Here is the final instalment in this series. You know the drill by now, it's an eclectic list totalling 30 books from 20 countries, a travel brochure for these times of confinement. If you missed Part 1 and Part 2, it's not too late to catch up, now or later, your call.
Portugal
The Double – José Saramago (transl. Margaret Jull Costa) Introspective, existential, paranoiac. Our protagonist is a teacher who spots his doppelgänger on a rented video (remember those?) and sets out to find him. There is no turning back, his life begins to unravel as the novel explores the nature of the self and the notion of uniqueness. Who is the imposter? Now and at the Hour of our Death – Susana Moreira Marques (transl. Julia Sanches) Perhaps narrative non-fiction about palliative care might be a little on the nose right now, but this book is always worth recommending and perhaps very relevant. This unique work gives us an insight into the lives of the terminally ill and those around them, both through the author's musings and the first-person accounts from her subjects, presenting us with something that is at times relatable and always deeply human. The tone is just right, neither too sentimental nor too clinical. Russia We – Yevgeny Zamyatin (transl. Clarence Brown) Dystopian fiction also seems very relevant right now. You’ve probably read or at least heard of books like 1984 and Brave New World, but this one, written before either, may have passed you by. Set in totalitarian OneState in the 26th century, this work explores individuality, personal freedom and the idea of revolution and rebellion. Rich in allegory, it is also an exciting story in itself. A must-read for fans of sci-fi and dystopian fiction.
Scotland Autumn – Ali Smith Reading this so close to Brexit was almost too much, but also what made it so powerful. This is the first in Smith’s Seasonal Quartet and it delves into the heart of fractured British society with many salient and on-point observations. It is not just about divisions, however, it is also about friendship – the core narrative is that of the long-term platonic relationship between a woman and an older man – and much more besides. Smith is an exceptional writer and her deceptively simple prose does and says so many interesting things.
Singapore The Last Lesson of Mrs De Souza – Cyril Wong In this short and wonderfully crafted debut novel, a school teacher looks back on her life and career on the day of her retirement. She tells her class, and simultaneously us, the reader, albeit changing certain details, the story of an incident involving a former pupil that still haunts her. The tale is nuanced and complex and explores many themes, not least the reliability of memory and the notion of responsibility.
Spain Out in the Open – Jesús Carrasco (transl. Margaret Jull Costa) In an arid and unforgiving terrain, a boy is on the run, fleeing violence. This is the story of his journey and his friendship with an old goatherd he meets. The boy has a malevolent search party after him and there are few places to hide. Survival is a tense and constant battle. Tomorrow in the Battle Think on Me – Javier Marías (transl. Margaret Jull Costa) The protagonist of this novel is a ghostwriter by trade, but when the married woman he is having an affair with dies in his arms, his quest to remain invisible becomes more complicated and he soon discovers there are other kinds of ghosts. The rich prose explores the power of the dead, the consequences of our actions and the dark shadows of our minds. Sweden Bret Easton Ellis and the Other Dogs – Lina Wolff (transl. Frank Perry) Here you will find stories within stories, from various perspectives, framed by the narration of young Araceli. Such is the nature of the novel that as more is revealed to us about the central characters, so our opinion of them is constantly challenged and the book’s true premise will not become apparent until the very end. Among its many themes is an exploration of gender roles. This book is hard to summarise but easy to recommend.
USA Beloved – Toni Morrison This masterpiece explores memory and remembering, inherited suffering and the extents to which love and hate can drive humanity. Morrison’s exquisite prose is a pleasure to read, even when dealing with the most difficult subjects. The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck Economic depression forces a family to abandon their home and set forth with a few belongings in search of the promised land. Disillusionment and further hardship await them. This is an epic tale of human struggle and a critique of inequality and injustice. First published in 1939, it remains as relevant as ever.
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