Caledonian Road

Caledonian Road: A Novel | Andrew O'Hagan

#12BooksOf2024 May

I read some great books in May, including my top 2 reads of the year. Caledonian Road was the best, Edenglassie by Melissa Lucashenko was runner up. Andrew O‘Hagan was also my highlight of this year‘s Melbourne Writers‘ Festival.

Andrew65

LeahBergen Well, I guess I have to stack this! 😄 2d

Maria_Pulver Sounds intriguing - adding to TBR 🙏 2d

TrishB On my tbr! 2d

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Cathythoughts I think I might have this on kindle. I‘ll get it if not 👍🏻 2d

mjtwo I still need to read Caledonian Road but loved Edenglassie 2d

BarbaraBB I bought this based on your review but haven‘t read it yet! 2d

Andrew65 Looks good. 2d

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TheKidUpstairs

Caledonian Road: A Novel | Andrew O'Hagan

@CarolynM what a great #AuldLangSpine list! The only one I've read is Clear, and I loved it so that's always a great sign. Caledonian Rd, Death at the Sign of the Rook, and Driver's Seat are all available through the library, so I've got my holds placed and will start there. Edenglassie sounds right up my alley, and it is released here on Jan 2, which seems like a sign. And I'll have to see what else I can get my hands on!

@monalyisha

TheKidUpstairs Girl in a Pink Dress and Rare Singles both sound especially good, but neither are available here so I'll have to keep my eye out for future release (or possibly do a Blackwell's order if they're there and I'm feeling impatient 🤣) 3w

squirrelbrain I‘ve had Edenglassie bookmarked on Everand for ages, as so many Aus Littens have loved it! I also have a digital ARC of Rare Singles - just haven‘t got to it yet. 🤷‍♀️ It‘s a great list! (edited) 3w

monalyisha Added Edenglassie to my TBR *immediately* after researching @CarolynM‘s list! Girl in a Pink dress made an appearance on more than one list, and Rare Singles was one I definitely imagined you might like! 3w

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monalyisha Not to be an enabler. 😉 (I‘m always an enabler when it comes to shopping. Don‘t trust me! 😅) 3w

TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha I always appreciate a little bookish enabling 😉 3w

TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha and you're right, Rare Singles is totally my type of book: maternal angst, unlikely friendships, and soul music 🎯 3w

MeganAnn This is the first list I‘ve seen where I don‘t think I‘m familiar with a single title on it. 🧐 Wild! I very much look forward to seeing your reviews in January. 3w

Chelsea.Poole These look perfect for you! I look forward to your reviews 😊 3w

BarbaraBB Great choices for you! I remember @CarolynM ‘s review of Caledonian Road, it made me want to read the book immediately! And I loved

The Driver's Seat

TheKidUpstairs @MeganAnn most were totally new to me, too! I love it 😁 3w

TheKidUpstairs @BarbaraBB I've never read any Spark, so I'm glad to have the motivation to pick one up! 3w

CarolynM If you can‘t get the Australian titles I would be very happy to send them to you. Just let me know🙂 3w

TheKidUpstairs @CarolynM that's so kind of you! It seems like the only one that I can't find to borrow or buy is Girl in a Pink Dress, which I would love to read. You may run into a similar problem with some of the CanLit on my list (there's a few indie press titles in there), I'd be happy to send something out to you as well! 3w

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MrsMalaprop

Caledonian Road: A Novel | Andrew O'Hagan

pick

Oomph! That packed a punch 🤛. I think the epigraph says it all.

“After a certain distance every step we take in life we find the ice growing thinner below our feet, and all around us and behind us we see our contemporaries going through.” Robert Louis Stevenson

Reminiscent of Bonfire of the Vanities. Epic read 👏.

BarbaraBB Wow that review makes me want to read it immediately! 3mo

CarolynM I‘m a little bit in love with Andrew O‘Hagan. I think this is a great book. You should definitely read it @BarbaraBB 3mo

BarbaraBB @CarolynM I definitely will now you say so too! 3mo

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AnneCecilie

Caledonian Road: A Novel | Andrew O'Hagan

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Dinners and charities, the authors and Dukes seem to be living the life along with the MPs working for the country, but if you lift your eyes and look behind all the glitter you‘ll see something different. People involved in money laundering, illegal immigration, modern slavery and the distribution of drugs. How will the important people react when all eyes are on them because they have been found out?

CarolynM Great review! It‘s such a good book. 5mo

The_Book_Ninja Interesting. Cally Road is where my mum and dad grew up. Didn‘t know there‘s a book set there. It‘s hardly the most romantic road in London 5mo

charl08 Just reading his now because of a work bookgroup, and thinking I want to add his whole backlist to my wishlist!

Mayflies

5mo

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CarolynM

Caledonian Road: A Novel | Andrew O'Hagan

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A sprawling saga of modern London that exposes the web of relationships at the intersection of aristocracy, politics, celebrity & business that facilitate & cover up corruption, abuse & bigotry. Meanwhile, for many outside that sphere, their social & family connections are more likely to endanger than empower them. There‘s a lot to think about, a lot to Spark anger at the inequality & injustice, but it‘s also frequently funny. I loved it.

squirrelbrain Great review! I just got this from the (digital) library and I‘m really looking forward to it. 8mo

LeeRHarry Fab review! 😊 8mo

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻❤️ stacked. 8mo

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BarbaraBB This is one I have been eyeing! 8mo

CarolynM @squirrelbrain @LeeRHarry @Cathythoughts Thank you! I am going to his sessions at the Melbourne Writers Festival on the weekend and I‘m looking forward to it even more now. 8mo

CarolynM @BarbaraBB I think it‘s really good. 8mo

LeeRHarry @CarolynM I‘m going to a couple of sessions tomorrow. 😊 8mo

CarolynM @LeeRHarry I‘m going to Melissa Lucashenko tomorrow. I‘ve got to try to finish Edenglassie this afternoon. 8mo

LeeRHarry @CarolynM I would have liked to have seen her but haven‘t read the copy of Edenglassie you sent me 🫣 I‘m seeing Charlotte Wood and Lauren Groff and then Alexis Wright. (edited) 8mo

CarolynM @LeeRHarry They all should be interesting. We‘ll have to swap notes here after the sessions😀 8mo

LeeRHarry @CarolynM 👍 8mo

CarolynM @LeeRHarry Andrew O‘Hagan‘s sessions were fabulous. The one with Richard Fidler was recorded for his Conversations podcast if you‘re interested. 8mo

LeeRHarry @CarolynM thanks 😊 I saw Alexis Wright speak yesterday and she was great too. I forget how much I enjoy going to author events. 8mo

Rissreads I‘m so jealous of your writers festival. I might have to try get over there next year for it. 8mo

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CarolynM

Caledonian Road: A Novel | Andrew O'Hagan