Tag: Multiple Narrators

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Januaries

by Olivie Blake, Review 16 of 2024

This collection of short stories by Olivie Blake was the perfect fall read for me. Just spooky enough to feel seasonal, and just campy enough to have fun. Some of the subject matter is sensitive so it might be worth a quick look at the content warnings. The stories range from paranormal to mythological and were all compelling in their own way, some laugh out loud funny, others can’t put it down suspenseful. The cast of narrators was exceptional and I would definitely get the audiobook of this one. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this audiobook for review purposes.

Categories: Fiction, Horror, Humor, Short Stories 

Content Warning: Stories include a wide range of sensitive content from graphic murder to postpartum anxiety.

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The Lonely Hearts Book Club

by Lucy Gilmore, Review 6 of 2023

One word review: Heartwarming! Oh, you want more information? Okay, the story is told through the perspectives of multiple narrators but centers on Sloane, a librarian who becomes the unexpected heroine of her own life as she is empowered by the love of her found family. This book is about loneliness, love, and being open to connection and community. I loved the literary references, the intergenerational friendships, and the diversity of characters. The book navigates some heavy topics in a respectful way without drowning the reader. 

Would like to give it a 3.5 out of 5 but since I have to pick I’m giving it a 4. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this ALC!

Content Warnings: Grief, Death, Cancer

Categories: Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

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Blog Fiction

Mecca

written by Susan Straight, book 17 of 2022

Mecca is a wild ride through California through the eyes of several interconnected narrators. Just as I was becoming invested in one storyline, the author pivoted to a new equally compelling perspective. I was kept on the edge of my seat waiting for some of the threads to be resolved. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a tremendously human and gritty depiction of the day to day life of some of southern California’s most overlooked populations. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC.

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Blog Fiction

Olga Dies Dreaming

written by Xóchitl González, book 74 of 2021

This cover though!!!

This story has it all- humor, romance, political and social commentary. The two main characters are a set of adult siblings from NYC struggling with their relationships as a result of the radicalization and subsequent estrangement from their mother. I read a lot of novels with heavy topics and this one is no different (see content warnings).  It was impossible to stop listening to this one. I’m hoping to travel to Puerto Rico in early 2022 and I was looking for something to enrich my knowledge of the territory and its history. This was it. The narration was excellent, the storytelling was rich and left me with a lot to think about. This was an unexpected favorite of the year.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: anyone who loves character driven novels, social and political commentary, strong female leads, or is interested in learning more about the U.S. and Puerto Rico’s complicated and important relationship.

Content Warnings: Emotional Abuse, Abandonment, Sexual Assault, Grief 

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Blog Fiction

Night Came with Many Stars

Book 48, 2021- Night Came with Many Stars by Simon Van Booy

“I mean the thing that makes family. Not blood but the certainty that you’re never going to be lonesome. That all the joy and all the suffering that we get in life is something that will always be shared.”

Simon Van Booy “Night Came with Many Stars”

This was an unexpected hit for me. I’d read great reviews of Van Booy’s other works but I tend to turn away from family dramas and I wasn’t sure I’d be engaged by this one. One of the most beautiful elements of this book is the recognition of the importance of families of birth and those made by choice and circumstance. I also appreciated that the story covers many of the darker elements of family life in a way that is surprisingly gentle and humanizing. I fell in love with many of the characters over the course of the novel and was sad to have to say goodbye in the final moments of audio. Would highly recommend this novel and especially the audio version. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: those who love stories told over multiple generations, those who enjoy stories of non-traditional families, and those who like to ponder the human condition. 

Content Warnings: Abuse, Sexual Assault, Abortion, Drugs, Addiction, Death, Violence, Incarceration

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Blog Fiction

The World Gives Way

Written by Marissa Levien, Book 45 of 2021

“One thing that is true about humanity there will always be those who push the limits of stability and survival just to say they can. They scale the unscalable mountains. They dive to the impenetrable depths. They love the unlovable person. They will live in the unlivable desert.”

Marissa Levien,
“The World Gives Way“

Without giving anything away, “The World Gives Way” describes the intersection of the lives of two strangers at the end of the world. Overall I really enjoyed this book. The characters’ plight forced me to think about what truly matters and consider the implications of the destruction of the vulnerable environment that we all live in. One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the cinematic descriptions. I could clearly visualize this as a film or tv series. I know it’s a trope that “The book was better” when talking about adaptations but in this case, I would likely disagree. As a person who primarily reads for character depth, I was disappointed in the predictability and lack of nuance the characters displayed but was compelled to the end by the engaging plot.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: Folks who favor stories of world building, science fiction fans. 

Content Warnings: Apocalypse, Slavery, Fatalism, Drugs, Addiction, Death of a Parent, Violence, Displacement

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The Rib King

written by Ladee Hubbard, Book 5 of 2021

“All of this requires effort on my part. This effort is called work. And when I work I expect to be paid. Paid? That’s right. Cash.”

Jennie – The Rib King by Ladee Hubbard. 

This book was not at all what I expected in the best way. I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction from African American perspectives but this was a truly unique story. It centers on Mr. Sitwell, a groundskeeper for a wealthy white family who over the course of the first half of the novel, rediscovers some unsettling memories from his past that lead to some unsettling repercussions.

I found myself unable to unplug from the story, needing to find out where the characters would end up. I enjoyed the split structure of the novel. The first and second half are told by two different narrators separated by several years. My one complaint about this was that it felt like it left some key questions unanswered. I’ve seen some reviews compare it to the Academy Award winning film Parasite and I do see some interesting parallels that could make for a great book club discussion. Honestly, I could see a lot of ways this book would make a great book club choice. I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile… 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me an early copy of this audiobook in return for my honest feedback. 

Recommended for: Anyone wanting a new take on historical racial injustice and its intersection with capitalism. Anyone interested in considering the role our biological and chosen families play in our lives and what we owe each other. 

Actions I will take in response to this book:

  • Constantly monitor how the legacy of white supremacy continues to this day and interrupt its modern manifestations. 
  • Pay black women for their work and support black owned businesses.

Content Warnings: Death of a Parent, Violence, Death, Race Violence 

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Blog Fiction

Dune

written by Frank Herbert, Book 1 of 2021

“There is no escape —we pay for the violence of our ancestors.”

Frank Herbert, Dune

I am going to be real honest on this one, the only reason I chose to read this was because I saw it was being made into a movie. My love for movies is nearly as great as my love for reading so anytime I see an adaptation that looks promising I’ll scramble to read the original story. 

Again I must be honest, I didn’t love this book. Science fiction lovers please don’t hate me. I’ve been dipping my toes in more science fiction and fantasy over the last year and I’ve loved it. Who doesn’t want to escape reality these days? I thought the premise was pretty interesting but I never grew to like or even get attached to any of the main characters. The most interesting characters, Alia and Chani in my opinion, were secondary and barely given any substance. I did love that the characters who are children had great agency and were the changemakers.

The story’s major protagonist, Paul Atreides is the teenage son of a Duke engaged in an escalating conflict with another noble family in the distant future. This book was written in the 1960’s, and for the time, I’m sure it was novel and radical (space travel, futuristic technology…powerful women characters). Unfortunately, it feels pretty lackluster today. 

The good news; I believe this will make a much better movie than book. I don’t expect deep character development from movies. A movie will silence the relentless repetitive monologues that all the characters engage in. A movie will have beautiful people and places to distract from flat characters and a predictable plot. 

Recommended for: Anyone looking to escape to another world and has a lot of time on their hands, this is a long book.

Actions I will take in response to this book:

  • This story made me think about contemporary climate change, land ownership, and the conflicts around those issues. My biggest takeaway was the reminder that children really are the future and that as an adult it’s my responsibility to the best I can for them.
    • Ally myself with younger generations to improve societal conditions that are unacceptable and harmful to both our our current situation, but especially their future. 
    • Watch the I am Greta Documentary to learn more about Greta Thunberg’s mission.
    • Recommend the book “A Children’s Bible” by Lydia Millet to anyone who wants to read something dystopian about the future we’re heading towards. 

Content Warnings: Drugs, Addiction, Death of a Parent, Violence, Displacement

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Blog Fiction

Deacon King Kong

written by James McBride, Book 45 of 2020

“If I didn’t have Jesus and his cheese, I’d kill somebody. That’s what Jesus did for me 67 years, he kept me sane and on the right side of the law.”

Hettie, Deacon King Kong

For a book that starts with a shooting in the New York City projects, I laughed a lot more than I had I thought I would. This book has it all: murder, mystery, history, romance, and large amounts of holy cheese. I wrote an exceptionally long essay on my thoughts on this book, all the things I loved about it and the themes and as I wrote I realized it all sounded so very depressing. I even tried to explain it to my husband and he could not see how any of the plot could be funny but I can assure you both, it is. 

The more I think about this book, the more depth it gains. I could talk for hours about this book, unfortunately I’m on vacation for a few days with just my husband here at home with me. Please read this book and talk with me about it. Save my dear precious husband from having to listen to me say things like … “I know you didn’t read Deacon King Kong but …” or “You know in the book I just read…”. He will appreciate it and love you forever. 

A note on Dominic Hoffman’s narration of this book: It’s great, it’s emotional, it’s well timed, and I suspect contributed significantly to my enjoyment of this book. At times he seems to say things in the wrong accent, understandably as he flips casually through several, which was a bit confusing. 

Recommended for: Anyone looking for something with social commentary that will still make you laugh out loud (a tall order these days). 

Actions I will take in response to this book 

  • Prioritize reading, listening, and sharing concerns and experiences of BIPOC. 
  • Leverage my privilege in the service of others. 
  • Exercise empathy for marginalized groups who are hesitant to trust the government and bureaucracy due to histories of exploitation and neglect. 
  • Continue to work toward implementation of policies that allow all people equitable access to health and wellness. 

“And no resident in their right mind would go over their heads to the mighty Housing Authority honchos in Manhattan, who did not like their afternoon naps disturbed with minor complaints about ants, toilets, murders, child molestation, rape, heatless apartments, and lead paint that shrunk children’s brains to the size of a full-grown pea in one of their Brooklyn locations, unless they wanted a new home sleeping on a bench at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.”

― James McBride, Deacon King Kong