D.W. Wilson, who I saw recently in the IFOA, has been receiving great reviews for his first book and for a good reason (he’s also won the BBC National...moreD.W. Wilson, who I saw recently in the IFOA, has been receiving great reviews for his first book and for a good reason (he’s also won the BBC National Short Story in 2011 - the youngest person to have ever won it. He’s like, twelve). I didn’t expect to like his book as much as I had. His loosely linked stories, set in the Kootenay valley, centre on men—tradesmen, fathers and sons—and his language and imagery, his detailed descriptions of physical activities, reflect that. But despite it being a physical, masculine, sometimes violent book, the writing is so fluid and gorgeous and fine (I sometimes had to pause, go back and reread whole paragraphs) that there was something almost feminine about it. (Similar, I guess, to how physical fights can sometimes look like dancing…)(less)
I forgot how much I enjoyed Marquez’ writing: the long, poetic elegant sentences, the magical, dream-like feel of the stories. Now, a few months after...moreI forgot how much I enjoyed Marquez’ writing: the long, poetic elegant sentences, the magical, dream-like feel of the stories. Now, a few months after reading it, I have mostly images left over from the experience, an old man with giant wings, a village kept awake by a strong smell of roses coming from the sea, an orphan being tortured and sold to a life of prostitution by her mean grandmother who sits on a throne-like chair, devouring cake... Gorgeous.(less)
I think I liked Penkov’s book before I even read it. Penkov, like me, writes in his second language. Originally from Bulgaria, he moved to the States...moreI think I liked Penkov’s book before I even read it. Penkov, like me, writes in his second language. Originally from Bulgaria, he moved to the States at nineteen to study. Last year he was nominated for the Story Prize and in their blog he wrote a great piece about writing in English and translating his book back into Bulgarian. Penkov writes about his homeland of Bulgaria in a loving, non-sentimental and sober way. His stories are dark yet humorous, all in first person, and reminded me at times of Aleksander Hemon, who I also love, and his wonderful story collection, Love and Obstacles. Perhaps there’s something about writers from East European war-torn countries that I relate to. And maybe I’m just feeling a special kinship to Penkov and Hemon: us second-languages writers must unite!(less)
I’m in love. Seriously. I need to move to Perth. Winton’s collection, The Turning, was one of the biggest surprises for me this year. I just couldn’t...moreI’m in love. Seriously. I need to move to Perth. Winton’s collection, The Turning, was one of the biggest surprises for me this year. I just couldn’t fathom how I lived without ever reading him before. His prose drew me in from the first story, about two teenage friends going on a road trip to the tropical north, and I couldn’t put it down. Set on a coastal stretch of Western Australia, Winton’s stunning collection of linked stories follows recurring characters in a fictional town; one in particular, Vic, appears as a kid and adult in different points in the collection. By the end of the collection, I was in awe by the way Winton weaved these stories into a narrative.
See? That’s why I don’t write reviews, because I find myself using superlatives like stunning and masterful and like, amazing. Don’t take my word for it. Go read it. Now.(less)
Drown was my first introduction to Junot Diaz, and it blew my mind. I have never read anything quite like it before. Diaz writes mostly from a young a...moreDrown was my first introduction to Junot Diaz, and it blew my mind. I have never read anything quite like it before. Diaz writes mostly from a young adult point of view and the stories are set both in the US and the Dominican Republic. Despite it being his first book, Diaz writes with an authority of a seasoned writer and the voice, the rhythm of his prose, are sure-footed and bold. There was a time when I thought I had to write a certain way to be published. I wish I read Diaz then.(less)
I just loved this book so much. This is Christie’s first book; his stories about marginal characters in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side are long and i...more I just loved this book so much. This is Christie’s first book; his stories about marginal characters in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side are long and involved and read like mini-novels, which is pretty much my favourite kind of short fiction. They are gritty, but not bleak, honest and compelling. Christie was shortlised to a few awards for this collection and is the winner of the City of Vancouver Book Award. (And look at this gorgeous cover!)(less)
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