Leaving the world behind

These five books share propulsive narratives, urging you forward to escape into fiction. A gripping thriller introduces an irresistible, reluctant spy; a debut writer from Kashmir writes startlingly vivid stories; two Chinese sisters live from the year 815 to the present; a Sri Lankan student tries to reconcile art and life in Melbourne; and a prize-winning Scandinavian science fiction writer introduces a new series to readers.
 
Gabriel's Moon by William Boyd
William Boyd can be comfortably compared to Le Carré in his new spy thriller. Set during the Cold War, we are introduced to Gabriel, an English travel writer whose life was shaped by a childhood tragedy. Now a successful thirtysomething, he sometimes does courier favors (he’s a ‘useful idiot’) for his older brother. Returning from the Congo after getting a rare interview with Patrice Lumumba, he is approached by a woman from MI6. The money is appealing, the work is simple, and he gets to travel. Gabriel is a fabulous character—sexual, hard-drinking, and chain-smoking. Of course, the mission turns out not to be so simple. One hopes Boyd will bring Gabriel back in another thrilling installment.
 
The World with Its Mouth Open by Zahid Rafiq
An exciting new voice in literary fiction has arrived from India. This story collection delves into everyday life in Kashmir. In “Bridge,” a young pregnant woman sees her friend’s brother on a bridge as she walks to get fish. The story ends ambiguously but, somehow, we get so much life in the brief account that one feels the need to discuss it at length. In “Beauty,” as the monsoon hits, new tenants arrive with a beautiful young daughter exciting the neighborhood boys. Then two of them sneak into a hiding place to watch her shower. Quietly dramatic and heartbreaking, these stories are emotionally stirring—you know instantly you are in the presence of a rare talent.
 
Sister Snake by Amanda Lee Koe
Koe, author of Delayed Rays of a Star, digs deep into the past with a story about two sisters, based on shapeshifters from Chinese ancient folklore. Born as snakes in 815, Su and Emerald transition to immortal women—complete opposites yet fiercely protective of each other—800 years later. Readers will delight in their combative relationship and their journey to modern Singapore (where Su is married to a rich government minister) and New York City (where we find Emerald in an abusive relationship with one of her rich benefactors). Koe’s feminist fantasy is both funny and outrageously imaginative, a timeless sibling tale of sisters bound together by their secret history.
 
On the Calculation of Volume (Books I & II) by Solvej Balle
Translated from the Danish by Barbara Haveland
Curl up with the first two volumes by this wildly talented Danish writer, knowing that there will be seven volumes in all. Our protagonist Tara is an antiquarian bookseller, trapped in a Groundhog’s Day scenario—November 18th keeps repeating itself and is currently on its 122nd revolution. Tara experiences the oddity of living without seasons: “I want the cold and dark of winter, not just a single day of showers and chilly sunlight.” With economy of prose and a wired tension that will propel you to devour the first book in one sitting, this masterpiece of speculative fiction was longlisted for the translation award from the National Book Award.
 
Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser
Sri Lankan-born Australian author de Kretser delivers one of her best works of fiction to date. Her protagonist is a migrant from Sri Lanka who has come to Melbourne to study the work of Virginia Woolf. She finds a flat in a thrillingly derelict bohemian neighborhood. “While trusting in feminism’s transformative power, I retained a stubborn, dazed belief in love.” These two sometimes opposing convictions mark the novel’s ambitious concerns. As she tries to both smash the patriarchy and endure a dramatic affair with a man who is otherwise committed, de Kretser’s melding of philosophy, politics, colonialism, arts, and intellectual pursuit results in a captivating novel.
 
Thanks for reading, my friends. Hope your summer is going well, and you're able to enjoy friends, family, and the pleasures of the season. If you know someone who may enjoy my blog, please feel free to pass it along.
And in the meantime, happy reading!
​Joni

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