Troubles | 
pickA compelling and acerbic reflection on the decline of the British empire post the traumas of World War One. Rather than plot driven this is an account of the rot and corruption of empire and the emasculation of a particular kind of liberal masculinity in the face of undeniable claims to self determination. The futility and dark absurdity of maintaining empire is made stark with uncomfortable resonances with contemporary uk.
Winter 1919. A peacetime winter: skating on frozen ponds, roasted chestnuts? He had forgotten what winter in peacetime was like and through the unbroken bubble of bitterness in his mind, inches thick like plate glass, he tried to visualise it. But the war was still there. He had not yet finished with it.
About 20% into this unusual novel. Set in 1919, an officer suffering from post traumatic stress visits Ireland to clarify his relationship with the daughter of the owner of a hotel, the majestic, the central character of the novel. The majestic is sprawling decaying and feral - a metaphor for post war empire. It‘s residents are also decayed but In denial in particular of the potency of Irish nationalism. It‘s brilliant but is it sustainable?
it was beyond doubt that they were engaged: a certainty fostered by the fact that from the very beginning she had signed her letters ‘your loving fiancée, Angela. This had surprised him at first but with the odour of death drifting into the dug-out in which he scratched out his replies by the light of a candle,it would nave been trivial and discourteous beyond words to split hairs about such purely social distinctions.
JG Farrell 😍😍😍 Handsome guy, and an excellent writer 😍 I‘m still thinking about the tagged book. It was a tough read, but I think I will reread it one day
pick4⭐️ The first novel in the Empire trilogy, Troubles told the story about a crumbling Majestic hotel, set during the Irish War of Independence. The decrepit hotel struggles to remain standing, holding its last breath for its eccentric inhabitants. The writing is brilliant although I found it difficult to get into at times.
A messy desk gives me comfort 😅
I can never stick to my reading plan. I‘m supposed to read another Zola, but this caught my eyes 🙈
My reading slump continues but I‘m getting by slowly. Im working my way slowly through Troubles which is long, whimsical and fairly plot free though it has a lot of content and ideas, wirh an old buffy episode in the background.
#bookhaul from yesterday.... I‘d added them to my #TBR over the last few months and finally ordered them.
-Homing .... a rare Non fiction choice for me, I‘d heard it recommended by Radiohead‘s bassist on my favorite BBC radio 4 show/podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008y4v
- Binstead‘s safari & The Last September were 5⭐️recs from goodreads
- Troubles is an #NYRB that was mentioned by the main character in Lily King‘s Writers & Lovers
so-so3 stars because I can objectively see that this is a good book, although it was not for me. Some interesting moments of discussion about the Irish War of Independence, but ultimately a book/person mismatch. #indiebuddyreads #readharder2020
A book that takes place in a rural setting #readharder2020 #indiebuddyreads
Was anyone else down ? The only way I could get Litsy back on was to delete and then reload the app. I missed you guys.
Used bookstore haul today!
Green and or Irish books are on sale this month for $1 each (top two) =$2
Memoir at regular price =$4
Essays on art, from ARC table = $1 donation
Total: $7
Now how can I buy time to catch up on my ever-growing TBR?!
ETA: just now realized Troubles is an #1001Books! Bonus!!
Has anyone else had TROUBLE with notifications? Mine have disappeared 👻 and I can‘t access new ones. ( a photo of the eclipse through the trees )
pickThis is the story of the Major who stays in the decaying Majestic Hotel in Ireland way too long. However, many of the guests never leave, although the place is taken over by cracks in the walls, roots through the carpets, cats and rats.
The parallels with the situation in Ireland are clear: these are the 1920s and Ireland experiences its 'Troubles'. #booker #1001books #manbooker
Picture: Lisbon, Portugal
pickOkay, this was an odd book that I imagine only a few would enjoy. A man seeks out his (maybe) fiancée at a huge, crumbling resort in rural Ireland in the 20s and....not a lot happens. And yet, I could not put it down. It won the "Lost" Man Booker prize. #nyrb #manbooker
bailedBeautiful writing but dull story. Bailed at pg 82 as I didn't care anymore. Major writes to Angela during WW1. Visits her at home in Ireland after the war to clear up whether or not they are promised to each other. She lives in a weird hotel which is where it lost me. Another reviewer described it as Faulty Towers without the humour. Disappointed.
