BY MADELEINE GRAY GREEN DOT
BY SCARLETT THOMAS Another book which is difficult to talk about without revealing its secrets: this mesmerising novel joins newly married Evelyn and Richard on honeymoon in Greece, recovering from what appears to have been a total disaster of a wedding. In a power play that (it becomes clear) is far from unusual, Richard’s mother has booked them the hotel stay as a gift, but has reserved it between specific and tricky dates at the end of high season. Evelyn’s irritation at this is not responded to warmly by Richard, which gives you the first of many tiny, gut-clenching rug-pull realisations about their relationship: if you’re not in it together, perhaps you shouldn’t be in it at all. Much to Evelyn’s disbelief, hotel owner Isabella openly flirts with Richard and disregards or deliberately misinterprets Evelyn’s every request: yet Richard continues to insist that Evelyn is imagining it all, gaslighting his new wife and raising her frustration levels to breaking point. Soon it is revealed that the unsettling hotel is the scene of a recent tragedy where a couple – known as the sleepwalkers – were drowned at sea in a storm. Bad weather is on the horizon again, and Evelyn and Richard’s tempestuous relationship starts to mirror the climate. With travel options limited by lightning, they really are stuck with each other, but have also never been further apart. Can they find their way back to one another before the storm breaks? A haunting thriller in a stunning setting that sees a relationship dissected in painful detail: you’ll laugh out loud in parts, and be transfixed in others. Perfect for a beach holiday, but perhaps not a honeymoon? THE SLEEPWALKERS
After a Dance BY BRIDGET O’CONNOR This posthumous collection of short stories by the Oscar-nominated Irish writer is darkly hilarious in places, wistfully touching in others and completely unforgettable: the book’s beautiful introduction is written by the writer’s daughter, placing her mother’s work in context and providing fascinating insight into the author’s relationship with her creative process. Though short, the stories are packed with unique characters and cinematic descriptions which often tip you suddenly into magical realism: best to loosen your grip on the plot and enjoy the ride. Viewed as a whole, the stories’ loosely connected themes become clear, circling questions of reality and how each character chooses to perceive the world, as well as the fuzzy line drawn between fiction and real life. A viscerally challenging yet life-affirming read that will leave you astounded at the author’s creativity and seeking out her other works. This bleakly funny debut tells a tale as old as time in a modern way. The main action follows a workplace- kindled affair between a young woman and older married man; in this instance the setting is an international newspaper’s Sydney offices, where Hera has recently secured her first job as a content moderator working below the line on the comment section. Gripped by despair at her circumstances, she slowly befriends her enigmatic fellow moderator and the two talk online, avoiding the attention of their section’s widely ridiculed manager. Madeleine’s brilliantly drawn portraits of colleagues and workplace-based events mean that, if you’ve worked in this sort of soul-destroying setting, you might find yourself recognising the universal stereotypes or wincing at echoes of your own behaviour. Hera finds herself alone with older, married journalist Arthur and a throwaway comment ignites an unexpected storm of flirtation. Desperate for connection of any form, she responds to his messages and the online banter soon moves
to the real world with devastating consequences for all. Hera confides in friends, who support but do not approve: she’s aware of the cliché, but still certain that, this time, he’ll do what he promises and leave his wife. The green dot of the title is a reference to when Arthur is online: present, but not communicating, perpetually out of reach; and a link to Gatsby’s green light, the future that year by year recedes before us. Hera is paralysed by possibility: her futile choice of relationship is a trap that frees her from moving forward; even moving to the other side of the world can’t save her from the outcome. Brilliantly gripping and well deserving of the hype.
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK APRIL 2024 25
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