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deathbedxcv's reviews
53 reviews
Death Is Hard Work by خالد خليفة, Khaled Khalifa
4.0
“There’s a big difference between an old man who dies in his village, surrounded by family and close to the cemetery, and one who dies hundreds of kilometers away from them all.”
* “Death Is Hard Work” by Khaled Khalifa is a dark comedy set during the current Syrian Civil War, which follows siblings Bolbol, Hussein, and Fatima as they attempt to pass through checkpoint and checkpoint so to complete their father’s, Abdel Latif, final wish of being buried in Anabiya. Khalifa manages to plant and grow a family tree which follows the events over the last forty plus years that have led to the current state of Syria. Allegorical is the relationship between the siblings, some would say, with Bolbol being the most timid, Hussein the most outspoken, and Fatima the most quiet. Judge yourself who or what each of them represent in this real world that we live in. I would say that the relationships within the entire family are meant to mimic Syria, both its politics and its people. It’s clear that transporting a loved ones body from one end of a country to the other under civil war is not the easiest task, but what makes it even more difficult is the family’s own history. I now understand why this novel has one and been nominated for so many international literary prizes. Also, Khalifa helped introduce me to Riyad al-Salih al-Hussein!
* “Death Is Hard Work” by Khaled Khalifa is a dark comedy set during the current Syrian Civil War, which follows siblings Bolbol, Hussein, and Fatima as they attempt to pass through checkpoint and checkpoint so to complete their father’s, Abdel Latif, final wish of being buried in Anabiya. Khalifa manages to plant and grow a family tree which follows the events over the last forty plus years that have led to the current state of Syria. Allegorical is the relationship between the siblings, some would say, with Bolbol being the most timid, Hussein the most outspoken, and Fatima the most quiet. Judge yourself who or what each of them represent in this real world that we live in. I would say that the relationships within the entire family are meant to mimic Syria, both its politics and its people. It’s clear that transporting a loved ones body from one end of a country to the other under civil war is not the easiest task, but what makes it even more difficult is the family’s own history. I now understand why this novel has one and been nominated for so many international literary prizes. Also, Khalifa helped introduce me to Riyad al-Salih al-Hussein!
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
5.0
“I disliked having a fork pointed at me and I disliked the sound of the voice never stopping; I wished he would put food on the fork and put it into his mouth and strangle himself.”
* ‘We Have Always Lived In The Castle’ by Shirley Jackson tells the story of the three survivors of a Blackwood Family Murder [SCREAMS!!!], and it’s literally one of the greatest I have ever read. The survivors are, from age of oldest to youngest; Julian aka Uncle Julian, Constance aka Connie, and Mary Katherine aka Merricat…there’s also Jonas the cat! It’s really cliché to say things like, “not everything is what it seems,” or “there are multiple sides to a story,” but with this classic by Jackson these cliches are actually very true and that’s what makes this novel so fucking good. Also, the story is told through the first person perspective of Mary Katherine Blackwood, who, being so young, gave a youthful rhythm to a novel about death and MURDER [SCREAMS AGAIN!!!].
* ‘We Have Always Lived In The Castle’ by Shirley Jackson tells the story of the three survivors of a Blackwood Family Murder [SCREAMS!!!], and it’s literally one of the greatest I have ever read. The survivors are, from age of oldest to youngest; Julian aka Uncle Julian, Constance aka Connie, and Mary Katherine aka Merricat…there’s also Jonas the cat! It’s really cliché to say things like, “not everything is what it seems,” or “there are multiple sides to a story,” but with this classic by Jackson these cliches are actually very true and that’s what makes this novel so fucking good. Also, the story is told through the first person perspective of Mary Katherine Blackwood, who, being so young, gave a youthful rhythm to a novel about death and MURDER [SCREAMS AGAIN!!!].
The End of Eddy by Édouard Louis
5.0
“Every morning in the bathroom getting ready I would repeat the same phrase to myself over and over again … Today I’m gonna be a tough guy.”
Just finished reading “The End of Eddy” by Édouard Louis…a brutal novel surrounding hyper-masculinity and how it affects the young Eddy Belleguele during his upbringing in a French Factory town. Eddy is gay no matter how hard he tries to fight it—a form of hyper masculinity within itself. Something that stuck with me is Eddy’s mantra “Today I’m gonna be a tough guy” because it made me reflect on what it means to be a tough guy. I remember growing up you’d be called gay for doing something that people thought was “girly”. You almost couldn’t escape the word, and that would have a profound effect on me growing up. It’s clear and has always been clear that hyper masculinity reigns strong when it diminishes everything that it tries so hard not to be. Personally, growing up in a hyper masculine culture, I sorta stopped caring about being called gay for liking certain things. When people, mostly those who identified as masculine, would call me gay I’d be like, “ok, so?” But not many people have that luxury in the world…
Just finished reading “The End of Eddy” by Édouard Louis…a brutal novel surrounding hyper-masculinity and how it affects the young Eddy Belleguele during his upbringing in a French Factory town. Eddy is gay no matter how hard he tries to fight it—a form of hyper masculinity within itself. Something that stuck with me is Eddy’s mantra “Today I’m gonna be a tough guy” because it made me reflect on what it means to be a tough guy. I remember growing up you’d be called gay for doing something that people thought was “girly”. You almost couldn’t escape the word, and that would have a profound effect on me growing up. It’s clear and has always been clear that hyper masculinity reigns strong when it diminishes everything that it tries so hard not to be. Personally, growing up in a hyper masculine culture, I sorta stopped caring about being called gay for liking certain things. When people, mostly those who identified as masculine, would call me gay I’d be like, “ok, so?” But not many people have that luxury in the world…
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
5.0
“Whether it had been for the best was not something I as yet fully understood. I only knew that, right now, sitting in the strong sunlight, its lingering memory in my breast was very painful. It hurt so much I could barely breathe.”
Just finished reading “Kitchen” and its companion story, “Moonlight Shadow” by Banana Yoshimoto. I had picked up this book from the library because I’ve seen Banana Yoshimoto’s name pop up a few times in lists like “contemporary Japanese writers” or “top ten Japanese writers.” But anyway what struck me the most is how sad this book is. I feel like there’s more death than life in this. It’s strange too because the book is almost therapeutic , I would say, since it allows the reader through the eyes of Mikage, Yoichi, Satsuki, Urara, and Hiiragi to experience death. I believe that what this book does beautifully is illustrate how death, while a part of life, can lead to some irrationality. Whether that irrationality be falling in love…or wearing your dead girlfriend’s school uniform
Just finished reading “Kitchen” and its companion story, “Moonlight Shadow” by Banana Yoshimoto. I had picked up this book from the library because I’ve seen Banana Yoshimoto’s name pop up a few times in lists like “contemporary Japanese writers” or “top ten Japanese writers.” But anyway what struck me the most is how sad this book is. I feel like there’s more death than life in this. It’s strange too because the book is almost therapeutic , I would say, since it allows the reader through the eyes of Mikage, Yoichi, Satsuki, Urara, and Hiiragi to experience death. I believe that what this book does beautifully is illustrate how death, while a part of life, can lead to some irrationality. Whether that irrationality be falling in love…or wearing your dead girlfriend’s school uniform
Wetlands by Charlotte Roche
5.0
Just finished reading Wetlands by Charlotte Roche…this is the type of novel that’ll have you saying “How can someone be this horny?” But really early, you realize that it’s a deeper more personal issue than that…surrounding family…and to think of one’s family not in connection to sex but parallel to it…a very intimate and disgusting novel…I loved it
Midnight on Beacon Street by Emily Ruth Verona
4.0
“The only thing they in common is the Fear. That’s what he calls it, anyway. Because it’s big enough and scary enough to be set apart from any old fear with a lowercase f. They’ve always been afraid-the both of them. Inexplicably. Afraid of losing. Afraid of being left behind. Going back to the way things were. Isn’t that how all brothers and sisters go? Different every which way and yet so very, very much the same.”
The central story of Emily Ruth Verona’s “Midnight on Beacon Street” takes place at the Mazinski household on Friday, 10/15/1993 to minutes into Saturday, 10/16/1993 and changes perspectives between Amy, who is babysitting Eleanor’s children, and Ben, who is the youngest child and Mira’s little brother. Amy is babysitting Eleanor’s children while she’s out on a date. Eleanor and her children recently escaped an abusive household so they are very close knit. Amy exhibits extreme anxiety and Ben does too, although his is early and Amy sees a lot of herself in him. Mira is a bit more closed off and very protective of her brother, even if she tries not to show it. The secondary story takes place in 6 years ago when Amy herself is being babysat by Sadie. It’s during this time that Amy’s anxiety gets stronger and Sadie gives her advice on how to deal with it.
I was totally surprised by the suspense in this book. It really is a page turner in the sense that you think you know what’s going to happen, but in takes an extreme turn. You want to keep reading. Ruth Verona does an incredible job at giving me the chills. Especially during the 18 minutes before midnight. Of all the things that could’ve happened, I did not see that coming.
I can def see this becoming a movie.
The central story of Emily Ruth Verona’s “Midnight on Beacon Street” takes place at the Mazinski household on Friday, 10/15/1993 to minutes into Saturday, 10/16/1993 and changes perspectives between Amy, who is babysitting Eleanor’s children, and Ben, who is the youngest child and Mira’s little brother. Amy is babysitting Eleanor’s children while she’s out on a date. Eleanor and her children recently escaped an abusive household so they are very close knit. Amy exhibits extreme anxiety and Ben does too, although his is early and Amy sees a lot of herself in him. Mira is a bit more closed off and very protective of her brother, even if she tries not to show it. The secondary story takes place in 6 years ago when Amy herself is being babysat by Sadie. It’s during this time that Amy’s anxiety gets stronger and Sadie gives her advice on how to deal with it.
I was totally surprised by the suspense in this book. It really is a page turner in the sense that you think you know what’s going to happen, but in takes an extreme turn. You want to keep reading. Ruth Verona does an incredible job at giving me the chills. Especially during the 18 minutes before midnight. Of all the things that could’ve happened, I did not see that coming.
I can def see this becoming a movie.