I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers today with a bit of progress on the pair of socks.
I did cast on with the Wollmeise for a new Hitchhiker, but haven't gotten too far. I'd like to finish up the socks soon(ish) and concentrate on the Hitchhiker but I've got loads of laundry to do, lots of seeds to start, and too many ARCs that I need to read, so it will take as long as it takes.
I finished Emma Pattee's debut novel, Tilt, a
gripping narrative set against the backdrop of a massive earthquake in
Portland, Oregon. The story follows Annie, who, at nine months pregnant,
finds herself stranded at IKEA when disaster strikes. With no means to
contact her husband and the city in chaos, Annie embarks on a perilous
journey to find him, encountering both the depths and heights of human
nature along the way.
Pattee's portrayal of Annie's internal struggles while making her way on buckled highways and past crushed buildings—her reflections on a faltering marriage, unfulfilled career aspirations, and impending motherhood—adds depth to the survival narrative. The novel effectively captures the protagonist's anxieties and desires, making her a realistic and relatable figure for many readers.
I found that the novel's pacing occasionally faltered, with the non-linear narrative and some of the introspective passages slowing down the otherwise tense story. Additionally, certain inconsistencies, such as descriptions of Annie's attire, may momentarily disrupt immersion. But Pattee's prose is well-written, so I could imagine Annie's sunburn, intense thirst, and the horrific magnitude of the chaos. I started reading the book without any idea of the storyline and found it quite unsettling, but that was mainly because it was such an intense subject. The ending felt incomplete and open-ended.
Overall, Tilt is a compelling exploration of human resilience and vulnerability in the face of catastrophe. While it has its imperfections, the novel's raw emotional portrayal and thought-provoking themes make it a worthwhile read. Three and a half stars but I couldn't round up because of that ending.
Pattee's portrayal of Annie's internal struggles while making her way on buckled highways and past crushed buildings—her reflections on a faltering marriage, unfulfilled career aspirations, and impending motherhood—adds depth to the survival narrative. The novel effectively captures the protagonist's anxieties and desires, making her a realistic and relatable figure for many readers.
I found that the novel's pacing occasionally faltered, with the non-linear narrative and some of the introspective passages slowing down the otherwise tense story. Additionally, certain inconsistencies, such as descriptions of Annie's attire, may momentarily disrupt immersion. But Pattee's prose is well-written, so I could imagine Annie's sunburn, intense thirst, and the horrific magnitude of the chaos. I started reading the book without any idea of the storyline and found it quite unsettling, but that was mainly because it was such an intense subject. The ending felt incomplete and open-ended.
Overall, Tilt is a compelling exploration of human resilience and vulnerability in the face of catastrophe. While it has its imperfections, the novel's raw emotional portrayal and thought-provoking themes make it a worthwhile read. Three and a half stars but I couldn't round up because of that ending.
What are you making and reading this week?
That new Hitchhiker is off to a great start! What a fantastically rich color! It looks like you will have those socks done in short order as well! My "can't put down" book this week is Cold Granite by Stuart MacBride... it is a bit of a murder mystery set in Aberdeen Scotland.
ReplyDeleteYou will finish up those socks in no time! And I'm sure you'll find some time to work on that beautiful new Hitchhiker. Thanks for reminding me that I need to get my seeds started. I'm hoping things will be ready to plan in early May, so now is probably the time to put seeds in dirt inside.
ReplyDeleteboth projects are lovely! Isn't it amazing how there is never ever enough time in the day to do everything we desire!
ReplyDeleteI am most impressed that you have made such progress on those socks, Bonny. Your persistence is admirable. After all that HH is mesmerizing with its deep, rich color, and it would be calling my name. It is going to be glorious. I think it will be one of those objects that is more enjoyable in the making than the wearing. I am slowing beginning to read again with short books that are somewhat comforting. I hope my reading progress continues. Since I live on a major faultline, I don't think I want to try and read about an earthquake just yet!
ReplyDeleteIt boggles my mind how busy days can become! Your beautiful socks are almost finished Bonny and what a gorgeous new Hitchhiker you have started. That saturated color is just so intense and beautiful! I'm still knitting Semplice and now a dishcloth as well.
ReplyDeleteOooh, the color of that new Hitchhiker is AMAZING! It looks like it's glowing. Those socks will be finished in no time. Good luck with all your stuff/chores!
ReplyDeleteGreat socks and a terrific color on that new hitchhiker!
ReplyDeleteThe new Hitchhiker is gorgeous and those socks are terrific. I do love that colorway. Stranded in Ikea sounds like a good time to me but not in those circumstances I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI picked up The Snowman by Jo Nesbo at our little lending library on Saturday and brought it along on my kitty sitting adventure. Probably not a good idea in this big empty house but I can't put it down.
I'll have to look for that title. I'm always interested in reading a book that I can't put down. The kitties will protect you!
DeleteIt's just really something . . . how home chores get in the way of knitting, isn't it? Love the stripes in your socks, Bonny. (If I were knitting socks, that is exactly the sort of yarn I'd want to use.) And color/yarn for the new Hitchiker is just delicious. I'd have a hard time putting that down . . . XO
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