Year: 2020

Review: The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

E.F. Sunland

20 Books of Summer 2020: Book 7

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham surprised me by how modern it felt until I happened upon a word or phrase that’s not used anymore, or now means something different. I don’t think, for example, that Maugham was trying to be a jerk when he used “idiot” to describe a child with hydrocephaly. It might be unfair, but unless I’m told otherwise, I expect that old books will have a slow, meandering style. read more

Review: Less by Andrew Sean Greer

E.F. Sunland

20 Books of Summer 2020: Book 5

I’m always happy when a funny book wins the Pulitzer because it makes me feel less glum about my chances of ever reading all the winners. There’s a lot to love about Less, which is to say there’s a lot to love about its protagonist: Arthur Less. Arthur is 49 years old and riddled with insecurities around his age and recently-rejected novel. He’s haunted by two past relationships: one with Robert, a Pulitzer winner who was too old for him, and another with Freddy, a man Arthur felt too old for. When Freddy gets engaged to someone else, Arthur avoids the wedding by going on a world tour of literary events: to Mexico, Italy, Germany, France, Morocco, India, and Japan. Each chapter is set in a different country on his tour. read more

Review: The Architect’s Apprentice by Elif Shafak

E.F. Sunland

20 Books of Summer 2020: Book 4

Before I tell you anything about Elif Shafak’s The Architect’s Apprentice, do you think Jahan is receiving good advice in this scene:

Davud said, “Congratulations, novice! The master only sends his favourites to the old goat.”
As pleased as he was to hear this, Jahan felt a pang of unease.
“Don’t be humble next to him,” said Nikola. “Show him how much you know. He’ll like that.”
Yusuf smiled in agreement.
“Don’t forget to shout. Simeon is deaf as a log,” said Davud (146-147)

You don’t need to know anything about the book’s settings or characters to know that Jahan shouldn’t greet Simeon by shouting pompous things at him, but that’s what he does. read more

Review: After Dark by Haruki Murakami

E.F. Sunland

20 Books of Summer 2020: Book 3

This is the first Murakami I’ve read after hearing about his brilliance for years (and years). I thought After Dark would be a good place to start because it’s short. It either feels incomplete or just about perfect and I honestly can’t decide. I’m leaning towards “just about perfect” because of the way this book was so absorbing and fascinating and left me with the feeling that anything could happen (even though very few things did). read more