pickA very haunting, almost gothic account. The atmosphere depicted is so encompassing I really felt pulled into the author‘s despair. As a memoir, there is a struggle to reconcile with the vulnerability; a reluctance to impose thoughts on other characters and need to maintain their privacy. Occasionally the deflection into poetry seems pretentious or narcissistic, and lacks definitive conclusion. Nonetheless a beautiful and emotional book. 7/10
https://youtu.be/Ne23cVdSHVA
Intro
A delay
Weekly Highlights
The Last Englishman: The Life of J. L. Carr by Byron Rogers
All Down Darkness Wide by Seán Hewitt
An Ideal Presence by Eduardo Berti, Daniel Levin-Becker (Translator)
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
The Book of Daniel by E.L. Doctorow
Cecily by Annie Garthwaite
True Biz by Sara Nović
pickShort essays looking at the natural world, and, above all, our relationship with it. From field guides to swifts, from berries to watching naturalists themselves, I felt that Helen Macdonald had something new and interesting to say, that I wanted to hear.
I wasn‘t always enamoured with her writing style, but as I settled into it I began to appreciate the slowing down I needed to re-read sentences, and the stretching of my vocabulary.👇🏻
pickVery good. A great adaptation of a gripping story. Beautiful storyboards. Recommended for any fans of the well known book.
#JonathanCape
#Vintage
#PenquinRandomHouseUK
