RaveChicago Review of BooksWhile Ravn’s witchy tale is not necessarily making never-before-seen observations on our history and the nature of witches specifically, it is certainly taking an angle and tone that is both deeply immersive and immensely pleasurable to read. As a long-time fan of Ravn’s, I was thrilled with how her newest work in English read to me, and would recommend this book to anyone looking for the classic, elegant gripping prose of the Ravn they know, and even slightly more to those looking for a witchy tale to fit their autumnal reading lists. The Wax Child is one to remember and return to, a story of power and who wields it, a story of women and how they stick together—and fall apart.
MixedChicago Review of BooksSeeing the two women mirror each other was a clever choice and emotion-evoking ... George does an excellent job with the setting of this story to amplify the feeling of longing between the women ... While this book juggles themes that are themselves profound, I had a hard time reading it due to its inability to allow the reader to come to these profound conclusions themselves. ... I found that often George was trying so hard to be profound that I found myself annoyed that I wasn’t trusted to see what she was saying through simply the story of Claire and Julie—I wasn’t allowed to interpret anything for myself, and it ultimately came across as somewhat pretentious and difficult to enjoy ... There is a lot of good in this novel; the story of Claire and Julie is a moving one.
RaveThe Chicago Review of BooksIf there is one thing I know, it’s that Agustina Bazterrica knows how to cultivate a landscape of such horror, such intrigue, and such cunning that I’m glued to the page ... Balances fable, fiction, and fearlessness in a truly unforgettable fashion ... Body horror at its finest ... The horrific aspects of this book are balanced well with lyrical prose and some truly deep questions ... It really was the beautiful writing that had me so engaged with this plot ... The world building, too, is simply stellar. The convent is well thought out, with believable levels of hierarchy consisting of unique and terrifying sects that each serve a different purpose to the story. The use of the senses to build a feeling of deep unease is an achievement I’ve rarely seen but is done so well here ... This book is meant for everyone ... It was a true pleasure to get to read The Unworthy ... Swimming with stomach-dropping moments and unforgettable meditations on power, shame and scorn, all the while floating in a sinister world that is eerily reflective of our own.
PositiveChicago Review of BooksWhat I found to be so profound about this book is its unique approach to loss ... I knew that the prose of this book would be just as strong as her fiction writing, but what I perhaps hadn’t put enough thought to was how starkly different the ideas within this book would be than what I expected ... This is a hard book ... No matter where you stand on grief...I suggest letting Yiyun Li’s words wash over you, for in this tribute you may just find something in which to feel solace.
RaveChicago Review of BooksRose’s debut had me fully immersed and always hungry for the next page ... Though dark in nearly every aspect, what I appreciated most about this novel was its insistence on light ... Tucked away in this wood is a story of enchanting hunger that will leave you deliciously sated and horribly heartbroken. In the hands of Lucy Rose, you’ll never go hungry.
Lauren Elkin
RaveChicago Review of BooksA philosophical journey all ought to embark on ... A new and intimate story of desire and just how far we’ll go to justify obtaining them. A riveting, bold challenge to the norms of relationships, friendships and marriages, Elkin has certainly earned her place on any bookshelf and in the minds of any reader. I’ll be reading this one again and again.
Jo Hamya
PositiveChicago Review of BooksWhile this book would be easy to sum up as a daddy issues book, that would only serve to discount Hamya’s immaculate character crafting ... I was engrossed in this father-daughter duel from the first page to the very last. A novel chalk full of wrongdoings, generational feuds, and rude awakenings, The Hypocrite is a story that will stick with you long after you put it down.
Halle Butler
RaveChicago Review of BooksI was far from disappointed ... One of the most admirable aspects of Banal Nightmare is the sheer scope of characterization that Butler brings the reader into. We follow nearly eight characters in depth ... Halle Butler brings together stunning prose, the Midwest, and a group of compellingly original characters to create what is truly, in the best way possible, a banal nightmare.
