I recently read Rohinton Mistry's 'A Fine Balance'. It is not a short novel, over 600 pages, but it's some of the finest and most sensitive story telling I've ever come across, and I found it impossible to put down. Within a week I'd finished it. I enthusiastically recommend it to you and all, if you haven't already read it.
The novel is prefaced by a quotation by Balzac:
‘Holding this book in your hand, sinking back in your soft armchair, you will say to yourself: perhaps it will amuse me. And after you have read this story of great misfortunes, you will no doubt dine well, blaming the author for your own insensitivity, accusing him of wild flights of fancy. But rest assured: this tragedy is not a fiction All is true.’
Microdosing seasonal literature - I often reread Susan Cooper’s Dark is Rising sequence at this time of year. Yes it is technically childrens but it is also beautiful and sad in the right way.
SO good. I also re-read it most years. The BBC adaptation for radio from a couple of years ago is wonderful and genuinely spooky. I listen to it in “real time” and it forces me to take 15 minutes for myself away from my kids and wider family https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-dark-is-rising/id1655117993 and really engage with the season
Sam, yours are the best link roundups anywhere! You cover so much ground. I aspire to this. And I thank you for including Catherine Hiller's Oldster essay. 🙏
What a fabulous list.... that's my weekend sorted right there, and I'm grateful to have my article included amongst it, thank you Sam 🙏
I've followed the Gisele Pelicot case with equal parts horror and intrigue. I'm still reeling that this can happen in our modern world, and what it means to live as a woman in this world. She is a heroine of our times for sure.
I love your list of short books. I love Alice Thomas Ellis, Penelope Lively and Penelope Fitzgerald in part because their novels are short. Thank you very much for the mention, I did a happy skip!
LOVE the idea of microdosing fiction. I walk round the library looking for short books. Recommend Susan Hill's Black Sheep and Willa Cather's O pioneers - though both v v dark.
Lovely to see our podcast episode re-upped! And I ADORE the idea of fiction mircrodosing - the world needs more short books!
So true! 50,000 words max
Preferably 40k tbh 😂
I recently read Rohinton Mistry's 'A Fine Balance'. It is not a short novel, over 600 pages, but it's some of the finest and most sensitive story telling I've ever come across, and I found it impossible to put down. Within a week I'd finished it. I enthusiastically recommend it to you and all, if you haven't already read it.
The novel is prefaced by a quotation by Balzac:
‘Holding this book in your hand, sinking back in your soft armchair, you will say to yourself: perhaps it will amuse me. And after you have read this story of great misfortunes, you will no doubt dine well, blaming the author for your own insensitivity, accusing him of wild flights of fancy. But rest assured: this tragedy is not a fiction All is true.’
Microdosing seasonal literature - I often reread Susan Cooper’s Dark is Rising sequence at this time of year. Yes it is technically childrens but it is also beautiful and sad in the right way.
I’ve just finished my annual reread. I adore it. I’m now on The Children of Green Knowe, as recommended by Katherine May.
Oh that one is also lovely.
SO good. I also re-read it most years. The BBC adaptation for radio from a couple of years ago is wonderful and genuinely spooky. I listen to it in “real time” and it forces me to take 15 minutes for myself away from my kids and wider family https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-dark-is-rising/id1655117993 and really engage with the season
That’s a great adaptation. I’ve listened to it several times.
Sam, yours are the best link roundups anywhere! You cover so much ground. I aspire to this. And I thank you for including Catherine Hiller's Oldster essay. 🙏
Thank you! You’re so kind.
Thanks so much for sharing my NYT Letter of Recommendation essay about the revolution of personal urinary devices! Love your substack! --Melissa
Happy Christmas
And I'm controversially with your husband in not being a fan of Elf 😀
Have never seen Trading places but its now on the list.
Where’s your festive spirit?!
What a fabulous list.... that's my weekend sorted right there, and I'm grateful to have my article included amongst it, thank you Sam 🙏
I've followed the Gisele Pelicot case with equal parts horror and intrigue. I'm still reeling that this can happen in our modern world, and what it means to live as a woman in this world. She is a heroine of our times for sure.
My favourite short book is Fever Dream by Samantha Shweblin. So unsettling!
Ooh yes, good shout.
Love all that you do. Thank you.
I too enjoyed Spirited. (I’m not boasting here, just a fact) and was it Jingle Jangle the year before? My kids introduced me. Go figure.
Joyous new year to you Sam.
Jingle Jangle passed me by but there’s still time to rectify that! Happy new year to you too x
Trains Planes and Automobiles is a wonderful holiday movie starring John Candy trying to get home to his family.
I love your list of short books. I love Alice Thomas Ellis, Penelope Lively and Penelope Fitzgerald in part because their novels are short. Thank you very much for the mention, I did a happy skip!
Loved this round up, and downloading your episode with Katherine for a wintery walk this weekend!
Also love 50 words for snow - a great one to dip into every year ❄️
Another one to add to the list. Mary Ann Sieghart has written, Why do some men behave badly? I think I have the answer: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/06/why-do-some-men-behave-badly-i-think-i-have-the-answer
I'm not sure 'enjoy' is the word but it's well worth the read. Happy Christmas!
My weekend reading (and listening) is now sorted!
Thanks for including my link Sam--and merry Xmas! xo
You too Emma xx
LOVE the idea of microdosing fiction. I walk round the library looking for short books. Recommend Susan Hill's Black Sheep and Willa Cather's O pioneers - though both v v dark.
I love dark!