I loved Julia Armfield’s debut novel Our Wives Under the Sea and as such her new book has been my most anticipated book release of 2024.
This is a mini review with no spoilers 😊
I was very lucky to receive an ARC of Private Rites via Netgalley.
A somewhat mixed bag of books this month.
The sublime Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux was a massive standout; I also read a bunch of historical things - Grettir's Saga and some old Icelandic Folktales - as well as a cute cosy fantasy Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, which is a bit outside my realm of reading (not subject matter but writing style - "easy reading").
Roadside Picnic is a 1972 philosophical science fiction novel by Soviet writers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. It inspired the iconic film from acclaimed director Andrei Tarkovsky and still feels as relevant today as when it was written.
Our Wives Under the Sea is an exquisite and haunting debut novel by Julia Armfield.
Read on for 5 reasons why you must read it!
This mysterious story unfolds in the alternating POV of two different characters, Miri and Leah. This adds so much tension and anticipation because as soon as you think you are about to hit a revelation, the story shifts to the other character, which is wonderfully frustrating and you just have to take the bait and be compelled to read on.
The descriptions, metaphors and similes used are beautiful, and there is a fluidity to the writing that shows Armfield to be a talent to watch as this is surprising her debut novel despite it reading like a author at the top of their game. I can’t wait to see what Julia Armfield does next!
Miri and Leah are fascinating characters, and their romance before juxtaposed with their struggles after is heartbreaking to read. I really felt a sort of affinity with Miri because of the way she thinks about things and the language she uses, which made for an even more interesting read.
Subtly horrifying, the story unravels slowly but masterfully, and it gradually gets under your skin in the best way possible. It feels very much like a sapphic Cronenbergian body horror flick and I absolutely love that vibe. In fact could we get a movie? Pretty please?
The book explores themes of death, longing, religion, curiosity for the unknown and the torture of waiting.
The Gravity of Existence is a poetry collection by three-time Bram Stoker Award®-winning author Christina Sng.
The Gravity of Existence by Christina Sng with cover art by Ukrainian artist Anna Surgan
For the most part, I only really read poetry when required to do so for studying. This is not to say I don't like the literary form, just that I don't choose to read it for some reason. And then my favour seems to side with the romantics like Shelley, Baudelaire or Tennyson.
But this collection intrigued me with its strange mix of sci-fi, fairytales and horror. I was pleasantly surprised by these snapshot poems that feel humorous, honest, anxiety-inducing and beguiling all at the same time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press for providing me with a copy for an honest review!