Book Reviews

review

TOP 4 BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

From the Pulitzer Prize winning author comes a wonderfully rich tale based on the true story of a famous 19th century racehorse. 'A novel infused with love, loss and shared history..

The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland

Awe inspiring, exciting, storytelling and a work of important Holocaust historical research. It tells the story of Rudolph Vrba and Fred Wetzler who escaped from Auschwitz and tried to warn the world about what was happening there. .

Dirt Town By Hayley Scrivenor

Set in a remote town where a schoolgirl disappears, this debut arrives with high praise from other crime novelists – and it’s truly excellent. 'You will not be able to put it down.' Hannah Kent

Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon by Gabrielle Wang

A new book from Australia's Children's Laureate to add to her wonderful list of titles (that are all in The Bookery!). This is a heartwarming tale of courage and friendship that will make you believe in the power of stories.

A BOOK LOVER’S REVIEW BY JACQUI SERAFIM

The Labyrinth

by Amanda Lohrey

Bonnie Garmus’s debut novel is both entertaining and purposeful - a narrative conduit for both the comic and the tragic. It is a great holiday read written by a woman about a woman but it offers far more than traditional “chick lit”. With deft humour, incisive intelligence and profound empathy it achieves that same rare balance of fun, pain and futility that life does – presenting us with the full gamut of life experience while capturing a moment in history that still resonates for many women today.

It is 1961, and Elizabeth Zott, depressed single mother and unemployed research chemist is unexpectedly recruited to be the host of a cooking show for housewives called “Supper at Six”. She is chosen by the producer for her beauty and style, her nutritious and well-balanced meals and her charismatic no-nonsense directness. She takes the job purely to pay the bills but instead of quietly conforming to the expected stereotype of a female cooking show host, she soon manages to use her program to speak directly to housewives everywhere inspiring change in the way they see themselves, society and their role in it, and the limitations imposed upon them by men. “When women understand chemistry… they understand how things work." She explains that science offers “the real rules that govern the physical world. When women understand these basic concepts, they can begin to see the false limits that have been created for them.”

The novel weaves back and forth, showing Elizabeth’s early brilliance in her scientific field and the injustice she encounters at the hands of her male colleagues. She endures a range of obstacles, and Garmus doesn’t hold back in showing what women have to face. Her persistent challenging of societal assumptions and norms in the face of outrageous sexism and appalling abuse is inspiring. But her true charm is in her unwavering strength and conviction in how to live her life and the example she sets for her daughter. Whether in the field of academia, scientific research or the world of television production, Elizabeth is subjected to outrageous sexism but refuses to submit to male pressure. It is to Garmus’s credit that she manages to create entertaining comedy from the sizeable gap between society’s expectations of Elizabeth and her calm refusal to cooperate but to doggedly pursue her own truth.

Although this is quite a comic novel it is far from light-hearted. Elizabeth’s life is hard and she has experienced more than her fair share of pain and tragedy in her young life. Even when she finds her soulmate, Calvin Evans, the one man who truly appreciates her mind, she is subjected to malicious gossip and her happiness is short-lived. Through Elizabeth, we also meet a number of other characters whose lives are shaped by the societal pressure associated with the more binary roles of men and women in the sixties.

With Lessons in Chemistry, Garmus has delivered a triumphant debut novel – fast-paced, comic and significant – and a tribute to all the women who disrupted the status quo by defying expectations and refusing to submit to the norm.

Lessons in Chemistry is being adapted into an Apple TV+ series starring Brie Larson.

Artist Q&A Tracey Levett

Can you describe to us the type of artist you are, and the medium you work in?

I am predominantly an abstract painter. I do also love to draw, especially with charcoal and often incorporate line work and text into my paintings. When I paint, I feel I am tapping into a creative stream, it’s a mysterious process and one that I love.

What motivates you to ‘create’?

I’m one of those people that just love making, whether it’s a painting, in my garden or writing a piece of music. I find inspiration everywhere, I hope I live to be very old as there’s so much I want to do.

Where did you learn your craft, or is it something you were blessed with?

I feel I learnt most of what I know about painting and sculpture from looking at the work of great artists. The more I see, the more I feel inspired to work.

Do you find Lane Cove and surrounds a supportive place for artists and creators?

Lane Cove with its natural beauty and quiet spaces is the perfect environment for creative people. Time alone and quiet are essential for me and for most artists.

Do you believe there should be more support for the arts, and if so, how would that manifest?

If art was given as much exposure as sport in the media, people would come to understand it and appreciate it a lot more than they do now. Once you live with art you can’t live without it.

Guardian angels

Octopus's Garden

How would we go about seeing your works?

I am represented by Brenda Colahan Fine Art in Charles St, Putney and have an exhibition opening on July 21st. It’s a beautiful gallery with a diverse selection of art. I’m happy to have my work shown there alongside so many other fantastic artists.

Which artists/creators inspire you?

I am inspired by poets and songwriters. In the visual arts I love Brancusi and the painters Cy Twombly and Ian Mckeever. I also love many Australian artists, there are just too many to name.

100 Words

Ellie was newly six and her party was awash with friends and their parents. The parents wished they were elsewhere, naturally - especially when it happened. As candles were being blown, from the jumping castle entrance slumped a man who was missing his nose and hair. His head was hanging lifelessly. The scenes that followed were pure chaos. Parents and children were running and screaming and scrambling to find each other. As Ellie’s father picked her up, he heard seven words whispered into his ear that made the hairs on his neck stand up - “I told mummy I don’t like clowns.” Kayla Katsambiris

It just wouldn’t be an Italian funeral without some drama and this one would not be the exception. A distant relative had passed away and my family gathered at the cemetery to say their goodbyes. Father Sivillo performed the service and the coffin was lowered into the ground. It was mostly dignified, until my Great Aunt Octavia, became hysterical and attempted to jump into the grave site. It took all my great uncles: Johnny, Nick, Louie, Alfred, Pepe and Tony to hold her back. Then, I heard a voice from the back of the crowd say, “Ahhh, let her jump!” Perihan Bozkurt Ella felt a sweeping sense of peace and tranquillity. Her friends sat in groups, talking quietly, wearing their best outfits. A person in official robes came into view. Ella took in cool sandstone and marble; beautiful leadlight stained glass...She held a bouquet of roses and felt the soft rustle of her pale chiffon dress. Floating down the central aisle, her feet barely grazed the floor. In consternation she saw an open casket. An angelic face, but so young. Shock rocked her. The floor see-sawed. Staring up at her like a reflection on a glassy pond, was her own face. Bronwyn Campbell

Calling all writers!!! Please get in touch.

We would love to publish your 100-word stories, or your short stories – both fiction and non-fiction. editor@thevillageobserver. com.au We are keeping our eyes out for interesting writer's courses around Sydney and will bring you that info, where relevant. Get in touch writers!