Possibly the most fun thing I've read recently is Zen Cho's Sorcerer to the Crown. It has one of the best character names of this decade (Georgiana Without Ruth) and the most magnificent last chapter this side of Georgette Heyer.
In fact, if you've ever wished for one last, undiscovered Heyer, this is the book you need to read. There's adventure, magic (which, all right, Heyer didn't have; but then there's magic and there's sorcery) and some truly laugh out loud moments that are pure comedy and timing.
All in all, it was a joy to read.
*
Having done with the Cho, I flitted and sipped and left many things unread. I enjoyed Jo Walton's The Just City. I am wondering if I should jump on the Elena Ferrante bandwagon.
There's a book in every space I occupy. Michael Pollan in one place, Anne Carson in another, Nabaneeta Dev Sen in a third. And yet, I think the book I will begin today and carry everywhere with me, is George Eliot's Romola. [see pic]
I found this copy in Jan this year, at the Hyd Lit Fest's second hand book stall, along with a right loot of good stuff, all of which I failed to catalogue. And, I guess, I'm in the mood for some proper historical fiction.
*
Oh - the other thing I'm carrying around with me everywhere is Karthika Nair's soon-to-be-released Until the Lions, her re-telling of the Mahabharata from several perpectives not limited to women.
It is magnificent and I am looking forward to being in conversation with her on the 28th at the UoH. Details of all Park Festival events here. Do come if you're in town.
In fact, if you've ever wished for one last, undiscovered Heyer, this is the book you need to read. There's adventure, magic (which, all right, Heyer didn't have; but then there's magic and there's sorcery) and some truly laugh out loud moments that are pure comedy and timing.
All in all, it was a joy to read.
*
Having done with the Cho, I flitted and sipped and left many things unread. I enjoyed Jo Walton's The Just City. I am wondering if I should jump on the Elena Ferrante bandwagon.
There's a book in every space I occupy. Michael Pollan in one place, Anne Carson in another, Nabaneeta Dev Sen in a third. And yet, I think the book I will begin today and carry everywhere with me, is George Eliot's Romola. [see pic]
I found this copy in Jan this year, at the Hyd Lit Fest's second hand book stall, along with a right loot of good stuff, all of which I failed to catalogue. And, I guess, I'm in the mood for some proper historical fiction.
*
Oh - the other thing I'm carrying around with me everywhere is Karthika Nair's soon-to-be-released Until the Lions, her re-telling of the Mahabharata from several perpectives not limited to women.
It is magnificent and I am looking forward to being in conversation with her on the 28th at the UoH. Details of all Park Festival events here. Do come if you're in town.
2 comments:
The Zen Cho book is the ultimate wet dream of a certain kind of colonial reader of the mid to late 20th century. There is not one writer that is part of that canon that Cho misses, and to top it off, she sets it in S Clarke territory. Funnest read this year.
Though must say the last chapter was a bit of disappointment (except for the caterpillars). For one, Z is the most boring character in the book. I wish Prunella married that Damerey chap or better still, what better match for that half-caste girl that Rollo T, nephew of Aunt G? Let me tell you what Cho should have done with the last chapter - tell us the story of how Aunt G came to be named Without Ruth. That would have be the bestest last chapter ever.
Veena: I loved the last chapter for its particular kind of homage as well as because of its reversals. Of course Z is boring; he's patterned on every well-behaved female ideal of the genre. That's why that chapter is so brilliant.
Also there will be more books. Or at least one more. Sure all the others get another outing.
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