Review: Rubyfruit Jungle
THE PLOT: ‘Rubyfruit Jungle’ by Rita Mae Brown is a coming-of-age novel set in the 50’s and 60’s. Molly Bolt doesn’t have a lot going for her; she’s poor, she’s from the South and she’s a bastard, but Molly’s proud of … Continue reading Review: Rubyfruit Jungle
Review: Daughter of Black Lake
THE PLOT: ‘Daughter of Black Lake’ by Cathy Marie Buchanan is a historical novel set in Iron Age Britain. Hobble is a young woman with a lame leg, but she is blessed with the gift of prophecy. Her mother, Devout, blames … Continue reading Review: Daughter of Black Lake
Review: My Dark Vanessa
TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual abuse, paedophilia THE PLOT: ‘My Dark Vanessa’ by Kate Elizabeth Russell is about a fifteen-year-old girl who falls in love with her teacher. Structured as a dual timeline, the book goes back and forth between the early 2000’s … Continue reading Review: My Dark Vanessa
Review: Convenience Store Woman
THE PLOT: ‘Convenience Store Woman’ by Sayaka Murata (translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori) is a literary novel about a neuro-diverse woman living in Japan. Keiko has worked in a convenience store for eighteen years. She loves the store but when friends … Continue reading Review: Convenience Store Woman
Review: The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp
THE PLOT: ‘The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp’ by Eva Rice is historical fiction about a country girl who becomes a famous singer. Set in 1960’s Cornwall, Tara Jupp loves singing in the church choir, stealing horse rides and following her beautiful … Continue reading Review: The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp
Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
THE PLOT: ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid is about a reporter who writes a biography of a famous movie star. Evelyn Hugo is one of the world’s most beautiful women. Having made her big break in … Continue reading Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Review: The Salt Path
THE PLOT: ‘The Salt Path’ by Raynor Winn is a memoir about a married couple who walk the arduous 630-mile South West Coastal Path. Raynor and her husband, Moth, are in their fifties when they lose their beautiful farmhouse in Wales … Continue reading Review: The Salt Path
Review: Nervous Conditions
THE PLOT: ‘Nervous Conditions’ by Tsitsi Dangarembga is a semi-autobiographical novel set in 60’s Zimbabwe. While the post-colonial country is still under white rule, Tambudzai lives in contented poverty; washing clothes in the river and cooking over a hearth. However, her … Continue reading Review: Nervous Conditions
Review: Thin Girls
THE PLOT: ‘Thin Girls’ by Diana Clarke is a contemporary, literary novel about twins with contrasting eating disorders. Like most young women, Rose and Lily Winters have struggled with their bodies since childhood. But when Rose stops eating, Lily starts consuming … Continue reading Review: Thin Girls
Review: Theatre of Marvels
THE PLOT: ‘Theatre of Marvels’ by Lianne Dillsworth is a historical novel about a mixed-race actress in Victorian London. Zillah has left the slums of St Giles to star as ‘The Great Amazonia’ – a savage from deepest, darkest Africa. However, … Continue reading Review: Theatre of Marvels
Amina's Bookshelf 