Another strange and enchanting story from Mona Awad. This time diving into the beauty industry, intergenerational trauma, and grief.
Belle's mother haAnother strange and enchanting story from Mona Awad. This time diving into the beauty industry, intergenerational trauma, and grief.
Belle's mother has recently passed away. She must return from Montreal to San Diego to take care of some things in light of her mother's death. But when she goes home for the first time in years, she gets more than she bargained for. What exactly caused her mother's death? And how can Belle reckon with her childhood, her mother's imposing beauty, and the world that created the image she strives to see in herself, without losing her grip on reality? Only Awad could write the story that unfolds in these pages.
I am biased because I love Mona Awad, and I saw her talk about this book in person on her book tour in La Jolla, California (where this book takes place and where she's written a couple of her books now!). So I have an especially personal connection to this book in particular. While it wasn't my favorite of her books, I still really enjoyed it. The atmosphere, the flashing back and forth seamlessly between the past and present, the overall weirdness that she does so well: she's in as fine of form as ever in Rouge. I also felt this was a deeply personal book for Awad herself. The topics of being mixed race, femininity and beauty, mother/daughter relationships; it all struck me, as well as hearing her speak about the book, as especially relevant.
It's also wacky and fun, even in it's disturbing nature. I mean, Tom Cruise?! Jellyfish?? Mannequins???
My only criticism of this book is that it felt a bit repetitive in the middle. Because not a lot of action happens in this book, it's mostly Belle uncovering memories and reflecting on things from the past, I think it started to feel sort of redundant about halfway through. But the ending more than makes up for it, in my eyes.
Merged review:
Another strange and enchanting story from Mona Awad. This time diving into the beauty industry, intergenerational trauma, and grief.
Belle's mother has recently passed away. She must return from Montreal to San Diego to take care of some things in light of her mother's death. But when she goes home for the first time in years, she gets more than she bargained for. What exactly caused her mother's death? And how can Belle reckon with her childhood, her mother's imposing beauty, and the world that created the image she strives to see in herself, without losing her grip on reality? Only Awad could write the story that unfolds in these pages.
I am biased because I love Mona Awad, and I saw her talk about this book in person on her book tour in La Jolla, California (where this book takes place and where she's written a couple of her books now!). So I have an especially personal connection to this book in particular. While it wasn't my favorite of her books, I still really enjoyed it. The atmosphere, the flashing back and forth seamlessly between the past and present, the overall weirdness that she does so well: she's in as fine of form as ever in Rouge. I also felt this was a deeply personal book for Awad herself. The topics of being mixed race, femininity and beauty, mother/daughter relationships; it all struck me, as well as hearing her speak about the book, as especially relevant.
It's also wacky and fun, even in it's disturbing nature. I mean, Tom Cruise?! Jellyfish?? Mannequins???
My only criticism of this book is that it felt a bit repetitive in the middle. Because not a lot of action happens in this book, it's mostly Belle uncovering memories and reflecting on things from the past, I think it started to feel sort of redundant about halfway through. But the ending more than makes up for it, in my eyes.
Merged review:
Another strange and enchanting story from Mona Awad. This time diving into the beauty industry, intergenerational trauma, and grief.
Belle's mother has recently passed away. She must return from Montreal to San Diego to take care of some things in light of her mother's death. But when she goes home for the first time in years, she gets more than she bargained for. What exactly caused her mother's death? And how can Belle reckon with her childhood, her mother's imposing beauty, and the world that created the image she strives to see in herself, without losing her grip on reality? Only Awad could write the story that unfolds in these pages.
I am biased because I love Mona Awad, and I saw her talk about this book in person on her book tour in La Jolla, California (where this book takes place and where she's written a couple of her books now!). So I have an especially personal connection to this book in particular. While it wasn't my favorite of her books, I still really enjoyed it. The atmosphere, the flashing back and forth seamlessly between the past and present, the overall weirdness that she does so well: she's in as fine of form as ever in Rouge. I also felt this was a deeply personal book for Awad herself. The topics of being mixed race, femininity and beauty, mother/daughter relationships; it all struck me, as well as hearing her speak about the book, as especially relevant.
It's also wacky and fun, even in it's disturbing nature. I mean, Tom Cruise?! Jellyfish?? Mannequins???
My only criticism of this book is that it felt a bit repetitive in the middle. Because not a lot of action happens in this book, it's mostly Belle uncovering memories and reflecting on things from the past, I think it started to feel sort of redundant about halfway through. But the ending more than makes up for it, in my eyes.
Merged review:
Another strange and enchanting story from Mona Awad. This time diving into the beauty industry, intergenerational trauma, and grief.
Belle's mother has recently passed away. She must return from Montreal to San Diego to take care of some things in light of her mother's death. But when she goes home for the first time in years, she gets more than she bargained for. What exactly caused her mother's death? And how can Belle reckon with her childhood, her mother's imposing beauty, and the world that created the image she strives to see in herself, without losing her grip on reality? Only Awad could write the story that unfolds in these pages.
I am biased because I love Mona Awad, and I saw her talk about this book in person on her book tour in La Jolla, California (where this book takes place and where she's written a couple of her books now!). So I have an especially personal connection to this book in particular. While it wasn't my favorite of her books, I still really enjoyed it. The atmosphere, the flashing back and forth seamlessly between the past and present, the overall weirdness that she does so well: she's in as fine of form as ever in Rouge. I also felt this was a deeply personal book for Awad herself. The topics of being mixed race, femininity and beauty, mother/daughter relationships; it all struck me, as well as hearing her speak about the book, as especially relevant.
It's also wacky and fun, even in it's disturbing nature. I mean, Tom Cruise?! Jellyfish?? Mannequins???
My only criticism of this book is that it felt a bit repetitive in the middle. Because not a lot of action happens in this book, it's mostly Belle uncovering memories and reflecting on things from the past, I think it started to feel sort of redundant about halfway through. But the ending more than makes up for it, in my eyes....more
I don't have much to say about this book (which is usually a bad sign, but in this case... idk, it's just because I feel like I don't really get it?).I don't have much to say about this book (which is usually a bad sign, but in this case... idk, it's just because I feel like I don't really get it?). It's an easy enough read, well translated, and has some surprising/intriguing moments. But ultimately I'm left a bit underwhelmed. It does make me want to look up more info about Venezuela and understand the historical context of this book which I definitely lacked while reading it....more
What a surprise this reading experience was! One of those unexpected, totally immersive books that, while I was reading it, I completely forgot that IWhat a surprise this reading experience was! One of those unexpected, totally immersive books that, while I was reading it, I completely forgot that I was reading. I got fully lost in the narrator's story, in her reflections of her relationship to her twin brother, as she ponders what led him to ultimately take his life.
There are no easy answers, perhaps no answers at all. But I found the way that Jente Posthuma wrote these vignettes, usually between 1-3 pages at most, of memories or moments from the unnamed narrator's life, creates a sort of mosaic. Each small tile, either a dark or light moment, when you zoom out, crafts a picture of their life spent together as she tries to piece it all together.
There's many layers here around identity, bodies (they are twins, but not identical), family, good vs evil, etc. And she explores this through contemporary and historical examples of trauma and tragedy. But the most impactful moments are the ones that are the most simple, personal and raw: recollections of seemingly insignificant days spent with the ones you love....more
Simply put, I devoured this book. It was just what I needed: a fun, page-turning story built around an engaging premise with both heart and humor. A mSimply put, I devoured this book. It was just what I needed: a fun, page-turning story built around an engaging premise with both heart and humor. A mix of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (which I loved!) The Midnight Library (which wasn't my favorite). This one falls squarely in the "solid read I can recommend to a wide audience" and "vacation read with a bit more heft to it" camps.
Lauren comes home from her friend's hen do (that's a bachelorette party, for us Americans) to find...she has a husband? She doesn't remember him, or being married for that matter. And soon she discovers he came from her attic. Then, when he returns to the attic, another husband replaces him. With each new husband she swaps out, her life looks slightly different, and thus she is off on a journey of self-discovery and determining what is it exactly that makes a spouse the 'right' one? What are you willing to look past and what are deal-breakers that have Lauren sending the husband back into the attic?
Obviously the premise is clever and so fun to see how it plays out. There are twists and turns, hilarious moments and suspenseful scenes that made this an incredibly engaging read. I got totally lost in the story while reading it and flew through it.
Plus, with so many new and differing experiences, Lauren examines many aspects of life (not just married life) that are relatable to a lot of people. What do we truly want out of life? Is that something we can get from another person? If not, are we willing to sacrifice our personal ambitions for romantic love? Is there such a thing as a soulmate, 'the one,' Mr. Right? Or is marriage about making it work with the person you've chosen to stick it out with?
Gramazio does a great job for a debut novelist. It's heartfelt, hilarious and a memorable story that I would highly recommend!...more
I don't have the energy to write a full review after finishing this, but I will say that it has some highlights and is ultimately bogged down by prettI don't have the energy to write a full review after finishing this, but I will say that it has some highlights and is ultimately bogged down by pretty dry prose that, for a majority of the book, reads more like a history of 20th century Korea, rather than a historical fiction set in that period. When he developed this cast of characters and gave us glimpses into each family member, I was hooked. But when it drifted more into a larger recounting of events that was not specific to these fictional people, I found myself zoning out. Ultimately, glad I read it but not one I will revisit....more
Pared down prose and a vivid setting highlight this tension-filled story about masculinity and its devastating effects on a place and people. I think Pared down prose and a vivid setting highlight this tension-filled story about masculinity and its devastating effects on a place and people. I think the rhythm of the writing lends this story an energy that ultimately leads to a weak ending. I just wanted a little bit more.
At 99 pages, this could've benefited from some further development while still retaining that power it holds in its simplicity. Themes were hinted at but not explored to give enough power to the story as a whole. I liked the characters and was intrigued only to find them vague outlines rather than real people.
Perhaps in time they will live longer in my memory and I will revisit—ideally in conversation with the other two novels in this 'loose trilogy,' as its described. For now an enjoyable enough read that I surely wouldn't have found were it not for the International Booker Prize....more
I think James Baldwin is one of the most meticulous fiction writers I've ever read. When I read Giovanni's Room last year—a book I think could quite I think James Baldwin is one of the most meticulous fiction writers I've ever read. When I read Giovanni's Room last year—a book I think could quite possibly be one of the most perfectly written novels ever—I couldn't help but feel every word was chosen without error. The true is same here, though the story, for me, meandered and wandered a bit in ways that detracted a bit from my overall enjoyment. Nonetheless, this is a book you could (and maybe should) study. Thematically, technically, and emotionally this book is complex and layered. One reading might not be enough to grasp the genius of Baldwin in this book (and it's his debut!?). Some day I will return, and knowing what I know of it now, maybe uncovering even more to appreciate and perhaps love in this heavily autobiographical tale....more
Fragmentary and non-linear, this tells the story of a town ruled by the ruthless titular character, but begins decades later when his estranged son goFragmentary and non-linear, this tells the story of a town ruled by the ruthless titular character, but begins decades later when his estranged son goes to the town to meet his father for the first time as a promise to his recently deceased mother. However, the son discovers the town is more like a purgatory filled with ghosts who have not moved on due to unfulfilled hopes and dreams.
A precursor to the wave of Latin American magical realism, this is clearly an important and influential piece of short fiction. It's quite unique in its style and voice, and while the reading was challenging—keeping track of the *many* characters, plot lines, and time periods as the narrative constantly jumps around—it was satisfying when the various threads came together.
Ultimately though I think that I recognize this style of book isn't to my taste. It relies on you to simply go with things that happen and be content with the inexplicable. It's more of an experience, like a Bergman film, and perhaps on a re-read I would find more to appreciate about Rulfo's skill. But it wouldn't ever be a book I personally love. For those interested in the genre and reading a relatively short but compelling piece of fiction, I'd still recommend it!...more
Part biography of Hannah Arendt, part literary criticism of her works, part memoir of the author retracing steps Arendt took both physically and profePart biography of Hannah Arendt, part literary criticism of her works, part memoir of the author retracing steps Arendt took both physically and professionally, and part treatise for how we might draw on Arendt's philosophies to make a better world. This book is so far outside of my comfort zone (it was sent to me by the publisher and piqued my interest only because my brother is a Kant scholar who also draws on Arendt's works heavily). But I'm really glad I read it!
I won't lie and say that at times I was challenged, but I never felt defeated. It's simply due to my lack of knowledge about Arendt prior to picking this up—which along the way was remedied—and how little I flex the 'muscle' of thinking in this way as a primarily fiction reader. I think the author does a great job of balancing academic writing with personal reflection, explaining things in a way that is more accessible than I anticipated.
This book sort of unlocked something in me that hungers for more non-fiction. Once I got to the halfway mark—having previously read about a chapter a day or so—I devoured this book. I was thinking about its concepts while I wasn't reading it: how do we operate in a world that feels so full of contradictions? Is there a way to exist peacefully under capitalistic structures? Do I feel like my votes even really matter? How can I go out and think, act, and reflect on my thoughts & actions in a manner that honors my humanity, as well as the humanity of those I exist with?
I also couldn't help but think constantly of Palestine while reading this. I would've loved to know how Arendt would feel about current events, but can only, as the author says, think along side her and imagine what she may have said. And by trying to see the world through someone else's eyes, whether friend or foe, perhaps I can begin to erase some of those distinctions and see instead humanity. And by doing so, create a more just and loving world....more
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