BOOKS OF THE WEEK
Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein
Bloomsbury Publishing, £16.99 (ebook £11.89) Review by Bridie Pritchard
Hungry Ghosts is already predicted to be a contender in this year’s big book awards. Set in 1940s rural Trinidad, a luxury house overlooks the barrack where many families are living in pest-ridden dilapidated poverty. When the rich man from the big house goes missing, a series of ominous events portends tragedy for one of the barrack families – Hans and Shweta Saroop. Social injustice and violence is never far away. The lush, lyrical yet dense vocabulary of the novel adds to the feeling of intensity, and the claustrophobia of people trapped in their lives. Powerful and oppressive, you may have to read this in small doses, but it repays the perseverance.
The Garnett Girls by Georgina Moore HQ, £14.99 (ebook £7.99) Review by Eleanor Barlow)
In her debut novel, Georgina Moore follows the story of the Garnett family as the breakdown of mother Margo’s marriage to alcoholic Richard impacts the lives of their daughters, Rachel, Imogen and Sasha, years after the split. The Garnett Girls takes you into the heart of the family, which centres around the seaside home of Sandcove in the Isle of Wight, as all the complications of issues past and present play out. Each of the main characters is flawed yet relatable, and the family dynamics between the strong women are portrayed perfectly by Moore. An immersive novel which leaves the reader feeling they have become part of the family.
Owlish by Dorothy Tse, translated by Natascha Bruce Fitzcarraldo Editions,£13.99 (ebook £5.99) Review by Prudence Wade
It’s worth knowing from the outset Owlish is set in an alternate Hong Kong, the mountainous city of Nevers. It focuses on Professor Q, a middle-aged academic with a stunted career and dull marriage. He collects dolls in secret, and soon begins a passionate affair with Aliss, a life-size ballerina doll, with the encouragement of his mysterious friend Owlish. There’s far too much description of a sad 50-year-old man having sexual relations with a doll, and everything feels so loaded with meaning, it’s hard to tell what’s actually happening. The surreal style is interesting, but the content is a bit too uncomfortable, with too little plot to sustain it.
What Women Want: Conversations On Desire, Power, Love And Growth by Maxine Mei-Fung Chung Hutchinson Heinemann, £18.99 (ebook £9.99) Review by Oyinda Bishi
This is a collection of real-life stories about various women and their interactions with the psychotherapist Maxine Mei-Fung Chung. The myriad of stories are very relatable and shine a light on everyday issues – from identity to desire – with a cross-section of main characters across various social demographics. Each scenario feels very visual, helping you picture the rooms and settings, and immersing yourself in the lives of these women. At times, the story endings feel a bit contrived – perhaps a bit too manufactured and polished – but overall, it’s a very well-written and engaging book.