The Mookse and the Gripes discussion

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley

I did not completely love this but it’s super impressive as a debut - this is one author to watch and kudos to the judges for being bold enough to choose her.

The issue I had is that the writing is all a bit too much which means the book lacks nuance and oddly distances the reader from the narrator

She needs a Nigel Tufnel style amplifier as all her writing is at a 10/10 intensity which leaves her nowhere to go

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KOO5S4v...

Very good write up in the guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

The opening para of that review In particular I thought was really insightful.

I know you quoted that first paragraph somewhere, GY. Once more of us have read it, it would be a good discussion about whether she has succeeded.

I think in the speculation thread on Sunday.

I'm #127 on my library hold list. I should have anticipated this - I live just a few miles from Oakland......

Nadine in California wrote: "I'm #127 on my library hold list. I should have anticipated this - I live just a few miles from Oakland......"

The holds list is long because it is Oprah's latest book club selection, not because it is on the Booker longlist :-)

Is this YA? 7 readers tagged it YA.

Is it a novel written by a YA? Yes
Is it a novel about a YA? Yes
Is it a YA novel? No

At least that’s my view.

Agree with that. I don't think it's a YA novel at all.

Kathleen wrote: "Nadine in California wrote: "I'm #127 on my library hold list. I should have anticipated this - I live just a few miles from Oakland......"

The holds list is long because it is Oprah's latest book..."

I thought it was the 'hometown' effect driving the long hold list, but Oprah makes more sense.

Off topic, but while Oprah has the stage here, I'd like to recommend a podcast called "Oprahdemics", where two black female academics pick different episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show and give it a sociopolitical analysis. My description makes it sound dry, but it's a lot of fun too - the hosts are of an age where The Oprah Winfrey show was so ubiquitous it became part of the soundtrack of their lives, from childhood on. They are so smart and funny ;)

That podcast sounds interesting, Nadine.

So, not YA. Thanks, GY and Cindy.

I’m a little exhausted after reading the first two chapters, so based on this limited amount of reading I agree with what I’ve seen lark and GY say in their reviews about the language being a bit too much. It’s distracting me from what’s going on in the story. Will put this on pause at least for now, which is a shame as positive reviews (like the one in The Guardian) suggest there’s a lot to think about in it. Certainly a feat for someone so young but that alone does not make me want to continue. Maybe when this Booker rush of the first week eases up a little.

It does not let up.

It most certainly does not.

The language does not seem to disturb some other readers (well, it’s longlisted for the Booker), so it’s also a question of taste I suppose. Hoping not to discourage anyone from trying it out.

Going back to the opening paragraph of the Guardian review, has Mottley said what she was trying to do with language? I’m a bit vague on what her intention was with this.

I have an audible credit Aug 7th, I’ll use it on this.
What’s the issue with the language?

I don’t know, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. Planning to read this tomorrow after the Trees.

WndyJW wrote: "What’s the issue with the language?"

It's overly flowery with about 8 metaphors per sentence. I couldn't stand it. Totally gets in the way of the important story she is trying to tell. It felt very much like it was written by a teenager.

David wrote: "WndyJW wrote: "What’s the issue with the language?"

It's overly flowery with about 8 metaphors per sentence. I couldn't stand it. Totally gets in the way of the important story she is trying to te..."

Completely agree David. Just my reaction but I did not like it.

Overly flowery with 8 metaphors per sentence?!! I absolutely will not be buying this book and wouldn’t read it if I got it for free.
Overuse of metaphor is sophomoric writing in my utterly inconsequential opinion.

I wouldn’t have minded a profanity littered story, but metaphors I cannot abide.

Did you read the entire book, Cindy?

Yes I did, but in something of a raised eyebrows state, if you know what I mean.

I think I do. I’m guessing you read it because you felt the story was important even if not well written?

Yes and also because it was getting a lot of buzz and it’s part of my job as a Readers Advisory Librarian to read buzzy books.

We need more Readers Advisory Librarians in this group!

You’re a Readers Advisory Librarian! That’s very cool. Your library and readers are lucky to have you.

I forgot you have an excellent blog. I need to remember to check it often.

That's very kind of you Wendy! Thank you. It's a dream job for me, to be honest.

Just reading your excellent Booker longlist entry in your blog I scrolled down to your book tag questionnaire and was intrigued to see you are a Ruth Galloway fan - I discovered the series last year as (a) they are set around where I was born, where I lived as a child and where I now spend most of my spare time and (b) I did quite a bit of archaeology at school

GY, thank you for telling me that. Yes, I have been a Ruth Galloway fan from the very first book. Griffiths announced that the next one (out early next year) will be the last, which is disappointing, but I admire her for not letting the series last too long.

Thank you for reading the blog!

Another Ruth Galloway fan here, her books are just so much fun :))

Which Ruth Galloway? The author search pulled a Ruth Galloway who writes books for very young kids.

Elly Griffiths is the author Wendy. She writes two adult mystery series.

Ruth Galloway is the forensic archaeologist

GY, do you have a home there? It's a part of the UK I've never been to but really want to explore.

Yes.

That's wonderful.

The Ruth Galloway sound wonderful!

WndyJW wrote: "The Ruth Galloway sound wonderful!"

It is! It's by far my favorite mystery series being written today.

I have to get one. Is there a favorite?

You need to read the first in the series really. I must admit it’s the local colour and archaeology that works best for me.

Roman Clodia wrote: "Another Ruth Galloway fan here, her books are just so much fun :))"

I'm not as keen on the new series, I've only read the first one though, I thought the Asian detective was a bit awkwardly drawn - all the endless references to Indian food etc But I didn't dislike it. I enjoyed the earlier Galloways but haven't read them all.

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "You need to read the first in the series really. I must admit it’s the local colour and archaeology that works best for me."

Wendy, what GY said. I strongly recommend reading the books in order (starting with The Crossing Places). The narrative arc that threads through all the books is important.

Thank you. Another reason we need a dedicated thread for other books we want to discuss. I’ve hijacked the Nightcrawling thread, but I want to add that it’s the Norfolk setting and archeology that appeals to me as well.

I’ve watched a few episodes of BBC The Bone Detectives in which scientists and social scientists try to uncover the mystery of the cause of death of skeletons in graves discovered in odd places. It’s really interesting. I hope this series is like that.

So back to Nightcrawling

Definitely an important message but torture to read, and I read in audio. It reminded me of The Darkest Child, the only book written by Delores Phillips, just 60 years later in time.

I commented on this in the speculation thread.

First up for a 17 year old to write such a mature novel is a wonderful accomplishment and her next novel will be one to check out for sure.
It could just be a personal taste thing but this just didn't work for me at all. Whilst some of the writing is good it did at times feel like a YA novel, though not in its subject matter.
I think the first sentence is an issue. It sets the tone for the whole novel which I found to unremittingly depressing, though of course the subject matter based upon a real case of terrible police corruption in America means it is hard to be anything else.

I'm not sure I can pinpoint the reason but I just lost any sense of sympathy for the main character as the book developed. Whether that is because of the way it is written or some other reason I just can't explain. Also I found the last quarter of the novel felt quite rushed. Almost as if she was under a time pressure to complete it.

I also think it is a hard ask for UK audiences to perhaps really engage with this one.
I'm glad I read it but even happier to have finished it.

I think we are in strong agreement here. I also felt that same distancing and lack of sympathy for the protagonist - which seems the opposite of what is intended (there are novels where we are meant to feel distanced but this is not one).

I concluded (as per the first post on the thread) that it’s the lack of nuance in the (over) writing that caused that.

But also amazing debut given her age and writer to watch for future - absolutely on both

Spot on BookerMT

So much potential here but I agree with others about the prose being always 'on' which is exhausting. This reads to me like the raw outpourings of a first draft which really needs a strong and gracious editor to help Mottley hone and shape it far more precisely.

In that sense it reminds me of Raven Leilani's Luster - another hugely talented author who needed some objective and experienced help.