Welcome to Litsy!

A low pick. The things that didn't work for me were definitely a case of "blame the reader, not the book."

This is the story of Charlotte's life and her loneliness, at times melancholy, at others content. It travels through Canada, South Africa, and Europe. And it is told through interconnected short stories, most with a sense of almost cold realism, some with a beautiful surrealism.

Cont'd in comments

A story of a Torontonian art professor, his life, love, and experiences in WW2. But also an examination of art itself, beauty, and colour. Brief vignettes hop between scenes from Henry's life, his memory palace, and non-fiction "diversions" that give added depth.

Unsurprisingly, this is beautifully written, impeccably crafted in Richardson's unique style (if you've never read his work, please treat yourself!).

Cont'd in comments...

So far, so great with this year's #GillerLonglist. After a few wild and crazy metafictional rides (Wait Softly Brother and The Double Life of Benson Yu), this one stands out for its quiet, contemplative style. In alternating chapters, we get a week in Peter's life and a few months in his sister Stasi's. Where Peter is content with a simple life, Stasi is ambitious.

Cont'd in comments