5 Book Reviews You Need to Read This Week

The week's book reviews feature five noteworthy works from esteemed authors. Rachel Vorona Cote's review of Paul Yoon's Etna explores the novel's narrative style and themes, comparing it to Homer's The Odyssey and highlighting Yoon's ability to create a compassionate character in an animal-in-peril story. Cote praises the novel for its epic scope, drawing from ancient literary tradition while addressing contemporary concerns such as war and displacement.

The review emphasizes Yoon's delicate portrayal of suffering and the enduring humanity of his displaced subject, even when the character is not human.

Anahid Nersessian's review of Jorie Graham's Killing Spree discusses the poet's latest collection, which shifts from lament to fury in response to contemporary crises like genocidal wars, murderous technologies, and global warming. Nersessian commends Graham's restraint and formal diligence, noting the book's desire to cut through the silence of mass death and awaken readers to their inaction.

The reviewer emphasizes the poetry's ability to evoke grief and rage while preserving the beauty of language, urging readers to confront the atrocities that surround them.

Daniel Felsenthal's review of Molly Crabapple's Here Where We Live Is Our Country examines the artist's memoir, which captures the experience of living in a politically divided world. Felsenthal admires Crabapple's ability to blend personal narrative with social commentary, creating a powerful portrait of the human condition in the face of societal strife. The review highlights the novel's poignant moments, as well as its ability to illuminate the connections between individual experiences and broader global issues.

Walton Muyumba's review of Claudia Rankine's Triage analyzes the poet's latest book, which explores the impact of microaggressions and systemic racism on individuals and society. Muyumba emphasizes the novel's innovative structure and its use of various media, including photographs, emails, and prose, to convey the pervasive nature of prejudice.

The reviewer praises Rankine for her ability to evoke emotion and provoke thought through her poetic language, urging readers to engage with the uncomfortable truths presented in Triage.

Hermione Hoby's review of Gwendoline Reilly's The Palm House focuses on the author's debut novel, which follows a young botanist on an expedition to Madagascar. Hoby admires Reilly's vivid descriptions of the island's lush landscapes and its diverse plant life, creating a rich sensory experience for the reader. The review highlights the novel's themes of discovery, adaptation, and the human relationship with nature, as well as its ability to transport readers to a world untouched by modern technology.

Hoby commends Reilly for her ability to blend scientific information with an engaging narrative, offering a fresh and inspiring perspective on the natural world.