Read it and Reap
Our weekly verdict on the books that tickled our fancy...
Becky ★★★★★
by Sarah May
(Picador, €21)
Sarah May’s latest novel is a modern reimagining of the 19th century classic Vanity Fair, propelling the protagonist into the 1990s.
Having secured a prestigious scholarship in her youth, Becky Sharp is determined to transform her rags to riches — using her connections to place herself at the heart of society, and progress through the ranks of the newspaper industry.
But as she creates drama in her rise to the top, will one wrong move collapse a lifetime of social climbing? The luscious draw of the Nineties glitz, the scandal of the press, and the tangibly descriptive jeopardy throughout makes this a true page-turner.
Sharp and often dark, Becky is a delight of clever observations and wit that manages to remain frank and, at times, painful.
The Things That We Lost ★★★★
Holly Cowell
by Jyoti Patel
(Merky Books, €19.25)
Jyoti Patel’s novel — new writers’ prize winner of the rapper Stormzy-backed #Merky imprint — is an absorbing debut.
The decades-spanning tale movingly explores the lives of an intergenerational British-gujaratikenyan family in Harrow, London, and deftly handles themes of love, loss and identity.
Its compelling story unravels from the perspective of guiltracked mother Avani, still mourning her dead husband, and her son Nik, a teenager unbalanced by also losing his beloved grandfather, who sets out to uncover the secrecy around his father’s death. Their complex relationship, alongside those with lovers, family and friends, is developed with remarkable sensitivity. There is an immersive and intimate quality about Patel’s writing – from its portrayal of London teenage slang to the detailed depiction of British-gujarati culture. Her characters have a depth that brings a poignant reality to issues around coping with grief, abuse and racial prejudice, and navigating family and friendship dynamics. An enthralling read.
Tom Pilgrim
Weyward ★★★★
by Emilia Hart
(The Borough Press, €14) Emila Hart’s debut novel Weyward links together three women from very different eras. Altha, Violet and Kate live in different centuries, but all have a connection to Weyward Cottage in Cumbria and an unusual affinity with nature, as well as unfortunate associations with violent men. While Altha’s fate lies in the hands of the jury on her 17th century witchcraft trial, Violet struggles with how a lady in the 1940s is supposed to behave, and Kate flees from an abusive relationship in the modern day.
Weyward jumps between time periods with ease, and the three relatable characters leave you keen to turn the page and find out more. Fans of witchcraft-themed novels such as Bridget Collins’ The Binding and The Familiars by Stacey Halls are sure to enjoy.
You Are Not Alone ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Eleanor Barlow by Cariad Lloyd
(Bloomsbury Tonic, €21)
Unpacking an issue as complex and delicate as grief and making it approachable and digestible is no easy feat, but Cariad Lloyd accomplishes just that with this striking new book. The comedian has seamlessly transferred the taboo-busting conversation of her hugely successful podcast, Griefcast, to the written word, providing a deconstruction of grief that is both personal and probing.
Having lost her father to pancreatic cancer aged just 15, Lloyd lays bare her emotions in an honest and upfront manner through recurring vignettes, and is unafraid to tear apart several conventional assumptions of what it means to lose someone important.
With rawness in one moment and educative lessons the next, she addresses several broader social concerns within her discussion, including modern technology’s influence on grief, whilst her quotes from famous contributors are particularly poignant.
A must-read.
Harry Stedman