Wrap up 📚 march 2020

A new section about a topic that I'm very passionate about is finally introduced to the blog. From now on, every month I'm going to share with you all the books I read the previous month. I have to be honest and say from the beginning that you shouldn't expect any crazy number; I usually read 3 to 5 books a month. So, I'm going to stop with this introductory blab and just talk about the books I read in March.

1. The Island by Victoria Hislop

Alexis travels to Crete and learns about Spinalonga, a small island where Greeks used to send people diagnosed with leprosy, and the past of her ancestors that were exiled there.

A friend told me that Hislop is her favourite author and since I hadn't read any of her books, she lent me her copy of The Island. And if you have read my March 2020 Favourites, you know that I loved it.

The first 60 pages of the book, where the present troubles of Alexis are presented, were boring and pointless as based on her own sayings, the solution to her problems is obvious. However, I was intrigued when we were transferred back to the past. I was emotionally invested in the life story of the Petraki family as one of its members was infected with leprosy and they had to learn to live apart. I have to be honest and say that I was attached to these characters and their life stories before even reading about them as an amazing Greek TV series based on the book was broadcasted about 10 years ago and I was a huge fan.

2. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Gregor Samsa wakes up and he instantly realises that he was transformed into a vermin. He will quickly come face to face with the consequences of this transformation as his manager visits him in order to question him about his reason for being late at work. How will the manager and Gregor's family react to such a transformation?

Despite the outrageous and horrifying transformation, there is nothing dramatic in the narrative. Most of the emotional outbursts are closely linked to work-related issues and not to Gregor's misfortune. And that highlights the theme of obsessing over work and neglecting all the other things that make us human, like spending quality time with our family or with ourselves. Plus, reading about the complex dynamics of the Samsas makes you consider the bond among family members and how it can be strengthened or loosened during difficult times. The most important thing is that the author doesn't criticise the attitudes or actions of any of the characters, which enables and encourages the readers to place themselves in the shoes of any character and see how they would have reacted in this situation.

3. The Cockroach by Ian McEwan

After reading The Metamorphosis, I was ready to move on to The Cockroach as Ian McEwan was influenced by Franz Kafka's short story. In McEwan's novella, Jim is a cockroach but one day he wakes up as a human. And not just any human but the British Prime Minister. His primary goal is to enforce people's will, which is to reform the existing economic system.

The thing I loved the most about it is the planning and execution of political plans, scandals and conspiracies. As for the negative, we weren't given much information concerning Jim's emotions and thoughts so that the readers can care for and identify with him. If you want to learn more about it, you can check out my review about it. 

4. Evil (original title: Ondskan) by Jan Guillou

Erik is a fourteen-year-old student in Stockholm. Every day, his father beats him after lunch. This abusive and violent situation at home makes him behave in a deviant way at school, which leads to his expulsion. This is why he is sent to a boarding school where students from older grades are responsible for the obedience of all students, and especially the younger ones. Violence is the means they use to serve their purpose. How will Erik react to this new but still familiar order of things as he promised to himself not to get into fights the minute that he left his toxic father behind? Can he really distance himself from violence?

As I hope that it is evident from the synopsis, there are plenty of descriptions of violent incidents, so I wouldn't recommend this book to people that are sensitive or get triggered by violent and abusive scenes. Personally, although there were several scenes where I felt uncomfortable, I enjoyed it very much as I was encouraged to ponder what makes a person good or bad and whether someone can truly be freed from violent tendencies. Of course, Erik is either the recipient or the giver of violence. Erik is a person that readers can easily care for because he is a complex character. He doesn't rely completely on his physical strength but he always uses logic and gathers as much information as he can get in order to turn any situation to his advantage. Despite his cleverness, he makes mistakes -that even the spontaneity or immaturity of his young age cannot excuse- as he gets involved in illegal actions and he gets vindictive. Another similarly interesting character is Erik's friend, Pierre. Pierre is a foil character since his reluctance to disobey orders and to get involved into fights highlights Erik's courage to fight for what he thinks right. Apart from these two characters, all the rest are flat and we learn nothing about their past and their personalities. 

And these are all the books I read in March. What did you read last month?