Boccadorso è un romanzo claustrofobico e crudele data l’ambientazione, colmo di lavoratori sfruttati e deperiti che vivono in condizioni atroci. Spremuti fino all’ultima goccia d’energia, vengono tenuti sotto il torchio del Signore, padrone della miniera che viene paragonato in continuazione a Dio. Hanno il divieto d’assemblea, devono pagare per poter usufruire degli strumenti che servono per il lavoro e la vita scorre così, cadenzata tra morti ed esplosioni.

October 1840. A young woman staggers alone through a forest in Shropshire as a huge pair of impossible wings rip themselves from her shoulders’. Etta: A young woman of mixed parentage, Etta is dealing with the grief of her pet dog’s passing when two huge wings suddenly rip themselves from her shoulders.

Subscribe to our Mailing List

Although I loved this novel, I did find the narrative a bit fragmented due to the frequent point of view shifts. Yet after a while I became used to this rhythm of movement. Bearmouth is a book about questioning authority and social structures, both religious and political. At times it reminded me of Emile Zola’s Germinal. It is a book about bravery, hope and the power of brains over brawn. Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments There are some very emotional scenes that are described poignantly that made my heart break. It has a haunting and tense atmosphere throughout and the Victorian period is described and captured perfectly. It was a joy to read and I was so sad when it came to an end. I would love to revisit so many of these characters again. I don't know if it was because of the writing style, or if it just happened this way, but I had a bit of a hard time connecting to the characters. I absolutely felt sympathetic toward them, but beyond being in really a really horrible situation, I didn't know much else about them.

The atmosphere was very on point. The book is set in an underground cavern, and yep, you absolutely feel it. You also feel how isolating and just flat out depressing the whole environment is. Liz Hyder has made historical magical realism the most magically realistic reading experience. It is relatable, brutally true to present life and beautifully presented with a language that sings. The characters are right there, you can feel them walking around in your mind. The setting and imagery vivid, you can almost taste it, smell it.Much of the narrative is written phonetically. Did you take inspiration from other books ? I was reminded a little of Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban. I have a lot to say about this book but I also want to keep it all to myself. I read an advance copy that the publisher kindly sent me and if it’s affected me in it’s unfinished state, the finished copy (complete with illustrations!! Eeek!!) is guaranteed to be a marvel. I cannot wait to see it!