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The Usual Desire to Kill
The Usual Desire to Kill: A Novel | Camilla Barnes
5 posts | 4 read | 16 to read
An often hilarious, surprisingly moving portrait of a long-married couple, seen through the eyes of their wickedly observant daughterfor fans of A Man Called Ove and The Royal Tenenbaums. Mirandas parents live in a dilapidated house in rural France that they share with two llamas, eight ducks, five chickens, two cats, and a freezer full of food dating back to 1983. Mirandas father is a retired professor of philosophy who never loses an argument. Mirandas mother likes to bring conversation back to the War, although she was born after it ended. Married for fifty years, they are uncommonly set in their ways. Miranda plays the role of translator when she visits, communicating the desires or complaints of one parent to the other and then venting her frustration to her sister and her daughter. At the end of a visit, she reports the usual desire to kill. This wry, propulsive story about a singularly eccentric family and the sibling rivalry, generational divides, and long-buried secrets that shape them, is a glorious debut novel from a seasoned playwright with immense empathy and a flair for dialogue.
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blurb
monalyisha
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Is anyone else excited to have one whole side of the board done — AND a contender for Best Book in the final showdown slot? 😍

I‘m less enthused that I had to choose between The Usual Desire & Sleep. They‘re both fabulous. I think my decision was probably driven by recency bias...

With November‘s arrival, I‘ve got #AuldLangSpine on the brain. Registration usually goes live around Thanksgiving. As of now, that‘s still the plan! 🍂

jenniferw88 Yay! I may have started making notes for #auldlangspine back in January 🤣🤣🤣 any 5 started books went on the list,but I may swap a few out for 4.75 star reads instead. 2w
CSeydel Great bracket! And I‘m looking forward to making my #auldlangspine list 📚👏 1w
BennettBookworm I‘m so excited for #auldlangspine and so grateful you‘re doing it again!! 1w
39 likes4 comments
review
monalyisha
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Pickpick

Although this literary family dramedy (with ducks! & llamas!) took a melancholy turn, it‘s VERY funny.

A daughter/stage actress visits her British parents in the French countryside. They are the quintessential old married couple, bickering in a delightfully wordy (though exasperating) way. He‘s a retired philosophy professor. She‘s Mum & has been for 50 years but was once a vivacious student eager to eat up the world.

A favorite novel this year!

monalyisha Trigger warning wrapped in a spoiler to follow! 4w
TheKidUpstairs Well, now i HAVE to stack it! 4w
monalyisha TW: stillbirth 😪 4w
See All 7 Comments
monalyisha @TheKidUpstairs Yes! I feel like I‘ve been looking for something like this all year. Definitely a winner for me! 4w
KT1432 You find the most unique and interesting sounding books! Stacked! 4w
monalyisha @KT1432 Thank you! 🥰 4w
Tamra I‘m anxiously waiting for my audio hold! 4w
54 likes10 stack adds7 comments
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quietjenn
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I have a good feeling about this. Hope my optimism is not misplaced...

Tamra Anxious to see what you think - the blurb sounds good! 3mo
59 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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CatMS
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Just started and from page 1 made me chuckle and by page 13 outright laughing.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough, it is wonderfully hilarious and moving.

16 likes1 stack add