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.
The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi
Why I have it: Because Susan said it was possibly “…the most terrifying piece of fiction” she’d read.
Summary: Imaginative Jessamy Harrison is the child of an English father and a Nigerian mother. When she visits Nigeria for the first time, she makes a friend who understands her – a ragged girl named TillyTilly. But soon TillyTilly’s visits become disturbing, and Jess realizes she doesn’t actually know her friend at all.
I’m thinking: Yes.
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
Why I have it: Dwell in Possibility reminded me of it – great gap in my reading given how much I love books set in the 1920s.
Summary: When Kitty Fane’s husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. Stripped of the British society of her youth and the small but effective society she fought so hard to attain in Hong Kong, she is compelled to reassess her life.
I’m thinking: Yes.
Harmony by Carolyn Parkhurst
Why I have it: No idea.
Summary: The Hammond family is living happily in DC when it becomes clear that the oldest daughter, Tilly, is developing abnormally – a mix of off-the-charts genius and social incompetence. The family turns to Camp Harmony and the wisdom of child behavior guru Scott Bean for a solution.
I’m thinking: Yes.
I can highly recommend the Maugham and Parkhurst.
I’ve had mixed reactions to the Painted Veil – some readers thought it was very slow apparently. It’s still on my wishlist though
Now I’m worried you’ll be frightened out of your skin!
These all sound great. I really should read some Maugham – somehow I’ve never got to him…
I’m happy to hear I reminded you about The Painted Veil! I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. (Just a warning that the characters are flawed and not very likable.) Once you’ve read it, be sure to check out the film adaptation. They made a few changes that I actually preferred to the novel.
The Icarus Girl sounds like one I need to check out as well!