|
Post by Liou on May 24, 2021 13:59:26 GMT -5
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
Mentions of: slavery, drowning, pregnancy.
Here we have an entire underwater society built by the descendants of pregnant slaves who were thrown overboard. They are amazing merfolk. They have a very painful history. All of that history, though, all of it, is held in the mind of a single person. That's their role as historian. She is the protagonist, and she is suffering a lot from it. Prone to sensory overload, which is described in detail and interestingly with underwater perceptions. Close to breaking point, she flees from her role and to the surface. I was very afraid of an ending that I would have found disappointing, but no, everything came together beautifully.
The worldbuilding is solid but not detailed, and there is little direct action, most of the story is spent on reminiscence and the character's thoughts wandering. Should be good for readers who enjoy exploring characters' thoughts in depth. There is much thought on a people's relationship to their history and the role of a historian.
So we have: a fantasy take on Black history and generational trauma (#ownvoices), a neurodivergent(-coded?) protagonist, a whole genderqueer - by human standards - society, empathic sharing of history in the most literal way, merfolk, casual queer rep.
Not too long, closer to novella length. It's short and you deserve to take the time to read this. I wish to recommend this extra hard to readers who would like to read about a neurodivergent protagonist and/or readers who identify as queer and/or readers who have an interest in history or empathic storytelling or any combination thereof.
|
|
|
Post by RielCZ on Jun 21, 2021 2:00:19 GMT -5
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller jr. This one is from 1959. It focuses on a Catholic order of monks (of the titular Saint Leibowitz) who work to preserve the science and knowledge of the world that was wiped out by nuclear war. The characters are very good and my heart ached for them all and their quests to preserve what they thought was important. One thing that I love seeing portrayed in media that is so rare to see is how religion serves as a catalyst for preservation and progress. It also explores the cycles of violence, of brutality and kindness. how humanity ends up repeating the same historical, mistakes it made previously, but how there are still good people trying to do their best with what they have to make things better. I read your review when you posted it, and the book sounded like something I'd enjoy. So, I made a mental note to check the local thrift store; it was not there. And that was as far as I got... Until a few weeks ago, when I remembered the existence of one Canticle for Leibowitz. I went to see if the library's digital section had it, and the audiobook was available! I agree with Celeste; it is a fantastic book. It explores themes of historical recurrence, human goodness, and the preservation of knowledge, but also about church vs. state and the position of religion in society. The religious depictions were immersive, and there were many allusions to tradition and scripture -- but knowledge of such matters is certainly not an impediment to enjoy the book, understand the overarching plot, and to FEEL (for) the characters. I also found a good bit of humour throughout the book. I would like to recommend the Red Rising series (specifically the first trilogy, which I recently completed). It deals with themes of war, class, and revolution -- perhaps normal for dystopian YA fiction -- and does so with heavy moral substance, strong character development, and containing TONS OF FUN TWISTS. The author excels at establishing some convention and then completely breaking it (but in a good way). Also, it takes place in space and the solar system (initially on Mars), which is always fun.
|
|
|
Post by June Scarlet on Sept 15, 2021 15:34:42 GMT -5
Let's talk about Ben Hatke! He's the author of some of my favorite books, like the Zita the Spacegirl graphic novel series. But today in particular I want to talk about his picture book series, Julia's House. Julia is a spunky red haired girl, so of course I identify with her. The books are both written and illustrated by Ben Hatke. The first book is Julia's House for Lost Creatures. Her house settles by the sea, and getting lonely, she invites all sorts of fantastical creatures to stay. Things start getting a bit out of hand until Julia comes up with an idea to make sure everyone can help, though. The second is Julia's House Moves On. Her house is getting restless, but not to worry, Julia has a plan for moving day. Until things don't go as planned. But she has a backup plan, don't worry! And when she's all out of plans, well, there's one more trick, though it's not up Julia's sleeve. The third book (in what I think is a trilogy) is Julia's House Goes Home. I can't tell you too much about that one, because it hasn't been released yet! That will happen October 19th. I can tell you that the author is holding a book giveaway raffle to celebrate the upcoming release of the book, though. I am very excited about this latest book from Ben Hatke. I love the characters and illustrations. I think Patched Up Kitty is my favorite of the creatures. I've often thought about somehow dressing up as Julia and sewing a Patched Up Kitty to go along with it. There's a certain theme of friendship and loss and gain, and I wonder where the third book will take things. I know the author had a personal tragedy after the first book, which I think inspired the second. It might be a picture book, but it's not "just" a picture book, it's got some meaning and depth. The second one is almost bittersweet, though in the end everything ends up happy, I couldn't help thinking of how it relates to my own feelings of loss and friendship and such. Excellent books, go check them out!
|
|
|
Post by Liou on Jul 29, 2022 8:35:57 GMT -5
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia
This novel has *everything* A plucky protagonist, gloomy Victorian gothic atmosphere, vivid imagery, eldritch horror, horror based on the metal-ness of nature, realistic creep, realistic wholesome, character growth, post-colonial perspective, the patriarchy, sexist abuse and eugenics treated as eldritch horror, catharsis. Nothing is in there just for shock value. I only read it through the french translation, and even though there were no deliberate cliffhangers or jump-cuts from scene to scene, it was already so captivating that I read it in one go, in one day, I could not put it down, so the original prose must be a doozy!
This is a book for adults, mind your content warnings.
|
|
|
Post by Serene on Jul 29, 2022 10:13:53 GMT -5
The Thirteenth Tale by Dianne Setterfield
A Gothic tale with some heavy Wuthering Heights influence. Written by a booklover, for bookmakers. The start is incredibly slow and I was left asking why my friend had recommended it to me, but at some point I realized I had slowly been entranced by it and struggled to put it down for work/sleep. Became one of my favorite books.
I've told everyone I've recommended the book to that they will doubt if the book is worth it in the first fifth, but by the time they're around 1/3 of the way through they will be incredibly thankful they stuck with it.
Currently have her newest book on my list to read. Have heard similarly good reviews about it.
|
|
|
Post by Liou on Dec 17, 2022 19:21:19 GMT -5
In honour of the late Wolf Erlbruch, of Story of the Little Mole fame, I shall recommend: "Mrs Meyer, the Bird" a lovely picture storybook that takes a domestic tale into surrealism and allows a protagonist with anxiety - in a kids' book - to cope and grow. An anxious housewife takes in a lost little bird, raises it, and needs to teach it, while her casually supportive husband does zen crafting in the background.
|
|