Garth

As South Korea undergoes rapid industrialisation, the marginalised are left to survive as modern-day gleaners by (literally) sorting through the mountains of trash produced by consumer society. Also lost in the rush of 'prosperity' are the old traditions that bind people and place.

Set in a world very similar to our early 19th century, except a sort of powerful magic has been harnessed via the pairing of silver and linguistic translation. The concentration of power this gives the English is used as a devastating metaphor for the actual colonial project, particularly cultural appropriation. The moral is far from new, but the form is immediate & refreshing, with a clear passion for Oxford University and linguistics.

Biography of George Orwell's impressive wife, Eileen, and how he and his biographers erased her contribution from history. Masterfully shows how the infrastructure provided by women is kept invisible. The fictionalised sections made me uncomfortable, being based on so little source material - how much of herself has the author put into this? But that is the very point she is making about biography. Also: Orwell was a misogynistic lecher.

A girl enters a spirit wood to rid herself of her magic, but instead finds power, purpose & love. Based on Polish fairytales, so reminiscent of Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale. Fairly simple YA story with one plot line and few surprises, but well realised and doesn't take the easy way out.

Two parallel stories connected across time by, of all things, a taxidermied aardvark. The "Not Gay" congressman is amusing in his superficiality and Reagan-esque pretensions. The Victorian-era taxidermist (also "not gay") is boring & obsessive. Quirky & original, and enjoyable enough.

A *very* early kids fantasy story (1872!) where a primodial race of humans living underground has evolved into brutish goblins who enjoy nothing more than to cause havoc. Plenty of classic tropes: working-class boy, brave princess, fairy godmother, all working together to save the day (and the adults). I quite liked the goblin's sensitive toe-less feet, and their hatred of rhymes.

https://shows.acast.com/just-sleep-bedtime-stories-for-adults/episodes/the-princess-and-the-goblin-by-george-macdonald

A brief memoir delving into feminism, identity and what it means to be a writer. Very much in the spirit of A Room Of One's Own, and of similar calibre.

In a dystopian future, Thailand has maintained independence despite rampant genetically-modified diseases destroying both humans & crops and fossil fuels becoming near unattainable. Western capitalists connive to inflame internal tensions and trigger a favourable coup, but in a world under so much tension, chaos reigns. A great choice of alternative perspectives highlighting the complexity of a society under strain, and the lack of any good choices.

Short stories about being coloured in a white world. Hard-hitting, often left hanging without resolution, just the discomfort of injustice.

Now a respectable and well-behaved adult (but still with her whimsy), Anne spends three years as school principle away from her one true love Gilbert Blythe, keeping him updated via regular letters on the madcap happenings of her town life. Lots of eccentric widows and hopeless maidens with thorny problems that Anne manages to resolve, either through meddling or accident. Not much plot but an enjoyable array of fancies. Grown-up Anne is a bit too perfect.

A silkpunk epic full of far-fetched but fun battles - of both the naval and MasterChef kind! A refreshing change from the usual fantasy fare, although rather too long & detailed. Explores the mess of identity, culture & colonisation.

[re-read] Illness is all in your head which can be overcome through fresh air & mental fortitude. Fuck that shit ... Surprised it didn't trigger me on my first read (4 stars)!

https://downtosleep.podbean.com/e/the-secret-garden-complete-audiobook-with-rain-down-to-sleep/

With his elder brothers away at war, a teenage boy attempts to fill the uncertain hole of their incommunicado absence by restoring a decrepit sailboat. In it he finds freedom and love for his surroundings. And there's a quoll and a crazy whale. A nice snapshot of mid-century northern Tasmania but I didn't really feel it.

Interleaves the story of a young Albanian refugee in Finland, excluded & traumatised, with that of his mother's wedding & her hopes for a future filled with love. The symbolism of the cats & snakes is a bit weird but I think I finally got my head around it. Mostly interesting for its depictions of Albanian culture and Finnish xenophobia.

A shameless rip-off of Connie Willis' time travelling historian concept, but with much more chaotic excitement. A bit too much, perhaps, and not enough historic immersion. Don't think too hard, just enjoy the ride.

Two friends become productive creative partners in computer game design, but their emotional blocks cause regular estrangements (gets a bit frustrating - grow up already!). I enjoyed the nostalgia of old-school gaming, but would probably still be enjoyable for non-gamers. Now, off to play Oregon Trail ... https://oregontrail.run/

A fine continuation of the story, but not a standalone book.

In the aftermath of WW1, a woman strives to build a new life despite the sacrifices she has made. Eventful & enjoyable, if implausible, with an excellent cast of characters and strong Miss Fisher vibes.

Delves into the many varied & amazing ways humans & animals have evolved to depend upon microbes. Most of this was familiar to me already, though told in the author's excellent clear & awed way. New was the incredible nesting of microbes within high-order animal cells, with each doing distinct jobs, such that none can survive without the others. Yong is always good for a celebration of life & its complexity.

[re-read] The dwarves are dead weight - it's all Bilbo and Gandalf. Gollum really gets a raw deal in the riddle game. 

In a world where the Occult lives along side the Ordinary, a magical mafia family turns bad. Has potential, with some fresh creativity, but the writing is too choppy & disrupted.

Proposes a number of dramatic reforms to foundational institutions: including property, voting & migration. A perennial auction of property would result in shared public ownership funding a basic income and ensuring more efficient use of capital - this one challenged my deep set conception of ownership & control. Quadratic voting would enable citizens to give more democratic weight to issues of more concern to them - fantastic, we should do this! Would love to see these ideas get consideration and trial runs. We desperately need more creative thinking along these lines. No consideration given to environmental limits.

A small crew of scientists leave Earth, and their time period, forever to explore life on distant planets. But what will they do when Earth goes silent? An ode to science, discovery and the inherent worth of knowledge. The lack of interpersonal conflict under such trying conditions feels unrealistic.

A classic that is actually good! An essay on women & fiction (thus, feminism) that rambles along in a relaxed fashion without losing any of its coherency or piercing insight. And damn she can write. Sadly still relevant, nearly 100 years on. (For reference her £500/yr is A$55k/yr today.)

An attempt to reintroduce wolves to the Scottish Highlands faces strong pushback from the locals. In wilderness we fear monsters, but perhaps the true monsters are within. A thoroughly enjoyable thriller featuring the deep connection of twins, a remarkable form of empathy, the evil of domestic & ecological abuse and resultant trauma, and a little mystery. A strange lack of consequences.