It’s time for #6degrees. Start at the same place as other wonderful readers, add six books, and see where you end up!
This month we begin with The Arsonist by Chloe Hooper. It’s a fascinating account of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. One of the themes Hooper explores is remorse.
Remorse is the topic of Kate Rossmanith’s interesting memoir-research hybrid, Small Wrongs.
Rossmanith is an ethnographer, as is the character of Vita in Ceridwen Dovey’s brilliant novel, In The Garden of the Fugitives.
In The Garden of the Fugitives is set in Pompeii and the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Having visited Pompeii and Naples earlier this year, I was astounded by the fact that Naples is sitting in/on a volcano. This line in Fugitives captures it –
Not once did it occur to me that it might erupt while I was living in its shadow, though it was overdue for an explosion. Everybody said this was what lit the locals from within, gave them their manic energy.
Naples provides the link to My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante.
I couldn’t get stuck into the Ferrante series initially, and eventually listened to them as audiobooks. Some books are better as audios – Magda Szubanski’s memoir Reckoning was a fantastic audio choice because it is read by Magda. (Side note: Reckoning links back to Small Wrongs – both Magda and Kate’s fathers had significant roles in the War that they were reluctant to talk about).
Reckoning made me laugh and cry, as did John Boyne’s novel, The Heart’s Invisible Furies.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies is an epic and covers all sorts of themes and events, one of which is the AIDS epidemic in the eighties. This is also visited in Tin Man by Sarah Winman, which is a gentle, different kind of love story.
This month, my chain came to me in an instant, one book leading seamlessly to the next. Where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (April 6, 2019), we’ll begin with Ali Smith’s award-winning novel, How to be Both.
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Every single book on your chain is being added to my TBR pile, although if my TBR pile was an actual pile of books, I think it would probably crush me about now.
Well, I didn’t love the Ferrante if that helps ease the pile!
Here is Muse & Views Bookclub contribution .
https://bookclub9.blogspot.com/2019/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-arsonist.html
How long will be able to continue using only books we have read?
I often include books I want to read as well (all of my books this month are in that category).
You amaze me every month! I almost always have books in my chain that I want to read.
Maybe we should try listening to a book, it might just be interesting if we get a different perspective. Good links!
My book group has thought about doing an audio book but we never have (partly because of the logistics – not all of us use Amazon). Could be interesting though!
I liked this starter book – there were so many departure points though in the end I went with the obvious one, unwittingly choosing the same book as Sue at Whispering Gums:).
Here’s mine: https://anzlitlovers.com/2019/03/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-arsonist-by-chloe-hooper-to/
PS I must read Garden of the Fugitives. I know, I’ve said that before… it’s just… the tyranny of the TBR…
The tyranny of the TBR is real!
Now that I’m almost halfway through the Stella longlist, I’m still thinking Fugitives should have been there. Oh well. Will be interested to hear your thoughts when you get to it. Reading The Bridge at the moment (I recall you loved it??) – only just started but so far, very good.
I’ll read this properly later as I enjoy this challenge – have hospital trips today – but here is my link: https://whisperinggums.com/2019/03/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-arsonist-to/
Hope your trips went well 🙂
Lucky you that the links came to mind so easily, I usually start off well and then find myself in a dead end and have to backtrack
I sometimes think of multiple ways to link a book and usually make a note of them in case I have to backtrack!
now I’m envious – i struggle to think of one link usually
Hi Kate this is great fun.My links are Firestarter by Stephen, King, The Library Book by Susan Orlean, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, White Earth by Andrew McGahan, Surrender by Sonya Harnett, Ash Road by Ivan Southall and The Tree of Man by Patrick White,
Thanks for joining in Meg 🙂
Can’t wait to read The library Book. I am no, 36 on the waitlist at our local library! You links are quite interesting.
I’m interest in several of these books, the Tin Man is already on my Tbr list, but you’ve made me aware of lots of new to me, books today. Thanks.
I always love adding to other peoples TBR stacks 😀
Back now an ready to catch up. Enjoyed your links Kate. I haven’t read any of them, but at least I’ve heard of several of them. I most want to read Dovey.
Oh and I do like audiobooks read by authors (if the author can read.) One of my all-time favourites is Roald Dahl reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It’s one of my all-time favourites.
I went in with no expectations about the Dovey and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
I’ve listened to quite a few memoirs on audio read by the author (Rob Lowe, Bruce Springsteen, Matt Haig and Magda stand out) but there seems to be fewer novels read by the author (I guess you can’t be good at everything!). That said, Richard Flannagan reading Narrow Road was breathtakingly good.
That’s interesting. I suppose memoirs don’t require the same sort of acting a novel might.
Another super chain, Kate! I love the sound of In the Garden with Fugatives and The Tin Man. I love getting such interesting recommendations from six degrees posts for the TBR list! Here’s my offering https://leapinglife.blog/2019/02/21/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-arsonist-to-a-time-to-keep-silence/
I usually gather lots of recommendations via six degrees as well – I think it is because of the identification of commonalities between books.
This month I found it a bit hard to get started on my chain – but once I’d decided on the first link it was easy! I haven’t read any of your links but am very interested in In The Garden of the Fugitives. I’ve been to Naples, Pompeii and Vesuvius too. Robert Harris’s book Pompeii gives such a vivid impression of how terrible an eruption is.
I realise choosing an Australian book that hasn’t even been published in some countries was a bit tricky!
I recently had my first visit to Pompeii and Naples and I loved it (will publish a post about my holiday soon).
Really interesting and imaginative links and variety of books, some of which are new to me. I love the book you’ve chosen to start next month’s chain – so many possibilities…
I actually haven’t read next month’s starting book! (have had it in the TBR stack for ages though…)
Make it a priority. It’s amazing.
The Arsonist isn’t published in the UK until May, but I look forward to reading it. Tin Man made me cry!
I cried in Tin Man as well. Have you read her first book, When God Was a Rabbit? I BAWLED in that one.
I didn’t enjoy her first one anywhere near as much I seem to remember…
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I think it’s so interesting that you included an ethnographer because earlier this month for a different discussion I was talking about an author for the exact same reason. And it’s not all that common of a thing, especially in fiction, so what are the odds of it coming up so frequently? Great chain, and thanks for hosting!
IKR? It was so weird to read two books back-to-back that featured ethnographers. Another one that comes to mind is Euphoria by Lily King
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Nice links! Not sure why, but so far I have resisted diving into Ferrante. My post is here, with something amazing that happened: https://wordsandpeace.com/2019/03/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-hooper-to-hooper/
Don’t let me put you off he Ferrante series – other trusted readers loved it. If you do read it, I suggest you just get stuck into one after the other – I did the first three in quick succession but still haven’t read the last one and fear I have lost momentum now.
Great use of Naples as a link 🙂
I will explain more about why I loved that Naples quote when I finally get around to finishing my holiday posts (in short, Naples is a wonderful, CRAZY place).
Looking forward to it! I still haven’t written up my holiday post so I’m curious to see if there is any overlap between our impressions of Naples.
Your chain is VERY interesting. For once mine went different places than my brain normally takes me! I hope to read them all on Monday!
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I was happy to be able to join in this time. It is always fun to revisit books I have read
I LOVE the idea of bookish six degrees of separation!!
Great post. I liked My Brilliant Friend and I did read The Tin Man but, I was a little disappointed.
I love the direction you took this. I didn’t know much about The Arsonist and so went with the obvious. Remorse was a great direction to go with it! You have me The Heart’s Invisible Furies. It sounds amazing. I hope you have a wonderful week (and month!). Thank you for hosting!
I have a hard time creating lists if I haven’t read the first book. Maybe next month!
In the meantime, I’d like to invite you to join me in a reading challenge. Check out the details here: ‘My Own Books’ Reading Challenge
I do like the idea of Small Wrongs – apologies, particularly political ones, can be so mealy mouthed with no real sign of remorse at all. Smart chain, as ever, Kate.
I’m a little envious that your chain just came to you in an instant! I’ve only done two so far, but I had to work at both of them, heading down a few dead ends before coming up with a workable 6-book chain.
Just realised that it’s March and that I missed the first Saturday….and I’ve even read the starting book this time too!
I’ll think about it during the day and see if I can produce a late entry 🙂
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You review of The Arsonist is pore-raising. I quite enjoyed that quite about Naples. My chain ended in Europe but in Ireland, not Italy 😉
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Like you, I didn’t like My Brilliant Friend, so much so that I haven’t bothered with any of her other books.
Unlike you, I struggled to get started on this month’s chain, hence the late submission. There’s a psychology thread running through mine. It gets cheerier towards the end, so don’t let the Moors Murderers put you off!
https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2019/03/10/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-arsonist-to-shrinking-violets/
Of to read everyone elses’ now.
Typing too quickly – I mean, of course, that I’m off to read everyone else’s now.
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A bit late this month with my offering – https://anglersrest.net/2019/03/12/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-arsonist-to/ and now to read the comments and read other contributions.
An excellent (and seamless) chain! I can’t wait to read The Heart’s Invisible Furies; I’ve only heard exceptional things. Like you, I’ve had trouble getting into My Brilliant Friend so far. Perhaps I would have better luck with the audiobook too.
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