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.
Andrew Krivak: The Bear
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: The Snow Child
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.
Bryan Washington: “Hatagaya Lore”
This week’s New Yorker story is Bryan Washington’s “Hatagaya Lore.”
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.