Callum McLaughlin's Blog, page 5
October 1, 2021
September Wrap Up
September was definitely a month of quality over quantity, as though I picked up fewer books overall than usual, two of them are real contenders for my reads of the year list. Links to reviews of each book can be found below, followed as usual by a little look at the embroidery projects I’ve been working on recently.
Books Read: 8
Yearly total: 79
1. The House of Former Lovers by Kirsty Logan
| Review 2. Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
| Review3. The Atlas of Reds and Blues by Devi S. Laskar
| Review4. Reuben Sachs by Amy Levy
| Review5. Mother/land by Ananda Lima
| Review6. Love and Fury by Samantha Silva
| Review7. Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Sun, tr. by Karen Hong
| Review8. Brand New Ancients by Kae Tempest
| ReviewFavourite of the Month: Once There Were Wolves & Love and Fury
As for embroidery projects, I completed a landscape and a custom necklace, both of which are off to their new homes. I also worked on a couple of mini Halloween themed pieces and a floral design, which can be found over on my Etsy.
Did you have a good month? What was your favourite read in September?
September 30, 2021
Kwon Yeo-Sun & Kae Tempest | Mini Reviews
Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Sun
Translated from the Korean by Janet Hong
Published by Apollo, 2021
Rating:
At this book’s core is the murder of a teenage girl, as we look at how this event affects the lives of her sister and the two prime suspects across the years. Though set up like a thriller, however, this is in fact a quiet look at grief, and a dissection of the social landscape in modern-day Korea.
There are interesting ideas at play here, but the execution lacks emotional intensity, the central mystery somehow feeling both predictable and superfluous.
A swift read, it’s the kind of book I failed to find many specific faults with, but which ultimately left me feeling cold, contemplating what could have been given the strength of the initial concept.
Thank you to the publisher for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Brand New Ancients by Kae Tempest
Published by Picador, 2013
Rating:
In this contemporary epic poem about the triumphs and tragedies of two families whose lives intersect, Tempest draws on mythology to explore the ideas of storytelling, inheritance, and the ripple effects felt across generations. It also serves to bolster the piece’s primary theme: That even the most ordinary lives are in fact extraordinary.
Exploring violence, resilience, love, and heartache against the backdrop of working-class Britain, the story packs a weighty emotional punch, with Tempest’s signature eye for human observation, excellent use of rhythm, and clever word play all very much present.
September 28, 2021
Love and Fury by Samantha Silva | Book Review
Love and Fury by Samantha Silva
Published by Allison & Busby, 2021
Rating:
This stunning novel serves as a love letter to the genius of pioneering feminist and writer, Mary Wollstonecraft, while also painting a picture of the very real, sensitive woman behind the legend.
Sticking true to historical events and paying suitable homage to the strength and lyricism of Wollstonecraft’s own work, Silva’s stunning prose evokes the time period to great effect, with much of the action taking place against the brutal backdrop of the French Revolution. Wollstonecraft’s life is a fascinating one full of bittersweet contradictions; an abundance of passion, joy, defiance, success, ridicule, and heartbreak packed into her much-too-short life.
Silva does an excellent job of celebrating her subject’s sharp intellect and early push for equality, exploring issues of gender, class, and sexuality with nuance and grace, as Wollstonecraft strives to resist a system structured to keep women down. That said, the book never feels like an academic text or a dot-to-dot biography. Wollstonecraft was a leader in many respects but she was also a human being, susceptible to the same flaws and tragedies as the rest of us. I think Silva handled the balance of reverence and honesty in portraying her heroine with aplomb.
Structured as a dual narrative, the story jumps between Wollstonecraft’s own retelling of her life, and her midwife Mrs B’s perspective of the days immediately following the birth of Wollstonecraft’s second child. This baby, of course, is none other than Mary Shelley, who would go on to secure her own legacy as a boundary breaking writer, but whose life would be marked by equal sorrow and strife. With most readers likely aware that their lives overlapped by just 10 days or so, the structure adds a further dose of poignancy, as the timelines edge closer together and inevitable tragedy looms.
Still, Wollstonecraft’s story is not without hope. We see moments of genuine happiness won through her determination to live freely. With the birth of her daughter, destined to become a legend in her own right, and the powerful impression she makes on Mrs B in her final days, Wollstonecraft’s place in history is secured; her role in women’s emancipation undeniable.
Whether familiar with Wollstonecraft yet or not, this is a gorgeous, evocative read; a character study that is equal turns inspiring, captivating, and moving.
September 23, 2021
Amy Levy & Ananda Lima | Mini Reviews
Reuben Sachs by Amy Levy
Published by Persephone, 2007
Rating:
First published in 1888, this forgotten classic was revived by the wonderful Persephone Books. I really admire the ideas Levy was exploring, with the novel essentially serving as an indictment of the strict hold societal rules held over people’s lives, with particular regard to class, wealth, reputation, and religion.
While I can appreciate that it would be somewhat revolutionary in its day for a woman to write an outwardly critical view of life as a Jew in Victorian London, by today’s standards it all feels a bit pedestrian and lacking in drive, with little in the way of outright conflict or development beyond what the blurb sets out.
Still, Levy’s prose remains very readable, capturing the look and feel of the era in which she lived, and though the delivery underwhelmed, her themes of expectation, hypocrisy, and suppression remain relevant.
Mother/land by Ananda Lima
Published by Black Lawrence Press, 2021
Rating:
An interesting dissection of language and identity within the context of life as an immigrant mother. The success of poetry depends almost entirely on whether you click with the poet’s style, and that’s a wholly subjective thing. So while I have no specific complaints about this collection, per se, it hasn’t become a new favourite either.
That said, there are a few gems to be found, and those who see their own experiences reflected in Lima’s will likely find it a considerably more powerful read.
Thank you to the publisher for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2021
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy | Book Review
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
Published by Flatiron Books, 2021
Rating:
Charlotte McConaghy blends powerful eco-fiction with the intrigue of a thriller in this stunning look at human nature.
Environmental biologist Inti Flynn has just arrived in Scotland. The head of a controversial rewilding project, she is tasked with overseeing the release of wolves throughout Cairngorms National Park. Fearing for their livestock, the surrounding community of rural farmers is immediately resistant, and their hostility reaches a fever pitch when a man is found dead. Inti is determined to absolve the wolves of blame — and thus spare them from a brutal culling — but to do so means proving there’s a killer in their midst.
McConaghy’s prose is gorgeous, without ever feeling overwrought. She paints vivid pictures of Scotland’s rugged landscape, contrasting its beauty with the inherent dangers of living and working on such harsh terrain. The nuance of her writing is such that, though the novel is a gripping page-turner, it also delves deeply into the psyche of its characters, as more and more secrets bubble to the surface.
You can find my full review over on BookBrowse. To go alongside it, I also wrote a piece about efforts to rewild Scotland.
September 11, 2021
The Atlas of Reds and Blues by Devi S. Laskar
The Atlas of Reds and Blues by Devi S. Laskar
Published by Counterpoint, 2019
Rating:
Laskar’s debut opens boldly, as her narrator, an American born Bengali woman, lies bleeding on her own driveway, having been shot by police during a raid. In a series of non-linear vignettes, her mind then wanders through the memories of her life, which has been shaped from the off by systemic racism.
The novel could potentially be criticised for falling into the “once you’ve read the blurb, you’ve read the book” category. By this, I mean that beyond the bold concept, there’s little in the way of overarching plot progression or deeper theme exploration. Instead, the series of snapshots paints a picture of an entirely normal domestic life in all its simple joys and quiet heartbreaks. This is also the book’s strength, however. There is nothing special or extraordinary about our protagonist; her story is not unique and her perspective reveals nothing that most of us aren’t already well aware of. As such, it’s no coincidence that she and her family remain nameless; their lack of identity emblematic of how easily their experiences of prejudice can be applied to virtually all people of colour living in modern America, and the way white society tends to see skin tone over and above anything else.
In many ways, the book is simple yet powerful, elevated by Laskar’s gorgeous prose, which often takes on a suitably ethereal quality as her narrator’s mind glides through space and time, ebbing and flowing towards her inevitably tragic end. Much remains unanswered, and while it will frustrate some, this too feels deliberate. What, after all, could possibly justify such baseless persecution?
September 9, 2021
Benjamin Lacombe & Kirsty Logan | Mini Reviews
Frida by Sébastien Pérez & Benjamin Lacombe, tr. from the French by Alison Anderson
Published by Ginko Press, 2017
Rating:
Short, poetic musings weave together with actual extracts from Frida Kahlo’s diaries to explore some of the most prominent aspects of her life and work. The text is suitably ornate and poignant, but scant enough that neither newcomers nor longstanding fans of Kahlo will glean much of any substance.
The real highlight, however, is Lacombe’s stunning art. He draws heavily on the iconography and style of Kahlo’s own pieces to pay tribute to her genius, exploring the legacy of the trail she blazed.
The House of Former Lovers by Kirsty Logan
Published independently, 2021
Rating:
A short selection of unnerving flash fiction, focussed on the themes of transformation, sexuality, consumption, and the animal within. It is unashamedly strange, but I tend to find that magical realism works best in short, sharp bursts like this, presenting us with a series of striking images and ideas without requiring a prolonged suspension of disbelief.
Each story is accompanied by a two-page illustration by Maria Stoian. These are suitably sumptuous and otherworldly in style and colour palette. A beautiful little chapbook.
August 31, 2021
August Wrap Up
In terms of reading, August was easily the most productive and enjoyable month I’ve had so far this year. That was thanks in large part to it being Women in Translation Month, which I always love getting stuck into! All of my reads throughout August fit into the WIT category, with my 12 picks representing 9 languages across 12 countries. Below are links to my full thoughts on each, followed by a look at the embroidery projects I’ve been working on recently.
The books I read in August
Books Read: 12
Yearly total: 71
1. The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez – Argentina – T ranslated from the Spanish by Megan McDowell
| Review
2. So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ – Senegal – Translated f rom the French by Modupé Bodé-Thomas
| Review
3. The Others by Sarah Blau – Israel – Translated from the Hebrew by Daniella Zamir
| Review
4. Palimpsest by Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom – Korea/Sweden – Translated from the Swedish by Hanna Strömberg & Richey Wyver
| Review
5. Heaven by Mieko Kawakami – Japan – Translated from the Japanese by Sam Bett & David Boyd
| Review
6. Magma by Thóra Hjörleifsdóttir – Iceland – Translated from the Icelandic by Meg Matich
| Review
7. The Yogini by Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay – India – Translated from the Bengali by Arunava Sinha
| Review
8. Everywhere Antennas by Julie Delporte – France – Translated from the French by Helge Dascher
| Review
9. Eartheater by Dolores Reyes – Argentina – Translated from the Spanish by Julia Sanches
| Review
10. The War Works Hard by Dunya Mikhail – Iraq – Translated from the Arabic by Elizabeth Winslow
| Review
11. The Secret Talker by Geling Yan – China/USA – Translated f rom the Chinese by Jeremy Tiang
| Review
12. Hotel Iris by Yoko Ogawa – Japan – Translated from the Japanese by Stephen Snyder
| Review
Favourite of the month: Magma & Hotel Iris
I had a lot of fun with embroidery projects this month too, including trying out some embroidered bookmarks for the first time. I also hit 30 sales over on my little Etsy shop; a small but lovely milestone! Here’s a quick look at the pieces I worked on throughout August.
What was your favourite read in August? Did you pick up anything for WIT month?
August 30, 2021
Hotel Iris by Yoko Ogawa | Book Review
Hotel Iris by Yoko Ogawa
Translated from the Japanese by Stephen Snyder
Published by Vintage, 2011
Rating:
This fascinating little novel is not always easy to stomach, but Ogawa is incredibly skilled at crafting the kind of hypnotic atmosphere that makes it impossible to look away, no matter how uncomfortable you are. We follow Mari, a 17-year-old who helps her mother run a hotel in a quiet Japanese seaside town. She meets a much older man who lives on a tiny island off the coast, and the two soon strike up a bizarre relationship. Mari’s unnamed suitor is charming and affectionate when they venture out together, but he subjects her to a series of physical, emotional, and sexual humiliations whenever the two are alone at his home.
Due to the nature of the subject matter, there’s no denying this won’t be for everyone, with some truly graphic scenes of what many would categorise as out-right abuse. But here, Ogawa presents us with the novel’s core themes, many of which are concerned with the dichotomies of our lives: the often fine lines between pleasure and pain, passion and torture, excitement and fear. There’s no denying that what Mari is subjected to is morally repugnant, but she is both consenting and welcoming of much of his actions; her sense of worth so low she seems to revel in being demeaned. Indeed, to me the book is primarily a look at loneliness, with both characters using their toxic relationship dynamic to process misplaced guilt and grief from their pasts – but while Mari punishes herself, her suitor punishes others.
Something about Ogawa’s pin-sharp prose just totally draws me in. The characters and setting feel so clear, but not a word goes to waste, and the author’s trademark sinister undertones bubble throughout.
At once an unnerving, thought provoking, shocking, tender, and sad read; love it or hate it, you won’t forget Hotel Iris in a hurry.
August 27, 2021
The Secret Talker by Geling Yan | Book Review
The Secret Talker by Geling Yan
Translated from the Chinese by Jeremy Tiang
Published by HarperVia, 2021
Rating:
A good literary novel tends to wow with its linguistic prowess and the depth of its social commentary. A good thriller serves as a captivating page-turner that draws you in. When the two are brought together in perfect harmony, the effect can be fantastic. In many cases, however, aiming for a literary thriller dooms the book to underwhelm somewhat on both fronts; being neither thematically rich nor quite captivating enough to please lovers of either genre. Sadly, The Secret Talker feels like a prime example of this for me.
The concept is great. We follow Hongmei, a Chinese woman living in America, who finds herself drawn into an increasingly intimate and all-consuming correspondence with an anonymous stalker who seems to know her every move. Though undeniably creepy, their conversation brings to the fore how much her relationship with her husband is failing. As their conversation deepens, both Hongmei and her stalker feel increasingly drawn to each other; compelled to unpack long-held secrets on both sides.
While the stalker set-up will undoubtedly appeal to fans of a good thriller, the novel is in fact a largely character focussed look at relationships, communication, identity, and the need to feel seen and heard. There are a few twists peppered throughout (the most important of which I saw coming a mile off), and I was certainly intrigued throughout, but I did feel we were moving in circles at times.
Despite being hampered by this uneven tone and an occasionally confusing timeline, the book did keep me engaged. Its look at the anonymity of the internet and the thrill of the unknown worked well, and I’d be happy to see the author tackle similar themes within a framework that allowed for greater depth. Given the rise of technology and social media since the book’s original Chinese publication back in 2004, I think there’s lots she could draw on.
Thank you to the publisher for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
