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New Elizabeth Strout & a Mauritian Lit List
Elizabeth Hardinger, NPR's Scott Simon, Strout's latest, Mauritian literature, and more ...
BookBrowse Highlights
Hello Readers!
This week, our book club is discussing Won’t Be Long Now by Elizabeth Hardinger, a quiet coming-of-age story set in 1950s and ‘60s Kansas that some have compared to the work of Elizabeth Strout.
Coincidentally, in Editor’s Choice, we feature Strout’s latest novel The Things We Never Say, about a man struggling with unhappiness despite being surrounded by love and care.
First Impressions readers have plenty of praise for Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known by NPR’s Scott Simon, packed with real-life tales of many special creatures.
We also bring you a “beyond the book” article on Mauritian literature in translation with our coverage of Ananda Devi’s novel All Flesh, and exciting free books for members to request!
Thanks for reading,
The BookBrowse Team
Book Club Discussions
Discussions are open to all! If you’d like to participate, you can do so by creating an account here. Please note that discussions can contain spoilers.
Won't Be Long Now by Elizabeth Hardinger
From the Jacket Coming of age in 1950s Kansas, a misunderstood young woman must find her way through a society ill-equipped to give her grace in this powerful, exhilarating story about loyalty, family, and hard-won self-acceptance for readers of Jayne Anne Phillips, Patti Callahan Henry, and Donna Everhart. From the Discussion “Won’t Be Long Now would provide plenty of fodder for book groups, especially if they like character-driven plots.” —Carol_Ann_Robb |  |
“It has a similar quiet intensity to authors like Marilynne Robinson or Elizabeth Strout.” —Kristine_A
See what people are saying in response to this question: Billie refuses to attend important rituals, like her graduation ceremony or funerals. Why do you suppose this is? Her mother tells her she’ll regret it later. Does she? What’s your opinion about such rituals?
First Impressions
Each month, we share books with BookBrowse members to read and review. Here are their opinions on one recently released title.
Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known by Scott Simon
“Ulysses S. Cat is a very touching series of short narratives about some of the animals that Simon has encountered or thought about during his life. The animals are varied, common, and yet unique, ranging from betta fish to seagulls, dogs and cats, hamsters and octopuses. Daisy the French poodle and Leona the cat are family pets whose adventures and foibles are especially delightful. The stories are written in the same voice Simon uses on NPR, clear, engaging, and wise. I have been a fan of his radio voice for years and am very happy to now enjoy his writing voice in this wonderful book. Animal lovers everywhere rejoice! This book is for you.” —Linda M. (Ocala, FL) |  |
“Ulysses S. Cat is a charming book for pet lovers, but it can be enjoyed by everyone.” —Lynn D. (Kingston, NY)
“The artist, Liana Finck, enhanced the stories with delightful line drawings.” —Dotti A. (Ames, IA)
For Members
This issue of The BookBrowse Review contains reviews and "beyond the book" articles for 14 titles, including The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout, John of John by Douglas Stuart, and All Flesh by Ananda Devi. We also bring you upcoming May releases, book news being discussed in our community forum, and more. Not Yet a Member? Do you love to spend your reading hours immersed in captivating storytelling and intriguing ideas? |  |
Then a BookBrowse membership is for you! What you see on BookBrowse for free and in this newsletter is just a small part of what is available to members—for just $5.00/month! Join Today!
Members! This month's First Impressions and Book Club books are now available to request. Offer closes end of Saturday, May 9. Books are provided free of charge to BookBrowse members resident in the US with the understanding that they'll do their best to either write a short review or take part in an online discussion forum (depending on whether the book is assigned for First Impressions or the Book Club). |  |
Our basic membership guarantees you at least four books a year when you request each month.
Free books are one of the many benefits of a BookBrowse membership. Join by this Saturday (for just $5.00 a month) to request and receive a book from this list. Don't wait!
Editor’s Choice
The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
"I did not want to die, I just did not want to live." Artie Dam, the protagonist of Elizabeth Strout's latest captivating novel, The Things We Never Say, is an adored, award-winning high school history teacher with a beautiful, wealthy wife and a successful adult son. He spends his days inspiring his students and sailing his beloved boat on the New England bays. What he hides from the world is that none of it brings him any sense of fulfillment anymore. He is being driven daily into a deeper well of isolation but can't articulate his misery even to himself. "Because to say anything real was to say things nobody wanted to know." … continued Review by Sara Fiore |  |
Beyond the Book
Mauritian Literature in English Translation
Mauritius is an African island nation found in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Its location between the African and Asian continents and its colonial history mean the country is today home to a variety of cultures, giving rise to a vibrant literary scene with works written in several different languages.
Though some key titles were previously made available in English, a recent interest in bringing Mauritian literature into the language, driven by a handful of passionate translators, has allowed more of the country's fiction—both old and new—to reach a wider international audience, including Ananda Devi's All Flesh, originally published in 2018 and later translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman. This trend seems set to continue. Upcoming publication The Rasta's Song by Sharon Paul, translated by Nadiyah Abdullatif, has become the first Mauritian novel to secure an English PEN Translates grant, a prestigious award that encourages and assists publishers in translating works from around the world. Here are some other titles to explore, already available in English. … continued
Article by Callum McLaughlin
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