InternationalBookerPrize2021

When We Cease to Understand the World | Benjam�n Labatut

pick

I wasn't quite sure how to review this book or even explain what it's about. A nonfiction novel? Novelised nonfiction? I have no idea, but it is extremely my shit. The prose is rhythmic and compelling; a jolt to the mind. You follow the unpredictable path of the narrative that takes you through groundbreaking scientists and mathematicians who found that getting closer to the truths of existence also means playing a part in destroying it.

batsy It's extremely pertinent to our times, while bringing home the realisation that "our times" have been going on for much longer than most realise. Something about the shapeshifting nature of this book reminds me of books like Annihilation or Piranesi; all completely different books, but each in essence about some unknowable mystery. The author writes about the theory behind computers, for example, like "it had fallen to earth from another planet". 4y

batsy Attempted to read through the #internationalbookerprize2021 before the winner is announced and I didn't quite make it but right now this book, or the one I'm currently in the middle of (The Employees), both seem like strong contenders. 4y

Cathythoughts What a brilliant review! ✨ 4y

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Chelsea.Poole Ok, stacked 4y

nathandrake1997 Brilliant review ❤️ Dying to read this book since the longlist was announced, but can't find it anywhere 😓 4y

Freespirit Great review.. as always 😘😘 4y

TrishB Great review ❤️ 4y

batsy @Cathythoughts @nathandrake1997 @Freespirit @TrishB Thank you! 😘😘 4y

batsy @Chelsea.Poole @nathandrake1997 Look forward to your thoughts when you're able to get to it. It's certainly very different from most contemporary novels & I'm very glad this was translated into English :) 4y

Simona ♥️ your review! I‘m hoping that this book is the winner.🤞 4y

batsy @Simona Thank you 😘 I haven't made my way through the whole shortlist but this is definitely deserving! 4y

81 likes8 stack adds11 comments

rockpools

When We Cease to Understand the World | Benjam�n Labatut

pick

I finally settled down and read this. I rarely agree with cover quotes, but ‘monstrous and brilliant‘ may be a pretty good description!

This takes a mainly-fictional look at the scientists and mathematicians working at the edge of knowledge in the early 20th century; their impact on war and life and death; and the impact of science and war on

rockpools them. It‘s by no means an easy read, and I suspect a stronger knowledge of/interest in the problems they‘re tackling would have helped. But the writing is excellent, the structure is so neatly plotted, the content is fascinating (I kept stopping to see if that really happened. It did.), and it‘s quite a unique way of telling a story. I‘m not sure that this will win the #InternationalBookerPrize2021, but I won‘t be upset if it does. (edited) 4y

Simona Your review makes me smile 😊 and I couldn‘t agree more with you about structure, especially first few pages are so strong and breathtaking, real tour de force. I‘m planning to read it again this summer - without googling. Thank you for your review 🤗 4y

Simona ... and now you can read whatever you want 😘😘😘 4y

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squirrelbrain Great review- and well done for finishing! Love you @Simona for giving @rockpools permission to read what she wants now! 🤣 (edited) 4y

TrishB Great review 😁 4y

Simona I was harassing @rockpools about this book! That isn‘t permission @squirrelbrain it‘s a reward 😘😘😘 4y

batsy Nice review! I just finished this one, too. I thought it was really brilliant. And the way the grim start of it just sweeps you in... 4y

rockpools @Simona 🤣🤣 Thanks Simona! I probably need to read it again with extra googling - but not just yet! 4y

rockpools @batsy I spent that first chapter going 😧 Surely I should know about this 😧 4y

49 likes9 comments

batsy

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories | Mariana Enriquez

so-so

This surprised me, because I went into it expecting to fully love it. But while the first story really set the tone, & the following handful maintained that sense of dread, from the bizarre heartbeat story on I was less enamoured. I like my creeping horror to create a sense of unease & paranoia, & am less forgiving of, well, just a lot of gross stuff lumped in together. Enriquez is a superb writer in terms of addressing socio-political issues. ⬇️

batsy What I felt was a flaw in this collection, especially in the latter half of the stories, is that Enriquez had plenty to say about the world she inhabited: the legacy of corruption, rot, abuse, & violence, especially in terms of how it destroys the lives of women & children. But in the need to make each story "weird" or creepy, some of the weird/gross/horror elements felt tacked on & not organic to the story. That's my main issue with this. 4y

batsy #internationalbookerprize2021 4y

vivastory This is a time when the lack of gifs on Litsy is painful, bc I think you know that this would get an “Amen“ or a “Standing Ovation“ from me. Apparently this is her first short story collection & it def. shows I think. I will give her another chance, but I completely agree that several stories were ruined simply for the need to be gross or weird. I'm just so baffled that this one was considered for the MBI. Watch it win. 😂 What really (cont.) 4y

vivastory upsets me is that there is finally someone writing horror fic being considered for such a prestigious prize & it's such a bad representation of what horror can really be! I think that the equivalent would be to give Palahniuk a Pulitzer. Another issue with the collection that I saw another reviewer point out is that most of them are too damn short to be effective for any sort of suspense. They're almost like flash fiction. (edited) 4y

batsy @vivastory Hahaha! Yes, it really comes off as a debut—like good, weird ideas that didn't quite come off in execution. (I personally hated the heartbeat story & the ending was very predictable.) I think she's an intriguing writer though & will check out her other collection! Also, I'm not well-versed in horror but I like what simply gets under your skin & stays there ... Lots of people hate James' Turn of the Screw, for example, but I love it 😂 4y

75 likes5 comments

rockpools

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories | Mariana Enriquez

pick

I‘m really not a horror-reader, so I was putting this off (although I‘m not sure if it is horror - much of the horror is in the real-world elements). It took me a few stories to ‘get it‘, but once I did I was totally absorbed.

Her writing of fear and anxiety are on the mark, the feel of each situation is strong. And her portrayal of life for women/girls in Argentina was cutting & disturbing.

rockpools This may be the one from the #InternationalBookerPrize2021 that stays with me. An unexpected pick. 4y

Cathythoughts Great review! I wasn‘t drawn to this one , until now 👍🏻stacked 4y

Cinfhen What @Cathythoughts said 👆🏽💜 4y

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rockpools This is my first book finished for #NutsInMay and second on this month‘s #BookSpinBingo board. @Andrew65 @TheAromaofBooks Also, would this be appropriate for #Booked2021 #LatinxAuthor, or would that be more US-based authors? I‘m not clear on my terminology @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft 4y

rockpools @Cathythoughts @Cinfhen Thank you - it‘s definitely out of my comfort zone! @Simona‘s review encouraged me to stick with it. It‘s icky though! 4y

Cinfhen Totally works for #LatinxAuthor 💕💕💕 4y

batsy Nice review! I'm only a few stories in but I'm pacing myself because she really can depict an undercurrent of fear/dread/anxiety that seeps into my day. 4y

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 4y

youneverarrived Ohh I‘m intrigued by this now. Stacking! 4y

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 4y

Simona Not a easy read for sure, but it is rewarding one! I‘m glad that you liked it. 4y

Reggie I‘m kinda shocked you read this but soooo happy. Great review! I still need to get to this one but loved her first collection. 4y

rockpools @batsy Yes! I read it at the weekend, so it wasn‘t sneaking into my trying-to-work head. It‘s unsettling. 4y

rockpools @youneverarrived I‘m slightly worried I‘m having a weird day, and overselling it terribly! I really hope you like it 😁 4y

rockpools @Reggie I‘m also a tad shocked!! I might leave her first collection for a month or two, though... 4y

Caroline2 Crickey that book cover gives me the creeps!!! 🤢 4y

rockpools @Caroline2 I‘m glad I read it on kindle, so I didn‘t have to face it ever! Also, can you believe I actually read the thing?! 4y

54 likes3 stack adds17 comments

batsy

The War of the Poor | �ric Vuillard

pick

Contrary to popular opinion, I enjoyed this book very much. Is it a novel, a nonfiction tract, or a revolutionary manifesto? The fact that I couldn't tell was part of its appeal. Before it gets into the biographical sketch Thomas Müntzer & the German Peasants' War, it takes us through the revolutionary fervour burning through Western Europe via Wat Tyler, John Ball, Jack Cade's Rebellion, Jan Hus. Incendiary, poetic, aphoristic.

batsy I liked the way the book tried to stake out its own freedom/radicalism in its form, mirroring the subject. The writing did what it wanted to do. My main quibble is that I would have liked it to be longer. I've been googling a lot since I finished trying to learn more. It's also a book that's relevant with its rallying cry to change the system: "Dear brethren, stop your delaying & hesitating! The time has come, the summer is knocking at our doors". 4y

batsy #InternationalBookerPrize2021 4y

TrishB Great review 👍🏻 4y

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Trashcanman Awesome review!! 4y

Ruthiella Nice to hear a contrary opinion. I‘m not following the prize, I‘m just following other readers who are following!😀 4y

Palimpsest @batsy Wonderful review! 4y

Simona I‘m so happy to see positive review for this book❣️ 4y

batsy @TrishB @Trashcanman @Palimpsest Thank you! ☺️ 4y

batsy @Ruthiella I'm running out of time, but making a valiant attempt to read the shortlist 😅 4y

batsy @Simona I was glad to see yours, too! A "marmite book" but a unique one ❤️ 4y

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rockpools

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories | Mariana Enriquez

Still going on the #InternationalBookerPrize2021.

I would‘ve bailed after the first 2 stories, if not for @Simona ‘s review. These are classed as horror (I‘m not sure they are though), and it looks like every story will leave you hanging.

The next two I began to engage with a little more (although yuk!) and the one about the family with some form of inherited anxiety was disturbingly real.

You never know, I may even end up liking it.

squirrelbrain Good luck, hope it gets better for you! 4y

Simona Don‘t torture yourself just because of my review, that is more pressure that I can handle ... but I really think that this book is well rounded collection of short stories 😘 4y

45 likes2 comments

rockpools

In Memory of Memory | Maria Stepanova

Just started reading this for #InternationalBookerPrize2021 - one that I‘ve been putting off. (Why? Am I really that shallow that I‘m put off by Fitzcarraldo covers. Probably. They make the books look so dry 🙁)

Anyhow, this is beautifully written and I think I may just enjoy it. Not one I‘d have picked up on my own...

JennyM 🌈 ❤️ 4y

Ruthiella I agree that Fitzcarraldo books look boring. I‘m sure that the aesthetic appeals to others. 4y

Simona Their covers truly are boring! 4y

rockpools @Ruthiella @Simona They are. I should just get over this fact! But I expect the books to be similarly dull, despite evidence to the contrary - it always feels like an extra hurdle to actually picking them up 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4y

60 likes4 comments

Simona

The Employees: A Workplace Novel of the 22nd Century | Olga Ravn

pick

The story takes place in the future on a spaceship, and the crew are humans and humanoids. Their work is collecting objects which are then stored on the ship. And this is where the problems begin. The purpose of their work is not explained and the whole interpretation of the events is left to the reader. The eeriness, of this story without a story, slowly grows through short testimonies/statements of employees. 👇

Simona ... A very interesting base of ideas for pondering about what makes us human, and whether we are changing because of the workplaces into humanoids ... #InternationalBookerPrize2021 4y

Simona @TheAromaofBooks This book is my #doublespin for April 😁 4y

Simona And if you interested, link to the interview with author https://www.lollieditions.com/lolli-in-conversation/reading-with-the-mouth 4y

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Tanisha_A I was reading the synopsis of this one a few days back, and it did intrigue me quite a bit. Nice review! 😃 4y

Simona Thank you 😊 It‘s very fragmented ‘story‘, and because of that it‘s hard to summarising it, but definitely it is a thought provoking book. @Tanisha_A (edited) 4y

bookseller_cate Sounds intriguing! Stacked. 😊 4y

rockpools Great review! Glad you got there eventually 😊 4y

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y

Reggie Sounds great, stacked! 4y

Simona @bookseller_cate @Reggie Looking forward to seeing your review 😘 4y

Simona @rockpools I have the feeling that this is a winning book 🙄 4y

rockpools @Simona I‘d be happy if it was! 4y

42 likes3 stack adds12 comments

rockpools

At Night All Blood Is Black: A Novel | David Diop

pick

Oof.

Back to the #InternationalBookerPrize2021 with this harrowing short read. Two young Senegalese men, ‘more-than-brothers‘, soldiers, serving with the motherland France, in the trenches of WWI. When Mademba dies horribly, Alfa‘s guilt and trauma change him, allow him to think the unthinkable, do the unspeakable.

There‘s so much in here. From the expectations on soldiers from the colonies (‘savages‘)

rockpools and the horrors of war to changing ways of life in Senegal. A difficult but powerful read - and the ending surprised me. 4y

rockpools And with that, I‘ve unexpectedly met my #20in4 goals - finished a book, read 20 chapters (this surprises me - they must‘ve been v short!) and got up-to date with reviews. Yay! @Andrew65 4y

Texreader Excellent review. I‘m intrigued but nervous whether to add to my tbr 4y

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rockpools @Texreader Thanks. Yes, it‘s rough and very dark from page one. The second half takes us back to the boys‘ childhood, so is less ‘heavy‘, but it‘s not an easy one to read. (edited) 4y

Simona I was surprised that despite heavy/disturbing content, it‘s a very enjoyable read. I won‘t be mad if this book wins ... 4y

TrishB This does sound heavy. 😢 4y

BookwormM Just about to start this one when I can put Litsy down 🤣🤣 4y

Andrew65 Well done on competing this 👏👏👏 4y

54 likes8 comments

rockpools

I Live in the Slums | Can Xue

pick

Let‘s catch up with a couple of reviews- the first is for the #InternationalBookerPrize2021 . It didn‘t make the shortlist, but I found this collection of short stories oddly compelling. Emphasis on odd.

Can Xue‘s stories are dream-like and nightmarish – nothing ever quite makes sense, the point is always just out-of-reach - best avoided if you need a plot. But I kept trying to figure them out. I felt like I‘d lived

rockpools these people/creatures, exploring their homes (and lack of homes) and their quirks, and I ended up with a mixture of disgust and affection for them. And every story, left me with questions, like ‘Why do you stay?‘

By no means an easy read, a seriously strange reading experience, but one I‘d like to read this again.

Using this for #china #readingasia2021 @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle 4y

TrishB Lovely review ♥️ 4y

Librarybelle Great review! 4y

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Come-read-with-me Love your review! 4y

batsy Excellent review... I've long meant to give her a try. I have this one on my shelf

Five Spice Street

rockpools @batsy Let me know how you get on. I was hooked - @Simona, not so much!! 4y

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