What Fiction are you reading this week, June 2, 2024

[NanaCat]

7. Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again

Last edited Wed Jun 12, 2024, 06:19 AM - Edit history (1)

Daphne du Maurier – Rebecca
Do I really need to spell out the plot for this renowned classic that of course became the inspiration for the Hitchcock film? It’s on literally every list for greatest mystery novel, either at the top or very close to it. Also has one of the most famous opening lines of all time, the title I used for this post. I’ve watched the film dozens of times, but I’d never gotten around to reading the book. Very much looking forward to this one.

Richard Flanagan – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
The title comes from a volume of haiku by the legendary Japanese poet, Bashou Matsuo. The poems center around Bashou traveling away from the material world, in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Flanagan’s work is about the experiences of an Australian POW in a Japanese camp. I’m curious how the twain shall meet. Booker Prize winner.

I had planned to read Demon Copperhead next year, but so many keep talking about it that I might move it ahead to this year, if I can squeeze it in. But maybe I'll save it after all, and pair it with a re-read of David Copperfield, something I haven't read since a dreary primary school winter when I was so ill that I couldn't attend classes from the winter holiday break until sometime around Easter. When I wasn't in hospital getting tested yet again to find out what was wrong with me, I was reading or working ahead with maths. I've blotted out so much of that in the intervening years to the point that most of that time is a generic haze now. But that's what one does with a traumatic experience, I suppose. Anyway, I only remember the Dickens because the book was like lead in my lap, and sometimes bruised my legs from digging in from its weight.