Loved reading your thoughts on Enter Ghost. I read it last year and I loved it so much it’s on my list to reread some time soon (I hope). Have you read her debut novel, The Parisian? A very different story and approach but I loved that one too.
I think it's one that would really benefit from a re-reading, there's so much going on! I haven't read The Parisian yet but you're not the first to say that one is also good so I think it may be priority for this summer sometime. I quite like a rambling historical novel too. Interesting that these first two books are quite different! Very interested to see what she writes next.
I have been wanting to read ‘Enter Ghost’ for a few months now and this review has just made me immediately order it - I have absolutely been influenced. I chuckled at the opening line of this book was excellent so now I have no idea what I’m going to say (incredibly relatable. for the record - you did a fantastic job of communicating just how excellent it was).
I adore the way you describe Hammad’s writing as ‘still water prose’, so gorgeous and basically poetry? I can understand exactly what you mean. There’s nothing quite like reading a book which describes the atmosphere of the summer, in the summer. Incredibly high praise from you calling it perfect literary fiction, and as a literary fiction enthusiast, I can’t wait to see if this comment holds up (I’m sure it will).
I also appreciated your reflections on ‘Caste’ which I’ve debated reading for some time. A great reading month!
Writing glowing reviews is so difficult. I think you'll see what I mean when you read this one too, it has some particular compulsive quality which I always just find *extra* hard to summarise into words.
I thought of 'still water prose' when I was reading Witness by Jamel Brinkley! You could read through it and think... did anything actually happen there? Did I miss something? But it's all going on underneath the surface. It has a beauty to it both in its superficial simplicity (not difficult to read) but also its underlying depth. Can't wait to read your thoughts on Enter Ghost soon!
Hoping to get around to reading Enter Ghost sometime in June/July. Seeing so many people sharing such good things about it is making me really excited to pick it up soon!
I initially thought Ombria in Shadow might not be for me, but after reading your and Anh's review of it I'm now thinking I might actually quite like it!
still water prose, what a beautiful way to describe writing as an undercurrent that pulls you in. Enter Ghost is definitely on my tbr now thanks to your lofty review!
Loved reading your thoughts on Enter Ghost. I read it last year and I loved it so much it’s on my list to reread some time soon (I hope). Have you read her debut novel, The Parisian? A very different story and approach but I loved that one too.
I think it's one that would really benefit from a re-reading, there's so much going on! I haven't read The Parisian yet but you're not the first to say that one is also good so I think it may be priority for this summer sometime. I quite like a rambling historical novel too. Interesting that these first two books are quite different! Very interested to see what she writes next.
I have been wanting to read ‘Enter Ghost’ for a few months now and this review has just made me immediately order it - I have absolutely been influenced. I chuckled at the opening line of this book was excellent so now I have no idea what I’m going to say (incredibly relatable. for the record - you did a fantastic job of communicating just how excellent it was).
I adore the way you describe Hammad’s writing as ‘still water prose’, so gorgeous and basically poetry? I can understand exactly what you mean. There’s nothing quite like reading a book which describes the atmosphere of the summer, in the summer. Incredibly high praise from you calling it perfect literary fiction, and as a literary fiction enthusiast, I can’t wait to see if this comment holds up (I’m sure it will).
I also appreciated your reflections on ‘Caste’ which I’ve debated reading for some time. A great reading month!
Writing glowing reviews is so difficult. I think you'll see what I mean when you read this one too, it has some particular compulsive quality which I always just find *extra* hard to summarise into words.
I thought of 'still water prose' when I was reading Witness by Jamel Brinkley! You could read through it and think... did anything actually happen there? Did I miss something? But it's all going on underneath the surface. It has a beauty to it both in its superficial simplicity (not difficult to read) but also its underlying depth. Can't wait to read your thoughts on Enter Ghost soon!
Hoping to get around to reading Enter Ghost sometime in June/July. Seeing so many people sharing such good things about it is making me really excited to pick it up soon!
I initially thought Ombria in Shadow might not be for me, but after reading your and Anh's review of it I'm now thinking I might actually quite like it!
I felt the exact same way about Enter Ghost!!! Truly a masterpiece
still water prose, what a beautiful way to describe writing as an undercurrent that pulls you in. Enter Ghost is definitely on my tbr now thanks to your lofty review!