Scan barcode
jennitarheelreader's review against another edition
4.0
I think I’ve only read one other book set in Romania, a historical, The Girl They Left Behind. Bottled Goods is a slim novel at less than 200 pages and was nominated for the 2019 Women’s Prize. The book is set during the 1970s when Communist dictator Ceausescu was in power.
Alina seeks freedom. She is a teacher, along with her husband, Liviu. When her brother-in-law defects, it leaves Alina and Liviu under suspicion and harsh surveillance. Alina is surrounded by difficulty - her mother, an angry student, and a Secret Services agent. On top of it all, her marriage has gone sour, and it appears Alina is completely stuck until her aunt offers a solution involving magic.
Bottled Goods is perfectly written in a nuanced style. I loved how the author included magic and folklore in the storytelling in a well-integrated way. The book has an exceptionally fast pace, accelerated by short chapters, some only a page in length. Bottled Goods is a novel well worth the acclaim it has received and then some.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Alina seeks freedom. She is a teacher, along with her husband, Liviu. When her brother-in-law defects, it leaves Alina and Liviu under suspicion and harsh surveillance. Alina is surrounded by difficulty - her mother, an angry student, and a Secret Services agent. On top of it all, her marriage has gone sour, and it appears Alina is completely stuck until her aunt offers a solution involving magic.
Bottled Goods is perfectly written in a nuanced style. I loved how the author included magic and folklore in the storytelling in a well-integrated way. The book has an exceptionally fast pace, accelerated by short chapters, some only a page in length. Bottled Goods is a novel well worth the acclaim it has received and then some.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
duckaduck's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible!
So many wonderful ideas in here to fit the narrative arc and the characters so fully formed. The humour in it is lovely.
So many wonderful ideas in here to fit the narrative arc and the characters so fully formed. The humour in it is lovely.
eleanorfranzen's review against another edition
4.0
(4.5, it's very good. RTC)
Possibly the shortest book in contention for the Women’s Prize this year, van Llewyn’s novella-in-flash uses its bantamweight to its advantage. The story of Alina’s and Liviu’s marriage, and the strain it’s put under when Liviu’s brother defects and the Romanian secret services begin a merciless program of harassment against the couple, its most graphic and terrifying moments last no longer than three or four pages and have greater impact as a result. The opening chapter establishes an expectation of magical realism (Alina’s grandfather, apparently “shrunk” by his wife to keep him safe from the State, has spent years living in a bird cage) that has long been a staple of writing about life under a totalitarian regime, but van Llewyn’s brevity keeps it fresh and new.
Possibly the shortest book in contention for the Women’s Prize this year, van Llewyn’s novella-in-flash uses its bantamweight to its advantage. The story of Alina’s and Liviu’s marriage, and the strain it’s put under when Liviu’s brother defects and the Romanian secret services begin a merciless program of harassment against the couple, its most graphic and terrifying moments last no longer than three or four pages and have greater impact as a result. The opening chapter establishes an expectation of magical realism (Alina’s grandfather, apparently “shrunk” by his wife to keep him safe from the State, has spent years living in a bird cage) that has long been a staple of writing about life under a totalitarian regime, but van Llewyn’s brevity keeps it fresh and new.
leynamae's review against another edition
5.0
I’m going to need a lot of time to recover from I just read. 10/10 recommend. You are always on your toes and the ending?!! Don’t even get me started. The magic realism blended with Romanian folklore creates a beautifully written story of finding one’s self in troubling times. All I can say is I wanted Alina to have a happier ending, but sometimes we get what we deserve.
lkriv25's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Intriguing piece of magical realism touching on an interesting part of Romanian history. Once it pulls you in its hard to put down.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
inkwitchery's review against another edition
3.0
BOTTLED GOODS by Sophie Van Llewyn
This book is part novella, part flash fiction and related short vignettes. It is unlike anything I’ve read before.
The story is set in Soviet Romania during the era of the Iron Curtain/communist dictatorship. As such the subject matter is quite bleak.
The added magical realism and Romanian folklore was a lighthearted (somewhat absurd) contrast to the absolutely terrible situations Alina is experiencing. Also, Alina’s “solution” to her problem wasn’t exactly something anyone can just do.
In short, a quick, enjoyable and unique story that had me reading more about Nicolae Ceausescu and his cult of personality. Not exactly the best late night entertainment, but it did help with the historical context.
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️
This book is part novella, part flash fiction and related short vignettes. It is unlike anything I’ve read before.
The story is set in Soviet Romania during the era of the Iron Curtain/communist dictatorship. As such the subject matter is quite bleak.
The added magical realism and Romanian folklore was a lighthearted (somewhat absurd) contrast to the absolutely terrible situations Alina is experiencing. Also, Alina’s “solution” to her problem wasn’t exactly something anyone can just do.
In short, a quick, enjoyable and unique story that had me reading more about Nicolae Ceausescu and his cult of personality. Not exactly the best late night entertainment, but it did help with the historical context.
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️
jentidders's review against another edition
5.0
Deservedly longlisted for the 2019 Women’s Prize, this short novel which combines magic realism, folklore and flash fiction, is set in 1970s Romania during Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu’s regime.
Alina and her husband Liviu are teachers in their twenties, whose marriage begins to deteriorate when Liviu's brother defects and they fall under suspicion and surveillance.
Struggling also with a manipulative mother, accusations from a student, and a menacing Secret Services age, Alina turns to her superstitious and mystical Aunt Theresa for a solution to reduce her problems to a manageable size.
Bottled Goods was completely different from what I expected, and I absolutely LOVED it. It's an inventive, peculiar and absorbing read, that is at once funny and bleak, haunting and memorable.
Alina and her husband Liviu are teachers in their twenties, whose marriage begins to deteriorate when Liviu's brother defects and they fall under suspicion and surveillance.
Struggling also with a manipulative mother, accusations from a student, and a menacing Secret Services age, Alina turns to her superstitious and mystical Aunt Theresa for a solution to reduce her problems to a manageable size.
Bottled Goods was completely different from what I expected, and I absolutely LOVED it. It's an inventive, peculiar and absorbing read, that is at once funny and bleak, haunting and memorable.
caynasharp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
emcorkill_05's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0