Ursula Parrott’s Ex-Wife (priced at £9.99 and published by Faber) is indeed an awe-inspiring read. Originally introduced to the American readers in 1929, this hit novel takes you back to the period of the Jazz Age in New York – a spirited time that reverberates with the energy and charm of The Great Gatsby. The captivating lead character, Patricia, begins her story at the dissolution of a brief, unsuccessful union to a promising journalist named Peter. The narrative captures Patricia’s conflicted desires to rekindle or abandon the marriage. Furthermore, Parrott enlightens us with criticism of society, unflinchingly candid portrayal of premarital sex, abortion, and violence, and magazine-worthy descriptions of fashion and interior design. An accomplished and well-liked author from the late 1920s to 1945, Parrott ended her life under financial distress, evading debt-collectors. With today’s resurgence in her work, she might finally gain the appreciation and audience she deserves. Credits to Claire Looby for the write-up.
Bedtime Stories for Privileged Children authored by Daniel Foxx (£14.99, by Monoray) provides an eclectic range of entertaining anecdotes. The comedy-driven collection present a cynical viewpoint on the lives of children christened Cosmo, Astrid, and Camilla, and a dog, Aesop. Bizarre family traditions such as Easter egg hunts for Fabergé eggs feature in these tales. A humorous situation involves a kid, embarking on an adventurous journey to a local suburban neighbourhood. Equally amusing is the crisis of not having single-origin cocoa at home. Despite its price, the book is a success, providing numerous instances of genuine merriment. The art by Axana Zasorina enhances the value of Foxx’s work, which echoes the charm evoked by the “ROCK” books. NJ McGarrigle pens the summary.
Other exciting reads include Fire Exit by Morgan Talty, Let’s Dance by Lucy Sweeney Byrne, Hide Away by Dermot Bolger, and a brilliant novel deserving a wider readership by Ursula Parrott. The Last Dynasty by Toby Wilkinson is also recommended, available at Bloomsbury for £25.
Alexander the Great and Cleopatra have made their mark on history, yet we often lack comprehensive understanding about the three centuries in between – a time known as the Ptolemaic era. Information during these times mostly come from Greek and Roman witnesses and hence, can be seen as incomplete. Toby Wilkinson’s ‘The Last Dynasty’, using the most recent archaeological findings and indigenous cultural evidence, fills these gaps. Chronicling the four stages of this dynasty, Wilkinson outlines an era marked by exceptional cultural advancement, intellectual progress, intricate internal disputes, and the successful yet precarious balance of ancient practices with emerging economic and political systems. With a gripping and clear narrative, ‘The Last Dynasty’ paints a vibrant picture of this era, which not only influenced Cleopatra’s reign, but also our contemporary intellectual world.
Company, another noteworthy book by Shannon Sanders (ONE, £16.99), begins with a family tree starting from Opal, the matriarch, who is on her death bed and considered the most beautiful in her family. The 13 interwoven short stories narrate the journey of an African American family, dealing with unexpected company. Visits to the family’s residence reveal hidden truths, upend histories, and ruffle the calm – generally leading to positive outcomes. Sanders’s narrative style is crisp yet lively; her characters are created with precision and affection. MacHale, likened to a sip of premium whiskey, his emotional, tempestuous daughters and his wife, whose hair is compared to a well-used penny, capture readers’ attention. Humorous and easy-going, this promising first work by Sanders indicates that she is a writer to keep an eye on.
The book ‘Her Body Among Animals,’ authored by Paola Ferrante and published by Influx Press (£10.99) is also to be considered.
Krishnamurti’s statement, “The state of being well-adjusted in a deeply ill society is not a sign of good health,” strikes a chord when digging into Ferrante’s innovative and genre-defying compilation of short stories. The tales are peppered with unsettling discontent. They offer a motley mix of explicit sexual content (devoid of sensuality), arachnids, a surreal undertone, and copious environmental angst. The longest narrative in the bunch, The Silent Grave of Birds, portraying a tale of sexual assault, poses the most emotional and cognitive challenge, simultaneously. In this particular narration, the author eases the metaphorical narrative prevalent elsewhere in the collection, which often suppresses a genuine plotline and character development. If you’re running low on optimism, this book isn’t the best choice. Brigid O’Dea
Jessica Anthony’s The Most (Penguin, £12.99)
What makes tennis the perfect setting for romantic comparison? Is it the fact that in tennis, love equates to naught? Two pivotal incidents unravel on a balmy winter Sunday in Delaware in the 1950s. With Sputnik 2 launched into space by the Soviets carrying an inboard stray canine, apprehension grows across America. Meanwhile, a marital relationship in Delaware teeters on the brink of collapse. Kathleen Beckett, an ex-tennis ace, contemplates over the continuation with her disloyal spouse from the apartment complex’s open-air swimming pool. Both parties’ truths will determine the resolution. What would be the most beneficial approach? The Most is a robust novella sharp as a succinct short story. Brigid O’Dea.