“Happiness™” by Will Ferguson (Canada) Synopsis When one of those irritating self-help books actually gets it right, then unnatural and worrying times are just around the corner… While the rest of the country is joining the new Happiness™ cult, Edwin (the wiry, grey-suited, low-level editor at US publisher Panderic Press) is in trouble. A cartel of drug, alcohol, tobacco and drug-rehab bosses have a contract … Continue reading Happiness TM
Readers found all four shortlisted books in this year’s Summer Reading Group enjoyable and easy to read. One reader even said that she had a difficult time choosing one as a favourite because they all made an impression on her. With their 2-word titles, some readers also noticed other dualities: in two of the books, the protagonists are 2 sisters; and in the other two … Continue reading Best Summer Read 2024 – Crooked Plow
Review “We Trade Our Night for Someone Else’s Day” is a compelling novel that weaves a story around a female protagonist navigating a landscape marred by corruption and post-war trauma in Croatia. The book begins at a slower pace, which some readers found challenging initially, but it gradually draws you in with its intriguing plot and well-developed characters. The narrative follows Nora, a journalist whose … Continue reading “We Trade Our Night For Someone Else’s Day” by Ivana Bodrožić (Croatia)
Review “Mr. President” is a haunting journey through a surreal landscape that mirrors the absurdity of real-world politics. As our book club delved into its pages, we found ourselves immersed in a world where power corrupts absolutely and where the line between reality and fantasy blurs in unsettling ways. One aspect that struck us all was Asturias’s masterful prose. The book is undeniably well-written, with … Continue reading “Mr. President” by Miguel Angel Asturias (Guatemala)
Review “Midnight Blue” takes readers on a journey through 17th-century Holland, blending historical elements with a modern twist. The novel sparked mixed reactions among our book club members, resulting in a range of comments that highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of the book. Readers felt that it was an easy, light read that didn’t demand much intellectual engagement. Described by one reader as a … Continue reading “Midnight Blue” by Simone van der Vlugt (Netherlands)
Review Ismailov’s “The Devils’ Dance” is a novel that demands patience and perseverance from its readers. Initially daunting and complex, this novel gradually unfolds its layers to reveal a multi-faceted narrative that both frustrates and fascinates. At first, the book may feel like wading through mud, as one reader aptly described it. The intricate web of characters and the poetic prose were found to be … Continue reading “The Devils’ Dance” by Hamid Ismailov (Uzbekistan)
“The Society of Reluctant Dreamers” by José Eduardo Agualusa (Angola) Review Readers enjoyed this book a lot finding it intriguing and an easy read. They liked the different styles, such as magical realism and diary entries, which they said held their attention. They found all the characters interesting and warmed to the narrator. Readers liked the contrast between his withdrawn personality and his contentious former … Continue reading The Society of Reluctant Dreamers
“The Island” by Ana María Matute (Spain) Review Once they had gotten used to the style of writing and dated language, most readers liked this coming-of-age story. They felt that the long passages and the frequent use of parenthesis as commentary demanded that they pay attention. They loved the descriptions of the people and places, and thought the imagery used was highly evocative of both … Continue reading The Island
