happy wednesday

[sabotabby]

Finished Reading: The Artificial Silk Girl by Irmgard Keun. If you've ever wondered how your blog, written in a time of rising fascism and ecological collapse, will be read by future historians, it might feel a bit like this book. Doris, the protagonist, steals a fur coat, moves to Berlin and tries to make it as a stage actor. You know. As one does. In 1931. She is almost aggressively apolitical in her obliviousness, but not devoid of empathy; the obvious comparison is to Isherwood, who likewise humanized characters who are at first glance shallow and self-absorbed.

I really liked this one. The prose is a delirious, breathless stream of consciousness that felt immediate and realistic. Also I love anything to do with Weimar-era Berlin. It was banned under the Nazis despite only skirting the edge of the politics of the day, so that's reason enough to check it out.

Me Sexy: An Exploration of Native American Sexuality, edited by Drew Hayden Taylor. This is a collection of essays about the role of sexuality in the art and culture of various indigenous groups, as well as the perceptions of indigenous sexuality by settlers. It's very diverse, with topics ranging from Inuit sex games to the erotic art of Norval Morrisseau to how to talk dirty in Cree, and from a variety of nations, genders, and sexualities. Some is a bit dated, i.e., Joseph Boyden is in it, but it's overall quite a fascinating read. The essays lean towards the cheeky rather than delving too deeply into the trauma of colonialism and residential schools, which is really wonderful as while those topics are incredibly important, they don't define entire peoples and there needs to be space for the exploration of joyful sexuality as well.

Currently reading: Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. This won the Giller last year and was shortlisted for the Booker, and I can't put it down. It's about a young slave in Barbados who escapes the plantation with the abolitionist brother of the sadistic master. In a hot air balloon. It's historical fiction with a whiff of steampunk and while it's a fast-paced page-turner, it in no way glosses over the horrors of slavery or the inherent power imbalance between the two main characters. Very well-written, with compelling character and detailed research.

Comments

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[minoanmiss]

I think I need to read Washington Black. I could use just such an adventrue. And the first one too, because of the comparison you made.

Re: *

[sabotabby]

I think you'd like both.

[nyctanthes]

I have Washington Black on my bookshelf/to-read list. [I enjoyed her previous work when I read it, though to be honest I don't remember much of it.]

The Irmgard Keun sounds intriguing :: adds to list ::

[sabotabby]

I am like 50% sure I read Half-Blood Blues? Or I just heard a lot about it. This is why I track my reading now.

[cloudsinvenice]

I like the sound of The Artificial Silk Girl, thanks!

[sabotabby]

Hope you enjoy it!