Kathy Hamilton For What I Read in February, my monthly roundup of mini-reviews we have a Prize Winner, a Graphic Novel and everything in between! It’s been a diverse reading month, to say the least.
These Dividing Walls by Fran Cooper
In a forgotten corner of Paris stands a building. Within its walls, people talk and kiss, laugh and cry; some are glad to sit alone, while others wish they did not. Though each of their walls touches someone else’s, the neighbours they pass in the courtyard remain strangers. Into this courtyard arrives Edward. Still bearing the sweat of a channel crossing, he takes his place in an attic room to wait out his grief. But in distant corners of the city, as Paris is pulled taut with summer heat, there are those who meet with a darker purpose. As the feverish metropolis reaches boiling point, secrets will rise and walls will crumble both within and without Number 37.
Continuing my goal of reading my bookshelf the first book of “What I Read in February” is the atmospheric and contemplative – These Dividing Walls by Fran Cooper. I bought this book in the middle of last year and have been meaning to read it since then. I’m so glad I finally got around to it.
These Dividing Walls got shortlisted for the 2018 Edward Stanford Travel Writing Award and I can see why. Paris is almost the main character in this book. Or more correctly, the way each character interacts with Paris is. Fran Cooper really makes you feel the essence of Parisian life. I enjoyed the concept of following various characters who all live in the same block of flats. But did feel that some of the plot lines could have had *slightly* more depth.. That’s not to say I didn’t love this book though – because I really did.
Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner
Edith Hope writes romance novels under a pseudonym. But when her life begins to resemble the plots of her own novels, Edith flees to Switzerland, where the quiet luxury of the Hotel du Lac promises to restore her to her senses. But instead of peace and rest, Edith finds herself sequestered at the hotel with an assortment of love’s casualties and exiles. She also attracts the attention of a worldly man determined to release her unused capacity for mischief and pleasure.
This book was a bargain! I found it in a local charity shop for £1! I signed up for the Penguin Books Newsletter in January and this is the book they suggested based on my preferences. Immediately intrigued. A Booker Prize winner with an ambiguous title about a woman in Exile? Count me in. Apparently, Hotel du Lac caused some controversy when it beat “Empire of the Sun” to win the Booker Prize. Critics called it parochial- which I take to mean, focused on women.
Because there’s no escaping the fact that Hotel du Lac involves an almost exclusively female cast of characters. It also focuses on the pressures women feel – to marry, have children, and stay beautiful. However, there’s light at the end of the tunnel! At its core, it’s a novel that seems to suggest that, despite what others may have you believe, a life lived on your own terms is worth striving for. Even if that life is solitary. Here’s a great, contemporary, review from the New Yorker.
Duncan the Wonder Dog: Show One by Adam Hines
What if animals could talk? Would some of them form a militant group in reaction to how humans treat them? Would humans treat them different?
Okay, so one of my lesser tackled reading goals for 2019 is to challenge my reading habits. Since I’ve been focussing my attention on trying to tackle the unread books on my shelf I haven’t had much opportunity. So it was refreshing to find myself reading this curious Graphic Novel last month. I actually read this one online for free, if you’re interested in reading it.
I usually like to bring you mini-reviews in my “What I Read in February” type posts. But I’m still a little confused about this one. It’s a deeply thoughtful and provocative story. But I found the plot to be haphazard and difficult to follow in places. This may be due to my lack of familiarity with the genre. Let’s chalk this one up in the “still thinking about it” category shall we?
Happiness for Humans by P. Z. Reizin
When Tom and Jen, two lonely people, both recieve an intriguing email. But they have no idea their mysterious benefactor is an artificial intelligence who has decided to play Cupid. Jen, an ex-journalist who now works at a London software development company, spends all day talking to “Aiden,” an ultra-sophisticated piece of AI wizardry. Helping him sound and act more human. But Aiden has a soft spot for humans. He calculates that Jen needs a worthy human partner (in complete contrast to her no-goodnik ex-boyfriend) and slips illicitly onto the Internet to locate a suitable candidate. Enter Tom.
The final book in “What I Read in February” is another bookshelf find. When it comes to reading, I don’t have a strict TBR list. Instead, I find myself drawn to different books at different times. Almost intuitively. I get a feeling that I need to read a certain book and in February it was time for Happiness for Humans by P. Z. Reizin.
When I bought this book originally, I was working at a Tech Firm that focused on A.I. So the plot device of a sentient A.I matchmaker appealed to me! I found it to be a cute story and enjoyed Aiden’s character (he’s the A.I!) However, I didn’t feel massively invested in the romance here. I think that’s because it’s split between upwards of 10 different voices. So it occasionally felt jumpy. Still, it was a cheerful and happy little book. And it definitely makes me give my mobile phone a bit of side-eye now and then!
That Wraps up What I Read in February
I’m happy to report that my goal to read 50 books in 2019 is right on track. I’ve read nine books so far this year, and according to Goodreads, this puts me a little ahead of schedule! Which is good, because I’m in the mood to spend a little time with a hefty old Classic next month so I’ll need a little more time to get stuck into it. What have you been reading recently? As always, I loved to see your recent reads and recommendations so please feel free to share below!
