken by a dramatic event involving Henrik's wife Krisztina. The meeting between the two men is an exciting and painful duel, in which they confront each other with their past and their secrets.

Márai writes with a beautiful style, full of subtle psychological insights and poetic images. He knows how to capture the atmosphere of the dilapidated castle where Henrik lives and the time in which the story takes place. He shows how the old aristocratic world is succumbing to the changes of modern times. He also shows how human passions and emotions are timeless, and how they can enrich or destroy lives.

Just a personal thought: the story is told from the perspective of Henrik, the general who sees his old friend Konrád again. But what does Konrád think about their friendship, their breakup and their reunion? What has he been feeling all these years? It would be interesting to hear his inner voice, because the narrative perspective raises more questions than answers. However, this does not detract from the intrinsic beauty of this book (on the contrary), which tells a compelling and moving story about human nature. Highly recommended if you like this sort of introspectieve literature.

13. Agneta by Jan van der Mast - 3 stars


Agneta is a fascinating historical novel about the life of Agneta van Marken-Matthes, the wife of Jacques van Marken, the eccentric and sickly founder of the Dutch Yeast and Spirit Factory in Delft. The book is based on true facts and documents, which the author Jan van der Mast has consulted. He tells the story of Agneta, who, together with her husband, pursued a social ideal: the Agneta Park, a garden village with workers' houses, where they also lived. Agneta was childless but was called the 'park mother' because she cared about the well-being of the workers and their families.

The book revolves around the shocking discovery that Jacques has had a secret relationship for years with another woman, with whom he also has children. Agneta decides to meet the mistress and makes a brave and unusual decision: after the untimely death of the mother, she takes the children into her family. In this way she tries to remain true to herself and to her husband, despite his betrayal.

Jan van der Mast has written a beautiful portrait of Agneta, who was a strong and progressive woman. Yet Agneta is a product and victim of her time, which was full of ideals. He shows how she dealt with the challenges and contradictions of her time: class society, the industrial revolution, women's emancipation.

This book balances between historical fiction and non-fiction. Although the author has based himself on facts, he has put them into a novel form. And that is sometimes problematic because that choice simply gives the author less margin to elaborate than in a real historical novel. But all in all a remarkable story from an interesting period of history.

ETF touchstone

14. The Draining Lake by Arnaldur Indridason - 3,5 stars


In June I apparently only read thrillers. The first was from an author I already enjoyed reading in the pre-LT era.

The Draining Lake is an exciting and atmospheric thriller set in Iceland and East Germany during the Cold War. The story begins with the discovery of a skeleton in a lake that empties after an earthquake. The skeleton is tied to an old radio transmitter with Russian inscriptions. Inspector Erlendur and his colleagues investigate and end up in a web of espionage, betrayal and love.

The book alternates between the present and the past, where we follow the lives of some Icelandic students who were sent to study in East Germany in the 1950s. One of them disappeared without a trace and his friends suspected that he was involved in secret activities. Erlendur tries to find out the truth, while also struggling with his own personal problems.

The writer knows how to captivate the reader with his smooth style, his well-developed characters and his clever plot. He also paints a vivid picture of life in Iceland and East Germany, with an eye for historical and cultural detail.

I enjoyed reading this book, especially because it brought to my attention an aspect of Icelandic history that was unknown to me.
I did notice that although this book was still very readable, it also felt a bit dated. I wondered if it was the books or myself. After reading the books I will discuss next, I suspect the former.

>71 Trifolia: This one is going straight to my wishlist! :) The first Indridason I read was Silence of the Grave and I loved it, and particularly the fact that it mixed stories from the present and the past. I have read a few others by him since, but did not enjoy them as much. This one seems to have the ingredients I really like.

BTW I enjoyed reading your reviews even if I had no comments.

15. The Lost Man by Jane Harper - 4 stars


The Lost Man is a compelling and mysterious thriller set in the remote outback of Queensland, Australia. The story revolves around the Bright family, which consists of three brothers who each own a large livestock farm. When the middle brother, Cameron, is found dead near an old gravestone in the desert, there are no clear clues to what happened. Did he commit suicide, was he murdered, or did he fall victim to the merciless heat?

The eldest brother, Nathan, tries to find out the truth together with his son Xander and his youngest brother Bub. He returns to Cameron's house, where he is confronted by his sister-in-law Ilse, his nieces Lo and Sophie, his mother Liz, his uncle Harry and two backpackers who worked for Cameron. Nathan soon discovers that there are many secrets and lies behind the family's facade. He also has to deal with his own past, which has alienated him from his ex-wife and those around him.

The author captivates the reader with her flowing style, her well-developed characters and her ingenious plot. She also paints a vivid picture of life in the outback, with an eye for historical and cultural detail. The atmosphere is sometimes oppressive, sometimes moving, but always compelling.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys crime fiction.

>72 chlorine: - Hi, I have read eight of the eleven books in this series and apparently, I gave Silence of the Grave 4stars and the others 2,5 to 3,5 stars. But as I mentioned earlier, this one is a bit dated but recommended.

Somehow, your name sounds familiar although I don't think we've "met" on LT? Anyway, thanks for visiting and nice to meet you.

16. The Dry by Jane Harper - 4 stars


I rarely read two books by the same author in a row. It shows how much this author has fascinated me.

The Dry is an exciting and atmospheric thriller set in a drought-stricken Australian city. The main character is Aaron Falk, a financial detective who returns to his hometown of Kiewarra for the funeral of his childhood friend Luke Hadler. Luke is suspected of killing his wife and son and then committing suicide, but his parents ask Falk to investigate the case. Falk agrees, but is soon confronted with the hostility of the villagers, who still suspect him of killing another girl twenty years ago. Together with a local police chief, Falk tries to discover the truth about the deaths of the Hadlers, but also about his own past.

Jane Harper captivates the reader from the start with her excellent writing style, her vivid descriptions of the barren landscape and her believable characters. She slowly builds up the tension and occasionally shows flashbacks to the youth of Falk and his friends, so that the pieces of the puzzle slowly fall into place. The plot is well developed and contains a number of surprising twists. The book also gives an interesting picture of life in a small community struggling with the consequences of climate change, economic crisis and social pressure.

I read this book during a local heat wave, which somehow added to the experience. Highly recommended (the book, not the heat wave).

17. Carrefour des veuves by Monique Ilboudo - 4 stars


Carrefour des veuves (Widows' Crossroads) by Monique Ilboudo is a moving and topical story about the consequences of terrorism in the Sahel. The book follows the life of Tilaine, a young widow who loses her husband Isma in an attack. She decides to create an association to help other women and children in the same situation. She also meets Noura, an orphan girl who wins her heart.

The book is written in a sober and direct style, without sentimentality or sensationalism. The author, Monique Ilboudo, is a university teacher, a writer and a former Secretary of State and Minister for the Promotion of Human Rights from Burkina Faso, who is committed to women's rights in her country. She paints a realistic and critical picture of the situation in the Sahel, where various conflicts, jihadism and the powerlessness of the leaders come together. She also shows the resilience and solidarity of the women who despite everything try to maintain their dignity.

I found this book very impressive and educational. It made me think about the complexity and urgency of the problems in this region. The book is not only a novel, but also a testimony and an indictment. I recommend it to anyone interested in contemporary African literature and the geopolitical issues of our time.

I read this book in French for my Reading Globally challenge (Burkina Faso).

>69 Trifolia: I read Embers years and years ago in a Hungarian literature class. After reading your review, I wondered if I should reread it, but I discovered that I have another book by Márai on my shelves (Casanova in Bolzano) that I haven't read yet. I should read that first. Thanks for the prod.

Although I don't read many thrillers, you make Jane Harper sound intriguing. Or maybe it's the setting?

>76 Trifolia: I jumped on this title from Burkina Faso, but alas it doesn't seem to be translated. There's another book, So Distant from My Life that I may try to get.

>74 Trifolia: Your previous usernames listed in your second post _do_ seem vaguely familiar to me too, but I don't know where we could have crossed paths as I have been a member of CR in the past but not since you joined. Maybe it will get back to us or maybe it won't but I'll still enjoy reading your reviews. :)

>76 Trifolia: This seems highly interesting and I have also wishlisted it. I was fortunate to visit Burkina Faso at a time when it was more at peace than now, and briefly went to Sahel so this makes this book even more interesting to me.

>77 labfs39: - Did you like Embers? I think I would not have liked it as much when I was young as I do now because I probably would not have understood the subtleties of the book.

I know you don't like thrillers but Jane Harper's books are more psychological, her characters more fleshed out. And the setting plays an integral part. So if you ever feel the urge to read a thriller, Jane Harper's books are probably the ones you should look for.

Too bad Carrefour des veuves has not been translated. Would you consider reading it in French?

>78 chlorine: - Well, I checked and we briefly crossed paths on my CR-thread in 2018. And I have seen your name on other threads. Happy to see you're back.

I'd be very interested to read what you think of Carrefour des veuves. I'm sure your perspective would add to the discussion. And I was happy to see that I was no longer the only one with this book on LT!

Today's an excellent day. I finally managed to post some comments on books I read way back in March till July. Only eight books to go to be completely up to date.

But the best of all was that I bought Crépuscule, the most recent book by Philippe Claudel who wrote some of my favourite books. The publisher announced it as "the great new novel by master storyteller Philippe Claudel in the spirit of Brodeck's Report and Gray Souls". Something to look forward to!

>79 Trifolia: You have an amazing memory to remember me from just this interaction five years ago! :)

Congrats inded in being able to write this many reviews in such a short amount of time.

Crépuscule does indeed seem in the same line as Brodeck's Report, which I adored. I'll be looking forward to your thoughts on it.

>76 Trifolia:

That's a gimme. I've been reading a lot about and by Thomas Sankara this year and it's been a fascinating and heartbreaking discovery of Burkina Faso and its lost progressive promise, including regarding women's rights (L'émancipation des femmes et la lutte de libération de l'Afrique). Actually, that makes it sound like an appendix, when Sankara explicitly centred women's rights as essential to liberation of all.

>79 Trifolia: Would you consider reading it in French?

Sadly, I dropped the ball in my efforts to try and read in French again, but then I didn't do much reading at all for a few months, so it wasn't just this project. It's pretty slow going still even with a simple text. I think I'm going to try a graphic novel and see how that goes.

Oooh, a new Claudel book! I hope it gets translated soon. I have read four of his novels and two were 5 star reads, one 4.5 stars, and one 4 star. Clearly a favorite.

I like the sound of Carrefour des veuves - thanks. I am toying with the idea of reviving my round-the-world trip on which I embarked years ago in the Reading Globally group. Whether I do or not, this book sounds interesting, and I'm quite sure I've never read anything from Burkina Fasso.

>77 labfs39:, >79 Trifolia: I love Jane Harper's books! Lisa, I agree with Monica that these are good thrillers for a non-thriller reader, as I don't think the thriller aspect is ever the most important. What I take away from them each time is a really solid sense of place; Harper uses a different part of Australia for each book but her love for her adopted country (I believe she was born close to where I was born in the north of England) never fails to come across.

If you like that, and want more about Australia, you might look at Nevil Shute. Another Brit transplanted to Australia, a bit longer ago; most people have heard of A Town Like Alice, but he wrote a _lot_ set in the Australian bush (and a good bit set in England, etc), and his writing is very rich. Mystery-ish, most of them, but it's really about the people.

>80 chlorine: -You have an amazing memory to remember me from just this interaction five years ago! :): haha, it is my job to find a whole context with just a scrap of information.

I'll keep you posted about Crépuscule. It's been a while since I read Gray Souls and Brodeck's Report, but I mainly remember the melancholic atmosphere. In the first chapters of this book there is more irony, even to the point of sarcasm. I wonder how things will evolve.

>81 LolaWalser: - To be honest, I don't know much about the history of Burkina Faso. But I still thought it was an interesting novel.

>82 labfs39: - I completely understand why you are putting aside your attempts to read French. Reality is sometimes more compelling than good intentions. I mainly read in Dutch, English and occasionally in French. I should also be able to read in German and with great effort also in Italian, but that was so long ago and perhaps a novel is not the best option to start again. It would be nice to be able to read more books in their original languages, but I don't know if I understand those languages enough to understand all the nuances. And whether I wouldn't read it better in translation. Are there any multilingual readers here who have an opinion or experience with this? Or advice?

Crépuscule will undoubtedly be translated into English soon. Fingers crossed.

>83 rachbxl: Oh, I didn't know you were also a member of Reading Globally! Do you have a thread there that I can follow? I couldn't find it right away (despite my profession :-)).
My participation in the group is at a very low level. But it remains a guideline for me when choosing books.

>84 jjmcgaffey: That sounds promising. Do you have a favourite that you would recommend?

>85 Trifolia: I don't know if I understand those languages enough to understand all the nuances. And whether I wouldn't read it better in translation

Although I'm not the most knowledgeable person to comment, for me it would seem to be dependent on what type of book I were reading. Kids' books, graphic books, genre novels, and nonfiction seem more doable in another language without losing too much. Literary fiction and especially poetry seem more problematic regarding nuance, language style and flow, etc. I also think who is doing the translation and what their approach is matters a lot too. That said, if a book is not available in translation, then I would like to be able to read the original, no matter how poorly I did so. I get so many book bullets on CR that are in languages I'll never read, the least I can do is try to brush up on the language I could read in with practice. New resolution: dust off Captaine Rosalie and start again!

>85 Trifolia: Hmm. Well, if you haven't read A Town Like Alice, you probably should - it's two good stories, connected by their protagonist(s). The other Australian one I loved was In the Wet - great depiction of Australia and Australians of that time, plus a fascinating science fictiony aspect. The Breaking Wave (or Requiem for a Wren) is somewhat depressing but very rich - set in England and Australia and points in between (America too, I think). My absolute favorite of his is Trustee from the Toolroom - set in England and various points on the way to (and from)...the South Seas somewhere. Near Tahiti? I don't remember exactly where the target is. A coral atoll, though. Ruined City is (almost) entirely set in England - great story on a lot of levels.

The worst of his I've read has been interesting to read once, at least. The best are right up there with my top favorites. I'll pick up any Shute I come across...

>85 Trifolia: I’m more like an ex-member of Reading Globally! I used to be very active there but then life got in the way, and I haven’t even touched my thread for several years (I’m not surprised you couldn’t find it!) I do still keep half an eye out for books from countries I haven’t “been” to, but not very seriously. Once I get a bit more energy back I might make my way over there again because I always enjoyed how it influenced my reading.

>88 rachbxl: There is also The Global Challenge, a group that is basically a place where you can create a thread to track which countries you've "read". I like lists, so I keep track on Global Challenge, but cross post occasionally on Reading Globally's regional threads.

>89 labfs39: Ah, I didn’t know that - must be more recent than my time in Reading Globally. I might set up a thread in there… Thanks, Lisa.

>90 rachbxl: It's a small group, and everyone does their list a bit different, which I like. I'm tracking by author, some try to read a set amount from each country, one person is doing both books and movies from each country. Disclaimer: When I discovered the group, there wasn't an admin, so I volunteered, and the group perked up a bit with a little TLC.

>91 labfs39: I’m off for a look right now!

I enjoyed catching up with your reviews. Carrefour des veuves sounds interesting, but I donét think I'm reading for such a read right now. Making note.

>86 labfs39: I hope you'll give Capitaine Rosalie another try! ;)

>53 Trifolia: I had similar feelings about Great Circle. I was underwhelmed, partly because the modern story didn't interest me at all. I think Marian's story could have stood by itself.

I really liked The Dry and plan to read more by Harper. Her sense of place is so vivid. I tend to enjoy books that can so firmly place one in a certain setting. One set in Australia that I read this year that also did that was The Sun Walks Down.

I've read a couple by Indridason and should pick up more. This one sounds like something I would enjoy.

Great comments. You are always so thoughtful.

I've had Embers on my shelf for years. I guess it will go on the 2024 pile.

I sincerely wish you health, happiness, contentment and many exciting books.

Another year has slid by. I hope all is well with you, and I wish you a wonderful 2024, reading-wise and other-wise.

Well, better late than never, to be complete and to end the year neatly, here are my reviews for the books I read in 2023.

18. Het lied van ooievaar en dromedaris by Anjet Daanje - 2 stars


In this novel, Anjet Daanje interweaves eleven stories around Eliza May Drayden, a fictional writer based on Emily Brontë and her Wuthering Heights.
Using the perspectives of contemporaries and those who came after her, she attempts to create a multifaceted portrait of an elusive woman who became a legend after her death.

The book is a hype in the Netherlands and Flanders. Most critics (but not all) are full of praise and call it a masterpiece. I don't share that opinion. Daanje shows that she is a master at playing with language, structure and perspective, but for me the book is more of an intellectual puzzle than a literary experience. The book did not touch me. I found it too long-winded, too fragmented and too pompous and gradually I lost interest in the different stories, which lacked coherence, depth and tension. I felt little or no connection with the characters, who were too cold, too contrived and too clichéd. I had the impression that Daanje was more concerned with showcasing her knowledge and skills than with finding her own voice.
Perhaps admirers of Wuthering Heights and Emily Brontë will enjoy it more, but it is a novel that really disappointed me.

19. Juli by Aya Sabi - 3 stars


July by Aya Sabi is a novella about a writer who sees her life collapse on a hot day in Brussels. She writes in her notebook about a play she wants to make, but the line between fiction and reality becomes increasingly blurred. She becomes entangled in a web of lies, jealousy and paranoia, and quickly draws wrong conclusions about the people around her.

Sabi writes in a smooth and playful style, which is sometimes a bit too light for the heavy theme. The novella is a satire on the art world and a criticism of identity politics, but sometimes lacks some depth and nuance and the characters are not very developed, but that is of course somewhat specific to the format of the novella. However, the plot is surprising and shows how quickly someone can go off the rails due to a lack of communication and trust.

The novella is part of a series of novellas, with a new one published every month with the month as the title. I had planned to read one every month, but I already have a lot of catching up to do and maybe I'll just start with January.

20. Dunkelblum by Eva Menasse - 4,5 stars


Dunkelblum is a beautiful novel that brings the reader to a fictional Austrian village with a dark past. In the summer of 1989, while the wall is about to fall, some students come to the village to restore the neglected Jewish cemetery, a woman disappears, a stranger appears, a skeleton is found. This leads to a series of events that force the residents of Dunkelblum to face their secrets and feelings of guilt.

With a lot of skill and humor, Eva Menasse outlines a large number of characters, each with its own voice and perspective. Although they sometimes only come into the picture for a short time, none of them is stereotype. They show the stratification and diversity of a community drawn by history. From the old Nazi who still loves Hitler, to the young student who is looking for the truth, from the mysterious visitor who knows more than he shows, to the disappeared woman who leaves a trail of riddles.

The complexity of the story may seem far-fetched, but it actually approaches reality in all its nuances and contradictions. Menasse plays with the genres of the historical novel, the detective and the satire, and therefore creates an exciting and original story that fascinated me to the end. Dunkelblum is a novel that not only reflects the history of a village, but also that of Austria, Europe and the world.

Recommended for everyone who loves literature with depth and humor and one of my best reads, if not my best read from 2023.

21. Marzahn, mon amour by Katja Oskamp - 4 stars


Marzahn, mon amour is a book that surprised me with its simplicity and warmth. It tells the story of Katja, a writer who retrains as a chiropodist and goes to work in a neighborhood in Berlin where many elderly people live. There she meets all kinds of people who entrust her with their feet and their life stories. Katja listens with attention and empathy to their experiences, which often have to do with the history of Germany, the fall of the Wall and the changes that followed.

I loved this book because of the gentleness with which Katja deals with her clients and her own life. She does not judge, but tries to understand and help where she can. She shows that in small gestures you can literally and figuratively make a difference in the lives of others. This is not a sappy story, but an antidote to the negative in today's world. It is an ode to humanity, resilience and the beauty that lies in the ordinary.

This book is based on the real experiences of the author, who became a chiropodist after a failed writing career. That makes it even more authentic and moving. It is written in a clear and smooth style, with humor and poetry. It's a little gem that I can recommend to everyone. With this book, the author deservedly won the Dublin Literary Award 2023.

22. Force of Nature by Jane Harper - 4 stars


Force of Nature is the second book in Jane Harper's Aaron Falk series and the third I read by her this year. In this book, Falk investigates the disappearance of Alice Russell, a whistleblower who collaborated with his financial investigation unit. Alice was one of the women who took part in a team-building outing in the Giralang Ranges, a remote and hostile forest area where a serial killer once operated. The other women return traumatized, but without Alice. What happened in the wilderness?

The story alternates between the present, where Falk and his partner try to solve the case, and the past, where we follow the events leading up to Alice's disappearance. Harper knows how to build up the tension well and leave the reader in the dark about the true events. She also paints a vivid picture of the Australian bush, which plays an important role in the book. The characters are believable and complex, with their own secrets and motives. Falk is a sympathetic protagonist who struggles with his own past and loyalties.

Force of Nature is a well-written, atmospheric and exciting thriller. I give the book four stars and look forward to other books by Jane Harper.

23. About People by Juli Zeh - 3,5 stars


About People is a novel set in a small village in Brandenburg, where Dora moves to escape the lockdown, her obsessive boyfriend and the chaos of the big city. She hopes for peace and space, but she soon comes into contact with the complex and contradictory reality of the countryside. Her neighbor is a bald man with right-wing sympathies and the other villagers each have their own story and secrets.

Juli Zeh has a remarkable way of giving both left-wing and right-wing extremists a human face, without taking their side or justifying their actions. She punctures the black-and-white thinking that is so characteristic of our polarized times, and invites the reader to look beyond the surface.

Among Neighbors is an exciting, humorous and intelligent novel that puts its finger on the sore spot of contemporary Germany and Europe. Zeh writes with a smooth and sharp pen, and knows how to captivate the reader with her well-developed characters, her lively dialogues and her surprising plot twists. It is a book that makes you think. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys literature with social relevance.

24. Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry - 4,5 stars


This book tells the story of Tom Kettle, a retired police officer who lives in an outbuilding of a Victorian castle on the Irish coast. He is shocked by the visit of two former colleagues, who ask him for help in an old murder case related to the abuse scandal in the Irish Catholic Church. As Tom confronts his past, long-buried secrets and traumas related to his late wife and children surface.

Barry masterfully explores the impact of memory, love, loss and guilt, in a novel that is both exciting and moving. He paints a vivid portrait of the Irish landscape and history, with a touch of magical realism brought about by the demented Tom. Barry's characters are complex and believable, and his style is rich and lyrical. Old God's Time is a book I will not soon forget. I gave it 4.5 stars.

25. Affections by Rodrigo Hasbún - 3 stars


This is a short novel about the Ertl family, who move to Bolivia after the Second World War. The father, Hans Ertl, was a cameraman for the Nazis and is now looking for a new adventure in the jungle. His daughters each follow their own path, which sometimes conflicts with the political and social reality of the country.

Rodrigo Hasbún tells this story in fragmentary chapters that change perspective and time. He is based on historical facts, but gives it a literary twist. The result is a book that both fascinates and frustrates. Fascinating, because it provides an insight into a piece of history that is little known. Frustrating, because it shows so little emotion and depth. The characters remain flat and distant, their motives and feelings are barely developed. The book leaves a lot to the reader's imagination, but that also makes it difficult to really get involved.

This is a well-written novel that addresses an interesting theme, but it did not quite convince me. I gave it three stars.

I'm selfishly glad you took the time to update us on your reading. I immediately looked for Dunkelblum in English, but no can do. I hear so many wonderful things about Sebastian Barry's writing. I really need to give him a go.

Happy New Year!

I read my last book in September and have been struggling to finish another book ever since. I was really looking forward to reading Crépuscule, Philippe Claudel's new book. Claudel is was one of my favourite writers but I really struggled with this one. I do not recognize the author's hand anymore. His writing has become sarcastic, the characters are one-dimensional, the setting is weird and it just did not work for me.

Although the book is presented as an exciting and profound reflection on human nature, for me it was a disappointing and disgusting reading experience. The first 100 pages are filled with vulgar and explicit descriptions of the sexual fantasies and actions of the policeman Nourio, who shows no respect or compassion for his wife, his assistant, or the young girl he is stalking. The plot is slow and implausible, the characters are one-dimensional and unsympathetic, and the style is pretentious and overdone. The author tries to create an allegory of an empire in decline, but only succeeds in creating a caricature.

For me, the first hundred pages of Crépuscule are a failed attempt to tell an original and profound story, which only repels and bores. I finally decided to stop reading and look for books that at least try to find the good in people and not continue with this book that really depressed me.

I have been very busy these past few months and I have not finished any other books yet. Let's hope 2024 will be better, although my first new year's present was a covid-infection, my 2nd infection in less than a year. Life's full of surprises :-)

>106 Trifolia: How disappointing! Like you, I have really enjoyed Claudel's works. This one, however, I'll be happy to skip.

I'm so sorry about the repeat Covid infection. They are the worst. I hope you feel better soon, and your mother stays well.

What an excellent reading year you had, even with the slide at the end. I too immediately looked for Dunkelblum, then read >105 labfs39:'s post.

Take care of yourself with the Covid

>105 labfs39: >108 SassyLassy: According to this website Dunkelblum will be published in English in November 2024 by Scribe as Darkenbloom. I know what I'd put on my list for Christmas.

>105 labfs39: This was the first book I read by Sebastian Barry, but I think I'll try to read more of his writing.

>107 labfs39: Re covid, it's going rather well so far. Fortunately it seems I'm the only one who's infected despite the fact that I spent a whole day with the entire family on New Year's day. I'm self-isolating now.

>108 SassyLassy: This Claudel-debacle has made me stay away from books too long. I really need to make a new start. Maybe tomorrow if my concentration is not too badly affected like it was the first time I had covid.

>109 Trifolia: It seems that no one else in my family got Covid this time around despite getting together with my sister the day she got ill and tested positive. We've all had our booster shots, so maybe that's the reason. In any case I was very glad to avoid it. I hope you feel better soon. Maybe an easy, feel good read to cleanse your palette?

>109 Trifolia: I got it for the first time in mid-December after the whole family went to have "Christmas" (early) with my mom (age 93.) Both of my sisters also got it for the first time. And we're pretty sure my mom did too, although her symptoms were mild, and the assisted living refused to test her because she didn't have a fever and wasn't coughing. Hope you are fully over it soon, and happy reading in 2024!

Great to read from you! I hope you'll have a wonderful 2024 year (and hope you'll join Club Read 2024?), even if the end of 2023 was so busy and beginning of 2024 not coved-free...