Of your list I have read Orbital, Greek Lessons and Giovanni's Room. Agree that Orbital has no plot or deep characterisation but the description and contemplation on the state of our world was good. Really liked Greek Lessons once I got into it, a very slow detached pace in the plotting though. I do love Baldwin and read this work before I went to Paris last year. It is a bleak book, but illuminating as it is of its time. Such a sensitive writer.
I loved this roundup! will be on the lookout for I Will Die in a Foreign Land (also what a title??!), and I appreciated what you said about Orbital -- I don't have a particular appreciation for space and found the narrative tedious at times, but agreed that the weight of my expectations was heavy!
I Will Die in a Foreign Land is THE best title and the cover art is devastating too. Also def understand the struggle with Orbital, there wasn't even really a narrative to follow so can't blame you there. Had it been any longer I'd be calling it a repetitive mess hahaha but I respect the commitment to celebrating earth
Love the sound of I will die in a foreign land! How eerie and nauseating you were reading that during the Trump/Zelenskyy blow out which I still cannot believe happened. I was reading in another room in the house and my parents had left the radio on in the kitchen and I could suddenly hear all this shouting from Trump and my jaw dropped at what I was hearing I could not believe it - disgusting.
Interested in Essay on Excess comments - I feel like that title is such an ideal rn, perfect time to be published, everyone I think (mostly) is on the bandwagon of confronting their own consumerism in various ways, so it feels like perhaps that collection might have been set up for being disappointing? idk it feels like cultural critique should be necessary - at least one essay on it? I was interested in it but not so much anymore bc I (like you) would seek consumerism critique and some sort of psychological evaluation on the human race and why we buy, not about how someone else has changed their relationship with buying!
so glad you loved Swimming in the Dark - so good, so sad. Laughed at your summer in Europe vibes comment - the internet is full of idiots.
i'm fascinated you have bought independent people - will be really interested to hear what you think. I also want to read a small place so lmk when you decided to pick that up. okay longest comment ever love u bye xox
re: Trump/Zelenskyy oh my godddd so wild. The US is so embarrassing. I only saw it on social media, so even though it's completely beside the point, so charming that you overheard it on the radio ... bring back listening to the radio, world
I feel like you might still like American Bulk honestly?? Like yes it wasn't what I expected but there is definitely still some larger cultural commentary, particularly on the impact of class and socioeconomic status. But it focuses a lot on her and her family's relationship with excess (and I am amazed at how memoir/personal essayists are just capable of airing their entire family's dirty laundry!!!) even if it's obvious that's within the context of the larger American problem. I wouldn't call it cultural critique by any means but that's mostly just because it's empathetic. Though you could really argue that the time for empathy re: our consumption habits is well and truly over and we need some tough love 🥲
Idk what came over me to buy independent people but doing so right before your review was like oh no what have I gotten myself into lolol. It seems really dense and the depressing shit might be a lot, but it does seem like a good challenge at least. I promise not to be like "vacation vibes😍" a la Swimming in the Dark after hahaha
Oh, Phantom Thread! 🤍 I’m so glad you finally watched and loved. It’s one of my favorite comfort movies (I mean, anything with Daniel Day Lewis…) I’ve got the new Sarah Jio on my shelf and you’ve convinced me it will make a good “rainy Saturday stuck on the couch” experience
Of your list I have read Orbital, Greek Lessons and Giovanni's Room. Agree that Orbital has no plot or deep characterisation but the description and contemplation on the state of our world was good. Really liked Greek Lessons once I got into it, a very slow detached pace in the plotting though. I do love Baldwin and read this work before I went to Paris last year. It is a bleak book, but illuminating as it is of its time. Such a sensitive writer.
Yes!! Agree with all of your assessments. Sometimes books that are slower paced or harder to get into end up being the most rewarding, imo
I loved this roundup! will be on the lookout for I Will Die in a Foreign Land (also what a title??!), and I appreciated what you said about Orbital -- I don't have a particular appreciation for space and found the narrative tedious at times, but agreed that the weight of my expectations was heavy!
I Will Die in a Foreign Land is THE best title and the cover art is devastating too. Also def understand the struggle with Orbital, there wasn't even really a narrative to follow so can't blame you there. Had it been any longer I'd be calling it a repetitive mess hahaha but I respect the commitment to celebrating earth
Throwing a priority vote in for Chilean Poet in your list of books purchased!! What a great lineup this month overall, loved reading your reviews
thanks! You aren't the first person to vote for that one so I'll have to bump it up on the priorities list
Love the sound of I will die in a foreign land! How eerie and nauseating you were reading that during the Trump/Zelenskyy blow out which I still cannot believe happened. I was reading in another room in the house and my parents had left the radio on in the kitchen and I could suddenly hear all this shouting from Trump and my jaw dropped at what I was hearing I could not believe it - disgusting.
Interested in Essay on Excess comments - I feel like that title is such an ideal rn, perfect time to be published, everyone I think (mostly) is on the bandwagon of confronting their own consumerism in various ways, so it feels like perhaps that collection might have been set up for being disappointing? idk it feels like cultural critique should be necessary - at least one essay on it? I was interested in it but not so much anymore bc I (like you) would seek consumerism critique and some sort of psychological evaluation on the human race and why we buy, not about how someone else has changed their relationship with buying!
so glad you loved Swimming in the Dark - so good, so sad. Laughed at your summer in Europe vibes comment - the internet is full of idiots.
i'm fascinated you have bought independent people - will be really interested to hear what you think. I also want to read a small place so lmk when you decided to pick that up. okay longest comment ever love u bye xox
re: Trump/Zelenskyy oh my godddd so wild. The US is so embarrassing. I only saw it on social media, so even though it's completely beside the point, so charming that you overheard it on the radio ... bring back listening to the radio, world
I feel like you might still like American Bulk honestly?? Like yes it wasn't what I expected but there is definitely still some larger cultural commentary, particularly on the impact of class and socioeconomic status. But it focuses a lot on her and her family's relationship with excess (and I am amazed at how memoir/personal essayists are just capable of airing their entire family's dirty laundry!!!) even if it's obvious that's within the context of the larger American problem. I wouldn't call it cultural critique by any means but that's mostly just because it's empathetic. Though you could really argue that the time for empathy re: our consumption habits is well and truly over and we need some tough love 🥲
Idk what came over me to buy independent people but doing so right before your review was like oh no what have I gotten myself into lolol. It seems really dense and the depressing shit might be a lot, but it does seem like a good challenge at least. I promise not to be like "vacation vibes😍" a la Swimming in the Dark after hahaha
Oh, Phantom Thread! 🤍 I’m so glad you finally watched and loved. It’s one of my favorite comfort movies (I mean, anything with Daniel Day Lewis…) I’ve got the new Sarah Jio on my shelf and you’ve convinced me it will make a good “rainy Saturday stuck on the couch” experience