Reviews and Comments

This is a compelling historical novelisation following an 18th century heretical sect that romps around Europe, shining a light on Poland's complicated relations with its neighbours, examining the influence and fluidity of beliefs at the time, and breathing life into the fascinating characters pulled in the wake of the eponymous leader. It is a long read, but where another big book with so many names, families and renamings would test patient readers, the author's constellation style of pace and converging threads is precipitous and consistently rewards a good immersive page turning session. A massive, heavily researched project, transmuted into art.

Great character driven fantasy writing. This second part of the series sweeps out from the cityscape limits of the first book. In doing so it puts flesh on the bones of a world that is inhabited by authentic and interesting protagonists. The magic feels fresh, and does not get in the way of a good story. There is art here in subtle nods to a bigger backdrop without losing the gravity of the key players in the process. Love it!

This is a short read that covers a surprising depth of plot. The writing is noteworthy in economically building an elaborate trap, producing a series of victims and then dropping a denouement that is crushing in its subtle deployment. The whole premise should not work and it is quite satisfying to reflect on what the writer gets away with in such limited space.

This was a fine read taken on its own. Any familiarity with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn will reveal the clever insertion then realignment of the original.

The eponymous hero early on demonstrates there is more to him than the previous main cast ever expected, without this corrupting the initial trajectory of the classic story. Later, however, the story does break free of its predecessor and concludes with precipitous elan.

Inspired to pick this up as a primer before reading Percival Everett's James.

Twain's writing breathlessly draws you along the intertwined story arcs for Tom and Huck with a flair for pace and effortlessly delivered cheek. The setting follows life along the Mississipi in the mid 19th century and is inescapably awash with reference and attitudes to slavery. These would not be the same stories without this ever present factor, and the reader may struggle to balance the pure joy of the heroes' exploits with how they themselves interpret the world as protagonists very much of their time.

Very moving account from the point of view of a librarian-turned relief volunteer during the opening months of the covid pandemic. It is a mercifully short potrait of the state of deprivation to be found in the uk. The covid element lends sharp focus on what was already a runaway problem before the virus arrived.

The writing is direct and well composed given the tricky subject matter. The chapter structure makes good use of key dates when particular government press briefings were given.

There is a lot of humanity in the retelling of these stories. The author keeps everything anchored in such a way as to ensure the victims of poverty are not easily disimissed as statistics.

First in a series, but reads very well as a stand alone story. There is immediately a sense of depth and perspective in the setting without labouring detail. The characters have plenty of interesting angles without feeling imbalanced. The use of the overtly magical is handled with deft restraint.

There are enough facets to the plot that it would be boring to try to list them all. Reads like Pratchett and China Melville had an impromptu spawning. Hooray for this writer.

We inherited this book from a generous fellow train passenger who had just finished it. My thanks to her!

The story follows multiple generations of a Korean family, spanning their resettlement in pre-WW2 Japan through to the early post-war decades. There are spadefuls of tragedies and poignant events as the family members' lifetime trajectories trace out examples of what it may have been like to move in with your colonisers and reconcile sense of place once the boot has been ungracefully lifted off your ancestral origin.

Elegantly written and absorbing. Possibly not one for people who demand explicit closure on a story arcs, but impressive in use of pace.

I love this book, and its equally absorbing first volume. I suspect the translators were on their tiptop A-game here as a story of this length could be expected to sag under its own weight if not delivered with the finesse found in these pages.

Based on a real, unsolved case that transfixed Tokyo. The story is delivered through shifting perspectives across a broad cast of protagonists on various sides of the law. Character story arcs will intersect, or tragically miss, but never feel clumsily dropped in. The driving events and reveals are subtly introduced with a sense of due pace, such that you feel an authenticity of investigative process, and corrupt practices.

Hoping that more works from this author get translated soon.

Picked up this book on a whim. No interest in learning Japanese any time soon, but the writing style, biopic embrace for careless career jumps and musings on Wittgenstein have drawn me in.

Hungry for closure on this one. Finished vol1 having had no idea it was a two-parter until the last page (!?). Finding myself rooting for all players at this stage.