Asking for help isn’t failing you know, it’s refusing to fail.
If you are after a read that is bound to make you feel good, to take a load off yourAsking for help isn’t failing you know, it’s refusing to fail.
If you are after a read that is bound to make you feel good, to take a load off your shoulders, and remember there is positivity all around, this book is for you. This is a debut novel, another thing to smile about, as it is a remarkably solid and well written book.
Frederick is in the wrong place at the wrong time, or would that be the opposite? Is this kismet, is this meant to be? He falls into another man's life, at the precise time he needs help. Fred is kind and genuine and amazingly tolerant and sharp witted. He carries out good deeds and is amazingly funny.
This is an affirming and positive tale with no hard edges, what you see is what you get, and I'm so pleased the author has quickly fallen into success. She's off to New York soon. This is well deserved, and furnished by the help of many along the way, as acknowledged in the lengthy acknowledgements.
In times when life is often hard, where we see much negativity, this book breathes well deserved fresh air when needed most. Let this cast of characters envelope you, you won't be disappointed.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library, with excellent narration by Tim Carroll....more
This tiny little book, which I chose to read as part of my readathon with @chaptersforchange, run by Australian charity Humans for Hope, is a gem. HadThis tiny little book, which I chose to read as part of my readathon with @chaptersforchange, run by Australian charity Humans for Hope, is a gem. Had I not been looking for resources about Cambodia (the readathon raises funds for literacy programs in rural parts of this country) this would have passed me by. This novella is so small, this story is easily read online, originally published for The New Yorker. Here is one of those links to a free and accessible pdf: https://cafeliterarioba.com/wp-conten...
Having no expectations, I was drawn to Fatou, a young black migrant woman in London working for a family who treat her poorly, with disrespect and derision. Simply put, she is a modern slave.
This is Fatou’s story, the way she carries herself amid something very wrong. ‘Borrowing’ a guest pass from the abusive employers to the local baths she swims every Monday, with the guise of shopping, taking extra bags as props, holding her head high as she wears her black underwear in place of swimwear. This is the only freedom she has – but she does not complain.
This is not just a story of Fatau being a slave, it is a closer look into Fatau herself, an unpaid servant, passport removed. Her strong resilience and outlook on life.
The Embassy comes in to play as she observes it on her daily walking to do tasks or swim, she consistently notes the smashing of the shuttlecock ‘pock smash, pock smash,’ while imagining what is beyond the high wall. She is a strong girl, always surviving. Chatting with her friend after church on Sunday, not believing herself to be the slave we know her to be.
A small story carrying a big issue at the heart, I do not know a lot about Zadie Smith. I believe I have a lot more to learn.
I am late to the party with this author! I flew through this quickly, with excellent narration by a full performance cast.
Nina is at the cusp of an aI am late to the party with this author! I flew through this quickly, with excellent narration by a full performance cast.
Nina is at the cusp of an amazing life, loving the outdoors, completely happy within herself, she is smart and confident, just beginning to realise the perilousness she’s facing with her boyfriend Simon. A smarmy guy who presents it all on the outside, the reader instantly learning through fabulous writing that he is not the all-star boy he purports to be.
He had ingrained himself, knowing Nina’s family since age 5, clearly so good at this role, only now her family needing to sort out fallacy from fact. The threading of this into the story arc was remarkable. I loved a twist regarding Nina's younger sister, a clever addition and extra reason to become incensed.
Nina is missing after a climbing trip and a weekend away at Simon’s family home, he returns, she does not. His is a wealthy family, in contrast Nina’s is hardworking, salt of the earth, the type of family you want to be immersed in.
Nina and Simon are rock climbers, Simon does something so chilling to her, this sets up the perfect storm. Simon’s family is equally as snaky- a calculating, cold, and mean mother, a ruthless father, unloving toward his wife, absent from the family, intent on making millions. The only issue this couple bond over is the zealous commitment to protect their son, and the lengths at which they will go.
Simon’s mother and her constant internal mocking of Nina’s mother’s appearance took my breath away – tension and venom portrayed to despise. One meticulously groomed, the other a wholesome woman completely happy in herself, unkempt without a care in the world about her looks. This worked well in creating the acute divide.
This contrast affords the merciless PR smear campaign against the grieving family, creating a social media witch hunt snowballing at an alarming rate, successfully drawing the trolls, and removing the spotlight of their own evil.
What transpires is the unstoppable quest of a desperate family, taking matters into their own hands, ignoring the crazies and finding their own answers. The ensuing results showing precisely how far these two families will proceed with life altering results in carrying out their quest to protect their own.
I couldn’t put this down, it was a perfect read, and wonderful example of exactly what to do in holding the reader in the palm of your hand. Nothing to fault and everything to love. It will be in my top reads of 2024.
I listened to this via the Libby app and the library at which I work....more
I love working in a library, I found this one working at a different campus. It jumped out at me as it is 10cm by 11cm, it's tiny and published by theI love working in a library, I found this one working at a different campus. It jumped out at me as it is 10cm by 11cm, it's tiny and published by the ABC also piquing my interest.
A little book made up of 100 points to help with simple tips on writing. Keep it simple, edit edit edit, and do not overwrite! A good point for this reader.
This funny little book is meant to have an element of humour, to the 'Rhetorical Recruitment Officer': I have great pleasure in inviting you to become a member of the National Union of Pedants. Although we are a largely unsung and heralded organisation we do sterling work in protecting our glorious language from those who fail to appreciate it and who would, if we relaxed our vigilance for but a moment, maul it to pieces.
I always wonder about the comma rule before or after the 'and' ie. 'Tom, Dick and Harry'. This version was said to be more correct as 'many newspapers and magazines insist on it'. The author state they prefer the use of the comma after the 'and' so this is one place I disagree!
Those cute childhood ones that I know so well 'i before e except after c' bought back school memories. Lots of quick advice on word usage, simple grammar and other little random tips. An aged book, but a quick one.
I could take stock of point be reminded not to over use exclamation marks, this lessons the impact and may become annoying!...more
This was compelling reading with a protagonist to love and to cheer on. I seem to be reading a lot about neurodivergence whether it be fiction or non,This was compelling reading with a protagonist to love and to cheer on. I seem to be reading a lot about neurodivergence whether it be fiction or non, and I believe this one to be a very good read.
It was hard reading with depressive themes in abundance, but I flew through this book. The narration was excellent, with desperation and emotions presented in believable voices. The main characters alternated which was necessary and effective.
Although quite an inventive storyline, I was drawn in at every stage and only wanted the best for our Strange Sally Diamond. She suffered such trauma, and her resulting personality and quirks come from this. Watching her receive therapy while this being completely against her nature, and make progress was heart-warming, though heartbreaking knowing her wounds will always be there.
She wanted to be seen, always doing her best to adjust and twist into the norm; but what about her friends and those she has tried so hard to get to know. Have they tried their hardest to understand her point of view? This was captured subtly and effectively.
Sally’s wavering from trust to distrust was understandable and believable, and her friends attempts to help her try and see things less literally was lovely. I understood Sally’s longing for routines and regaled her for her always trying her settling techniques; she always did her best with what life had thrown at her.
I felt Sally’s frustration and anger, and understood her inability to truly reign it in. The warmth of community when Sally needed help was always in the background, and the flip side of human depravity always lurking in the background in this tragic tale.
And pretending to be deaf to avoid unnecessary chatter? Who wouldn’t want this sort of peace, I get it.
I highly recommend this book in audio form, I was with Sally at every step of the way, truly absorbed.
I listened to this via the Libby platform and my public library at 1.75 speed. I love the cover, too....more
This debut tells a serious story interwoven with the intricate internal struggles of a smart young neuro diverse woman. Very well written, Kerryn MaynThis debut tells a serious story interwoven with the intricate internal struggles of a smart young neuro diverse woman. Very well written, Kerryn Mayne will be an author to keep a close eye on, as there is nothing at all that speaks of ‘new writer’.
Lenny is a quirky teacher of primary students, loves her routine, her bike, her own space. Simple things keep her life chugging along; it is all she seems to need. Scrabble with her imaginary flat mate, watching her favourite show Friends when stressed, and a routine of the same meals set for each day of the week. All these things while maintaining a job she loves and simple interactions with the people she comes across in life. Usually less is more, and she is quite content.
A clever part of this book is Lenny’s penchant for retreating to words in times of stress. Reaching for breaking down words by way of calming and shutting down intrusive and uncomfortable thoughts. The author makes this an interesting word game and takes un into Lenny’s complicated mind.
The thing is she has every reason to struggle and reach for calming devices, as Lenny is a woman who has suffered extreme adversity, and this is shown through insights and memories of her life when she was a child at the hands of disturbed and dark upbringing in a dysfunctional environment. Lenny was not given the opportunity to thrive.
Every word on the pages provides oomph and strength to Lenny’s resilience (which she does not at all recognise). She has come a remarkable distance as an eleven-year-old child having seen things no one ever should.
Extremely private and hard to warm to others, it is assumed Lenny is weak and many take advantage. Socialisation is not something she can do in the assumed way of today’s society, and of course heartbreaking when colleagues treat her poorly. But beautifully when we see others love her and treat her with kindness.
This book is a unique one, which take us on the path of neurodiversity with gentleness and sensitivity, and of a woman who learns of an unknown capacity for personal growth leading to a new level of satisfaction in her life. It also gives the reader a glimpse into ways others struggle, although ultimately succeed and flourish.
A lovely, provoking, sad and at many times, funny book. Absolutely recommended to all. I am sorry I waited this long to get to know Lenny Marks....more
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