Midway through The Plague, Albert Camus’s 1947 novel about a French Algerian city beset by a deadly pandemic, a journalist and a doctor discuss a record playing on a phonograph. It’s “St. James Infirmary,” a blues and jazz standard about a man visiting his dead lover at the morgue. The journalist admits that he’s been […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/08/21/carefully-plotted-chaos-twyla-tharp/
On a road trip this August, I stopped at the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts. The house she lived in for most of her life, including the bedroom where she wrote, and her brother’s family’s home just across a lawn are open to the public for guided tours. Before continuing on to Walden Pond, […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/08/21/how-the-sun-rose/
Sophia Rose is on the blog today with a review of The Night the River Wept by Lo Patrick. Come check out her thoughts on this southern mystery.
The Night the River Wept by Lo Patrick
by Lo Patrick
Genres: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Everybody’s got good and bad in them. In the end, it just depends which side wins out.
Arlene has lived in a small town on the edge of nowhere Georgia her whole life. Now married to her long-time high school sweetheart, Tommy, Arlene is itching to start a family and become the mother she always dreamed of being. But that’s proving more difficult than she thought, and Arlene is desperate to find something to do to keep her mind off things. And get some distance from her husband, who is increasingly getting on her nerves.
As the summer gives way to a chilly, lonesome fall up in the mountains of northern Georgia, she takes a part-time job bagging evidence at the local police department, which involves about twenty minutes of actual work, and the rest of her shift she reads over old cold cases. One in particular fascinates – the mysterious deaths of three young brothers murdered on Deck River, followed by the suicide of Mitchell Wright, the prime suspect in the murders. Arlene becomes obsessed with the case, and with the help of the police department’s receptionist and a family friend of the Wrights, she sets out on discovering the truth. She can’t help but feel that if she solves the case of the Broderick boys’ deaths, she’ll find her footing in her young marriage and maybe find what she’s been looking for all along.
From the author of The Floating Girls , a finalist for the Townsend Prize for Fiction and a Reader’s Digest Editor’s Pick, Lo Patrick has once again crafted a story bursting with charm, heartbreak, and memorable characters that leap off the page, a true delight for fans of Southern fiction.
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A bored housewife trying to get through a personal grief and a struggling marriage minds fulfillment investigating a triple murder and the suspect’s subsequent suicide. After the debut of The Floating Girls and my recent interest in Southern Fiction, I was keen to pick up the latest release from Lo Patrick. While something of a different animal when it comes to story, The Night the River Wept reprised the author’s wry style of writing, a full immersion for the reader into the setting, an engagement of senses and emotions, and a twisting path to the reveal.
The Night the River Wept exercised a push-pull on me from the get-go. I didn’t fully warm to the story, but at the same time, I was aware the writing was really good.
The reason for my struggle was the main protagonist, Arlene. I got used to her and was settled into acceptance by the end. In the beginning, however, Arlene danced on my nerves. I felt guilty about this because the woman had lost her child and lost her way as a result. She’s a bored housewife and wants a job as a detective to stave off boredom (she ends up getting hired part-time to tag and store evidence). She married her high school sweetheart, Tommy, who drinks heavily, golfs, and yearns for the country club life.
Tommy and Arlene are small potatoes in the big wide world outside their Northern Georgia town, but Tommy is recently wealthy real estate developer (this comes in all capital letters and a big shining marquee in his own mind). He wants in on the area high society group and Arlene just won’t get with the program which causes contention.
Instead, she’s content to work for the local police in a low-paid position with grandiose ideas of being the detective who solves a twenty year old cold case once she realizes the office gal has a connection to the deceased suspect. And, her coworker is unconvinced to this day that Mitchell had it in him to murder three young boys. Reading through reports, papers, and sifting evidence keeps Arlene busy, but is she also stirring up the dark shadows where the true murderer might lurk if Mitchell was innocent?
There are several complex elements addressed in this one and some not always handled in a way I was comfortable. I will say that I get that everyone processes grief differently. In Arlene and Tommy’s case, they get almost flippant about their miscarriage though I suspect this was meant for a defense mechanism. Arlene gets lost in her head a lot and I was okay with it, but sometimes just wanted things to move along. There’s a class difference ‘wrong side of the tracks’ side to the murder investigation that was sad. And, of course a marriage that was rocky, but Arlene wanted to work at it.
The story is a split timeline piece with Arlene’s narration anchoring the contemporary end and her investigation including the diary of the suspect, Mitchell Wright’s sister Natalie’s diary having some narration that shows the 1983 time frame. And, then there are little forays into the murder’s point of view. The past murder was dark and tragic and those ominous atmospheric overtones the author is great at writing just added to the tension as the cold case mystery developed and revealed.
In the end, I had mixed feelings. I was glad to have read The Night the River Wept, but I like The Floating Girls better. Lo Patrick has found her niche writing Southern Fiction and making her book a full-sensory reading experience. Those who can read a story with flawed character protagonists and a cross between women’s fiction and mystery should give this a try.
Amazon | Audible
LO PATRICK is a former lawyer and current novelist living in the suburbs of Atlanta. Her debut, The Floating Girls, earned a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, was a finalist for the Townsend Prize for Fiction, and was a Reader’s Digest Editor’s Pick.
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Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/08/the-night-the-river-wept-by-lo-patrick.html
In the Realm of Dancing Syzygy is a poetic exploration of cosmic themes and human emotions, blending metaphysical musings with vivid imagery. The collection is a compilation of Mark Kraver’s poetry spanning decades, with each piece reflecting on the intricate dance between celestial alignments and the human experience. From the very first poem, readers are drawn into a world where the alignment of celestial bodies—syzygy—serves as a metaphor for the alignment of souls, thoughts, and the forces that govern our lives.
One of the standout aspects of Kraver’s work is his ability to seamlessly merge the cosmic with the personal. The portrayal of two souls entwined in a dance of shadows and light is both haunting and beautiful, capturing the essence of a relationship marked by pain and longing. The way Kraver juxtaposes the vastness of the cosmos with the intimate struggles of his characters is nothing short of mesmerizing. His use of syzygy as a central theme is particularly effective, symbolizing the moments when different forces, whether celestial or emotional, come into perfect alignment, creating something both powerful and fleeting. I also appreciated Kraver’s skillful use of imagery and symbolism throughout the collection. Kraver crafts vivid scenes that transport the reader to otherworldly landscapes, making the abstract feel tangible. The symbolism is rich and layered, inviting multiple readings to fully appreciate the depth of meaning behind each verse. Kraver doesn’t shy away from exploring complex topics such as the passage of time, the nature of existence, and the interplay between light and darkness. These themes resonate deeply, offering readers not just poetry but a mirror to reflect on their own lives and experiences.
In the Realm of Dancing Syzygy is a beautifully crafted collection that will appeal to readers who enjoy poetry rich in symbolism and cosmic themes. Kraver’s work is a journey through both the vastness of the universe and the intricacies of the human heart, making it a perfect read for those who appreciate the intersection of the metaphysical and the personal. This book is ideal for anyone looking to explore poetry that challenges the mind while touching the soul.
Pages: 95
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/21/in-the-realm-of-dancing-syzygy/
Second to only Salem, the town of Halloween Haven has become famous for its spooky events on All Hallows Eve. Though this year, things are about to take a terrifying turn as a centuries old darkness that requires human sacrifices, finds its way into this quaint suburb.
From a cabbage night prank that goes wrong to a maniacal serial killer looking to torture the community, to a tortured teen who finally snaps, to out of control vines and ancient Jack-O-Lantern warriors sworn to protect the holiday, Haven is in for one hell of a long Halloween night.
Told through fifteen interconnecting short stories that all take place in Haven throughout the scariest season, Halloween Haven is sure to make you lock your door and leave the lights on this Halloween.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/21/halloween-haven-a-novel-in-stories/
The Ark and the Whale by James Fulmer is a surreal and introspective journey that weaves together an enigmatic narrative. Through a series of dream-like vignettes, the story explores themes of existential dread, identity, and the often-confusing interplay between reality and the subconscious. Each chapter is like a fragment of a larger, elusive truth, beckoning readers to delve deeper into the protagonist’s psyche and the strange world he inhabits.
What struck me first about this book was its unconventional structure and the fluidity of its narrative. The author eschews a traditional linear plot in favor of a series of loosely connected episodes, each one steeped in symbolism and rich, evocative imagery. For instance, the recurring motif of the moon and its explosive transformation, as described in the opening chapter, “Sun and Moon,” sets the tone for the surreal experiences that follow. This dreamlike quality can be both captivating and challenging, drawing the reader into a world that feels at once familiar and otherworldly.
On one hand, the prose is beautifully crafted, with a poetic rhythm that enhances the book’s ethereal atmosphere. Descriptions like the tree with roots “like sea monsters on an old map” linger in the mind long after reading. However, the same poetic ambiguity that makes the prose so immersive can also be disorienting. At times, the narrative feels obscure, leaving readers to piece together meaning from fragmented and cryptic scenes.
Thematically, The Ark and the Whale delves deep into the human condition, exploring the protagonist’s internal struggles with isolation, fear, and a sense of purposelessness. The book’s exploration of these dark themes is unflinching, yet it’s balanced with moments of quiet beauty and reflection. The interactions between the protagonist and the other characters serve as mirrors of his own inner turmoil, reflecting his attempts to navigate a world that feels increasingly alien.
The Ark and the Whale is a book that will resonate with readers who appreciate literary fiction, poetry, and prose that challenge conventional storytelling norms. For those willing to embrace its complexity and dive into its symbolic depths, the book offers a richly rewarding experience.
Pages: 153 | ASIN : B0D8TZZH7V
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/21/the-ark-and-the-whale/
At first glance, Twyla appears to be the perfect daughter in the idyllic Cameron family, but beneath the surface, her world is unraveling. The peace her family once knew is shattered when a biker gang disrupts their lives, and things only worsen when her brother is drafted to Vietnam. The perfect life she had always known quickly descends into chaos. Amidst the turmoil, Twyla crosses paths with Caleb Silverson, a handsome and charismatic celebrity racer. As she is drawn into the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle, Twyla begins to wonder if Caleb might be the key to her happiness.
Twilight’s Hidden Truth by Rachel Valencourt is a compelling novel about self-discovery and finding one’s passion when life takes an unexpected turn. The book is written from Twyla’s perspective, which I found particularly engaging. The detailed descriptions of the 1970s—from the music and fashion to the social tensions—create an authentic atmosphere that makes Twyla’s experiences relatable and engaging. The author’s talent for creating complex, multi-dimensional characters is evident, particularly in the way Twyla is portrayed. Her internal struggles, torn between family loyalty and the desire for independence, resonate deeply, making her a character that readers can root for. The romantic subplot involving Twyla and the celebrity racer Caleb Silverson feels somewhat underdeveloped and rushed. This relationship, which could have provided deeper insight into Twyla’s character and her evolving sense of self, instead serves more as a convenient plot device. Valencourt maintains tension and keeps the reader invested in Twyla’s journey.
Twilight’s Hidden Truth is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and coming-of-age stories. It is particularly well-suited for readers interested in exploring the complexities of the 1970s and the impact of societal change on individual lives. Valencourt’s evocative writing and nuanced characterizations make this a novel worth diving into.
Pages: 360 | ASIN : B0CTFXG3BD
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/21/twilights-hidden-truth-the-winds-of-change/
Scars of The Heart is an influential collection of short stories that delve into the profound impacts of physical war and the psychological impact of violence on humanity. What made you write a story about this topic? Was anything pulled from your life experiences?
I have been a travel writer from 1990 and 2003 and wrote New Journalism texts about conflict zones in the world (contributions that report on events taking place, but in a literary, subjective way). I visited Somalia, Liberia, Bosnia, Sudan, Gaza, Iran, Iraq, Mozambique, Kosovo, Lebanon, and Myanmar… to name a few. I got very close to the atrocities of war, its physical but also its mental consequences. I thought I could handle them, but these days I have PTSD symptoms. They have become more bearable with time, but I can’t forget people’s suffering in war circumstances. In my eyes, I was a “war tourist” who shared their life for a couple of weeks and disappeared again while they were doomed to stay in hellish places. My anger, my shame, remorse, sadness, and despair fuel my stories.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
When you think about it, humans are living mysteries: contradictory, unpredictable, chaotic. Great fiction tries to create a holistic image of our ambiguity. I believe no other art form is more proficient for this task. Great fiction asks the reader to feel what is hidden between the words so that the voyage into the depths of our being – the maze in our souls, if you like – is an honest, compelling exploration for the reader and the writer. Therefore, great care must be given to the choice of words, their ambiguity, and the rhythm of the sentences. This mixture is called style, and it is necessary to pick up glimpses of the hermetic, sometimes angelic, sometimes demonical, poetry that drives our lives. Great literature is a mixture of empathy, relentless challenges, and mighty victories, yet already tainted with the treason of our egos.
What themes were important for you to explore in this book?
Although they take place in different eras and countries, the background of the stories deals with violence, greed, sexual conquest, and our amazing capability to lie to others and ourselves. Probably you’re thinking now: “And love? Where is love?” Oh, it’s there, sometimes at the brink of obsession or tragedy, sometimes fueling our inner loneliness and addiction to happy dreams and delusions. It is said that readers like happy endings. So sorry to disappoint: when I wrote this collection, the tragic and sad endings even took their toll on me, so I want to advise the reader to read each story at intervals and not right after each other.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
“The Firehand File,” my next book, is set in Berlin in 1921. Let me give you the blurb of the Dutch mother version of the novel so you have the broad outline.
1921. Berlin is a city of extremes. Political violence plagues the streets during the day. A serial killer whom the media call “The Skinner” roams the streets at night. It is suspected that he is a rabid World War I veteran, but he remains untraceable. In this human pressure cooker, the relationship between the famous Flemish DADA poet Paul Van Ostaijen and his impetuous girlfriend Emma Clément is on edge. Like hundreds of thousands of others in Berlin, they live in poverty and are addicted to cocaine and other drugs.
When Van Ostaijen, on a high whim, steals the Feuerhand Obsession file in the apartment of the spy Elise Kraiser, the poet sets in motion a series of dramatic events that shed surprising light on a politician who is rapidly gaining influence: Herr Adolf Hitler.
Carly Rheilan, my translator, scores a fantastic – and poetic! – job. However, the novel’s second part is hard to translate because I tried to use the same manner of Van Ostaijen’s spoken language, a mixture of Antwerp dialect from the twenties with French and German words. “The Firehand File” is a literary suspense novel but also a homage to Paul Van Ostaijen, who revolutionized poetry in the Roaring Twenties. We hope to have the translation finished at the end of this year so that the novel can come out in 1925.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Through ten stories set in different countries and eras, Van Laerhoven takes us through the destructive consequences of our passions as a common thread, from contemporary Syria to Algeria in the 1950s, and the civil war in Liberia to the uprising in Belgian Congo in the 1960s.
The ten stories in SCARS OF THE HEART highlight the dark side of love, which fuels our violence, inner loneliness, and greedy egos.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/21/humans-are-living-mysteries/
Viktor Orbán wants to “occupy Brussels.” The European Union’s longest-serving leader declared this ambition on March 15, the day Hungarians celebrate their failed 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. Orbán often draws parallels between the EU and previous imperialisms—Ottoman, Habsburg, Soviet. But rather than exit the bloc, he hopes to vanquish the “liberal nihilists” who […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/08/20/make-europe-great-again/
Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews is the first novella in the Roman’s Chronicles. I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Chris Brinkley and throughly enjoyed spending Koliada, the Winter Festival, with him as he protects a young boy. Action-packed and laced with humor and heart Andrews delivered!
Sanctuary
by Ilona Andrews
Series: Roman’s Chronicles #1
Narrator: Chris Brinkley
Length: 4 hours and 27 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher, Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.4x
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews comes a novella featuring Roman, our favorite Volhv wizard in the always intriguing, colorful, volatile Kate Daniels world.
It’s not easy serving Chernobog, the God of Destruction, Darkness and Death…especially during the holidays; and especially when you’re out of eggnog and one of your pesky, freeloading mythic creatures has eaten your last cookie.
Roman would like nothing more than to be left alone, but when a wounded boy stumbles into his yard and begs for sanctuary, Roman takes him in. Now elite mercenaries are camped out on his property, combat mages are dousing the house with fire, and strange priests are unleashing arcane magic. They thought Roman was easy pickings, just a hermit in the woods, but they chose the wrong dark priest to annoy. For while Roman might be patient, he is the Black Volhv, filled with the love of his terrible god. For his adversaries, it’s a fight to the death, but for him, it’s just another day in the neighborhood.
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I’ve enjoyed interactions with Roman in the Kate Daniels series, so I was excited to spend time with him. Roman, a Dark Volhv, serves the Slavic god Chernobog, the God of Destruction, Darkness, and Death. He is in the middle of a task, but it’s Koliada and all he really wants to do is drink eggnog, eat cookies and rest. All of that changes when he discovers a young boy and his dog. Trouble is following them and the tale that unfolds was addictive.
This is a fun intro to the Kate Daniels world if you haven’t read/listened to the series. For fans, it was fantastic getting to know a character from within the world. The Andrews are fantastic storytellers, and I gobble up anything they write.
Roman is grumpy, but he also has a soft spot for animals, strays and I delighted in the telling of this story. We get Roman’s backstory and learn how he became the Black Volhv. We battle mercenaries, learn about the young boy, a fallen Volhv, and complete a task for a god. The creatures we encounter are unique and provide humor and aid. Good times.
Chris Brinkley did a stellar job of capturing Roman and the others. He enhanced an already brilliant tale and I hope he’ll be back for the next audiobook.
I highly recommend Sanctuary and all the books/audiobooks written by Ilona Andrews. If they write it, I will buy it and recommend them to fans of urban fantasy, mythology, kick-ass characters, humor, magic and more.
Amazon | Audible
“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats. They have co-authored four NYT and USAT bestselling series, the urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles,
Chris Brinkley is a narrator, voice actor, writer, producer, NCAA Division I broadcaster, radio personality, and emcee. Brinkley penned the recently released My Story of Us book and audio series. He is also known as the voice of Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers Series, narrating and voicing all six brothers in the popular audiobook collection. Brinkley narrates Reid’s Handcrafted Mystery Series and the Smartypants Romance Green Valley Chronicles. Chris portrays Eliot in the critically acclaimed Audible Original Sweet Talk. He is currently one of the top narrators on Kevin Costner’s HearHere travel app and is heard weekly on the Curio audio journalism app.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/08/sanctuary-by-ilona-andrews.html