Welcome to Litsy!

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Beautiful debut Canadian novel. Nominated for many awards.

Translated from French and set mainly in Cairo and Montreal, this is an LGBTQ and family saga, told from the point of view of a narrator who‘s relationship to the main character is unknown (you find out about half through but I‘m not spoiling it!).

I loved the translation and had to look up a few English words I didn‘t know and this is my first language! 🙈 😂

#lgbtqia2025

Tagged book takes place in…April. #sundayfunday

Like many others, this was my favorite of the series so far, despite my having some serious critiques. There are three mysteries involved and at least two aren't satisfactorily solved; there are so many plot holes, especially in the resolution of the story from The Brutal Telling. But at this point in the series probably most of us are reading for the characters, and oh, it's tragic and beautiful.

Giving this a try tonight. Has anyone watched it?

April #bookspin & #doublespin lists

2 ⭐. Confusing as hell.

#CanadaReads2025 long list.

It‘s National Book Week in the Netherlands, a yearly celebration of books for a whole week, since 1930. There are bookish events all over the country and when you buy a book you receive a free novella that is written for this week by a literary author.
My buys were French author Eric Chacour‘s debut about a gay doctor in Cairo, and the new book by Annet Schaap, a children‘s author who excels in Dutch language and is read by kids and adults alike.

Tarek follows the path laid out for him becoming a doctor, taking over his father‘s practice, and getting married. When Ali asks Tarek to examine his sick mother everything expected of Tarek loses importance. His life shifts as his decisions impact him and his relationships. Second person narration is not my favorite but I couldn‘t help but care about Tarek and those orbiting him.

This resolved everything from the last book, which I was happy about, but I didn‘t expect to be so absolutely blown away - this is my favorite of the series thus far. I love Gamache, but I also like that despite his kindness, his brilliance, he is human and makes mistakes. It showed a whole different side of him and now I love him even more ♥️ #readyourkindle