About Trevor Berrett

Trevor Berrett is the editor of The Mookse and the Gripes

Leif Enger: I Cheerfully Refuse

I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger, is a dystopian novel set in a future America where a soft-spoken narrator navigates a world unraveling under the weight of despair and fractured human connections. While the novel offers a chilling glimpse into a familiar dystopia, I found myself struggling with its episodic nature and predictable emotional arcs. Read my full review to find out more about what worked for me—and what didn’t.

By |2025-05-06T12:17:09-04:00May 6th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews, Leif Enger|Tags: , |0 Comments

Caroline Blackwood: Great Granny Webster

Great Granny Webster by Caroline Blackwood is a haunting exploration of family dynamics and the lingering effects of unresolved histories. With its subtle, elusive narrative, the book leaves much to the imagination, creating a lasting sense of mystery and intrigue. Read my full review to delve deeper into the complexities of Blackwood’s storytelling.

By |2025-05-01T12:54:22-04:00May 1st, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews, Caroline Blackwood|Tags: , |0 Comments

Eça de Queirós: Adam and Eve in Paradise

Adam and Eve in Paradise, recently published by New Directions in a translation by the always great Margaret Jull Costa, reimagines the dawn of humanity with wit, humor, and surprising depth. Through a comic and naturalistic retelling, Eça de Queirós explores Adam's evolution from beast to man—and Eve’s crucial role in shaping civilization. A philosophical exploration of knowledge, survival, and the cost of progress. Check out my full review.

By |2025-03-18T15:00:35-04:00March 18th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews, Eça de Queirós|Tags: , , |1 Comment

Yiyun Li: “Techniques and Idiosyncrasies”

This week's New Yorker fiction is Yiyun Li's "Techniques and Idiosyncrasies." What begins as a routine checkup at the doctor's office for Lilian quickly becomes a poignant meditation on memory and grief, drawing us into the subtle ways in which personal history shapes even the most seemingly mundane interactions.

By |2025-03-16T21:36:07-04:00March 10th, 2025|Categories: New Yorker Fiction, Yiyun Li|Tags: |3 Comments
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