By Nayisha Patel, Natalia Alvarez and Gurnish Kaur
Not to be Overlooked introduces a variety of wonderful but lesser-known books to assist readers in finding their next great reads. This week’s column reviews A Girl's Story by Annie Ernaux, Translating Myself and Others by Jhumpa Lahiri and Ghosts by Dolly Alderton.
A Girl's Story by Annie Ernaux
Review by Nayisha Patel
Annie Ernaux offers a moving and unapologetic examination of childhood, recollection, and identity in A Girl's Story. The story, which is equal parts memoir and contemplative trip, describes Ernaux's childhood summertime adventures in 1958 when she experiences a significant metamorphosis that will eventually mould her into the woman she becomes.
Ernaux's first romantic experience and sexual awakening, which occur during her stay at a summer camp, serve as the story's focal point. Ernaux conveys the depth and complexity of her feelings in a way that is vivid, honest and occasionally unsettling. She is not afraid to portray the more sinister facets of this time, such as the power struggles, humiliation and shame involved. Because of her candour, readers can relate to her experiences and empathise through their formative years.
Ernaux's writing is distinguished by its profound emotional content and stark simplicity. She skilfully weaves together more general social and cultural observations with intimate recollections to create a story that is both intensely personal and broadly relatable. The author gives her memories a sense of urgency and life by using the present tense to provide the past with a sense of immediacy. Ernaux's daring analysis of her earlier self is what holds A Girl's Story together. She examines her behaviour and feelings with the maturity and clarity of hindsight, providing an understanding of the difficult process of maturing and the long-term effects of childhood traumas.
A Girl's Story is an intense and moving autobiography that vividly depicts the turbulent path of puberty. It is a profound and touching book that stays with you long beyond the final page.
Translating Myself and Others by Jhumpa Lahiri
Review by Natalia Alvarez
Translating Myself and Others is a collection of personal essays by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri. It includes a description of her journey to becoming a translator and a few short stories she translated that started her on this path. This incredibly moving collection delves first into Lahiri’s time living in Rome, where she began writing solely in Italian despite her proficiency in other languages, such as English. Her move solidified her love for the Italian language and led to the creation of multiple short stories and a few novels in Italian.
Lahiri additionally describes the differences between writing solely for yourself and working on translations of other people’s thoughts and ideas. After her move to the United States years later for a position teaching at Princeton, she was given the opportunity to translate the work of an Italian author she held in high esteem. She describes the organic nature of this shift and her desire afterwards to do more with the hopes that she could share some of the Italian stories she loved with her students, a desire which led to the discovery that many of the Italian authors she was translating were translators themselves. In this collection, she investigates why this might be.
Translating Myself and Others looks at some of the difficulties and stigma within the translation community and the author’s personal beliefs concerning translated literature. It is a wonderful peek into the world of translation and will open readers' eyes to the considerations that translators must take when they begin on this journey themselves. Anyone interested in translated literature is recommended to check out Lahiri’s collection and to keep an eye out for future publications in both English and Italian!
Ghosts by Dolly Alderton
Review by Gurnish Kaur
Dolly Alderton is well known for her 2018 publication Everything I Know About Love. We have likely all seen the striking yellow cover in our local bookshop, but have you diverted your attention to Alderton’s other work, Ghosts? You would presume that the novel is a horror story, but, in fact, it follows and unravels the story of Nina Dean’s dating life. We’ve all been ghosted, and so has Nina Dean.
Ghosts by Dolly Alderton is a sharp, poignant exploration of modern love, friendship and self-discovery. Through the eyes of Nina Dean, a successful food writer in her early thirties, Alderton captures the nuanced reality of contemporary relationships. The novel delves into the complexities of dating in the digital age, showcasing the phenomenon of 'ghosting' and its emotional aftermath.
Nina's journey is both relatable and heart-wrenching. Her encounters with Max, a seemingly perfect match who abruptly disappears, encapsulate the vulnerabilities and uncertainties of online dating. Alderton's portrayal of Nina's emotional landscape - from hope and excitement to confusion and despair - is masterfully rendered, making the reader feel every high and low alongside her.
Beyond romantic entanglements, Ghosts also excels in its depiction of familial bonds and friendships. Nina's relationship with her ageing father, who is battling dementia, adds a layer of depth and poignancy to the narrative. The evolution of her friendships, particularly with her best friend Katherine, is depicted with authenticity and sensitivity, highlighting the inevitable changes that come with adulthood.
Alderton's writing is witty, insightful and laced with humour, providing a perfect balance to the novel's more serious themes. Ghosts is a testament to her keen observational skills and her ability to craft characters that resonate deeply with readers.
In sum, Ghosts is a compelling, emotionally rich novel that offers a candid look at the trials and triumphs of navigating love and life in the modern world. Alderton’s narrative is both entertaining and profoundly moving, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a genuine portrayal of contemporary relationships.