What We've Been Reading

Lord Jim at Home by Dinah Brooke

Lord Jim at Home was originally published in 1973 and I can understand after reading why it fell out of publication. Unusual, dark, and unsettling, Brooke's second novel traces the strange life of Giles Trenchard, from his distant and loveless upper-middle class childhood in Cornwall, to his time serving in the infantry during WWII, on towards his spiralling descent into violence. 
It's a fantastic, scathing examination of the hypocrisies and casual cruelty of upper-class society in the early 20th century, peeling the veneer away in big fat strips. You'll ask: are psychopaths born or created? Can we sympathise with monsters?
If you go into this thinking you'll be reading a cosy inter-war,  Persephone-esque story, you'd be wrong, but you'll definitely come out of the reading experience with lots of interesting thoughts. If you enjoy Ottessa Moshfegh or authors of a similar ilk, it would be well worth the purchase!

Olivia

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armstrong

My interest was piqued by the blurb of this novel, wherein Leah, wife of Miri, returns from a deep sea submarine expedition that has gone horribly wrong, somehow changed.

My horrified fascination with submarines and all things underwater made me want to read this book, but I loved it thanks to the beautiful writing, the strange and salty love story, and the subtlety with which the story unfolds. It is a rather disturbing read, but never gratuitous. I felt that I was alongside Miri in her bewilderment and loss as Leah is returned to her, but different, and the story and the horror lived on long after I'd finished reading.

Marianne

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

I took this away with me when I went on holiday recently, as it felt like a good holiday read- and I was right!
 
Layered over the gothic atmosphere of the seemingly endless house the story is set in, is the mystery of Piranesi.
Having always lived in the house with his many notebooks, Piranesi makes detailed entries of the wonders he finds each day, but a disruption to his daily routines causes him to question his world as it becomes stranger and even dangerous.
 
Compelling and fantastical, I loved uncovering the mystery of Piranesi and the house with each diary entry. I raced through this while sat on the beach and I’m so pleased I was recommended this by a friend and would recommend it to anyone who loves a magical tale with hints of mythology.

Alisha

Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor

I really like mid-century writing, and having loved Barbara Pym, I thought I should give Elizabeth Taylor a go. Now I suggest that you also give her a go!

Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont is the story of Mrs Palfrey, elderly and not as robust as she once was, arriving to live out her days in genteel poverty at the Claremont, amongst a cast of elderly, infirm, gossipy residents, whose last stop it is before entering nursing homes. After a fall, she encounters Ludo, a young waiter, and together they form an unlikely connection.

This is wry, funny and moving, and a paen to friendship across age barriers and embracing eccentricity, tempered with the loneliness and vulnerability of old age. I loved the minute details and the eagle eye on the interpersonal dynamics of the cast of characters. This was a lovely and very poignant read.

Marianne

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

I’ve been meaning to read Giovanni’s Room for quite some time now and I’m so glad I’ve finally had a chance to read it! Set in 1950s Paris, it follows an American man as he struggles with his sexuality, his relationships with men and his intense relationship with Giovanni, which abruptly ends when his fiancé returns.
Baldwin has created a timeless classic; the writing is beautiful and pulls you in from the first page. I really felt for the characters while reading and could feel the anguish and chaos of their lives, which stayed with me long after I had finished it.
An incredibly written piece of work that is emotional, sad and reflective of times past, but also of modern-day relationships and of learning and accepting the truth about oneself.

Alisha

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

I decided to take break from my usual fiction and fantasy and took a side step to some short essays. This was actually a reread for me but I find it holds up to multiple rereads and I get something different out of it each time.
The Anthropocene Reviewed reviews different aspects of human existence. At times it's very funny and tongue-in- cheek, at others, the essays are earnest and heartfelt, reflecting on the state of humanity and what we’ve made and done over our existence. It can be very niche at times!

The great part about this book is that you can also listen to John Green read these essays on the podcast of the same name. So if you want a taster before committing to reading the book, I highly recommend also giving these episodes a listen. 
I’ve always liked John Green's writing and I thoroughly enjoy his first non-fiction book, especially in anticipation of his new book on tuberculosis (of all topics!).

Aishah