THE PLOT: ‘Of Women and Salt’ by Gabriela Garcia is a multi-generational narrative about women in a Cuban family. In 1866, Maria Isabel’s life is torn apart as her country experiences political upheaval. One hundred years later, her descendant Dolores … Continue reading Review: Of Women and Salt
THE PLOT: ‘Brighton Funk’ by Nofel Nawras is about a teenage boy in 70’s Brighton. 15-year-old Naz is used to getting into trouble. His avoids his abusive father by going out dancing with his mates and routinely bunks off school (though … Continue reading Review: Brighton Funk
THE PLOT: ‘Sisters’ by Daisy Johnson is a literary novel about two sisters with an exceptionally close bond. After an incident at school, July and September move across the country with their mother. They arrive at an old family house, formerly … Continue reading Review: Sisters
THE PLOT: ‘Stone Blind’ by Natalie Haynes is a retelling of the ancient Greek myths about Medusa. For the uninitiated, Medusa is the snake-haired Gorgon who can turn people into stone with a look. Told in multiple POVs, the novel charts … Continue reading Review: Stone Blind
THE PLOT: ‘The Mad Women’s Ball’ by Victoria Mas (translated by Frank Wynne) is literary fiction about three women in the Salpêtrière Asylum in Paris, 1885. Based on an historical event; once a year the asylum hosted a ball where the … Continue reading Review: The Mad Women’s Ball
TRIGGER WARNING – Child abuse, rape, incest, murder THE PLOT: ‘Earthlings’ by Sayaka Murata (translated by Ginny Tapeley Takemori) is literary, surrealist fiction about an 11-year-old girl who feels like an alien. Scorned by her mother and ignored by her father, … Continue reading Review: Earthlings
THE PLOT: ‘The Starless Sea’ by Erin Morgenstern is a literary fantasy novel about a magical underground library. When reclusive Zachary finds a mysterious book with no author, he traces its origin to a masquerade party in New York. There he … Continue reading Review: The Starless Sea
THE PLOT: ‘Promising Young Women’ by Caroline O’Donoghue is millennial women’s fiction about a 26-year-old girl who has an abusive relationship with her much older boss. Jane has recently broken up with her boyfriend and is floundering in her unfulfilling marketing … Continue reading Review: Promising Young Women
THE PLOT: ‘Unearthed’ by Claire Ratinon is a mix of memoir and nature writing about race and roots. Claire is an organic food grower and writer of Mauritian heritage. The book starts as she moves from London to the Sussex countryside … Continue reading Review: Unearthed
THE PLOT: ‘Seven Days in June’ by Tia Williams is a romance about two writers. In 2019, successful single-mother Eva Mercy and recovered alcoholic Shane Hall meet at a literary event. Eva’s ashamed to admit that Shane broke her heart when … Continue reading Review: The Seven Days in June
Amina's Bookshelf 