My Autumn TBR | October 2020

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm going to be talking to you about my Autumn reads! I know that the first part of Autumn is already in full swing, so I am a bit late to the game. But, autumn and winter always merge in to one don't they, right?

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Starting with my current read: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. I've always wanted to read this novel, I'm a big fan of war and historical fiction. I just find it so interesting, especially the psychological and physical effects of warfare; the emotions, relationships and how the individual mind is effected infinitely from the period of war they have been in. This novel is part of my Literature 1895-1960 module at University. The novel is set on the German side of the trenches, whereas a lot of novels that have been presented to me in the past have entirely been based on the Allied side of events. Therefore, it is interesting to see the German side of the war, and how the boys and men that are surrounded by war are just as innocent as the other side; they are only fighting for their country, and doing what they are told as being correct. However, the psychological and mental effects of warfare and the physicality of war becomes apparent right from the start. My place in the novel has got to the where he goes on leave for a total of 17 days, and by this time this is the first time you have access to the main protagonists name. He was unidentifiable before then, which may link to the fact that many men are unidentifiable because of their wounds and damaged souls after their time at war. As you can probably tell, war fiction really fascinates me, and the way the author describes either from their own experience or from imagination warfare and the psychological and physically degrading effects of war. 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The next novel I've been reading is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. I've been reading this for about a month, but life has got in the way, especially Uni reading so it's been put on a bit of a back burner. I'm a HUGE fan of Matt Haig's writing, and his social media presence as whole. He is incredible. Sometimes when I'm having a bad day, one of his reassuring Instagram posts come up and then I'm like okay, that's fine; everything will be okay. I was so excited for this one to come out, and found it really hard to get my hands on it because it sold out in almost every bookshop near me. I love the structure of the novel, the meaning is incredible; with a lot of reassurance and hope always entwined in his reading. Mental health always gets a mention in his writing, which I think helps the reader to know that it is okay to be different, and to feel sad, to feel like you're getting nowhere; because the character of Nora makes you realise there are endless opportunities the Universe has for you. 

The Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter 

The Dumb Waiter is a play based around a dumb waiter, surprisingly and two characters in a basement. From the blurb, it seems quite a bizarre play where the symbolism of the dumb waiter creates a lot of suspense and confusion between the characters and the audience also. It is almost like there is a parallel reality above them, and the use of the dumb waiter provides the access to it, but any who the play is very short which can probably be read in an hour. Plays don't really appeal to me, but I think the dialogue is important to create context and the true meaning of the literature itself. This text is also in my Literature 1895-1960 module, so I'm interesting in analysing the theoretical and social meaning to the play. 

Good Morning, Midnight by Jean Rhys

I have already got Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, which is obviously based on Mrs Rochester in Jane Eyre. So, I am excited to read another one of her novels! The title of the novel is taken from Emily     Dickinson's poem of the same name. The novel centres on a young girl called Sasha Jansen, who moves to Paris. From the blurb I take from it that it is about her growth and journey of independence and being a self reliant women. However, I think that the journey starts with Sasha being very unhappy with life, her marriage and the death of her child; the journey of her triumph is presented in the novel. I am looking forward to this one as it is the only novel in the module that actually centres on a female character entirely. 

Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell

I love love love Gaskell's writing. I loved North and South, which I studied last year, so reading Ruth which I believe was her third novel I am SO excited to study. Most of her novels centre on the female experience of industrialised Britain. I also love the historicism of her writing, as I have said before I am a huge nerd for historical fiction especially the 18th century onwards. The female experience and the inequalities they face is so interesting and I find it so easy to write about and to discuss, so beware of a massive essay of Gaskell in the future...

There's my Autumn TBR, thanks for reading!

Rose x