I haven’t read any of these so thanks for writing about them. My favorite read for October was We Kept Her in the Cellar by W.R. Gorman. It’s a retelling of Cinderella in which she is a monster. Totally fun for the spooky season!
ohh I’ve read a few Substackers too who had an “off” month this October too. As for me, I’ve been having so many off months this year so October was a surprise.
I've read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, and it was terrific. Great writing, vivid characters: it's been a few years and some scenes have stayed with me. I also enjoyed Chabon's The Yiddish Policemen's Union.
I Who Have Never Known Men was so great. Obviously, as you say, the point isn't to figure out where they are. But speculating is still fun! I'm torn between not on this planet and some cordoned off and abandoned experiment on a dying earth.
I would also heartily recommend The Wall, by Marlen Haushofer. To be free as a woman, for Haushofer in mid-century Germany, was perhaps only possible when truly, absolutely, alone. Reading both novels recently, I found so many parallels in the themes of men's violence and absence.
You had me at “To be free as a woman, for Haushofer in mid-century Germany, was perhaps only possible when truly, absolutely, alone.” Will definitely be on the look out for this book now. Thanks, Kimberly!
I loved speculating about the women in I Who Have Never Known Men as well! There’s a whole reddit thread about it. I definitely believe it was not Earth and the reason why the guards disappeared quickly because of advanced space time travel whatever.
I was curious about I Who Had Never Known Men but it does seem frustrating! I haven't read any of these!
it is frustrating and I had to remind myself that the plot was not the point.
I haven’t read any of these so thanks for writing about them. My favorite read for October was We Kept Her in the Cellar by W.R. Gorman. It’s a retelling of Cinderella in which she is a monster. Totally fun for the spooky season!
omg I just googled it and it sounds interesting. also has great reviews!
Oh Pat Barker - love her books!
I hear you on I Who Have Ever Known Men - I was so disturbed but still loved it - hardly any books make me think like that
this is going to be my first book of Pat Barker. I Who Had Never Known Men such a big impact for such a small book!
hope you love it!
Thanks for the mention! Looks like October was not universally meh— maybe it’s just me who had an “off” month.
ohh I’ve read a few Substackers too who had an “off” month this October too. As for me, I’ve been having so many off months this year so October was a surprise.
I've read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, and it was terrific. Great writing, vivid characters: it's been a few years and some scenes have stayed with me. I also enjoyed Chabon's The Yiddish Policemen's Union.
ahhh I was looking for another Chabon to read this next. I’ll put The Yiddish Policemen’s Union under my radar. And also what a strange title.
I Who Have Never Known Men was so great. Obviously, as you say, the point isn't to figure out where they are. But speculating is still fun! I'm torn between not on this planet and some cordoned off and abandoned experiment on a dying earth.
I would also heartily recommend The Wall, by Marlen Haushofer. To be free as a woman, for Haushofer in mid-century Germany, was perhaps only possible when truly, absolutely, alone. Reading both novels recently, I found so many parallels in the themes of men's violence and absence.
You had me at “To be free as a woman, for Haushofer in mid-century Germany, was perhaps only possible when truly, absolutely, alone.” Will definitely be on the look out for this book now. Thanks, Kimberly!
I loved speculating about the women in I Who Have Never Known Men as well! There’s a whole reddit thread about it. I definitely believe it was not Earth and the reason why the guards disappeared quickly because of advanced space time travel whatever.