In this easy and accessible novel for adults, Robben, who has written YA fiction previously, uses a light touch even when it comes to subjects such asIn this easy and accessible novel for adults, Robben, who has written YA fiction previously, uses a light touch even when it comes to subjects such as disability, homelessness, and sexual abuse. Thirteen-year-old Brian lives with his flaky father in a caravan situated in a yard with a few other dodgy characters around. Brian's elder brother, Lucien is physically and mentally disabled and lives in a home. Through a series of underhand manoeuvres, their father arranges for Lucien to come home for the summer to the caravan so that he can claim some money that is going. But it's Brian who finds himself looking after Lucien. It was never going to go well, but there are lots of tender and funny moments and I really enjoyed this read. ...more
Katie Kitamura writes with a very European literary sensibility - a sparse style, with emotions held in check, and main characters who are rather withKatie Kitamura writes with a very European literary sensibility - a sparse style, with emotions held in check, and main characters who are rather withdrawn. I love that. It is all very measured and controlled, and I am constantly assured that she knows exactly the effect of every action, phrase, and word she chooses. An unnamed narrator moves from New York to The Hague for a job as an interpreter at the International Court. She is finding her way in the city, deciding whether she wants to stay and making a few friends, while at the same time being involved in interpreting for a former president accused of human rights violations and atrocities in his own country. Intimacies is a perfect title - the novel is about getting close to people but not always knowing what is going on under the surface. ...more
Oh my goodness, this book. When I first started reading The Cut Out Girl, I wasn't sure about the writing style: very plan, unliterary, but as Lien's Oh my goodness, this book. When I first started reading The Cut Out Girl, I wasn't sure about the writing style: very plan, unliterary, but as Lien's life and Van es's research hooked me, the style became a perfect foil for this fascinating non-fiction story. Lien is a Dutch Jew, at a point during the war her parents hand her over to the Dutch resistance for hiding. She never sees them again. Lien was mostly looked after by Van es's grandmother, but late in her life there was a rift between the two women. Van es tracks down Lien, now 82, and pieces together what happened. ...more
This novel is a subtle, enigmatic and beautiful elegy to a husband and marriage that ends in tragedy. De Moor's writing is sensual and spare, whether This novel is a subtle, enigmatic and beautiful elegy to a husband and marriage that ends in tragedy. De Moor's writing is sensual and spare, whether she's writing about love, a walk in an ice forest, or baking a cake in the middle of the night. There are layers of meaning here, which with adroit subtlety De Moor lets the reader puzzle out. ...more
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