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Opium, intrigue, scandal: in Amitav Ghosh’s Sea of Poppies, swashbuckling adventure story meets meticulously researched historical fiction to produce an immersive read that somehow manages to edify and entertain in equal measure. The novel is the first in Ghosh’s popular and critically acclaimed Ibis Trilogy, and I can only heartily recommend it. Set in the […]
more...My interest in reading about cults formed around religions is probably not in the same league as true crime fans, but when I find a gem like Blue-Skinned Gods by SJ Sindu, I drop everything else to read it. (Further proof that this was the right decision came in the form of a blurb on the cover […]
more...Tomer Gardi’s Liefern (Delivery) is a multi-perspective novel that follows numerous characters, who work under precarious conditions in the delivery sector, in six different locations across the globe. This sector is mostly crewed by migrants (often without work permits), poor people, or outsiders with no other viable options. The global scope makes Liefern unusual and interesting. The novel is […]
more...Climate fiction deals with the effects of the climate crisis. If you are interested in this genre, you should be aware that the future scenarios depicted in these books are unlikely to have a happy ending – because that could only really happen with the end of the climate crisis, which is hard to imagine. […]
more...It is the summer of 1979, Ireland and Northern Ireland are dominated by the Troubles, but on a small remote island off the west coast of Ireland, this is hardly noticeable. On the island, other conflicts arise with the arrival of two strange men, highlighting the consequences of colonisation. Only gradually do the events of […]
more...Jessica Mawuena Lawson’s debut novel Kekeli is set in that magical time between high school graduation exams and whatever comes next. During these few weeks, young adults often suddenly find themselves with a lot of time on their hands. The protagonist, who is named Kekeli – like the book itself –, uses this opportunity to […]
more...February 11 is Monja Blanca Day in Guatemala, a national holiday that honors the rare white orchid, which was designated the national flower in 1934. We take this day as an opportunity to reflect on national symbols and talk to Guatemalan botanist Fredy Archila, who is committed to protecting the flower.
more...Under the somewhat abstract title Weltenwechsel (Change of Worlds), Kraft tells the story of a Black girl growing up in southern Germany shortly after the end of the Second World War. With this perspective on the post-war period, Kraft fills a gap in the German literary landscape.
more...There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak begins with the omniscient “character” literally falling into the story. A water molecule which takes the form of a raindrop and lands in the hair of King Ashurbanipal, the last king of the doomed city of Nineveh. From there, the book follows three timelines which are visited in different forms by this same water molecule.
more...We are back after our end of year break. One of us spend some time in Ireland so we thought this is the perfect opportunity to let you know our favorite independent bookshops in Dublin. 1. Books Upstairs Dublins oldest independent bookshop was opened in May 1978 located above a hairdresser and has moved a […]
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