Critical Synopses of "The Universe of Literature"
Demystifying Recent Literature: A Week 18 Round-up
Get ready to delve into a trio of captivating reads and a mesmerizing narrative, all hailing from the eighteenth week of the year!
Novel 1. "Radio Night" - A Mesmerizing Journey by Yuri Andrukhovych
"Radio Night," penned by award-winning Ukrainian author Yuri Andrukhovych, is his sixth novel translated into French. Like his other books, "Radio Night" is published by Noir sur blanc. This novel is akin to a lively travelogue, with various European countries serving as the backdrop for our protagonist, Joseph Rothsky, a musician (much like the author himself). Through political actions, exile, meetings, and adventures, Rothsky eventually lands on a quaint Greek island, where he sets up and runs an illicit radio station, Radio Night. The broadcasts' texts pepper the chapters and contribute to the narrative's pace. The book's linguistic vibrancy complements the pervasive music, transforming it into a versatile artifact. End your journey with a QR code, which grants access to a playlist featuring legendary musicians like The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Soap & Skin. Armed with surprises, Yuri Andrukhovych continues to captivate readers.
Novel 2. "Set Change: Selected Poems" - Andrukhovych's Latest offering
Though I couldn't find specific details about "Radio Night," Yuri Andrukhovych is a renowned Ukrainian writer known for his novels and poetry, frequently intertwining magical realism and Ukrainian culture. One of his most recent publications is "Set Change: Selected Poems," released in 2024[1], translated by Ostap Kin and John Hennessy.
Novella. "The Old Ladies' Counterattack" - Three Tenacious Heroines by Margaret Atwood
Leonie, Myrna, Chrissy - three retired university professors living in Toronto - get together every Thursday to enjoy gin and tonics and succulent cheeses, selecting their companionship as carefully as their vintages. However, their conversations have taken a more serious turn recently, as they have collectively decided to avenge a mutual friend, Fern, a writer who was the target of a shameful smear campaign by an unknown poet. The esteemed old ladies are determined to eliminate this despicable author who tormented Fern in an attempt to discredit her talent and career. The story unfolds with the old ladies meticulously devising a cunning plan for revenge.
Insights:
- Yuri Andrukhovych is a Ukrainian author known for his novels, poetry, and the integration of magical realism and Ukrainian culture.
- Margaret Atwood is an acclaimed Canadian author who have written novels, short stories, poetry, and graphic novels, known for her speculative fiction and feminist themes.
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[1] Yuri Andrukhovych, "Set Change: Selected Poems" (2024), translated by Ostap Kin and John Hennessy.
Explore Yuri Andrukhovych's latest offering, "Set Change: Selected Poems," a collection of verses that intertwine magical realism and Ukrainian culture, immersing readers in a world of captivating words. Additionally, the mesmerizing journey of "Radio Night," Andrukhovych's sixth novel, offers readers an engaging narrative that combines elements of music and entertainment, making it a must-read for any literature enthusiast.
