Book Review: Bunny by Mona Awad

This book's message:  How you feel about me is none of my business. How I feel when I'm around you is.

Published by Viking

an imprint of Penguin Random House

Published in 2019

Buy this Book

Samantha Heather Mackey is enrolled in post-graduate studies in creative writing at Warren University in New England. An important component of the program is Workshop--an opportunity to give and receive feedback about your work with your peers. Samatha's peers are the Bunnies--four closely bonded women.

Of Workshop, Samantha says, 'Just me and them in a room with no visible escape routes for two hours and twenty minutes. Every week for thirteen weeks.' (p. 10)

Samantha says that the Bunnies are completely 'immune to the disdain of their fellow graduate student. Me. Samantha Heather Mackey. Who is not a Bunny. Who will never be a Bunny.' (p. 4)
And I think she has no desire to be a member of that group of friends. But when Samantha  receives an invitation from the Bunnies, she feels 'a weird and shameful swelling in [her] heart.' (p. 10)

During each Workshop, the Bunnies gave each other way too sticky sweet praise but looked 'down at each story [Samantha] submitted like it was a baby that just gave them the finger.' (p. 24) As a result, Samantha stops writing... But that isn't the end of the story.

Mona Awad's writing is graphic...

'My throat is a red, pulsing fist in my neck.' (p. 190)

and poetic...

 'Being with you is like being in literature. I have no idea where you'll lead me next.' (p. 236)

and memorable... 


Bunny is a weird, twisted ride into truth. Truth about friendship true and friendship false; about finding your true self even though others may attempt to hide her from you; about how to nurture your art--and how not to; about... 

More...

Also by Mona Awad...

My book review of 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl

"Bunny" Shows MFA Programs for the Dark Horror They Truly Are (a book review and interview with the author) by columnist Deirdre Coyle

Please join me next Sunday evening...

My first writers' group

Years ago, at a house party, I told a friend of my desire to develop my writing muscles. Her advice, form a writing group. Please read this short story to learn what happened next...

Book Review: Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini

A father and a son prepare to leave their homeland and cross the ocean to--what they hope will be--a safe new home.

Buy this book

I purchased my copy from Bolen Books

Illustrated by Dan Williams

Published by Viking

an imprint of Penguin Canada

a division of Penguin Random House Canada

Published in 2018

This narrative poem gives a voice to refugees. Hosseini writes of the love they have for their country, of the memories of better times. He writes of the love they have for their family and the desire for a better life. I'm overwhelmed by the sacrifice, by the courage, by the hope and I wonder what I would do. Could I be that brave? 

Because many of us are fortunate enough not to be in this situation, we may see refugees as other. Hosseini helps us to see their humanity. Look back in your family tree, you may be fortunate enough to be a descendant...

In the 1800s, my maternal Icelandic ancestors were squeezed onto a ship like cattle. Due to inclimate weather conditions, half of the populations had no choice but to leave. They could only take a few belongings. They had no idea what awaited when they docked. They hoped a new life, a new home. 

After reading this book... After researching your family genealogy... You may ask, how can I help?

4 Ways You Can Support Refugees

8 practical ways to help refugees

UNHCR Canada

The note on the dust jacket reads...

'Khaled Hosseini will donate author proceeds from this book to UNCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and to The Khaled Hosseini Foundation to help fund life-saving relief efforts to help refugees around the globe.'

Other recommended illustrated books   

photo by ldyck

August on this blog...

August 4:  guest post:  
Interview with author Ellen Schwartz

Ellen discusses establishing her career, what inspires her, and the importance of belonging to a writing group--like CWILL-BC.

August 11:  book review:  
Quintland Sisters by Shelley Wood

Shelley Wood uses the power of fiction to reveal the truth behind the seemingly fairy tale childhood of the Dionne quintuplets.

'the only book published in 2019 by a Canadian to hit the [best-seller] list' reports Publishers Weekly

August 18:  short story:  
The Invisible Woman 

Was this short story inspired by The Invisible Man (a novel by H.G. Wells)? Maybe...

August 25:  book review:  
The Princess Dolls by Ellen Schwartz

Set in 1942, two girls--one Jewish-Canadian and the other Japanese-Canadian--bond over their mutual admiration of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.

Book Review: An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim

'No matter what happens, the past has a permanence. The past is safe.' (p. 235) 

An Ocean of Minutes is a love story--with a strong message: As a couple, you will grow and change--together and separately. But as long as you can find each other... As long as you can still remember the things that made you 'us'... Love will prevail--if only in memory.

Buy this book

I bought this book from Tanner's Books

Published by Viking

an imprint of Penguin Canada

a division of Penguin Random House

Published in 2018

We're familiar with this tale:  Johnny marches off to war so the world will be a better place for his Mary. He and his fellow soldiers endure the unbelievable--physical, emotional pain.

In An Ocean of Minutes, it's the woman, Polly, who makes the sacrifice for her beloved Frank. Frank is sick and could die if he isn't treated. Treatment is beyond the couple's financial means. Desperate, Polly finds a solution. If she goes to work for Time Risers the company will foot the bill. But the company requires her to leave Frank in the past and travel forward in time to 1993. Frank tells her not to go. What will she do? What would you do?

Shortlisted for the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize and longlisted for 2019 CBC Canada Reads, An Ocean of Minutes is a captivating story told by a skilled author. 

photo by ldyck

Next Sunday evening...

Toy (short story) 

After reading this short story you may ask, "Hey, where is that old toy of mine?"