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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
S Cohn has commented on (19) products
Hawks Of Delamere
by
Edward Marston
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
William the Conqueror sent his Royal Commissioners throughout England to determine who truly owned the lands and how much taxes should be collected on the estates. Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret visit the King's nephew, the Earl of Chartier, Hugh d'Avranches, who rules his lands with an iron fist. Hugh has subdued the nearby Welsh, but has had problems with a stealth enemy attacking from nowhere. While the Earl hunts in his personal playground of Delamere Forest, an unknown assailant kills one of his falcons. Hugh retaliates by murdering two Saxon peasants. The next day, Hugh hunts again and another arrow lands near him. In both incidents, a Welsh arrow was used. Hugh believes the Welsh is trying to assassinate him. As the warrior Earl prepares for battle, Ralph and Gervase try to keep the peace. Edward Marston is an author noted for his ability to entertain while educating his audience. Focusing on the era following Hastings, Mr. Marston provides varying perspective of life from the viewpoints of Saxons, Normans, and Welshmen. The protagonists stay in character as expected from two members of the ruling class, which adds to the eleventh century feel of the novel. As usual from Mr. Marston, the story line is filled with exciting action, but the plot of THE HAWKS OF DELAMERE (and the previous six chronicles) belong to the cast.
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Man Of Maybe Half A Dozen Faces
by
Ray Vukcevich
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
Private Investigator Skylight Howells hangs his hat in Eugene, Oregon. Many sleuths call Oregon their home, but none have the various personalities like Sky has. In fact Sky is only one of Brian Dobson's personas. These include Dennis the math nerd, Dieter the chef, Scarface with the hideous visage, Lulu the one who goes where others cannot, and Tag the common man. Perhaps Mr. Dobson suffers from multiple personality disorder or maybe he is just an eccentric actor who buries himself in his role. However, whatever the cause, it does not matter since each of the personalities work towards the same common goal of solving a case, whether it is finding out whether a spouse is cheating or tracking down a murder. This novel is one of the most unusual tales ever written. The personas constantly switch roles and the narration changes from first person to third and back again. This makes for a wild ride for the reader trying to absorb everything as the protagonist(s?) keeps the story line moving. The scene where all the personas meet in cyberspace is humorous in a Mad Magazine sort of way. Fans of Monty Python or Mel Brooks (the early works) will enjoy this eccentric mystery.
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Daughter Of God
by
Lewis Perdue
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
Christianity strictly believes that Christ is the Son of God. The Vatican has ruthlessly suppressed that they are convinced another Messiah Sophia lived in Ancient Times. In 310 AD, the men of King Constantine murdered her for fear that her life would destroy the power of the Roman Empire and the Holy Church. In the present era, a dying Nazi asks art dealer Zoe Ridgeway to return the stolen collection he took during the war to its rightful owners. He also wants her spouse Seth to translate the story of Sophia into English. However, before they can begin, assailants steal the artwork, kill its "owner," and kidnap Zoe. The record of Sophia vanishes. The Russian Mafia holds her prisoner in the hopes of negotiating a deal that will bring needed currency to their country. Certain Vatican officials want Sophia's Passion (the gold box that contains an account of her life). Seth wants Zoe safely returned to him, but realizes that he and his spouse know too much about Sophia for the Vatican to allow them to live. DAUGHTER OF GOD is an action-packed thriller that ties together an art theft, a conspiracy that has existed for over a millennium, and a religious philosopher. Although the action never slows down, the characters drive the plot to its triumphant conclusion. Readers will care about Zoe and Seth while appreciating and understanding the motives of the antagonists (Russian and Vatican). This makes for a realistic feel to the rich story line. Fans know that Lewis Perdue soars with the best writers of the new millennium and will demand a prequel that stars the female Messiah.
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Bloody London
by
Reggie Nadelson
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
Former Russian citizen, Artie Cohen left NYPD to become a private investigator. Much of his work comes from Sonny Lippert, who asks Artie to investigate a Manhattan murder of a British expatriate Tommy Pascoe. The assailant tried to remove the victim's head before leaving the deceased to swim in an exclusive Sutton Place pool. Artie begins to investigate the murder and soon finds a Russian connection that sends the sleuth into Brooklyn. Other killings follow and lead Artie to London where the city seems on the verge of annihilation or exhilaration depending on where you sit in the food chain. BLOODY LONDON, the third Artie Cohen mystery is a puissant tale that focuses on the decade-old aftermath of the collapse of Communism on New York and London. Artie remains a charming but wild mix while his girlfriend Lily seems stronger than previously depicted. The who-done-it is entertaining as Artie falls in love with the decadent, exciting, and pendulum-like swinging London. Though Reggie Nadelson makes Artie seem too lyrical at times, this doesn't prevent fans or readers new to this exciting series (see RED HOT BLUES and HOT POPPIES) from enjoying the maturing of the characters as the tale twists into new areas.
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Double Dealer
by
Barbara Mccafferty
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
Identical twins Nan and Bert Tatum may look alike, but their tastes differ. Whereas Nan loathes shopping, Bert relishes store hopping. It is therefore a bit ironic that Nan is the one to visit the overly crowded Gigantic Flea Market intending to buy an antique for her sibling. Once there, she becomes embroiled in a shouting match with the dealer Franklin Haggerty because he refuses to accept that she is not Bert. Apparently Bert and her daughter Ellie had a recent confrontation with Franklin. The next day, Haggerty is found dead near his van in the flea market's parking lot. Because of their public spats, the police interview the twins, but ultimately arrest Ellie and her boyfriend Chris. Ellie confesses, which frees Chris. Although the two sisters swore to never become involved in a murder mystery after their last successful fiasco, they dive headfirst into proving their loved one is innocent. Barbara Taylor and Beverly Taylor Herald have written a delightfully funny amateur sleuth tale showcasing the misadventures of identical twins, just like the authors. Nan and Bert seem very real and the technique of using alternating chapters to express each twin's take on events adds to the feel of two caring individuals working closely together. The clever mystery is well drawn, but the droll protagonists turn this into a winning novel.
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Conspiracies Repairman Jack 03
by
F Paul Wilson
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
No database contains information on Repairman Jack, who applies unorthodox methods to fix problems for people. Jack blends so well into the scenery, no one notices him, let alone remembers seeing him. Though a pragmatic person anchored into the material plane, Jack has battled some supernatural creatures in his time. Jack's latest case comes to him via his home page on the Internet, which allows the Repairman to advertise, but remain invisible. Lewis Ehlers desperately wants to find his missing spouse Melanie. She appeared on his TV screen while he watched the Weather Channel and appealed to him to obtain the services of Jack. The Repairman accepts the case and soon attends a conspiracy buff conference where Melanie is scheduled to make an appearance. Jack meets the usual crazies, but also senses a malignant supernatural essence trying to crash the barrier into this world. Only Jack can hope to stop the creature from succeeding, but his odds of surviving the counter is slim. Anyone who has ever read a Repairman Jack tale wonders what makes the man tick? He appears to be a normal person just by the nature of his conversations with his friends, but the average individual does not spend an inordinate amount of time making sure no trace exists of his ever being anywhere. Thus, Jack remains one of the most enigmatic characters around as readers realize they don't know Jack. Placing this puzzling protagonist inside a non-stop, action-packed thriller like CONSPIRACIES leave the audience wanting more novels starring Jack. As with his TOMB AND LEGACIES, F. Paul Wilson provides the audience with a triumphant tale starring a quirky hero who deserves wide fan attention.
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Square In The Face
by
April Henry
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
Claire was once a drone working in the Oregon Specialty License Plate Department. Her job was to approve vanity plates. When she received a special inheritance (see CIRCLE OF CONFUSION), she quit. Now, Claire only does things that interest her. At the moment, she searches for the daughter of a friend, Lori who gave away her child through the private adoption services of the infamous Bradford Clinic. Lori's son suffers from leukemia and will probably need a bone marrow transplant. Lori, her husband, and their other son prove unsuitable matches. Claire quickly learns that Dr. Bradford wants to make money from his questionable placement service. Helping people in trouble is not important to the avarice healer. Claire checks into the clinic as a patient and finds a ledger that includes a page with the information Lori needs. Unfortunately there are many potential entries that could prove to be Lori's daughter. As the clock ticks, Claire desperately continues her inquiries to save a dying boy. Claire goes way beyond what a person can expect of a friend. She proves just how big her heart really is by taking by taking risks that most people would refuse regardless of the bond. Thus, Claire makes the novel and the series with her deeply caring nature. April Henry surrounds her heroine with a heart-wrenching tale of a family in crisis inside the mystery. SQUARE IN THE FACE will appeal to amateur sleuth fans as well as those readers who enjoy a family drama. Ms. Henry has written a triumphant novel that will gain her much esteem from readers who relish the works of such notables like Adler and Plain.
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Time Of The Assassins
by
Hugh Holton
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
The notorious Baron Alain Marcus Casimir Von Rianocek is one of the world's highest paid assassins even though he is heir to the throne of the Germany's Bavaria. Though he lives the privileged life of a European aristocrat in Argentina, Alain's success as a hired killer is based on his professional life remaining anonymous. In 1977, Chicago police officer Larry Cole ended Alain's string of twelve straight kills when he prevented the murder of a Mafia chieftain. Years later, the Baron still thinks of Cole as a personal albatross. After completing his current assignment in New York, Alain spots Cole in a restaurant and takes off like a guilty party would. His panicky race to escape costs him his anonymity. Over the years the two men cross paths again and again but eventually one will take the other down. Hugh Holton draws on his own experience as law enforcement official to create an excellent police procedural with international overtones. TIME OF THE ASSASSINS provides the audience with a glimpse into the mindset of a professional assassin, a rogue CIA operative and the inner workings of a shady law firm with ties to the illegal drug industry. The fascinating story line never slows down. Lovers of crime fiction will fully enjoy their time spent with this tale.
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Unwanted Company
by
Barbara Seranella
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
Miranda "Munch" Mancini is an ex-con and a former addict who has stayed clean for seven years. She lives for Asia, a child who owns her heart in spite of being someone else's offspring. She tries to stay squeaky clean, but when Ellen, a close friend is released from jail, Munch takes the woman into her home. She provides Ellen a job as a driver of the one of the limousine that make up Ellen's fleet. However, Munch fails to anticipate that Ellen will pick up a fare without informing her benefactor. Ellen and the limousine disappear somewhere in Tijuana. By the time the vehicle is found, Ellen and her passengers have fled the scene. Apparently in the border town, Ellen has witnessed a horrible murder that links back to a Los Angeles serial killer, The "Band Aid Killer." Munch's friend, police detective Mace St. John feels he knows the identity of the perpetrator, but cannot touch the killer because of a CIA connection. When the culprit threatens Asia, the mass murderer finds Munch, Ellen, and Mac as formidable opponents ready to do anything to stop him. Readers will deeply care what happens to Munch and Asia. Munch is flawed, but has an inner strength to climb out from the abyss and become a positive member of society. She represents hope and survival regardless of the odds against success. Each character has a voice in the swiftly moving story line. That technique works because the talented Barbara Seranella capably allows the audience to observe the inner thoughts and feelings of the main players. With novels like UNWANTED COMPANY and NO HUMAN INVOLVED, Ms. Seranella is gaining a reputation for exciting tales.
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T Is for Trespass
by
Sue Grafton
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
Once again Sue Grafton proves that she isn't going to write the same novel twice. In the twentieth entry in her long-running series, she takes the duel point of view she used effectively in "S" is for Silence and uses it to get inside the mind of one of her greatest villains. However, this doesn't distract from the usual first-person narrative of Kinsey Millhone, who's as feisty (and as funny) as she was in the earlier novels. Grafton's added plenty of twists and turns as the novel races towards its suspense-filled conclusion, ensuring that "T" could easily be for "Top of Her Game." I would also highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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Night Train To Lisbon
by
Pascal Mercier and Barbara Harshav
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
You have to be of romantic disposition to like this book. It tells the story of a Swiss teacher who, upon finding a book containing the philosophical musings of a Portuguese doctor, leaves his job and home to discover more about the man, and as it turns out, about himself. Roaming through Lisbon he discovers the persona of the mysterious, dead philosopher by talking to surviving relatives and friends. In the process he uproots many of the semi-unconscious processes that have shaped his own life. Not only is the story romantic, the book demands high tolerance for baroque language. The sentences are full of metaphors, necessary to contain the even more ubiquitous adverbs and adjectives. Feelings are routinely described as "streams of burning lava" that "scorch the soul". Characters are never less than "deadly tired" and there is a constant occurrence of events "that change everything". I am not much of a romantic and pretty allergic to pretentious style, so this book was not for me. But if you like soul-searching in unbearable-lightness-of-being style, you do well to read it. The composition is good, and, before they drown in the pile, there are some true philosophical and stylistic gems to be found!! Skip it--I would highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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War & Peace
by
Leo Tolstoy, Richard Pevear, Larissa Volokhonsky
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
I've waited a long time for such a good translation. Twice previously I had tried to read "War and Peace," but I thought the book sounded awfully Victorian, as if it were being translated by a 19th century English novelist. The emphasis seemed to be on romance and elegance. This brilliant translation by Pevear and Volokhonsky captures the Russian essence better than any I have read before. I can almost feel Tolstoy thinking. The characters sound more real, vividly memorable. Leaving the French passages in was a terrific move because the French was in the original. For those who know little French, the footnotes capture the meaning for you precisely. The sweep and scope of events, the mingling of nationalities, the foibles of individual characters are alive on the page. And the language is wonderful, and seems to capture the cadences that Tolstoy put into his original!!! I would also highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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Inferno
by
Dante, Mandelbaum
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
This is a fantastic edition of the Inferno. It is the 1st time I've ever read the Divine Comedy besides excerpts attempting to ape the terza rima. While such exerpts are gratifying the way a 3rd generation video tape of a movie may be, it is far more fullfilling to read a 'literal' representation of the Italian text in English and then frame that within the borders of the original Italian. Singleton's notes are also exceptional and lead to a very complex reading of the text. In short, for someone who cannot speak a word of Italian but wants to have the richest reading of the text, from language to content to the culture the poem draws upon, this is the text to purchase. When I complete the Inferno I plan to complete the rest of the Dante's masterpiece with Singleton holding my hand!! I would also highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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Sharpes Triumph India 1803
by
Bernard Cornwell
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
This book is the follow up to Sharpe's Tiger; it's the second book of the series (in chronological order). Like the book before its building on the Sharpe character by showing how he became to be an officer. We also see the younger version of Sharpe, the Sharpe who has not yet commanded troops, the Sharpe who has only ever received orders opposed to giving them. It's different to the future books in that respect and if your a fan of the Sharpe series you see it gives Sharpe's Character alot more Depth. On top of that we get a great action book and an in-depth history lesson. The date is 1803, Muslim armies supported by Arab and European mercenaries are planning an invasion of India. McCandless drafts Sharpe from his quiet post, where he has spent the last 4 years, to hunt down a renegade English soldier. During his time behind enemy lines Sharpe is faced with great temptations and its down to him to decide his allegiance. To the British army, or to the Mahratta army. His choice is an obvious one and as the story progresses, by doing what he does best, being a soldier, Sharpe finds himself in a situation where the outcome will change his life forever. It's a great story and a great lesson in history. A tiny British army is faced by a huge Mahratta army, the British are vastly outnumbered and outgunned but with true British determination they go forward and fight. The rest is history, enjoy the book, I did!! I would also highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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People of the Book
by
Geraldine Brooks
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
In 1996, Sydney, Australian resident Hanna Heath receives a call from the UN as they want to use her rare book conservator expertise. Apparently the renowned Sarajevo Haggadah, thought destroyed during the Bosnian War, has been found. Harriet is euphoric as she knows the value of this incredible ancient Hebrew tome with its images. Although a loner whose only love is rare books, when Hanna meets the "savior" Muslim librarian Karaman, they are attracted to one another. Still it is the book that holds her enthralled as she begins to uncover other artifacts of the past buried inside the pages (white hair, insect wing, salt, and a wine stain) and items missing (lost fasteners). Each tells a unique story about who held the precious Sarajevo Haggadah. PEOPLE OF THE BOOK is an interesting tale that uses the discoveries by Hannah to take the reader back in time to meet those who handled the ancient tome in various eras like 1940 Bosnia, 1480 Seville, and 1492 Barcelona, etc. Each entry provides a historical conflict between a person protecting the book and those wanting to defile the book. Throughout this superb fiction tale is the underlying message that the time for the Jews, Muslims and Christians to unite in peace is now not tomorrow as all have more in common than the differences that divide them!! I would also highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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Bangkok 8: Royal Thai Detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep 1
by
John Burdett
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
First the caveats, which are minor: the jacket photo of the author gets the "Sebastian-Junger-school" award. Second, I'm not so sure that Buddhist talk anymore about their faith in the day to day than people of other faiths in other countries, but these characters are drenched in the thoughts, esp. the karma/reincarnation aspect of the faith. That's part of the appeal: western mystery meets Asian/Buddhist ambiguity. Having said that, I find this novel to be really, really fresh--like the Patricia Cornwell novels before forensic doctor-detectives started taking over popular culture. Other reviews capture the plot; I'd claim that the tone, the swept-up feeling of reading, and wondering "what's next?" I haven't experienced in a mystery in a long time. I'm not sure the author wrote himself into a position of being able to bring back Sonchai for another book/appearance: he seems to have lost his way, the integrity that put him against the system, by the end. Or has he? The end of this mystery is kind of a mystery itself. I read voraciously in many genres and always have in mind what I've found to be the strongest of the particular season--this novel is one of those you put in other's hands!! I would also highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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Three Cups of Tea One Mans Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time
by
Mortenson, Greg and Relin, David Oliver
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
This is a story of a what turns out to be a collective effort led by Greg Mortenson to educate the forgotten and poor in a region whose landscape is as harsh as the Western medias portrayal of it's people. Namely, the rural regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The traditional western partyline of a region dominated by "evil-doers" who wish to subjugate their people and promote hatred and killing of all "infidels" is shown to be patently false. Instead we see a realistic presentation of the peoples and cultures of the areas. In fact, these people are no different than us except perhaps in what they lack in material possessions they more than compensate for in spiritual possessions. The story begins with Mortenson's failure to summit K2, of which the major contributing factor was his selfless rescue of another climber. A selflessness that is expected yet seldom demonstrated by many climbers. Here we see the major theme of this book and the reason for Mortenson's success- the triumph of social conscience over individualism. We see the transformation of a browbeaten meanderer into the maestro of a movement ( Central Asia Institue ) which has overseen the development of 55 schools. The author's writing is as lucid as it is emotive and captures a realism exceeded only by visiting the regions in question. Having visited the region I felt nostalgic and appreciated the comedic references. At some points I almost fell out of my chair laughing. For example when the author writes: " A decade later, in the post 9/11 era, Morentson would often be asked by Americans about the danger he faced in the region from terrorists. " If I die in Pakistan, it'll be because of a traffic accident, not a bomb or bullet." Ha Ha so true!!! Gotta love those taxi and bus drivers with people swinging from their ends like broken twigs in hurricane. I found myself unable to put the book down until it was finished and I personally think Greg Mortenson deserves the Nobel Prize for his efforts!! I would also highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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Ordinary Men Reserve Police Battalion
by
Christophe Browning
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
Browning asserts an interesting thesis regarding the Einsatzgruppen; these were the death squads who adminstered conquered lands and carried out the final solution in places where they could or did not ship the jews to camps. He establishes the backround of a particular Police Battalion. These individuals were not hardened Nazi's nor fanatical SS; nor were they even that keen on gunning down Jews. The argument that Browning makes is that anti-semitism was created in these individuals by killing jews. In order to cope with murdering, they became anti-semetic. When their commander announced their first action, he was in tears and offered an exception to whomever did not want to do this. Soldiers cried, looked the other way when some jews tried to escape, establishing a character that challenges our assumptions. As time went on, the soldiers became used to this, and would have to joke around with each other while shooting jews. There were some instances of drunken debauchery that will break your heart as well: instances of cruelty that boggles the mind!! I would also highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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Tortilla Curtain
by
T C Boyle
S Cohn
, January 12, 2008
As an avid T.C. Boyle fan, I had high expectations of this book and it did not disappoint. It is the story of several intersecting lives but primarily those of the Mossbachers and the Rincons. The tapestry of circumstances grows larger and more complex as these couples gradually come to despise and fear what their counterparts have come to represent. Delaney could have been written as a caricature but Boyle allows the doubts and passions of this secure upper-middle-class Topanga resident to lend depth and breadth to someone in whom every reader has at least some flicker of recognition. Although I live on the other coast of the country, the omnipresence of domestic workers and landscapers with brown faces is as true here as it is in Boyle's fictional Southern California. Making their stories not just sympathetic but also complicated lends reality to these faces without sinking into condescension. I really appreciated that about the novel and found the ending surrealistic but thematically genuine. I was reliving the reality of the book for days afterward and thought about myself in many of those characters for a long time afterwards. I would also highly recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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