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 Knife by Salman Rushdie. I never expected Rushdie to quote Jodi Piccoult in his memoir, but he quotes her novel, My Sister’s Keeper –
If you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it’s not because they enjoy solitude. It’s because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.
I read a novel about a very creepy loner for Reading Ireland Month – Martin John by Anakana Schofield.
Also read for Reading Ireland Month, and completely different from Martin John, was The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride.
McBride’s novel focuses on a drama student, as does Claire Thomas in her novel, The Performance.
Samuel Beckett’s play, Happy Days is central to The Performance. I’m going to close the circle this month by linking Happy Days back to Knife, on the basis that Beckett, like Rushdie, was stabbed.
Next month (May 3, 2025), we’ll start with an historical novel longlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize, Rapture by Emily Maguire.
I have the ‘stabbed’ connection too!
Josie – I’m not allowed to comment on your blog because it forbids me to do so as I have a number in my name! I hope Kate won’t mind my leaving the comment I would have made here. ‘This is a tantalising chain, with several books I’d never even heard of. Your second and third links, from what feels like a thoroughly different era sound worth a punt. Well, they all do, in fact!’
That was cheeky! Enjoyed your post but now I’m cross that I started my chain with Rupture because what a great first link to go from Rapture to Rupture next month. Oh well I’ll have to think of something else! It’s a good starting choice.
Here is my chain: https://whisperinggums.com/2025/04/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-knife-to/okay
I forgot last month, so I’m bright and early this month.
https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2025/04/05/six-degrees-of-separation-knife-by-salman-rushdie/
Salman Rushdie quoting Jodie Piccoult is so unexpected that I think I will read Knife – I’ve loved everything I’ve read of his but wasn’t sure about reading his memoir.
https://rosereadsnovels.wordpress.com/2025/04/05/six-degrees-of-separation-knife-by-salmon-rushdie/
I am also surprised Rushdie would quote Picoult. However, she is warm and thoughtful in person so perhaps they are acquainted and trade autographed copies. Coincidentally, I also included one of her books in my chain.
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2025/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-knife-to.html?m=1
I imagine him reading much darker, more intellectual fiction but I suppose everyone relaxes some time. I joined Penguin shortly after Satanic Verses came out. We got bomb threats often and had a bomb sniffing dog in our lobby for years. And although many people bought it, how many actually read it?
That’s interesting, Constance. And it explains that he quotes her. I was more than surprised, as well. But often, when we don’t know the author, we judge them by their books.
It’s been a long time since I have read My Sister’s Keeper but I do remember enjoying it. I did my honours thesis for my law degree on the rights of the child in relation to medical treatment and issues of consent. Ian McEwan’s The Children Act deals with topic in a different but very deep way, have you read that?
This is my Six Degrees for April, it was actually quite an emotional one for me: https://aidanvale.blogspot.com/2025/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-knife-to.html
I ended on Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey.
As ever, a clever chain, and as (almost) ever, I haven’t read any of your links. Here’s mine: https://margaret21.com/2025/04/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-knife-to-the-lightless-sky/
A great circular chain! I haven’t read Knife – yet. The only book in your chain is My Sister’s Keeper.
Here’s my chain – https://booksplease.org/2025/04/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-knife-by-salman-rushdie-to-the-likeness/
What a very apt quote for Rushdie to use!
Here’s mine for this month: https://portobellobookblog.com/2025/04/05/6degrees-of-separation-for-april-2025-from-knife-by-salman-rushdie-to-it-takes-one-to-know-one-by-isla-dewar/
Yes, that’s an unexpected first link! I haven’t read any of the books in your chain this month, but well done for closing the circle.
Here’s mine: https://shereadsnovels.com/2025/04/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-knife-to-island-song/
Well, he lost his eye, so I went with that for my first link. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2025/04/05/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-april-5-2025/ Thanks again for this one!
You and Josie have taught me something today! Enjoyable chain, as ever. Here’s mine: https://alifeinbooks.co.uk/2025/04/six-degrees-of-separation-knife-to-any-human-heart/
Love that last link Kate, I always forget about Beckett being stabbed!
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Nice way of coming full circle, and I just recently saw Eimear McBride reading from her latest novel, which is a continuation of The Lesser Bohemians, so I love to see her appear in your set of links.
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Great links! I didn’t know that Beckett had been stabbed as well!
https://wordsandpeace.com/2025/04/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-a-knife-to-sweetness/
Love how you linked back–all new-to-me titles here; the Performance sounds especially interesting!
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as always have not read any of the books though I have wanted to read My Sister’s Keeper for too long now. My post is here – https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/the-enticing-epulaeryu-and-exciting-echoes-too/#The_Edge_of_Truth_From_Knife_to_Languages_of_Truth_Back
I know, I’m late, I’m sorry, I didn’t want to do mine till I’d finished Knife and I only finished it last night.
https://anzlitlovers.com/2025/04/06/six-degrees-of-separation-from-knife/
Here’s my chain from Knife to The Princess Bride…https://100greatestnovelsofalltimequest.blogspot.com/2025/04/six-degrees-of-separation-knife-to.html
Yes, I would not have expected any link between Rushdie and Picoult. But if you say so … LOL
No other books with knife in the title for me, so I went with the murder links:
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2025/04/six-degrees-of-separation-knife_5.html