Mrs. Dalloway turns 100 this year, and to celebrate, I had the opportunity to read Mark Hussey’s Mrs. Dalloway: Biography of a Novel, a fascinating exploration of the novel’s creation, reception, and lasting impact. Here are my thoughts.
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.
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.
Andrew Krivak’s The Bear is a quiet, elegiac novel about the last two humans on earth—and what endures when everything else is gone. A tender story of survival, grief, and reverence for the natural world. Here are some of my thoughts.
Eowyn Ivey’s debut novel blends myth and harsh reality in the Alaskan frontier, telling a story that’s both tender and haunting. Here is my reflection on my first encounter with The Snow Child—a book long recommended to me by my wife.
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.
Jean Echenoz’s Command Performance is a noir-tinged, absurdist romp -- full of wit, detours, and dead ends. But does its playful subversion delight or exhaust? I found myself teetering on the edge of both. Read my review here.
In Lies and Sorcery, Elsa Morante’s relentless exploration of obsession, manipulation, and abuse is brought to life in a mesmerizing translation by Jenny McPhee, offering a complex reading experience that both captivates and repels.
Have you ever read M.F.K. Fisher's culinary classic How to Cook a Wolf? I had not, but I'm so glad I did! Here are some of my thoughts.
I've been working my way through Anthony Trollope's Palliser sextet, and I was delighted to revisit some of my favorite characters in book four, Phineas Redux.
