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A Saint in Swindon
When a stranger arrives in town, with a bulging blue bag and a whiff of adventure, the neighbourhood takes notice. When he asks for his meals to be sent to his room and peace and quiet for reading, curiosity turns to obsession. Each day he stays there, locked in his room, demanding books: Plath, Kafka, Orwell, Lawrence, Fitzgerald, James, Bronte (the eldest), Dickens, Dumas, Kesey – on and on, the stranger never leaving his room. Who exactly is he? What is he reading? And will it be able to save us from the terrible state of the world?
Written by award-winning author Alice Jolly, and based on an idea by the book lovers of Swindon town, this funny and, ultimately, dystopian tale, reminds us of the importance of literature in an increasingly dark world.
Written by award-winning author Alice Jolly, and based on an idea by the book lovers of Swindon town, this funny and, ultimately, dystopian tale, reminds us of the importance of literature in an increasingly dark world.
96 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2020
2 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 14, 2020
It's 2030 and the days are getting hotter and hotter. A mysterious man arrives at a B&B, carrying nothing but a lumpy bag. He checks into his room; days pass and he does not come out. He does nothing but read and ask for more books. Soon questions are flying around the town and speculations spread like a virus. Is he a criminal? A celebrity in hiding? A saint? Is he reading to show others the way? As crowds begin to gather, and the urge to read becomes contagious, the outside world moves ever closer to its doom...
I adored this funny little novella and can't wait to read more by Alice Jolly. Her prose was crisp and clever and the plot and characters engaging. I also enjoyed the foreword explaining how the collaborative process used to create the story.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a slightly strange story to read in these slightly strange days of 2020.
I adored this funny little novella and can't wait to read more by Alice Jolly. Her prose was crisp and clever and the plot and characters engaging. I also enjoyed the foreword explaining how the collaborative process used to create the story.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a slightly strange story to read in these slightly strange days of 2020.
May 10, 2020
A Saint in Swindon was born out of a literary experiment which is described in the book’s foreword and afterword. The Swindon Artswords Reading Group invited Alice Jolly to write a story and discuss the “work in progress” with them. The idea was that through this interaction with the author, the group’s members would understand better the process involved in getting a writer’s thoughts onto the written (or printed) page. As the project evolved, however, more of the readers’ thoughts, tastes and ideas started to feed into the story. The Saint in Swindon bears Alice Jolly’s name, but she describes it as a communal work “which we created together”. Fairlight Books have now welcomed the work into their fold – an excellent choice of publisher, given the pride of place novellas are given in their catalogue.
This project is interesting and laudable. What is possibly more surprising is that The Saint in Swindon is a fine work which is enjoyable on its own merits irrespective of the experiment which gave rise to it. It is set in a dystopian near-future, where rising temperatures and water shortage are becoming increasingly worrying. In the midst of all this, a strange guest arrives at Hunter’s Grove, a bed and breakfast run by Janey (the narrator) and her husband Phil. The man, who calls himself Jack MacKafka, barricades himself in his room and only asks to be provided with food and books. Neighbours and friends are intrigued, and a cult starts to gather around the mysterious figure. Meanwhile, the world descends into greater chaos.
As befits a novella conceived by a reading group, the novella continually ventures into meta-territory. Janey and her friends are members of a book club and they try to figure out the visitor through the books he reads. The novella references many novels (which are helpfully listed at the end). We learn about the genres favoured by the different characters – the genres are then promptly mimicked in the novella itself, which veers between dystopia and mystery, between comedy and Madame Bovary-style suburban realism. It sounds like a bit of a mish-mash and it is. However, the funny and likeable voice of Janey keeps the novella on course whilst raising some intriguing questions about the value of books and literature, particularly in times of crisis. Alice Jolly does not provide answers to these queries:
I’m not going to tell you what you should think about it. The white space is yours and I know you will fill it with your own questions, thoughts and images. Welcome to the conversation. Make this story your own.
The creative process continues…
This project is interesting and laudable. What is possibly more surprising is that The Saint in Swindon is a fine work which is enjoyable on its own merits irrespective of the experiment which gave rise to it. It is set in a dystopian near-future, where rising temperatures and water shortage are becoming increasingly worrying. In the midst of all this, a strange guest arrives at Hunter’s Grove, a bed and breakfast run by Janey (the narrator) and her husband Phil. The man, who calls himself Jack MacKafka, barricades himself in his room and only asks to be provided with food and books. Neighbours and friends are intrigued, and a cult starts to gather around the mysterious figure. Meanwhile, the world descends into greater chaos.
As befits a novella conceived by a reading group, the novella continually ventures into meta-territory. Janey and her friends are members of a book club and they try to figure out the visitor through the books he reads. The novella references many novels (which are helpfully listed at the end). We learn about the genres favoured by the different characters – the genres are then promptly mimicked in the novella itself, which veers between dystopia and mystery, between comedy and Madame Bovary-style suburban realism. It sounds like a bit of a mish-mash and it is. However, the funny and likeable voice of Janey keeps the novella on course whilst raising some intriguing questions about the value of books and literature, particularly in times of crisis. Alice Jolly does not provide answers to these queries:
I’m not going to tell you what you should think about it. The white space is yours and I know you will fill it with your own questions, thoughts and images. Welcome to the conversation. Make this story your own.
The creative process continues…
May 27, 2020
What an odd little novella. A strange piece of writing. Unexpected and utterly meaningless.
A Saint in Swindon is about a stranger, Jack MacKafka, who comes to town with a bulging bag who takes up residence in Phil and Janey’s B&B, who wants his food brought up to his room, wears nondescript clothes, a baseball hat and dark glasses even inside who takes on mythical qualities. He is a man of God, a saint who has come to offer salvation to all according to the rumours and beliefs of the townsfolk of Swindon, but he never actually leaves his little bedroom. Rather, he reads a catalogue of books, some of which are his own, and some are borrowed from the local library. At the start Janey is the perfect hostess, making food from scratch for her guest, but slowly she gets pulled into the world of wanting only to read, read the books that Jack MacKafka has read. Set in 2030 and beyond, it is a dystopian type of novel of climate change and when the government breaks down and anarchy takes over, with people reverting to a dark ages style of living and no respect for anything but basic survival.
Funny but the name Swindon reminds one of the word swindles - to use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions …. of which Jack MacKafka does so brilliantly. He swindles Phil and Janey out of 600 pounds and takes off with several books that have been borrowed under Janey’s name. He swindles, knowingly or not, the townspeople of their dignity and sanity. He charms the pants off Janey and takes her for everything she has.
Written as an experiment between the author and the townspeople of Swindon, supposedly it is meant to be a reminder of the importance of novels in dark times. It was odd, unsatisfying and thankfully only took 50 minutes or so to read, which is 50 minutes wasted, but thankfully it wasn't four hours and fifty minutes.
A Saint in Swindon is about a stranger, Jack MacKafka, who comes to town with a bulging bag who takes up residence in Phil and Janey’s B&B, who wants his food brought up to his room, wears nondescript clothes, a baseball hat and dark glasses even inside who takes on mythical qualities. He is a man of God, a saint who has come to offer salvation to all according to the rumours and beliefs of the townsfolk of Swindon, but he never actually leaves his little bedroom. Rather, he reads a catalogue of books, some of which are his own, and some are borrowed from the local library. At the start Janey is the perfect hostess, making food from scratch for her guest, but slowly she gets pulled into the world of wanting only to read, read the books that Jack MacKafka has read. Set in 2030 and beyond, it is a dystopian type of novel of climate change and when the government breaks down and anarchy takes over, with people reverting to a dark ages style of living and no respect for anything but basic survival.
Funny but the name Swindon reminds one of the word swindles - to use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions …. of which Jack MacKafka does so brilliantly. He swindles Phil and Janey out of 600 pounds and takes off with several books that have been borrowed under Janey’s name. He swindles, knowingly or not, the townspeople of their dignity and sanity. He charms the pants off Janey and takes her for everything she has.
Written as an experiment between the author and the townspeople of Swindon, supposedly it is meant to be a reminder of the importance of novels in dark times. It was odd, unsatisfying and thankfully only took 50 minutes or so to read, which is 50 minutes wasted, but thankfully it wasn't four hours and fifty minutes.
May 11, 2020
I read this in a single lockdown afternoon. It is really very short, fast paced, with plenty of wit and humour. I was attracted by the idea of members of a book group contributing to and editing a story. Who am I to offer suggestions of what I would change? I am not a member of the group. I was intrigued, though, by people trying to find a pattern in the guest’s book choices (a puzzle to be solved perhaps?) and wondered where they were going with that. Nowhere much is the answer and that was a disappointment to me, I’d have liked to see some more progression in the choices. I can’t help but wonder, too, how the personalities of the book group members in the story came about - surely not from the Swindon book group? I imagine the process of writing and publishing this will have given great pleasure to the group, I am rather envious of them.
With thanks to Fairlight Books via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.
With thanks to Fairlight Books via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.
May 28, 2020
An enigmatic man at the bed and breakfast will cause quite a stir.
Now let me get this out into the open. I don’t much like dystopian fiction. However, I am a huge fan of Alice Jolly’s writing and it comes as no surprise to me that if anyone can persuade me to read a narrative with a dystopian undercurrent she can. And did. In spades. I thought this long short story of just under 90 pages was utterly sublime and I loved every word of it.
I am in total awe of how much content there is in A Saint in Swindon. It’s a brilliantly crafted story set in the searing, maddening heat of the future when water is running out. How we have affected the planet, and how it in turn affects us, is just one thread in this rich and multi-layered little book. There are so many entertaining and thought provoking aspects that I suspect I could read it many, many times and find something fresh and new on each occasion.
An eclectic mix of concepts and themes like religious fanaticism, feminism, independence, power and corruption, sexuality and sensuality swirls around the plot so that reading A Saint in Swindon is a delightfully fascinating. I loved the way the plot is multi-layered so that we get moments from the past eddying in the futuristic present, making for a captivating story.
There’s an almost metaphysical conceit through the imagery of literature so that there is immense joy in simply encountering much loved books and authors. Literature lovers and book groups alike will adore A Saint in Swindon. But this is no self-important text that will only appeal to those with an interest in literature. Through the books and their references is enormous humour and wit so I found myself laughing aloud on many occasions.
The literary references are perfect in creating the narrator’s character too. I kept thinking of Victoria Wood as her voice rang loud, clear and oh so entertainingly. It may be because she is described as a fifty-something woman that I identified with her so readily, but I was with her every step of the way. I thought her acerbic comments were fabulous. Her rhetorical questions, her Tuesday afternoon arrangement with Len, her matter of fact tone and the way she devours the books brought me incredible entertainment. I can see myself returning to this slim book any time I need cheering up because there’s so much to relate to and much that is tongue in cheek whilst having serious undertones. The writing is pitch perfect.
I am in awe of Alice Jolly’s craft. She seems to be able to write in any style or genre with flawless aplomb and A Saint in Swindon is a shining example of her brilliance. I loved it unreservedly.
Now let me get this out into the open. I don’t much like dystopian fiction. However, I am a huge fan of Alice Jolly’s writing and it comes as no surprise to me that if anyone can persuade me to read a narrative with a dystopian undercurrent she can. And did. In spades. I thought this long short story of just under 90 pages was utterly sublime and I loved every word of it.
I am in total awe of how much content there is in A Saint in Swindon. It’s a brilliantly crafted story set in the searing, maddening heat of the future when water is running out. How we have affected the planet, and how it in turn affects us, is just one thread in this rich and multi-layered little book. There are so many entertaining and thought provoking aspects that I suspect I could read it many, many times and find something fresh and new on each occasion.
An eclectic mix of concepts and themes like religious fanaticism, feminism, independence, power and corruption, sexuality and sensuality swirls around the plot so that reading A Saint in Swindon is a delightfully fascinating. I loved the way the plot is multi-layered so that we get moments from the past eddying in the futuristic present, making for a captivating story.
There’s an almost metaphysical conceit through the imagery of literature so that there is immense joy in simply encountering much loved books and authors. Literature lovers and book groups alike will adore A Saint in Swindon. But this is no self-important text that will only appeal to those with an interest in literature. Through the books and their references is enormous humour and wit so I found myself laughing aloud on many occasions.
The literary references are perfect in creating the narrator’s character too. I kept thinking of Victoria Wood as her voice rang loud, clear and oh so entertainingly. It may be because she is described as a fifty-something woman that I identified with her so readily, but I was with her every step of the way. I thought her acerbic comments were fabulous. Her rhetorical questions, her Tuesday afternoon arrangement with Len, her matter of fact tone and the way she devours the books brought me incredible entertainment. I can see myself returning to this slim book any time I need cheering up because there’s so much to relate to and much that is tongue in cheek whilst having serious undertones. The writing is pitch perfect.
I am in awe of Alice Jolly’s craft. She seems to be able to write in any style or genre with flawless aplomb and A Saint in Swindon is a shining example of her brilliance. I loved it unreservedly.
August 1, 2020
I downloaded the ARC of this novella just when the Covid-19 lockdown hit, and then found I was not in the mood for even the gentlest of dystopian fiction.
Returning to it today, when I know I will be seeing the people I love again later, I was able to take it in its intended light, as a humorous take on the ending of our world as we know it, and an allegory of the need that humans have - have always had - for stories.
I'll be recommending this to all of my library friends - the Swindon Library is a star at the heart of this story of a mysterious man who arrives in town, checks into a local B&B and then takes to his bed and reads. He gives lists to his hosts of books to acquire from the library, and the narrator and her friends fall over themselves to fulfill his requests, reading the books themselves. The reader becomes a local celebrity and soon everyone in town wants to read too. I particularly love this vignette:
"At first, everyone at the library had been thrilled that so many people were taking out books, but then a man in Lydiard Millicent fell down the stairs while reading and broke his neck. Soon the librarians' delight turned to worry as there were hardly any books left on the shelves."
In her afterword, Alice Jolly talks about how members of the Swindon public library bookgroup contributed both book suggestions and ideas for the story, and I can't help but think one of the librarians may have had a hand. Although perhaps one went a little too far, because there is also this brilliant passage that made the cataloguer inside my soul laugh aloud:
"At our last book group, Susan told us more than we wanted to know about the Dewey Decimal System."
Rookie error, Susan. I spend my life talking about my garden at social gatherings because no-one - not even I - cares about Dewey.
Joking aside, both the main text and the afterword are absolute joys. I hope this will not be Alice Jolly's last library-based collaborative project, as she comes across as someone who really knows how to work in the setting. I'll be recommending her book, and her, to my friends across the library community, and think it only fitting to end this review with her words:
"I feel that I own the words but that the reader owns the white spaces around the words ... The white space is your and I know you will fill it with your own questions, thoughts and images. Welcome to the conversation. Make this story your own. Enjoy the magic - and the danger - of the written word."
Returning to it today, when I know I will be seeing the people I love again later, I was able to take it in its intended light, as a humorous take on the ending of our world as we know it, and an allegory of the need that humans have - have always had - for stories.
I'll be recommending this to all of my library friends - the Swindon Library is a star at the heart of this story of a mysterious man who arrives in town, checks into a local B&B and then takes to his bed and reads. He gives lists to his hosts of books to acquire from the library, and the narrator and her friends fall over themselves to fulfill his requests, reading the books themselves. The reader becomes a local celebrity and soon everyone in town wants to read too. I particularly love this vignette:
"At first, everyone at the library had been thrilled that so many people were taking out books, but then a man in Lydiard Millicent fell down the stairs while reading and broke his neck. Soon the librarians' delight turned to worry as there were hardly any books left on the shelves."
In her afterword, Alice Jolly talks about how members of the Swindon public library bookgroup contributed both book suggestions and ideas for the story, and I can't help but think one of the librarians may have had a hand. Although perhaps one went a little too far, because there is also this brilliant passage that made the cataloguer inside my soul laugh aloud:
"At our last book group, Susan told us more than we wanted to know about the Dewey Decimal System."
Rookie error, Susan. I spend my life talking about my garden at social gatherings because no-one - not even I - cares about Dewey.
Joking aside, both the main text and the afterword are absolute joys. I hope this will not be Alice Jolly's last library-based collaborative project, as she comes across as someone who really knows how to work in the setting. I'll be recommending her book, and her, to my friends across the library community, and think it only fitting to end this review with her words:
"I feel that I own the words but that the reader owns the white spaces around the words ... The white space is your and I know you will fill it with your own questions, thoughts and images. Welcome to the conversation. Make this story your own. Enjoy the magic - and the danger - of the written word."
April 23, 2020
Publisher Synopsis: When a stranger arrives in town, with a bulging blue bag and a whiff of adventure, the neighbourhood takes notice. When he asks for his meals to be sent to his room and peace and quiet for reading, curiosity turns to obsession. Each day he stays there, locked in his room, demanding books: Plath, Kafka, Orwell, Lawrence, Fitzgerald, James, Bronte (the eldest), Dickens, Dumas, Kesey – on and on, the stranger never leaving his room. Who exactly is he? What is he reading? And will it be able to save us from the terrible state of the world? Written by award-winning author Alice Jolly, and based on an idea by the book lovers of Swindon town, this funny and, ultimately, dystopian tale, reminds us of the importance of literature in an increasingly dark world
This story was truly beautiful and I enjoyed every single second of reading this novelette. Alice Jolly has such a wonderful way of writing, like the main character is speaking directly to you and telling you their story. As much as I loved the writing, I also loved the story. How relevant! I read this during the COVID-19 isolation of 2020 and didn’t ever expect to be reading a book with whom the characters were describing my feelings at the time. For example “They banned the use of cars and grounded all flights…the days can be long when you can’t go anywhere” oh how you spoke directly to me, Jolly. But of course there was so much more to the story than just a man, just some books, and the days of a dystopian future where climate is completely fucked (there really was no other way to describe it). Such an intriguing story that had be glued to the pages from start to finish.
With a super quirky main character that is guaranteed to provide a number of giggles along the way, this book is perfect for those needed moments of escape with a cuppa, bathtub, or bed.
Rated 4/5 Stars
My sincerest thanks to Netgalley and Fairlight Books Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
This story was truly beautiful and I enjoyed every single second of reading this novelette. Alice Jolly has such a wonderful way of writing, like the main character is speaking directly to you and telling you their story. As much as I loved the writing, I also loved the story. How relevant! I read this during the COVID-19 isolation of 2020 and didn’t ever expect to be reading a book with whom the characters were describing my feelings at the time. For example “They banned the use of cars and grounded all flights…the days can be long when you can’t go anywhere” oh how you spoke directly to me, Jolly. But of course there was so much more to the story than just a man, just some books, and the days of a dystopian future where climate is completely fucked (there really was no other way to describe it). Such an intriguing story that had be glued to the pages from start to finish.
With a super quirky main character that is guaranteed to provide a number of giggles along the way, this book is perfect for those needed moments of escape with a cuppa, bathtub, or bed.
Rated 4/5 Stars
My sincerest thanks to Netgalley and Fairlight Books Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
January 26, 2025
I got very little out of the very little time I put into this book, I wasn’t particularly engaged with the story or style of writing, none of the characters really stood out to me at all and it felt ultimately devoid of anything meaningful to me. I can imagine someone else will get more out of the white space created by the book, but to me it was mainly white noise. That is the magic- and the danger- of the written word, ones extremely vast imaginative love is sadly my untimely dissatisfaction.
August 1, 2021
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Eh. That is all I have. There was a guy who showed up and read books, then he left. There was a climate emergency. All the books are burned.
Eh.
Eh. That is all I have. There was a guy who showed up and read books, then he left. There was a climate emergency. All the books are burned.
Eh.
December 8, 2023
What a little gem A Saint in Swindon is. I'm not sure at what point a short story becomes a novella but in only 78 pages of text Alice Jolly has created a whole world that I was able to lose myself in.
A stranger arrives in Swindon and takes up residence in the narrator's B&B. He's an enigma, never coming out of his room, taking all his meals in there and simply spending his days reading. The dream! The mystery man devours book after book and ignites everybody's imagination. Who is he? Why is he reading so much? Why does nobody ever see him? Soon, people are treating him as a kind of saviour.
The story is set in the very near future in 2030 but it's an almost unrecognisable world as the effects of climate change wreak havoc on everyday life. The reader is treated to myriad literary references as the community becomes fixated on the stranger and what he is reading. I loved the parallels between the fiction and the reality for the characters and how the plots of the books seemed to mirror what was happening in their lives.
Not only is this book engaging but it has so many layers to it and I think there's a lot more to be considered within it than there at first seems. Taking it at face value it's a wonderful tale of the power of books in a changing landscape, but underneath there is so much more and this would be an amazing book group choice.
I really enjoyed A Saint in Swindon. It's a fabulous little book, with fascinating characters and a clever plot.
A stranger arrives in Swindon and takes up residence in the narrator's B&B. He's an enigma, never coming out of his room, taking all his meals in there and simply spending his days reading. The dream! The mystery man devours book after book and ignites everybody's imagination. Who is he? Why is he reading so much? Why does nobody ever see him? Soon, people are treating him as a kind of saviour.
The story is set in the very near future in 2030 but it's an almost unrecognisable world as the effects of climate change wreak havoc on everyday life. The reader is treated to myriad literary references as the community becomes fixated on the stranger and what he is reading. I loved the parallels between the fiction and the reality for the characters and how the plots of the books seemed to mirror what was happening in their lives.
Not only is this book engaging but it has so many layers to it and I think there's a lot more to be considered within it than there at first seems. Taking it at face value it's a wonderful tale of the power of books in a changing landscape, but underneath there is so much more and this would be an amazing book group choice.
I really enjoyed A Saint in Swindon. It's a fabulous little book, with fascinating characters and a clever plot.
April 17, 2020
Along with a rather comedic and insightful dystopian short story, the reader will also learn about the mechanics of how it was conceived and created.
This was in fact a commisioned work that Alice Jolly wrote for the Swindon Artwords reading group, who through their editorial meeting helped to shape the work. As Alice states in the Afterword, the members of the reading group became no longer consumers, but creators, having now an emtional investment in the story.
Given this background, it is no surprise therefore, that it is a book about the power of books and the impact that reading can have in an increasingly troubled world.
The book is set, fittingly enough in Swindon, in the year 2030.
It is a dry, very hot Summer, a hosepipe ban has been announced and things will get very much worse.
Arriving at a B & B comes a stranger with a bulging blue bag. He stays in his room reading all day and demanding more books. Meals are to be left outside and he is not to be disturbed.
Who is he and what relevance has he to the increasingly crumbling world outside?
This is certainly well worth a read and can be easily read in one sitting. It may even at some point be the choice for discussion by a book group.
This was in fact a commisioned work that Alice Jolly wrote for the Swindon Artwords reading group, who through their editorial meeting helped to shape the work. As Alice states in the Afterword, the members of the reading group became no longer consumers, but creators, having now an emtional investment in the story.
Given this background, it is no surprise therefore, that it is a book about the power of books and the impact that reading can have in an increasingly troubled world.
The book is set, fittingly enough in Swindon, in the year 2030.
It is a dry, very hot Summer, a hosepipe ban has been announced and things will get very much worse.
Arriving at a B & B comes a stranger with a bulging blue bag. He stays in his room reading all day and demanding more books. Meals are to be left outside and he is not to be disturbed.
Who is he and what relevance has he to the increasingly crumbling world outside?
This is certainly well worth a read and can be easily read in one sitting. It may even at some point be the choice for discussion by a book group.
July 1, 2020
Description: It’s about a mysterious reader, Jack MacKafka and his curious presence in the Swindon’s B&B Hotel. What really captivates me were his lists of required books – for example, from Tess Of The D’Urbervilles until Heart Of Darkness on the first day of his staying. I couldn’t find any books that have this kind of writing style, except The Book Collectors by Delphine Minoui. The climax part, where MacKafka was being hailed as a ‘saint’ in the small town was difficult for me to decipher. I quite enjoyed the presence of the main character’s closest comrades, especially Susan and Cameron, where Susan was exactly like me and Cameron with her superstitious beliefs. Unfortunately, I disliked the ending, as it’s totally hanging on one side, where the main character supposed to continue her searching for MacKafka’s whereabouts.
Conclusion: I really hoped that this book has a sequel, really.
Conclusion: I really hoped that this book has a sequel, really.
December 7, 2023
A Saint in Swindon by Alice Jolly
A favorite ✨️
5☆
quote:
𝔸𝕟𝕪 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕤 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕒𝕪? 𝕀 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕤𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕣 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕠𝕣 𝕕𝕣𝕠𝕡 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕤 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕒𝕣𝕞𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥. 𝕎𝕖’𝕕 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕨𝕒𝕝𝕜 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕠𝕗 𝕒 𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕣𝕠𝕓𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕒 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕒 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕝𝕒𝕞𝕡 𝕓𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕤 𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥.
Books about books, thriller , dystopian, literary fiction, post-apocalyptic.
A favorite ✨️
5☆
quote:
𝔸𝕟𝕪 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕤 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕒𝕪? 𝕀 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕤𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕣 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕠𝕣 𝕕𝕣𝕠𝕡 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕤 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕒𝕣𝕞𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥. 𝕎𝕖’𝕕 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕨𝕒𝕝𝕜 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕠𝕗 𝕒 𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕣𝕠𝕓𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕒 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕒 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕝𝕒𝕞𝕡 𝕓𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕤 𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥.
Books about books, thriller , dystopian, literary fiction, post-apocalyptic.
March 1, 2023
The start of this book was actually pretty good but it's the middle and the end which was so bad. the middle was so unrealistic bc literally no one acts like that and the end was dragged out so long. there was a perfect point for it to end that would have left suspense but no the author decided to drag it out
also the author tried to hard to make nice descriptive lines at the end that she forgot to actually explain what was going on so it was confusing and not in a good way at all.
also the author tried to hard to make nice descriptive lines at the end that she forgot to actually explain what was going on so it was confusing and not in a good way at all.
February 1, 2025
A novella set in Swindon in a dystopian future where climate change means everyone’s options for travel have nearly vanished and where minor events in a small town, like a stranger booking into a guest house who then stays in his room all day reading his way through many many books, becomes the unexpected focus of local attention. Quirky and interesting story: food for thought on the consequences and value of reading books.
March 1, 2021
3.75
'how can you build the future if you do not dream?'
This little story surprised me and I'm still not sure how to tell you that in a way that makes sense. It is set in the not so far future and it feels very timely - especially the sections about the mismanagement of emergency situations by the government - but at the same time feels as if it is told from a sort of parallel world.
'how can you build the future if you do not dream?'
This little story surprised me and I'm still not sure how to tell you that in a way that makes sense. It is set in the not so far future and it feels very timely - especially the sections about the mismanagement of emergency situations by the government - but at the same time feels as if it is told from a sort of parallel world.
January 16, 2024
What a cute, strange, unusual little book.
I read this in a coffee shop during a work break and I don’t quite know what to make of it. I love books about books and that was why I picked this up. But it took such a strange turn that I was not expecting. Also I had no idea this book was set in 2030. So strange…
I read this in a coffee shop during a work break and I don’t quite know what to make of it. I love books about books and that was why I picked this up. But it took such a strange turn that I was not expecting. Also I had no idea this book was set in 2030. So strange…
February 16, 2024
The concept that a book group worked with the author to write this book is really exciting.
Th story leaves you with so much to think about and question, but in the words of the author, '...I'm not going to tell you what you should think about it'.
What I will say is that it is one to read and maybe start a conversation about!
Th story leaves you with so much to think about and question, but in the words of the author, '...I'm not going to tell you what you should think about it'.
What I will say is that it is one to read and maybe start a conversation about!
February 16, 2024
What a quirky little thing! I really enjoyed this short story and to be honest I think the length is perfect. Gave me that sort of thinking like ‘what? Why? Are you serious? How?’. I’m glad we don’t find out what happened with him in the end. It turns out the main character of the story is her, I liked this twist.
February 4, 2026
Strange novella — at least to me it was. A man takes a room in a bed and breakfast establishment and stays in his room 24/7 for many days on end reading. The books he read are listed at the end…famous works of fiction such as Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamasov, and Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. A husband (Phil) and wife (Janey) run the B&B, and the wife is very curious about him (why doesn’t he ever come out of his room? And her friends are also curious about him and want to meet him, but the wife, Janey, is protective towards the reader and wards them off successfully. Is he a famous person, perhaps? And the husband has a mild mistrust towards him (there was a recent murder in the area and he wonders whether the reader may be the culprit). In the end the reader leaves the B&B without paying his bill. That’s it. 😑 Thank God it was just a novella.
Reviews (they all loved it):
• https://jfeditorial.com/2023/01/24/bo...
• https://lindasbookbag.com/2020/05/28/...
• https://shortbookandscribes.uk/review...
Reviews (they all loved it):
• https://jfeditorial.com/2023/01/24/bo...
• https://lindasbookbag.com/2020/05/28/...
• https://shortbookandscribes.uk/review...
Read
March 27, 2023this was strange. a book for book lovers? a book for book apologists? book for romantics and those stubborn in their belief that stories are important. those who would burn their books last after their fleece and all the rest in the end of days. god i’m happy to be alive, happy to have the ability to wonder. for community, for art, for intellect. the gentle pleasure and rebellion that exist between friends fearlessly discussing books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2023
A bit of fun, but, in the end, it’s a book written by Jolly after speaking at a book group and being persuaded by them to write a book about a book reader and the books he is reading. It’s very short, but too long really.
November 28, 2020
Brilliant! My only wish is that it would have been longer. :)
May 27, 2021
Ah, books 📚❤📚
December 18, 2021
A very interesting little book that's set in the future but also in the past. It's like some weird parallel universe but a good weird. An enjoyable read.
July 2, 2023
A short slightly strange book.
November 7, 2023
4.5
So short, but so fun. A rollercoaster.
So short, but so fun. A rollercoaster.
January 24, 2024
3.5/5
February 25, 2026
I liked this little novella.
The characters are lightly sketched by quite vibrant, and the themes are very topical.
You can definitely tell this was a Reading Group collaboration, everyone got their favourite title mentioned in this.
It's a nice way to spend a couple hours, I don't regret picking this up from the library.
The characters are lightly sketched by quite vibrant, and the themes are very topical.
You can definitely tell this was a Reading Group collaboration, everyone got their favourite title mentioned in this.
It's a nice way to spend a couple hours, I don't regret picking this up from the library.
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