Ishiguro’s 2005 novel is sublime; the writing is exceptional with little dystopian hints and effective use of foreshadowing. It is a story of clones as donors of vital organs, and of carers. And it is a relationship story for Kathy, Ruth and Tommy with existential questions: is a clone fully human or just a consumer resource? Ishiguro is a literary genius; his writing has elements that create melancholy and can be alarming, a nuanced process of revelation.
Long Island – Colm Toibin
This superb book is a sequel to the exquisite Brooklyn. Twenty years have passed. It is 1976 and Eilish returns to her Irish homeland after learning about her Italian husband’s infidelity. What follows is a three-way relationship story with Nancy and Jim who are still in Enniscorthy. This is a story of unfulfilled longing with a slow reveal of intentions because of withholding. Overall, a fabulous read.
Darwin’s Bastards – selected and edited by Zsuzsi Gartner
Subtitled “astounding tales from tomorrow”, consisting of 23 short stories of future times and parallel universes. There are contributions by some very fine authors: Douglas Coupland, William Gibson, Jessica Grant, Yann Martel, Heather O’Neill, Neil Smith …. Uneven to be sure, but worth a read.
The Last Devil To Die – Richard Osman
This fourth book about the four septuagenarian members of the Thursday Murder Club has the usual crime mystery elements, notably missing heroin and multiple murders. What distinguishes this novel is the emotional content, not just reflections on aging but on dementia and death. Funny, moving and suspenseful, a delicious read.
Beautyland – Marie-Helene Bertino
Adina is an extra-terrestrial sent to earth to a single mother in Philadelphia; she is “born” in 1977, simultaneously with the launch of the Voyager-1 spacecraft. Her role is to observe and report on human behaviour, using a fax machine (!) to communicate with the extra-terrestrials. Her communications are both wistful and insightful, for someone in exile at home. Adina’s life is endlessly surprising – highly recommended, thanks Amy.
Wobegon Boy – Garrison Keillor
John Tollefson, a Norwegian of course, is raised in Lake Wobegon in Minnesota, according to the following philosophy (page 1): “Chin up, make yourself useful, mind your manners and … don’t feel sorry for yourself. As an adult, he moves east to manage a college radio station in upstate New York. Witty asides abound, especially about the contrasting idiosyncrasies of Lake Wobegon inhabitants and New Yorkers. Stories about Norwegian ancestors and relatives provide both poignancy and comedy – very entertaining.
The Memory Police – Yoko Ogawa
This is a strange and spooky book. On an unnamed island, objects like birds mysteriously disappear. The sinister Memory Police then remove all references to birds, like the writings of an ornithologist. And if memory persists, the people are removed to ensure that what has disappeared remains forgotten. Loss and fear become paramount. And the ending is depressing- can memories be preserved?
Thanks Amy, for this recommendation.
Bookshops and Bonedust – Travis Baldree
Readers of this blog will know that I read any book with the word “bookshops “ in the title. This is an entertaining fantasy novel about orcs, dwarfs, elves, wights an evil necromancer and even a homunculus (look it up). Viv, a battle-hungry orc, is recovering from a wound in a small sleepy town, when she is introduced to literature in a bookshop run by Fern, a foul-mouthed rattkin. Key relationships are centered about books, and the main characters are all female. Very entertaining.
Runaway- Alice Munro
The recent death of Ms. Munro prompted me to (re)read this amazing book, consisting of 8 single-word-titled stories. Her literary gift is to write about everyday people ( mostly women) in both common and extraordinary circumstances. There is an unparalleled purity of language – she a national treasure.
What David Read 