Welcome to Litsy!

The latest (and probably last - Cooper is 88 now!) in the Rutshire series is the tamest of the series, with some decent characters and a happy ending. Good escapist nonsense!

Book 80 #Read2025 @DieAReader
#SeriesLove2025

3⭐️ An autobio, this presents a balance between life and death. The title caught my interest, and I selected this for my bookclub. As usual, I wouldn‘t know about this author if not for NYRB Classics collection. This publisher really pushes me to explore more ✌🏻

https://youtu.be/ZakTsw5MTzM

Introduction
Mystery guest
The Pornographer by John McGahern
A welcome interruption
The Pornographer by John McGahern (continued)
Hope Never Knew Horizon by Douglas Bruton

A deceptively sophisticated book about unrequited love, self-sacrifice, and the seemingly impossible task of trying to be true to oneself while doing right by others and becoming part of a community. The protagonist is a smut writer dealing with the impending death of a beloved aunt on the one hand and birth of an unwanted child on the other. Full of fantastic dialogue and insightful observations that feel wholly organic, never forced or tacked-on

Absolutely brilliant book.
His writing is poetic and conjures upsuch vivid images.
The two men are intricately portrayed, as is their relationship with each other and the world.
It'll stay with me a while...

The New York Review of Books usually hits it out of the park with their reprints and this novel by late author John McGahern is no exception. Set in Ireland during the 70's, a struggling writer publishes erotica to make ends meet while caring for his ailing aunt. Enter a one sided affair with an older woman and our protagonist drowns himself in drink as he reflects on his life in this literary book of love, loss, and longing.

#top10summer2023reads
This is going to do wonders for our tbr piles!
Great idea ♥️