An incredible attempt to translate the untranslatable. Funny, diverse, and wielding an awe inspiring grasp of language, the English counterpart of the 50 Impostures is a must read for linguists, poets, or anyone with an appreciate for words. Stylish and carefully crafted, these classic Arabic literature adventures highlight cunning, deception, and the pursuit of a better life with unforgettable characters and passages that delight as much as they engage the reader. It is worth the work of diving into the research and personal interpretation behind each chapter, and a stellar performance of blending original texts with a translator’s unique touch....more
A poignant modern classic of enduring love, processing loss, and the power of memory. Dreamlike and epic, The Buried Giant is an odyssey through ArthuA poignant modern classic of enduring love, processing loss, and the power of memory. Dreamlike and epic, The Buried Giant is an odyssey through Arthurian legend on the surface, retelling the intrigue of war, mythical encounters and magic; however, it is a tender look at a love surviving grief and illness at its core. It is an examination of the devastating blow of the loss of a child, the strength of denial of said loss, and the ways that we try to make sense of the absence, to try and rebuild a life forever changed. It is a powerful tribute to the partners we choose in life, with whom we see the best and the worst of the human experience, the journey we take together; it is a sobering look at when the path diverges, when reality sets in, when it is time to say goodbye. Clever, deeply moving, and multifaceted, this is a fantasy that hits to the real love and hurt that we feel. ...more
A vivid and hallucinatory reimagining of the meeting between Hernan Cortez and Emperor Moctezuma. Playful and surreal, You Dreamed of Empires is a slow-motion collision course of ambition, colonialism, religion, and revenge. With prose that is as candid and engaging as it is fluid, this novel looks at history from a new angle; gives a breath of justice and dark humor to an empire that is often portrayed in pop culture but seldom truly understood or shown with good intentions. Fun and fascinating, with a serious call out to the centuries long harm done to cultures and nations due to colonialism at its core....more
A compelling mythical saga of one girl who is tasked with creating and destroying a city of dreams. Told in Rushdie’s flowing, colorful prose, VictoryA compelling mythical saga of one girl who is tasked with creating and destroying a city of dreams. Told in Rushdie’s flowing, colorful prose, Victory City is a tale of human failure and triumph, of love and anger, of equality and injustice; it is a chronicle of what propels us forward and what holds us back, what makes us live authentic lives, and what sends us to the next with regrets. The world building is expansive and the discussions reflective and immersive: what would you do if you were given the ability to build an empire? Would you do it all the same knowing that the pride of others will burn it down? A fantasy standalone that is filled with real world lessons. ...more
A fun and immersive adventure across the Indian Ocean. Well researched and told with the sarcastic charm of Amina Al-Sirafi, this action packed romp iA fun and immersive adventure across the Indian Ocean. Well researched and told with the sarcastic charm of Amina Al-Sirafi, this action packed romp is as vastly entertaining as it is impressive. S.A. Chakraborty has an amazingly cinematic style; each character is larger than life, and we feel a part of the journey from start to finish. This novel opens a fascinating and colorful world, filled with magic, chaos, and legends that inspire a yearning to go out and see something new. Very excited for the upcoming sequels. ...more
An explosive retelling of the murder of David Rizzio. Shocking, frank, and dramatic, Denise Mina expertly portrays the rollercoaster of mob mentalitieAn explosive retelling of the murder of David Rizzio. Shocking, frank, and dramatic, Denise Mina expertly portrays the rollercoaster of mob mentalities, guilt, scandal, and treachery that is the ever changing but always present struggle for power, the right to control history’s narrative. A dynamic novella. ...more
A brilliant nod to the cost of conventional beauty and taking life for granted. This mind bending novel combines magic with science, past with future,A brilliant nod to the cost of conventional beauty and taking life for granted. This mind bending novel combines magic with science, past with future, control with chaos, to deliver a chilling and clear message: our societal obsession with eternal youth and beauty, free of any aging or flaw, is an obstacle to living life genuinely. So many wake up one day and wonder what was gained, save the fleeting approval of others. Some of the best parts of life are messy, ugly even, and the unfortunate cycle of demanding beauty standards takes a toll on our perception of others and ourselves. A truly inventive novel with some hard-hitting lessons....more
A sensual and Illuminating tale of choosing one’s own destiny. Filled with dazzling scenes and intense emotion, this novel transports us to the streetA sensual and Illuminating tale of choosing one’s own destiny. Filled with dazzling scenes and intense emotion, this novel transports us to the streets of Isfahan, and into the heart of a protagonist that is vivacious, determined, and hopeful. The descriptions of rug making were enchanting and highly informative, and the lessons of this story are valuable to this day. A hidden gem for historical fiction. ...more
An intense and whimsical novel of misunderstandings, injustice, imagination, and resilience. Told in thoughtful and dreamy prose, we have a novel thatAn intense and whimsical novel of misunderstandings, injustice, imagination, and resilience. Told in thoughtful and dreamy prose, we have a novel that is not only a portal into the past, but also an unfortunate nod to modern mob mentalities and conflict-centered culture. Our protagonist is endearing and sympathetic, a symbol of bravery and self assurance in a world where our every move and intention is questioned. ...more
An interesting portrayal of vicious politics and ambitions in the French court. The characters are sharp, determined, and genuine, following a windingAn interesting portrayal of vicious politics and ambitions in the French court. The characters are sharp, determined, and genuine, following a winding path of rivalry, betrayal, and aspirations. This is a perfect read for fans of drama, politics, and history, as this closely follows the reign and inner thoughts of a lesser known European queen. I am looking forward to the installment of the series.
Thank you so much to Book Sirens and Kiera J Morgan for this ARC. Please look for this title come June 2022! ...more
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