Looking back over five years of Junes, the theme is ‘solid but not outstanding’ (with the exception of my 2012 pick, which I really loved). The rewind –
2012: Heft by Liz Moore – lots to love in this story.
2013: Big Brother by Lionel Shriver – for its ‘What the hell?!’ ending.
2014: Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt – so many themes, so beautifully explored.
2015: Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal – a clever foodie novel.
2016: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert – surprising after the dog’s breakfast that was EPL.
2017: A Line Made by Walking by Sara Baume – dark.
Big Brother was the novel that made me finally swear off Lionel Shriver, I’m afraid. I much prefer her pre-Kevin novels but I know I’m in the minority there.
I think she’s one of those authors that divides people! Of her earlier books, have you read Double Fault? I thought it was excellent.
I have but the one that sticks with me most is Ordinary Decent Criminals, set in Northern Ireland. Very sharp piece of observation.
I think I was in a minority in not liking We need to Talk about Kevin so I wasn’t motivated to read anything further by Lionel Shriver
Kevin is not like her other books – it was not a book I ‘enjoyed’ but I thought it was incredibly powerful. All her books since Kevin have had a strong, socially relevant theme and I think they make for uncomfortable reading.
thanks for sharing that insight Kate
I’ve heard good things about the Gilbert, but EPL is just *so* off putting, I find it hard to believe this is better. I may take the plunge with it…
EPL is just so shit and this is so different. I promise.
Tell The Wolves I’m Home was so beautiful! I’m probably due for a reread. I love this re-wind concept! Mind if I copy??? (Imitation is the highest form of flattery…)
Copy away. I did 🙂