Marcel Proust: In Search of Lost Time
"For a long time. . . " And then suddenly I find myself having read the final pages of Time Regained. Here are some brief thoughts upon finishing Proust's In Search of Lost Time.
Helene Hanff: The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street
I finally read Helene Hanff's The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, and it's a quiet delight. Hanff finally makes her long-dreamed-of journey to London, and records it with the same wit, warmth, and honesty that made 84, Charing Cross Road so beloved.
Henry James: The Portrait of a Lady
I’ve long admired James’s shorter works, but I finally took the plunge into one of his major novels—and it was revelatory. From the charming conversations on the Touchetts’ lawn to Isabel Archer’s fierce independence and the shadows that follow, every page felt alive. This isn’t just a novel to read once, but one to return to, full of psychology, beauty, and heartbreak.
Nancy Mitford: The Pursuit of Love
I finally read Nancy Mitford's The Pusuit of Love, a radiant, bittersweet novel that’s as funny as it is quietly devastating.
Daniela Catrileo: Chilco
A lyrical reckoning with land, love, and loss, Daniela Catrileo's debut novel Chilco, translated by Jacob Edelstein, is unsettling, beautiful, and full of quiet rage.
Elizabeth Taylor: Angel
For #NYRBWomen25 I just read Elizabeth Taylor’s 1957 novel, Angel, a brilliant character study of a delusional author and the quiet devastation she leaves behind..
Ivy Compton-Burnett: A House and Its Head
Here are some of my thoughts on Ivy Compton-Burnett’s 1935 novel A House and Its Head, a biting, dialogue-driven domestic drama that left me rattled—in the best (and worst) ways.
Mark Hussey: Mrs. Dalloway: Biography of a Novel
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.
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.
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.