June's Book Reviews
Green Fuse Burning,Spiral, Loop, The Harpy, Our Missing Hearts, 20th Century Ghosts, Hellbound Heart, The Exorcist, What Moves the Dead, We Have Always Lived in Castles
How did I read more in June than in May?
As usual, this month’s books were an interesting mix-up and delved into mental health and grief.
Green Fuse Burning by Tiffany Morris
This book is still with me. It is a poetic and unfiltered journey that blurs the lines between reality and dreams. It delves into the depths of grief to explore death, life, nature, global warming, relationships, and the pain of estrangement from family and culture.
Spiral (book 2 in the Ring trilogy) by Koji Suzuki
The sequel to Ring—what a journey! We dive deeper into the mechanics of how viruses operate and spread. Ryuji and Sadako's characters undergo intriguing developments while our new protagonist immerses themselves further into the mystery of the Ring virus. As a fan of Sadako, I appreciated her evolution throughout the story. Spiral keeps you engaged and curious, compelling you to keep reading.
Loop (book 3 in the Ring trilogy) by Koji Suzuki
"Ring" and "Spiral" masterfully combined the supernatural with the science of a virus, but "Loop" shifted its focus entirely to the virus, leaving the supernatural behind. Although the book was somewhat slow, it offered an intriguing perspective on cancer and delved into themes of God and the nature of reality. Unfortunately, I found it disappointing and felt it lacked the captivating elements of the previous two books, "Ring" and "Spiral," leaving me yearning for more of their magic.
The Harpy by Megan Hunter
The book had a seamless flow. The author vividly portrays the life of a stay-at-home mom, a woman who sacrificed her career for her family only to face betrayal by her husband. The main character is both likable and relatable. The story is enhanced with the addition of folklore, which I adore when woven into storytelling, as it adds a unique flavor. Overall, "Harpy" is an engaging and enjoyable read.
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
I adore Celeste Ng's writing! This beautifully crafted, heart-wrenching story reminds us of the profound power of belief, the importance of people, and the impact of stories. I could say so much more, and this is a must-read book.
20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
Some stories felt overly long, while others seemed too brief. The collection featured a mix of original tales and retellings and enjoyable writing. Despite my hopes, I didn’t like the book as much as I wanted to. Most of the stories explore family, sibling and community dynamics.
Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
I rediscovered my love for Clive Barker's writing. His poetic and chilling tale captivated me. The book is a compelling exploration of pleasure and lust. The book was more satisfying than the movie, yet it left me craving more encounters with the cenobites.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Trigger warning: The sexual assault by the demon on the little girl is difficult to read; my whole body responded with tension and discomfort. I felt this book was a bit slow to start and, at times, got a bit wordy. That being said, it was. great read. The book explores themes of blame, guilt and belief.
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
The book's first half is slow; buckle up because the second half takes off. This book retells Edgar Allan Poe’s Fall of the House of Usher and explores our relationship to others and nature.
We Have Always Lived in Castles by Shirley Jackson
My favorite read of the month. Maybe it’s because I just finished it. This book delves into beliefs and superstitions, transforming them into rituals for protection, escape, and sisterly love, narrated through the lens of an immature yet imaginative protagonist. It also examines how tales about others, born from misunderstanding and fear, can lead to cruelty. The narrative explores themes of misogyny, family bonds, and the horrors people inflict on one another.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is poetically written and offers a realistic portrayal of human nature and psychology.
Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts?