Sleeping In The Sun: A Novel by Joanne Howard

(Thank you to She Writes Press for my copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

When two visitors arrive to the boarding house in India where an American boy is coming of age during the British Raj, truths unravel, disrupting his life and challenging the family’s sense of home. A unique historical angle ideal for fans of The Poisonwood Bible and The Inheritance of Loss.

In the last years of the British Raj, an American missionary family stays on in Midnapore, India. Though the Hintons enjoy white privileges, they have never been accepted by British society and instead run a boarding house on the outskirts of town where wayward native Indians come to find relief.

Young Gene Hinton can’t get out from under the thumb of his three older brothers, and the only person he can really relate to is Arthur, his family’s Indian servant. But when Uncle Ellis, a high-ranking British judge, suddenly arrives and announces he’ll be staying indefinitely in their humble house, far from his prestigious post in Himalayan foothills, life as Gene knows it is interrupted. While his brothers are excited at the judge’s arrival, he is skeptical as to why this important man is hiding out with them in the backwaters of Bengal.

Also skeptical is Arthur. Then an Indian woman appears on their doorstep—and, after growing close to her, he learns the sinister truth about the judge. Torn between a family that has provided him shelter, work, and purpose his whole life and the escalating outrage of his countrymen, Arthur must decide where his loyalties lie—and the Hintons must decide if they can still call India home.

Praise for Sleeping in the Sun:

“Sleeping in the Sun is a stunning novel that grabs your emotions and doesn’t let go.” — Ginny Kubitz Moyer, author of A Golden Life

“Set against the backdrop of India in the 1930s, Sleeping in the Sun tells the story of the Hintons, a family of American missionaries sent to bring Christianity to the city of Midnapore. Told from the point of view of Gene, the Hintons’ youngest son, and Arthur, their Indian servant, this sweeping historical novel flawlessly transports readers to another time and place. Political, racial, and interpersonal conflicts ensure you won’t be able to put it down. I know I couldn’t.” — Susen Edwards, author of What a Trip and Lookin’ for Love

“Exquisitely rendered and highly nuanced ... Sumptuously written and detailed, this novel is destined to become a classic. A triumph!” — Ashley E. Sweeney, author of Eliza Waite

my thoughts:

Wow! Sleeping In The Sun by Joanne Howard is an excellent read. I absolutely LOVED it! Talk about a must-read story.

If you are looking for a literary historical fiction novel, then look no further than Sleeping In The Sun. This book has it all - history, family, drama, scandal, secrets, and so much more. It is truly a terrific story that will have you reading non-stop, because you just have to know what is going to happen next. It's a fantastic reading experience. I loved every minute I spent with this book - it was riveting, unputdownable, and unforgettable. Loved it!

So, what is this amazing story about? Well, it's about the Hinton family living in India. They're missionaries and they are determined to espouse the values of Christianity to the local people. Except, suddenly, Uncle Ellis arrives out of nowhere and suddenly life in the house is thrown for a loop. Hmm...why would a high-ranking official decide to stay in a humble abode in the middle of nowhere? Hmm...someone is keeping a secret. What could it be? Will Gene figure it out; or will his friend, Arthur, the family's Indian servant, figure it out first? And, will this secret create even more chaos in the Hinton household? Whoa! Talk about a riveting read!

Howard's writing is fantastic! Her prose is vivid and emotional. The strength of her storytelling power is exhibited in the ways in which she brings her characters to life and shares their stories so clearly and beautifully with us. She sweeps you away to 1930s India and you are in deep with this family, the country, the culture, all of it - and it is awesome.  Howard is a brilliant writer and Sleeping In The Sun showcases her talent loudly. I can't wait to read more of her work.  And, I would recommend that you grab a copy of this book ASAP - you are going to fall in love with Gene and Arthur, along with Howard's excellent storytelling. Make sure to check it out! 

Thank you to She Writes Press for my copy of this book!

Cain's Act: The Origins of Hate by Massimo Recalcati

(Thank you to Europa Editions for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

From one of Italy's most renowned philosophers and psychoanalysts, an urgent and stirring reflection on violence, morality, and our relationship with the Other

What lies at the foundation of human history and society? According to Massimo Recalcati, it is not love for one's neighbor, as preached by Jesus in the Gospels, but the brutality, jealousy, and violence depicted in the story of Cain and Abel.

As timely as it is brilliant, this essay examines Cain's murderous act through the lens of psychoanalysis, showing how delusions of self-sufficiency and individual perfection lie at the deepest roots of fear and violence in our societies.

True completeness can only be achieved through others--not despite them. This, argues Recalcati, is the lesson of Cain, one that resonates powerfully in our time.

"Recalcati explores the most fundamental of questions--for Cain, Abel, and every human being: can we believe in love?"-- La Stampa

my thoughts:

Wow! What a fascinating look at the story of Cain and Abel. I absolutely LOVED renowned philosopher, Massimo Recalcati's use of psychological criticism in his essay, Cain's Act: The Origins of Hate. It is just so interesting to look at this famous biblical story via the concepts of love and completeness. After all, the story of Cain and Abel is one of jealousy and violence - Cain and Abel are brothers. Cain gets jealous of Abel, because God shows favor to him. So, he brutally kills his brother with a rock. And, when God asks after Abel, Cain lies to God. So, God punishes Cain. Talk about taking jealousy to the extreme, right? 

In this terrific essay, Recalcati explores delusions, perfection, and fear as a means for examining such a vicious act. He delves into the human experience and what drives them to crave the idea of being the 'absolute' one. He also looks at the way in which God's love shines through when punishing Cain - he is not vindictive, in fact, he promises Cain that no one will kill him. I feel that Recalcati's essay shows respect for the biblical history of the story and a clear look at the ways in which modern day ideals help to provide a new interpretation of the story and its meaning. 

I definitely enjoyed reading Cain's Act and would highly recommend this essay to fans of philosophy and to anyone looking for a new great read - you will definitely fall in deep with this book. Make sure to check it out!

Thank you to Europa Editions for providing me with a copy of this book!

Living And Dying With Marcel Proust by Christopher Prendergast

(Thank you to Europa Editions for providing me with a copy of this book!)
 

about book:

Living and Dying with Marcel Proust (June 7) is the result of a lifetime’s reading of, reflection on, and love for Proust’s masterpiece, In Search of Lost Time. 
 
One of the masterpieces of twentieth-century fiction, Proust’s In Search of Lost Time describes a unique journey, combining elements drawn from the timeless narratives of great expectations and lost illusions. In this lively and entertaining book, Christopher Prendergast traces that journey as it unfolds on an arc defined by the polarities in his title: living and dying. 
 
At once a careful contemplation Proust’s masterwork and an exploration of the rich sensory and impressionistic tapestry of a lived world, Living and Dying with Marcel Proust addresses such disparate Proustian obsessions as insomnia, food, digestion, color, addiction, memory, breath and breathing, breasts, snobbism, music, and humor.
 
Entertaining and erudite, Prendergast’s book will surely become the companion for all readers either about to reembark on Proust’s three-million-word journey or setting out for the first time.
 
Christopher Prendergast is a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge and a Fellow of the British Academy. He writes for the London Review of Books and the New Left Review. He is also the general editor of the Penguin reissues of Proust’s work, published in 2002.  

my thoughts:

What a delightful and entertaining read! I absolutely LOVED Living And Dying With Marcel Proust by Christopher Prendergast - it was such a treat to read!

Prendergast is THE Proust scholar to read. His work on Proust is insightful, erudite, and delightful. I was thrilled to receive a copy of his latest work. I couldn't wait to dive right in, so I grabbed a huge cuppa and settled down with my copy on a rainy day. And, I read, read, and read some more. I didn't stop reading until I reached the very end - it was just too good to put down. 

Focusing on Proust's beloved masterpiece, In Search of Lost Time, Prendergast uses the themes of living and dying to explore the topics Proust wrote about in his novel (love, food, music, etc.).  He looks at the way color is used throughout In Search of Lost Time, specifically the color pink.  He also looks at the way memory is captured within Proust's writing.  Prendergast goes all in and it is superb.  He writes about Proust's work with such clarity and passion, that you can't help but crave Proust's writing.  In fact, Living And Dying With Marcel Proust makes you want to read (or reread) In Search of Lost Time.  Yep, this book will make you want or read even more and it is awesome. I just love when books inspire you to add more books to your TBR pile - that to me is the mark of a great book. 

Definitely check out Living And Dying With Marcel Proust by Christopher Prendergast - it is a must-read! 

Thank you to Europa Editions for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Absolutist: A Novel by John Boyne

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

A new edition of the beloved novel most similar thematically to the author’s mega-bestseller The Heart’s Invisible Furies

It is September 1919, and twenty-one-year-old Tristan Sadler takes a train from London to Norwich to deliver a package of letters to the sister of Will Bancroft, the man he fought alongside during the Great War.

But the letters are not the real reason for Tristan’s visit. He can no longer keep a secret and has finally found the courage to unburden himself of it. As he recounts the horrific details of what to him became a senseless war, he also speaks of his friendship with Will–from their first meeting on the training grounds at Aldershot to their farewell in the trenches of northern France. The intensity of their bond brought Tristan happiness and self-discovery as well as confusion and unbearable pain.

The Absolutist is a masterful, unforgettable tale of passion, jealousy, heroism, and betrayal set in one of the most gruesome trenches of France during World War I.

my thoughts:

Love, love, love. What a beautiful story by John Boyne. The Absolutist was excellent. The writing was superb and the characters were truly unforgettable. I found myself unable to put this book down for anything - it tugged so hard on my heart and had me savoring every word. I just loved it.

Tristan is on a train headed to deliver letters to the sister of a man he fought alongside with during WWI.  A man named Will.  Tristan also plans on revealing a secret.  He's decided to finally share the truth about a secret he's kept for quite some time. Through his story we learn about the ugly, brutal truth of war; training camp and life in the trenches in France. We also learn about Will and Tristan's friendship - they develop an immediate connection and soon find themselves fighting side by side in the war. Tristan falls for Will, and although it appears that Will feels the same, we are always left wondering about Will. As for the war itself, well, it becomes apparent that Will no longer wishes to fight in the war. In fact, he lays down his weapons, which leads to disastrous results. All I will say is that this story was tender, heartbreaking, and beautiful.  

Boyne has created a story that explores war and love in such a realistic and honest way, that you can't help but fall in deep with it. I found myself captivated and feeling so many emotions as I read this book. It is such a powerful story and I know it will stay with me for a very long time. The Absolutist is literature at its finest. This is one book you won't want to miss out on. Check it out!

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

In a Dark Wood: What Dante Taught Me About Grief, Healing, and the Mysteries of Love by Joseph Luzzi

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

In the aftermath of a heartbreaking tragedy, a scholar and writer uses Dante’s Divine Comedy to shepherd him through the dark wood of grief and mourning—a rich and emotionally resonant memoir of suffering, hope, love, and the power of literature to inspire and heal the most devastating loss.

Where do we turn when we lose everything? Joseph Luzzi found the answer in the opening of The Divine Comedy: “In the middle of our life’s journey, I found myself in a dark wood.”

When Luzzi’s pregnant wife was in a car accident—and died forty-five minutes after giving birth to their daughter, Isabel—he finds himself a widower and first-time father at the same moment. While he grieves and cares for his infant daughter, miraculously delivered by caesarean before his wife passed, he turns to Dante’s Divine Comedy for solace.

In a Dark Wood tells the story of how Dante helps the author rebuild his life. He follows the structure of The Divine Comedy, recounting the Inferno of his grief, the Purgatory of healing and raising Isabel on his own, and then Paradise of the rediscovery of love.

my thoughts:

Wow! Talk about the perfect literary memoir!  In a Dark Wood is both emotionally and academically compelling. This book takes a truly unique look at the themes of loss and love via Dante's epic poem, The Divine Comedy.  Mired deep in grief, Luzzi finds solace in the opening line, "In the middle of our life's journey, I found myself in a dark wood."  Having just lost his wife, who gave birth to their daughter right before she died, Luzzi was most definitely in a place of darkness.  How could he not be?  He became a father and widow on the same day.  One can only imagine the flood of emotions piercing through Luzzi that horrible day.  Its beyond heartbreaking.  Family and friends surrounded him and provided the love and support he needed to get through this hellish nightmare. As he struggled to process everything, he found himself turning to the written word for solace.  He was living in hell and found himself thinking of Dante (the Italian poet he'd studied and written about for years.)  The words from Dante's epic poem, The Divine Comedy, spoke to him.  He allowed the words to sit and settle and rattle around in his head, where he could parse through them slowly and fully grasp their meaning (or at least what they meant to him in that moment).  Yes, he would still grieve, but he would not surrender to the sadness that enshrouded him.  He knew that he had to climb out of this hell - not just for himself, but for his daughter as well.  And so he did - one day at a time.

In a Dark Wood is a powerful and beautifully written story.  A combination of the personal and the literary, this book is a mesmerizing read.   I found myself crying one minute and then being awed the next when Luzzi the Dante scholar would begin analyzing and applying The Divine Comedy to his own personal hell.   Exploring the concepts of man and father not only displayed Luzzi's academic mind in action, but also reminded us how much he was struggling with his new role as a dad. I was fascinated and thrilled at the clarity, strength, and hope gained through this poem. This book was truly a thought-provoking read.  I absolutely loved  In a Dark Wood and would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone looking for a great new read (especially fans of nonfiction and academia.) 


Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: In a Dark Wood

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Bookman's Tale: A Novel of Obsession by Charlie Lovett

about book:

Peter Byerly isn't sure what drew him into this particular bookshop in the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye.  Nine months earlier, the death of his beloved wife, Amanda, had left him shattered.  The young antiquarian bookseller relocated from North Carolina to the English countryside, hoping to outrun his grief and rediscover the joy he once took in collecting and restoring rare books.  But upon opening an eighteenth-century study of Shakespeare forgeries, Peter is shocked when a portrait of Amanda tumbles out of its pages.  Of course, it can't be her.  The watercolor is clearly Victorian.  Yet the resemblance is uncanny, and Peter becomes obsessed with learning the picture's origins.

Communing with Amanda's spirit as he wrestles with the mystery, Peter follows a trail of clues across the centuries - from a raucous London tavern where the unscrupulous bookseller Bartholomew Harbottle plots against the "upstart crow" William Shakespeare to the unfinished ramparts of an Oxfordshire mansion where a frustrated Victorian painter mourns his lost love and takes revenge on his book-collecting rival.  Along the way Peter discovers his holy grail:  a priceless literary artifact that could prove the truth about Shakespeare's identity.  Fearing the book may be a forgery, Peter races against time to prove its authenticity, evading the clutches of a murderer, meeting a woman who may hold the key to the mystery of the portrait, and finally discovering the truth about his own past and precious Amanda.

The Bookman's Tale is a former antiquarian bookseller's sparkling novel that is at once a deeply moving love story as well as a delightful exploration of one of literature's most tantalizing mysteries. 

my thoughts:

Books, books, and more books. Oh, plus Shakespeare, book forgery, booksellers, bookbinding, libraries, book buying trips, and about a ton of other book related acts/events occur within this spellbinding read - and I loved it all! This is the story of Peter Byerly, an antiquarian bookseller who has recently become a widow and something of a recluse.  He talks to no one, stays holed up in his English cottage, and only ventures out to get food.  His doctor has written a list of ten things that Peter should do in order to continue living, but he's just taped it to fridge and ignores it.  You see, Peter is in mourning.  His wife, Amanda, passed away and ever since then, he's taken to just being instead of living.  However, one day he winds up in a bookshop and opens a book to find a small watercolor painting of his wife.  Only it can't be his wife, since the painting is old, like from a different century old.  Except it looks just like her.  Peter feels his curiosity piqued and so he slips the painting into another book and buys it, along with a few other tomes.  He's decided that he must find out why the woman in the painting resembles his beloved Amanda.  Of course one mystery leads to another and soon enough, Peter finds himself in possession of a book that could be the greatest discovery of the literary world and he only has one week to prove its authenticity.

Talk about suspense!  Charlie Lovett has created quite the literary mystery with this novel - it will seriously have you guessing left and right.  I can usually figure things out well before the end, but this time round I was stymied.  Albeit, there were quite a few characters to keep track of, so that did make it a bit difficult.  Plus, each chapter is from a different time period, so you have to go back and forth to connect characters and events, which made for quite the puzzle.  But I loved it all.  I loved the discussion of the authenticity of Shakespeare's work - something every English lit major has come across.  I enjoyed reading about Peter's love of books and his passion for wanting to preserve a part of history through books.  I found the love story between Amanda and Peter to be heartwarming and heartbreaking.  And, I thought the mystery that linked everyone and everything together to be fascinating.  This was most definitely one of my favorite reads of the year.

I would happily recommend The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett to all fans of literary fiction, Shakespeare fans, and book lovers in general.  I am positive that you will love this book as much as I did.  I'm actually interested in learning more about book forgeries and the theories regarding Shakespeare's works.  Plus, I've started daydreaming about one day owning an English cottage and becoming a bookseller.  Oh, and now I'm itching to visit libraries and museums that house these amazing antiquated books that Peter was always drooling over.  Hmmm.....I think I'm going to be dreaming about books tonight.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!