A bit late, but two quick book updates.
1. On a trip to Colorado, I listened to “The Vegetarian” by Han Kang. It was short, pithy, oddly sexual and intensely absurd. Told in three parts with each part being from a different perspective, it delves into societal patriarchal societal pressures, family dynamics and mental health in east Asia, and … suppressed sexual desires as art for your sister-in-law?
To be honest, the middle part was completely wild to me. Overall, very short book but memorable.
2. Over a few weeks, I also finished “The Known World” by Jones. As described by the NYTimes, the story just piles grief upon grief. A tale about the family, slaves and community surrounding black slave owners in antebellum Virginia, there’s constant hope and despair for the characters. Do not go into this book expecting happy endings for most of the people.
I thought the author did a fantastic job of centering the moral expectation of the time, gently pulling the reader into the moralistic center of the age. Many times, I was hoping John, the sheriff, would come to realize the folly of his views, but he never do.
I really did like this book, and see why it’s in the top 5 of the list. The language is simple but intentional.