I really enjoyed Normal People: A Novel. It resembles in tone and setting the diary notes from my own time at university. The choices contemplated but not made, and resulting potential regrets. The self-centered observation of the world around you, and how that can result in misinterpreting or over-interpreting the actions and intentions of those around you. Those aspects definitely resonate with my depressive last few years at university, and made me emphatise with both protagonists. Online reviews frequently mention how flat most characters in this book remain. It is a surprising critique I think as we experience the story through the eyes of both main characters, both as I said self-absorbed, self-loathing and constantly on the verge of depression. Through such eyes it is impossible to see others or your connection to others in full colour, rich in dimensions and in splendid detail. You only see it from your own narrowed down perspective, and only with regard to your internal deliberations and doubts. It made the book feel more authentic to me, not less.
Tag: fiction
The Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
Mostly enjoyed Fall of Giants: Book One of the Century Trilogy for its detailed narration of societal shifts pre WWI, the lead-up to the war and the war itself. A good way to get a feel for how it came about. Especially as WWI for me never got much attention as the Netherlands remained neutral during it (the big 1914-1918 story we were taught concerns the up to 1 million Belgian refugees, and the POWs fleeing across the border / being repatriated through the Netherlands during the flue pandemic)
Many characters are mere caricatures, and many dialogues meant to explain some strain of reasoning that influence how WW1 developed are rather simplistic.
Follett is one of those authors that has hit upon a well working template for his books, and then re-uses that time and again. Good amusement though.
Vaslav by Arthur Japin
Vaslav, a historic novel by Dutch author Arthur Japin, focuses on the fateful day famous ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky last danced and stopped speaking, just after World War I.
Only appeared in Dutch it seems.
That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo
Empire Falls was the first book I read by Russo years ago, and though nothing much happens in it, it made a big impression in how it recounts the deeply human things that make up our everyday lives. Since then I’ve read a few more, and not all of them succeeded in having that same effect. This one, That Old Cape Magic, did. Fun to read, diving into the mind and life of the protagonist, and kept me reading until finished.
Om nooit te vergeten door Thomas Olde Heuvelt
Verhalenbundel gekocht om deze schrijver eens te proberen. Werkt geheel niet voor mij, de verhalen komen niet bij me aan. Ben het genre ontgroeid/verleerd misschien. Alleen vermaak dat verder niets losmaakt is het niet voor me, in ieder geval. Vond het als tiener fantastisch om mysterieuze griezelverhalen te lezen. Gauw weer vergeten.