It feels like there is a literary trend for feminist interpretations of the Greek classics. Song of Achilles and Circe by Madeleine Miller were both popular in the mainstream. As a results, these kind of books are coming to the forefront. I read the classics for fun as a kid and as a teenager, I do gravitate to these kind of stories out of familiarity.

This was fine. It did not wow me too. Each chapter takes perspective from a woman or certain women from the Iliad and the Odyssey. I was not a big of the Penelope chapters which just ended up as a retelling of the Odyssey. Circe did a better job of it.

The ending of a couple of the women were retold quite well. I particularly liked Cassandra’s chapters. She’s always fascinated me and I have read one other interpretations for her. Haynes noted in her afterword of the book that Cassandra stayed with her too. I liked how Clymenestra’s story and perspective weaved with Cassandra’s in the end as well.

This book is favourably reviewed and perhaps it would be enjoyed by someone who was less familiar with the classics and wanted more of the female perspective.

Read June 16-21, 2021.

fter Midnight Library, I wanted to read more of Matt Haig’s works. Overall, while this was fun and interesting at times, I preferred Midnight Library.

I liked a lot of stuff from this novel. I liked the protagonist Tom and I could understand him. I also enjoyed the light supernatural magical realism aspect of being a very long living person. The concept of the novel was fascinating. I liked the chapters in the past as well. It was a mix of historical fiction and modern fiction. There were some interesting supporting characters too, but most of them were as developed as the protagonist. I wanted to know more about all the interesting female characters.

What did not work for me as much in this novel was the suspense and psychological thriller aspect. The villain was very one dimensional. The whole Albatross society aspect seemed to detract from the history of Tom’s life. While it was a sort of impediment to his character growth, it actually felt unnecessary in the novel. I do not think Haig needed this mafia stuff to tell the story of an older man who was heartbroken. The storyline took time away from interactions between Tom and the other characters. I rather the book had more of Tom’s self reflections of his life. The ending was abrupt too. I was left with questions at the end because the ending felt so hurried.

Being that this was an earlier book than Midnight Library, I saw that Haig has developed as a novelist. I will read more from him in the future.

Read June 9-12, 2021.

I have been thinking more about the need to rest and take time off especially after a year of pandemic and lockdowns. I am extremely grateful to have weathered the pandemic relatively unscathed, but like many others, the restrictions and limitations did affect my mental health. Furthermore, my personal life has had been affected by the ill health and death of people very close to me. So yes, I have been thinking more about doing nothing and taking time off. I hope to do so more this summer too.

As someone who has always wanted to retire with books and crafts and food, this book is preaching to the choir. Most of the book is about the history of how western society views work and busyness. It has some economic and religious history. I did not learn anything new from the book. The last third offered some tips on how to take a break. I welcomed the reminders but I wish there was more of them.

All in all, an ok book for me. It was nice to read in a time where I have been thinking of it. It did not change my world view. I do think that the pandemic and recent economic times has recently taught us how destructive constant busyness or claims of busyness can be. It would be better if everyone didn’t find leisure so unreachable or useless.

Read June 5-8, 2021.