Today the new novel ‘Whereabouts’ from the Pulitzer-winning and Booker-shortlisted Jhumpa Lahiri is out. Written in Italian, but translated into English by the author herself, it reads like a memoir. We follow a middle-aged, solemn woman through an unnamed, ‘run-down’ city. She takes us in short bursts of observative descriptions through the places that belong […]
Backlist publishing has grown more popular these days, and the trend is welcome – it helps to take a breather from constantly chasing new titles and rediscover what’s been good for a long time. Taeko Kono’s stories were first published in post-war Japan in the 1960s, translated into English in the 90s, and now W&N […]
Story of a Zimbabwean woman looking for her place among the people who are better adapted and clear headed about what they want.
I read this at the time of Covid 19 pandemic, and the fact that two orphan children in this novel are trying to survive on an island by fishing and growing their food and foraging, put a lot of things into perspective. It is an atmospheric read, don’t expect incredible plot twists or a crowd […]
What to read on the experience of self-isolating
Colson Whitehead took the historical metaphor of abolitionism in the US and imagined The Underground Railroad, which stood for a network of secret routes and safe houses to aid slaves’ escape, as an actual railroad with trains and conductors. What a clever way to wed fiction and reality.
This year Man Booker Prize celebrates its 50 year anniversary of honouring best fiction works published in English. The event will take place on 6-8 July at Southbank Centre, London, but you can start celebrating now by participating in #ManBooker50 challenge: reading as many of the winner works as you can before end of May […]