It’s been a chilly July here in Sydney and I have spent most of the month running around the city, trying to keep warm! I feel like I’ve barely done any reading this month but the stats don’t lie and apparently I’ve added six new books to the count! Here’s what I thought of them.
Marazan – Nevil Shute
My latest Shute (fre)e-book, and my least favourite so far. Marazan is an early Shute novel, following a young pilot who gets caught up in an escaped convicts bid to bring down a smuggling ring. Set between the wars and featuring the most insane narrator I’ve ever had the trouble/pleasure of reading. I cannot emphasise enough how this man is constantly drinking and getting into an aircraft for some merry japes. Totally bonkers. 10/10.
Slow Noodles – Chantha Nguon
A half memoir half recipe book about Chantha's evacuation from Cambodia and life as a refugee in Vietnam and beyond. I was a little disappointed as this was marketed as a memoir of the Khmer Rouge but the author left Cambodia before the outbreak and seemed quite well set up in Vietnam. I found this book a struggle but the recipes did sound delicious and I'm planning a trip out to Cabramatta to try some Cambodian cuisine.
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride – Roshani Chokshi
Highly recommended adult fantasy spin on Bluebeard. Argh! I just couldn't take to this one! I've never been much of a fan of flowery writing and this was turned up to eleven. I got through it relatively quickly and saw the twists coming from about halfway. This was very well done if you appreciate intricate writing but it was a miss for me.
Butter – Asako Yuzuki
Easily my favourite book of the month, Butter was billed as a journalistic murder mystery but turned into an incredibly powerful state of the nation novel for modern day Japan. I loved how the friendships between women were explored, how they related to food, and to careers and culture. This was a book you have to put some effort into but my goodness it paid off!
Whale Fall – Daniel Kraus
A scuba diver searching for his fathers remains off the coast of Monterey gets swallowed by a sperm whale. You know I had to read this. It was mostly good but, and this seems an inappropriate criticism, it came off as slightly unrealistic! I was on board for the premise but some of the twists seemed a bit much. I also could have done with less backstory, I got that the whole thing was an allegory but I wanted more whale! Great descriptive writing though.
Love Lockdown – Elizabeth Greenwood
Audiobook. Discussion of the impact of the US prison system on those who love the incarcerated. Very interesting book, though I was never really convinced that the ''met while incarcerated" crowd were as sensible as they were hoping to come across. Definitely gave me new insight into prison life and into the ways generous family policies can help reintegration and reduce recidivism. Very interesting book.
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