What a page turner! Really heartbreaking, but redemptive in the end. Well described characters

Beautiful. There are very heavy topics: ED and self harm. But she deals with love and loss and grief of a mother very deftly.

Beautiful, tense novel. Compassion and kindness from unexpected places

Loved! Such a good romance story! Great combo of intrigue and history and love and drama. The true historical elements were fascinating.

She‘s back! Loved this book. Also, the lack of communication which is classic Sally Rooney didn‘t lead to the characters ruin, as it has in the past. The ending was happy :)

There was lots going on here - some of it good. But the characters were annoying at times, and the jumping around in time - some characters aged, some didn‘t. There was a lot of policy talk for a book focused largely on the environment. I also think that in 60 000 we will be a much different society

Not as good as his debut, but great! He has such a real voice, and spending time with Orvil and his family and ancestors was lovely. Sadness and happiness together

This was so subtle and beautiful. A look back at significant relationships in the narrators life

Amazing! Unclear what was reality and what was virtual reality, but it didn‘t matter. It was quirky and tender and interesting. Recommend and would like to read more

This book really challenged me in different ways of thinking. Lots of unlearning and relearning (and listening) to do. Benefited greatly from discussion in book club

Oh wow! Compact story that manages to do so much, unpacking a relationship with the backdrop of a quickly changing world. Shades of John Cheever

Not as good as Essex Serpent (but the cross overs were enjoyable). But she writes beautifully, and lovingly about her characters flaws. One reviewer was annoyed about the closeted main character, but I found it believable in a strictly religious small town in the 90s

This was great! Ordinary people captured honestly, with their fears and joys and grief. Cohesive collection, with themes of absent mothers, mothering, aging, and love lost

Some of these essays were beautiful, some less so. Overall the idea is nice, to write at friendship at first love. But she was actually trying to honour her cousin, which didn‘t really work as well in this style

A beautiful sad story of a man examining his life in a series of flashbacks and making peace with his demons. Really enjoyed the view of the second half of the 20th century Nevada culture

This was okay. Confused by the audience - felt like a YA book at times, but the subject matter was adult at times. The characters felt very juvenile

Beautiful and interesting story. Difficult to navigate at time - dense language. The ending is open - one suspects the worst, but if so, the players go out in a loving blaze of glory

Strange but moving stories. Apocalyptic beginnings with hopeful loving ending. Well edited

Amazing!! She is such an interesting writer. Her sex scenes are strange but real and hot. She also writes honestly about being peri menopausal. Will read again

This was challenging because of the similar place names, which the author references. But a cool story of pre-Hispanic Mexico. The city and its rulers and people are very lively drawn, as are the bumbling Spanish. Enjoyed it once I got into it

This books contained magic, but never enough to seem unbelievable, ie royalty, wealth, and the Church are in absolute control. But greed will get ya! Well researched about the Inquisition and its horrors.

Wonderful. Sparse sensitive writing. Historical fiction at its best makes the characters real and come alive. The protagonist learns about the trickery of strangers. I can see the straightforward ease of rural life, not for the work, but for the familiarity of the people

This was wild! Such a range of emotions - from respecting to empathizing with to disliking the wife. The twist at the end is interesting, but annoyingly typical that the man puts so much less effort into the “game” the two are playing

In her typical fashion, she creates greater understanding for the natural world, and rural people. The ecological teachings are at times a bit heavy handed, but the story moves along well, and characters are redeemed.

Wow. This was very good. Such a gentle and honest and heartbreaking telling. Related to the province and landscape. The thoughtful interrogation of male dominated work camps was excellent

This was great! Good as audiobook - the language, which is such a dynamic part of this novel, really shone this way. So interesting. No desire to read Huck Finn. James is such a well drawn, introspective character - could have spent so much more time with him.

This was strange, in usual Cusk fashion - meandering story with lots of interior thought and feeling, not tons of plot or dialogue. Some elements or narrative plots were better than others.

This was good. A serious of vignettes - like columns - told by one woman about her daily life. No real connection aside from the apartment building. Wise and enjoyable

Not how I expected. Soft graceful story of one man‘s simple life, with historical markers of the 20 century.

Stronger at the start than the end. Interesting mash up of different genres. Wasn‘t expecting the supernatural ghost elements, but it worked. The historical fiction was better than the now. Enjoyed it overall

This was fun for a book club. Lots to discuss. Almost like a rom com. Everything was very neat and perfect in the end, making much of the story pretty unbelievable, but it was engaging to read.

Wow! So so good. Beautiful and haunting and sad and romantic. The love amongst people prevails.

Fantastic! Such a cool voice for an interesting time in history. The story felt alive (for being centuries old). Probably cool as an audiobook

This was interesting. Lots of emphasis on shame and sadness and grief. Not enough about anger imo. But useful tool

This was challenging. Beautiful and frustrating characters but seemed real. Parts of it were pretty triggering.

This was challenging. Necessary story about all types of love, but so used to this narrative with an older male pursuer. The anxiety and naïveté of the main character was heartbreaking and difficult to encounter. Likely because it felt relatable. The abusive scenes likewise were deeply uncomfortable

Exciting voice. Capturing real emotion and feeling alongside very everyday life. Did not feel like it was written 70 years ago

A varied, interesting, at times intriguing and thought provoking short story collection. Unfortunately, the Atwood story was the worst. Doesn‘t take away from the rest however

This was lovely. So much introspection about writers and writing. A pandemic book, but not preachy or too catastrophic. She spends too much time on bodies and diets, but this is likely her age. Didn‘t take too much away. Written like a memoir, but is a novel. She likes to intersperse musings with action - does not take away from the overall narrative.

This was great. Complex characters who were well meaning and well intentioned - but did not communicate! So much sympathy for Ailesh - and for sure over Tony. Good sequel!

This was tricky. I didn‘t always get what was happening. There was much jumping around of the storyline. The writing was very beautiful

I struggled to understand what was happening often. Some elements were lovely, but it didn‘t make much sense cohesively.

Liked it! His first is better, but these two characters were really and finely drawn without being caricatures. Edmonton seemed like a character as well. The local culture was captured in a very honest way

This book was beautifully written. Haunting. The intergenerational and intercultural dynamics were welcome. Not entirely happy ending. But hopeful

Some interesting and funny parts, but largely a pan. Too many plots or characters that weren‘t explored deeply enough

Totally amazing! Loved it! Funny and sad and poignant. All books should be this good!

This was a quick dystopian story. The Edmonton landmarks were cool. Lots to discuss for a bookclub. Will read more

This was amazing! She captured his voice so well! This was political, insightful, powerful. I learned a lot.

Very good! This writer is amazing, and again this book doesn‘t disappoint

This was great! First time reading this author. His stories are engaging, and left me to speculate about the ending. Often dealing with moral struggles. Recommend