Karellen > Recent Status Updates

Only on the first chapter and already I’m checking the dictionary. This writer is addictive. Shame that only a few of his novels have been translated thus far.

“He snatched the rifle from my hand, forbidding the three of us to ever point a gun, even a toy one, at any living thing”
If only Americans were still like this, but alas the land of the author’s childhood has disappeared. I feel sad reading this book for the tragedy that has engulfed you all.

In chapter 7 the author refers to a new enthusiasm for experimental fiction, listing several writers - many female - whom I share his admiration for, namely Ali Smith, Deborah Levy, Rachel Cusk, Eimear BcBride, Claire Louise Bennett.

Reading yet another Danish novelist as part of my continued boycott and strong Anti American stance. Denmark is actually a Far Better Country than the Fucking USA any day.

Just finished chapter 6, entitled Reversing Babel, about the authors period as a translator. In it he mentions the work of the excellent British publisher Fitzcarraldo Editions, whose contribution is immense.

The section on forgotten authors reminds of the website/blog “writers no one reads” which I had already bookmarked long ago.

On the other hand - this writer was apparently a socialist activist and even name drops the late Phil Dick. So he must be ok. Just a strange contradiction. Bonkers. Inconsistent and rambling.

Ugh! This is even worse. The chap now almost bursts into song in praise of the dubious merits of Jilly fucking Cooper. He’s got too much time on his hands. Those of us who work for a living haven’t time to read dross. Shameful. I’m beginning to have doubts about this book. ☹️

Early chapters were interesting but then he veers into a fevered defence of trashy detective novels by the likes of Agatha Christie etc.

Ending the year as I started it, reading another terrific book by this hugely talented French novelist. A year with no American writers. Lots of great translated books and some brilliant Brits. 😎

Actually I’ve been a member on GR for over 15 years so I feel entitled to be very annoyed with this terrible decision to remove messaging. During the COVID lockdown the only thing that kept me sane was writing to my GR friend - one in particular who looked after me. I’m very sad about this development. Maybe it’s time we all left GR en masse? It would serve them right !!!

Feeling completely pissed off tonight after the message from GR telling me they are removing the ability to message friends on here. I made several friends on GR whom I’d never have known about otherwise. This is the sort of negative thing that ultimately makes people leave. One of my friends helped me through a period of deep depression. What an absolutely diabolical decision by GR.

This short novel may be one of the strangest books I’ve ever read. Its author is certainly working on the edge of what’s possible in fiction. Extraordinary

Almost finished book 3 of this totally absorbing series. Unique. It’s going to be awful waiting for the next instalment.

Where has this author been hiding? How many more neglected talents are out there waiting to be discovered? Thank god for the translators and for the Booker International! Massive antidote to anglophone trash that clogs the best sellers.

I won’t spoil it for you. But this 3rd book in the series is utterly brilliant in the way it expands the world of the 18th November. It’s unnerving and eerie and creepy but also fascinating and incredibly clever the way the author sucks you into this implausible but totally believable story. Awesome. There are still 4 books to go!

Undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary literary achievements of recent years. Only on p20 but already hooked yet again. A work of pure genius.