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Rozz.ie

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Tag: novel

Posted on March 27, 2021March 27, 2021

A Crooked Tree by Una Mannion. I have always admired Una's short fiction so I


A Crooked Tree by Una Mannion. I have always admired Una's short fiction so I was excited to get my hands on her debut novel. It doesn't disappoint though it's a slow, slow start and it remains slow but by the time you get to end, you will enjoy that relaxed pace as it suits the story and the characters. Libby is out for a drive at night with her siblings. Her mother is driving. We feel the tension but when Ellen, Libby's younger sister frustrates her frazzled mum, her mum basically dumps Ellen on the roadside and speeds off. The story rocks on from this one awful decision and we learn about Libby and her connection with her father who has passed away. This novel, set in an 80s rural Philadelphia, has all the feels of a Goonies movie or an episode of Stranger Things. Una's writing never falters but I found the descriptions of nature and trees a little bit lengthy at times. It's clear she revels in writing about nature. Overal, I found it to be a mesmerising read. Una's writing is carefully placed throughout and her plotting is excellent.

Posted on February 7, 2021February 8, 2021

Luster by Raven Leilani This novel is about Edie, an black office worker in New


Luster by Raven Leilani This novel is about Edie, an black office worker in New York. She is twenty three and sleeps with many men in her office, looking and searching for a connection. She meets a married guy, twice her age and this story is about how she gets to know him, his wife and their adopted black 12 year old daughter. None of the characters are especially likeable but I definitely hold a sympathy for the female characters. I was fascinated by the characters, they were all developed wonderfully and presented as they way they were. I loved seeing Edie and the wife connect and then disconnect, that for me was the love story.  I read this book pretty quickly but it slows down towards the end. After reading it I felt I had read something very raw, very fresh but not “hilarious” as some of the reviews would have you believe. I found it to be depressing if this is the life of our twenty years old now though I know this is only one person’s experience but it still got me down. There is nothing uplifting in this novel,very little hope for Edie apart from the art she creates, which we hope might save her! Even the places Edie inhibits are all grey when I imagine the story being played back.  However, I have to say I did enjoy reading this, the writing is careful in most parts, witty and fresh and I remained engaged for nearly all of the book. If you like Sally Rooney or Naoise Dolan, you will dig this one!  The story of Edie and the homes she lives in have stayed with me, repeating on me and how she made her choices and the odd scenarios she is in. However it left me feeling as empty as Edie feels at the end. It would make an interesting, lively book club read. Love the cover too!

Posted on January 5, 2021January 10, 2021

Where the crawdads sing by Delia Owems. I just finished reading this. I sometimes find


Where the crawdads sing by Delia Owems. I just finished reading this. I sometimes find bestsellers hard to read as other people's opinions and thoughts weight heavily on my own. It's not that I allow other reader's thoughts intrude on mine, it's just that I don't want to offend a fellow reader's book taste. This is a taste thing. I feel grumpy after reading this book. I appreciate the author's writing of the landscape and nature. I appreciate the different idea of a girl living in a marsh in seclusion. I appreciate how the girl's isolation is depicted. All these elements work well. What didn't work for me as a reader was the mish mash of genres. Is this book a Mills and boons as it certainly verges into that that at times. Is it a crime thriller? Kinda but the court scenes where the main character is set before a jury are so weak, boring and the dialogue needs reworking. Is it a film script? Oh yes, it is and that's the main problem for me. I know that when we write that images are conjured up can be film like but this story or novel really feels like it was written or rewritten with a silver screen on mind. Especially the ending which I was not one bit surprised by. Apparently Daisy Edgar Jones is being mentioned to play Kya, the main character. Let's hope Daisy can make Kya somewhat appealing or fun to be with. I couldn't understand why anyone would want to spend time with Kya as she was portrayed as being joyless. Gosh this is harsh and now it's awkward but I have to ask what did you think of the best selling novel/film that is the Crawdads?

Posted on December 21, 2020January 10, 2021

I've been meaning to read this for ages and a friend of mine reminded me


I've been meaning to read this for ages and a friend of mine reminded me of it! It's set in the summer of 1956 and the main character us a butler called Stephens. He decides to go on a motoring trip through the West Country. The scenery and characters he meet are just delicious! The six-day excursion unfolds his past through being a butler throughout two world wars, and a love affair that never came to fruition between him and his housekeeper. It's a heartbreaking and fascinating short enough read. I loved the slow pace of the narration and how infuriated I was by the character of Stevens yet liking him and his sense of duty immensely. A classic, love that Anthony Hopkins plays Stevens in the v film version. Perfect casting.

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My Goodreads

Rozz's books

Tender
3 of 5 stars
Tender
by Belinda McKeon
Davy Byrnes Stories 2014
4 of 5 stars
Davy Byrnes Stories 2014
by Sara Baume
Foster
5 of 5 stars
Foster
by Claire Keegan
Superb, perfect short story telling from the genius of the form.
Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned
4 of 5 stars
Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned
by Wells Tower
hilarious and dark and funked up!
The Good House
1 of 5 stars
The Good House
by Ann Leary

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My Goodreads

Rozz’s books

Tender
3 of 5 stars
Tender
by Belinda McKeon

Davy Byrnes Stories 2014
4 of 5 stars
Davy Byrnes Stories 2014
by Sara Baume

Foster
5 of 5 stars
Foster
by Claire Keegan
Superb, perfect short story telling from the genius of the form.

Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned
4 of 5 stars
Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned
by Wells Tower
hilarious and dark and funked up!

The Good House
1 of 5 stars
The Good House
by Ann Leary




goodreads.com

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