Welcome to Litsy!

Such an intriguing little book. In it, Holly (apparently an assumed name) gets a job at the city‘s oldest cinema. Initially, the depiction of her loneliness is so powerful I almost wanted to stop reading. Then she settles in with the motley crew as things at the cinema start changing. This felt like a scathing critique of modern disposable culture. It really got under my skin.

#womensprizelonglist
This is one I am going to have to ruminate over for a bit. It makes me want to take a shower, sort of like how I felt after watching Sid And Nancy. The drugs and drinking and grime is so well described I personally feel gross. Which I guess from a writing standpoint is the author doing a wonderful job. The narration is cold, and the characters are distinct but not in depth. I think the book did what the author set out to do

Grudova, in her #WomensPrize interview, says “I find gross things immensely fun to write.” Well, she must have had an absolute blast writing this book. Very strange and extremely disgusting (I‘m really selling it, right?), but there was just something about it that grabbed me. I didn‘t want to put it down. And the whole CinemaTown thing was just too good 😂 Not sure yet if it will make my shortlist, but glad I read it.

Paradise is one of this city‘s oldest cinemas, and its employees are really something. They have created rules for themselves at the cinema; watching movies after hours, taking whatever drugs they find and keeping jewelry. Into this comes new employee Holly who finds it hard to be accepted.

A book about fitting in, making new friends and how fast life can change.

4th book read from the #WomensPrizeLonglist

Weird and quirky with a little too many mentions of bodily fluids for me. I did enjoy the strangeness and it was a very quick listen although I didn‘t get the film references as I‘m no fan
This is book number 7 I have read from the women‘s prize and not one of my favourites

The Ghoul
Directed by T. Hayes Hunter
1933
[pictured]

There was a Paradise legend that the original owner had built a second screen, a small one, somewhere hidden where he and his friends would watch more risqué films, often in the company of prostitutes.

It wasn't long after I started watching all of Pasolini's films that Lydia suggested we should all do another search for 'The Second Screen'.

I‘m not making a concerted effort to read the #WomensPrize longlist because the road to hell is paved with good intentions and all that jazz, but I am happy I scooped this one up for 99p. It‘s a bit strange and the characters are a lot quirky, but it really worked for me. Right book, right time.

A strange book. Prose was alright, but not spectacular. The plot was grim but barely there. The characters were really strange but distant. Even the MC/narrator is still mostly unknown to the reader at the end of the book. Full of movie references, many of which I probably didn't get. But I just can't quite stop thinking about it. So it's a pick, kinda. Would love to discuss it with a film buff.
#WomensPrize 2023 #longlist

I can appreciate the writing in this book, from the #womensprize long list, but the subject matter was all just a bit..well..grubby for me. The MC starts work at an indie cinema that soon gets bought by a multiplex and the behaviour of her workmates matches the filthy carpets, the overflowing toilets, and the recycled popcorn of the cinema. Be prepared for lots of bodily functions, sex and death. A light pick only.

#52books23 #setinaworkplace

WOW! If this book sets the tone for the #WomansPrizeLongList23 we are in for a wild ride😊! This book was BANANA PANTS
It does get a bit graphic at some points, which might turn some readers off, but I found the book original and memorable. Similar in style to Ottessa Moshfegh and Melissa Broder. The story of a small independent cinema that becomes acquired by a big chain conglomerate. Descriptive and distinct - excellent audio narration- LOVED IT

#AirportAudio LOVING this quirky story of a group of eccentrics who work at an old fashioned cinema. #WomensPrizeLongList23

Loved this: Smart,evocative writing. The misadventures of a bunch of misfits & their lives in & out of the run down independent cinema in which they work. They think they‘re cool & edgy but you can smell the stained seats & rank food in the foyer; feel the grime of the carpets in the cinema & in their similarly neglected apartments; smell the frowsy funk of their clothes & lack of personal hygiene. Cineliterate but never esoteric.Surreal & weird.