The Untimely Death of Imogen Madrigal (2023), by Grayson Daly

~ Ergative

This book, alas, just dragged. Its plot and conceit were perfectly serviceable, and I think the characters were well developed, with believable personalities. The structural tensions were all there. Thinking back on the shape of the story, I can see it's actually perfectly well developed: Maeve, a nun responsible for dispelling ghosts and ensuring the … Continue reading The Untimely Death of Imogen Madrigal (2023), by Grayson Daly

A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women (2023), by Emma Southon

~ Ergative

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677954514i/123177760.jpg Ah, Emma Southon. So irreverent, so terminally online in her language habits and allusions, so generous in leaving the reader in no doubt as to her likes and dislikes about ancient Rome. Anti-popes, disembodied penises rising from fireplaces, bureaucracy of Bacchanalia, Julia Augusti Filia's sexual exploits---these are most excellent. By contrast, Tacitus, Lucius Tarquinius, … Continue reading A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women (2023), by Emma Southon

Of One Blood (1903), by Pauline Thompson

~ Ergative

'Yes, but is it good?' This response is one of those ear-grating reactions that you tend to hear a lot when you mention a book that is notable for something related to wokery (aka the radical idea that people who are not like you are, nevertheless, also still people, and entitled to the same rights and respect you accord people who are like you). Any book can be notable for any characteristic that is itself neutral with respect to quality of execution. Any book can have hooks or conceits that can be well or poorly executed, but you don't tend to hear people follow up with 'Yes, but is it any good?' It's taken for granted that these books are as likely to be good as any other book that is recommended for its plot or conceit or foundational premise. 'Woke' books are not granted this assumption.