Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye.
Conrad & Eleanor by Jane Rogers
Why I have it: included in Susan’s favourite books of 2016.
Summary: Conrad fails to return from a conference. Eleanor wonders if it is because of the affair she is having? Or because she’s more successful than him? Or because he’s discovered the paternity of their daughter?
I’m thinking: Yes.
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
Why I have it: included in Deb’s favourite books of 2016.
Summary: The story of a man and his aging companion Lily, who happens to be a dog.
I’m thinking: Yes – I don’t normally do magic realism but his is charming. And we all know what happens in dog stories but it’s still a yes.
The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain
Why I have it: I always enjoy Tremain’s stories.
Summary: Gustav Perle’s childhood is spent in lonely isolation until he meets Anton Zwiebel. Their friendship begins to define Gustav’s life.
I’m thinking: Yes.
Dog magic realism? I can’t wait for the review. Not!
I’m fairly sure my enjoyment of magic realism is extremely limited however the first chapter was funny – what remains to be seen is if it’s funny after 300 pages!
They all sound great! I would need someone to tell me what happens to the dachshund before I started reading though…
I think we all know what happens to the dachshund… 😢
Can’t comment on first two but Gustav Sonata is great!
Thanks for the link, Kate. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Was hooked from page one!
Lily and the Octopus is fun (albeit sort of depressing… but in a fun way…). I suggested it to my students last semester and several of them read it. It was interesting listening them discuss the magical realism elements, that’s for sure!
Oh glad I tempted you re Lily & the Octopus. It took me a while to get my head around the talking dog (not to mention the octopus) but it was / is beautifully written and I loved the banter between the characters.
All three of these sounds interesting, and I love all the covers.
I’ve heard Lily and the Octopus is lovely yet heartbreaking. I wasn’t aware that it had a touch of magical realism. I’m a sucker for magical realism… may need to check this out now. 🙂