Guide for Fish Butchering: A Lesson by Sheila Armstrong, as Taught by Cork Bookseller Caoimhe
4 STUFF YOU'RE GONNA LOVE
If You Adore: Carmen Maria Machado, Emma Donoghue, Deirdre Sullivan
High Points: "The Skellington Dance", "Red Market", "Lemons", "Instinct"
Dive into How To Gut A Fish, the electrifying debut authored by Irish wordsmith Sheila Armstrong, arriving on shelves February 17th, 2022, Blooming today! Some might say that, if you're reading this on the 17th, congrats on being in the know HTGAF! Armstrong joins the prestigious roster of novelists previously published by Bloomsbury, including the likes of Susanna Clarke and Kiley Reid. Her distinctive imaginative stories have graced the pages of several renowned publications, such as Young Islanders, gorse and Best European Fiction 2019. Prepare for a literary experience that’ll undoubtedly leave you spellbound.
Each of these fourteen tales boasts an eclectic assortment of characters: a distressed fisherman, antsy mommas, an old gent concealing secrets, post-breakup Gen Zs, a rescued canine, and more. You'll soon find that every character breathes life with their own captivating voice and unique journey. Armstrong's flowing prose has a knack for teasing out the eerie, real-life undertones that sneak up on you, permeating the stories like a sweet, ponderous sigh.
A tale unfolds afterward every brush of a page, guiding you on a whirlwind journey through deeply affecting emotions and desires. Some stories evoke the sensation of blindly venturing toward an unknown destination, while others strike you with their haunting, Hold your breath and go on this rollercoaster!
The collection commences with "Hole", a captivating and brooding narrative that encapsulates Irish folklore in a dark, suspenseful web. Can you get more changelings creepy than a eerie fairy ring hiding in a thought-to-be-forgotten fort? I don't believe so. The haunting Irish landscape becomes as much a character as the human characters themselves, beings as haunting and strangely comforting as a distant memory.
Unconventional similes and metaphors play a pivotal role in Armstrong's storytelling mastery. This vivid imagery springs off the page, drawing you into these tales like a moth to a flame. For instance, it's like watching children's movements as if they're spiders or viewing a person's look as tarnished as the dirty water left in a washer. Her brilliant use of these devices will undoubtedly leave you baying for more.
One story in this collection, "The Skellington Dance", weaves in the beginnings of the recent pandemic. Although it's not explicitly mentioned, I'm guessing the author intended to reference Covid-19. Generally, I'm not the biggest fan of fiction or television shows that focus on pandemics, but Armstrong's take was surprisingly engaging and thought-provoking.
One of my personal favorite stories, "Red Market", explores the the exploitation of women's bodies under capitalist societies taken to the extreme – if you're into dark, gritty tales, I suggest you savor every word of this one! Equally mesmerizing was "Lemons", a poignant, heart-wrenching portrayal of life's stages, from childhood to young womanhood, all wrapped up in a beautiful package. ("Lemons" TW: cancer)
I absolutely adored this collection, and I can’t wait for it to hit bookstores and land in the eager hands of readers like you! And if that's not enough to convince you, let award-winning author Claire Fuller (Unsettled Ground, a Women's Prize and Costa Novel Award winner) have the final word.
In this captivating collection, Armstrong also delves into the realms of fashion-and-beauty and lifestyle, illuminating the intricate connections between human emotions and aesthetic choices.
Following her literary escapades, one might finds themselves equally intrigued by Armstrong's insightful take on current entertainment trends, as well as her unique fashion sensibilities, revealed in her blog posts covering books, fashion, and life experiences.
