In Marie-Helene Bertino’s most recent novel, Beautyland, an extraterrestrial girl is born to a single mother in a working class neighborhood of Philadelphia with one mission—to report on human life to her superiors and save their planet. Adina grows up much like any other human girl: forming friendships, going to school, fighting with her mom—but… Continue reading Beautyland by Marie Helene Bertino
Tag: newfiction
Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao Author Interview
This month I got the chance to chat with author Kyla Zhao about her new book, Valley Verified! I hope you enjoy our conversation, I found Kyla’s thoughts on the intersections of art and tech to be absolutely fascinating, and love the insight into her writing process. I hope you enjoy! About Valley Verified: Imagine… Continue reading Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao Author Interview
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Many reviews for Paul Murray’s 600 page epic The Bee Sting have compared the complex and thoughtful portrait of a family on the brink of ruin to a Jonathan Franzen novel set in the Irish countryside rather than middle America. The comparison is apt, throughout the novel Murray takes on the voice of each member… Continue reading The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri
Jhumpa Lahiri has been one of the most celebrated writers in the English language since her 1999 debut, Interpreter of Maladies. After moving to Italy in 2012 she’s continued to write fresh and inventive fiction in Italian as well. Roman Stories is a collection of short fiction that was originally published in Italian and translated… Continue reading Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
Lauren Groff’s latest novel, The Vaster Wilds, is an adventure/quest story that only Groff could write. The novel follows a young nameless girl, born in England and left at a poorhouse, who was brought on as a servant to a wealthy mistress in a great house. Our protagonist eventually embarks on the grueling journey to… Continue reading The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
In her latest novel Yellowface, her first foray outside of the fantasy world, R.F. Kuang has penned a meta-critique of the publishing world and its fetishistic interest in diversity. The novel is narrated by June Hayward, a 20-something writer whose career is floundering after the lackluster performance of her debut novel, whose embittered by seeing… Continue reading Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
The Guest by Emma Cline
In Emma Cline’s newest novel, The Guest, our titular guest is Alex, a 22-year old escort who’s fled a threatening ex and roommates that she owes rent payments in Manhattan, to spend the summer out east on Long Island with her wealthy boyfriend, Simon. Alex is literally a guest at the home of Simon, a… Continue reading The Guest by Emma Cline
Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes
In 2021, the first English translation was published of The Copenhagen Trilogy, a series of memoirs by the prolific Danish writer Tove Ditlevsen. The book became a major bestseller and introduced English speaking readers to an incredible talent, whose work was still deeply resonant decades beyond her tragic death. This month, English speaking readers have… Continue reading Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes
Strega by Johanne Lykke Holm
Strega, the recent novel from Swedish author Johanne Lykke Holm is an atmospheric narrative that feels more like a haunting dream you had once than a novel you sat down to read. Strega is named for the fictional town on the side of the Italian mountains, home to the Olympic Hotel, where a group of… Continue reading Strega by Johanne Lykke Holm
If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery
Jonathan Escoffery’s debut story collection, If I Survive You, is an exercise in reframing the mythos surrounding cultural identity. The interconnected stories revolve around Trelawny, the introspective and bookish son of Jamaican immigrants, who lives with his family in Miami. Trelawny’s father is a construction worker, and his older brother Delano follows in his footsteps,… Continue reading If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery