Greetings. I hope everyone had a great week. Nothing too new here. It’s been mild … check out the pink sky sunrise. Did you remember to turn your clocks back? Sadly, I’m one of those who dislikes saying goodbye to Daylight Savings Time, though getting an extra hour of sleep is nice. I know some would like to abolish Daylight Savings for Standard Time permanently, but I’d rather have Daylight Savings stay year around. It’s great to have more light at the end of the day. But now with clocks falling back it’ll get dark here just after four o’clock in the winter, which is tough! Bahh, how depressing. Now we’ll have to wait till March to get it back. What do you say — do you like Daylight Savings, or are you ready to change the clocks?
In book news, you might have heard this past week that South African author Damon Galgut won the 2021 Booker Prize for fiction. Wow I think it surprised quite a few people, but when I talked about the short list back in September … blogger Stargazer based in London mentioned that most there thought Galgut’s novel The Promise would win, and she was right. Galgut beat out three American authors: Richard Powers, Patricia Lockwood, and Maggie Shipstead, plus two others.
Though I’m not sure many here know much about his novel. Apparently The Promise is a saga about a white South African family that loses touch after the mother, who has one last dying wish, passes away, but follows the lives of the three siblings who reunite at several funerals over the decades during much political and social upheaval in South Africa. I have not read Galgut yet though I heard him speak at a book festival years ago and his books have been shortlisted for the Booker a couple other times before winning for this his ninth novel. Have you read him, or do you plan to? I think I will put my name on the library wait list for The Promise to check it out. And now I’ll leave you with a review of what I finished lately.
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby / Flatiron Books / 336 pages / 2021
Synopsis: Two fathers whose married gay sons have been brutally killed team up seeking vengeance to find out who did it. The fathers, one Black (Ike Randolph) and the other White (Buddy Lee) are both ex-cons who didn’t accept or treat their sons well for being gay but now that they’re gone are devastated by their loss and have a lot to come to terms with within themselves while trying to find their killers.
My Thoughts: This is a pretty rough crime novel, which I listened to as an audiobook. It gets a hard R for language and a hard R for graphic violence, so beware of that before starting the book … but no one these days can write a fight scene or car chase like S.A. Cosby, a writer from southeastern Virginia. I actually liked his previous crime novel Blacktop Wasteland (with Bugs) better … as this one takes its time finding “Tangerine” the girl who the two fathers think knows something about who killed their gay married sons. Where the heck is Tangerine?! She’s gone into hiding. I think the fathers had more patience with her than I would’ve. Once they finally find her, I was ready for her to spill the beans like pronto, but they let her avoid the piper so to speak for some time.
The bad guys in this are pretty ruthless awful guys … a violent biker gang full of hate, dealing god knows what up and down the coast … but they crossed the wrong dudes when they killed the boys of these two ex-con fathers. The fathers, who are so mad at themselves for not being able to tell their sons that they really cared about them, are ready now to put it all on the line for their boys, which they hadn’t done when they were alive. They learned a tough lesson too late to accept their sons as they were … and not castigate them for being gay. Mostly the story is told from Ike’s perspective, with Buddy Lee as the sidekick. The two form an awkward but steady friendship to find the killers, but it takes awhile to trust each other from their different worlds and feelings about their boys.
There’s a couple twists that kept me guessing a bit about the mystery, so that was good. And I think Adam Lazarre-White who narrates the audiobook does a good job, but I sort of wish there were multiple readers … at least one for Ike and one for Buddy Lee to give a different voice to each. The story on audio seems to blend together a bit as one Southern drawl. Still by the very end, it turns into a rousing tale … and total destruction is the end game. Good luck taking cover.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read this author before and what did you think? And what are you reading now?
Love that red sky. The Promise is on my library list as well; I love the sound of it. I tried Blacktop Wasteland; Cosby on audio and the language turned me off. Everyone seemed to like both books by the author but, it just wasn’t for me. Hope you have a great week.
Yeah Diane: I hope The Promise is good. I agree I can see where the bad language of Cosby’s books is a big turnoff … It is quite harsh to listen to. Though I can’t say it’s unrealistic for what he’s writing about … and the characters. Still he’s probably the only author I listen to like this. Have a great week.
Stunning photo of that sunrise/sunset! We had a gorgeous sunset last night, but I was driving and didn’t want to stop to snap a picture. I’m with you on the whole Daylights Savings Time thing. I don’t like that it will now be dark so early in the afternoon. Sigh.
I have not read David Galgut (have never even heard of him), but I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts on The Promise.
I had a fairly quiet week, too. We celebrated our 33rd anniversary last night with a nice dinner out. Unfortunately, the restaurant was more crowded than it’s been and quite noisy. I guess we’re back to pre-pandemic seating. 🙁
Happy Anniversary! Too bad about the restaurant. It seems they’re getting crowded again and it feels a bit weird. We actually haven’t done indoor dining yet only outside. Hmm. That might change in the next few weeks.
I have no idea yet about Galgut’s books or his style but we will see.
Thanks the photo was a sunrise shot from the dog park. I’m really going to miss the long days … when it gets dark at 4. It’s really hard mentally. Argh!
Have a great week.
Great sunset photo! I don’t like messing with the clocks because it throws off my sleep schedule, but I was very happy that I didn’t have to run in the dark this morning. Early morning is the only time I can go running.
Hey AJ. Actually it’s a sunrise photo so I’ve written that in that sentence now. Like your input on the time change. The first week of the change is always the most disruptive! Enjoy your runs.
I hate changing times! I just want them to pick a time and stick with it…I don’t care which one they pick, just as long as I don’t have to keep changing my clocks around twice a year. It’s always so hard on the kids I work with. And Razorblade Tears is a book that’s high on my TBR list. 🙂
Hi Lark, yeah I can relate … I just wish we’d stick with Daylight Savings & not change it again! It’s very disruptive, right? Feels confusing. I hope you like Razorblade Tears … though the language is sort of harsh … so just a warning. Enjoy your week.
As a read the synopses of all the shortlisted candidates for the Booker, I thought that the two novels with South African plots had the most possibilities. I was on the verge of buying The Promise several times last month but the word “plodding” kept popping up in several reviews, so I decided to buy A Passage North instead, so I settled my bet that the latter would win, but I guess it was a toss between the two.
Red skies in the morning… Your picture is gorgeous though. I love beautiful sunrises, which I get to see because my mother starts working early everyday. Razorblade Tears is a dead giveaway that the book is going to deal with rough stuff. I’m glad you liked your listen despite the “voice” of both fathers sort of blending in.
Hi Carmen …. is A Passage North about Sri Lanka?? I’d like to get to that one as quite a few found it quite affecting. And I hope The Promise is not too plodding Ugh. Perhaps the Booker jury wanted to award a kind of political kind of novel that made a statement of some sort. & a South Africa novel fit the bill. Hmm.
You make a good point that it’s evident Razorblade Tears … is going to be rough and it is. I think Cosby writes dialogue and his characters well. Seems realistic. But I wouldn’t want to hang with this kind of crime fiction too frequently. Just every once in awhile. I hope your mother is well. You drive her to work, right?
Perhaps is Sri Lanka after all; I just remember it’s about civil war. I ended up buying The Promise yesterday after reading your post, and I will accommodate A Passage North in March or April of next year. The Promise drew nice comparisons to other literary greats, but some reviewers thought it was difficult to get through. I’ll see how it goes; I plan to get to it towards the 2nd half of this month.
Okay Carmen, you will be my guide about The Promise. I’ll see what you think of it first … as I know I won’t be able to get to it before then. I’ll be curious to hear if it’s a slog or more interesting. Hmm. November is already going (too) quickly. Happy reading.
Not a big fan of Daylight Savings, mostly because it may give rise to confusion. I work in an international company with lots of transatlantic Zoom meetings and it’s even more confusing that US and UK don’t change the clocks in the same week.
Thanks for the mention in connection with Booker. Yes, I definitely think The Promise was the most common prediction over here. The only one I’ve read from the shortlist was Bewilderment, so I don’t really have any opinion on whether it was the right winner though. Look forward to hear what you think of it, if / when you read it.
Hi Stargazer. I get your point about the time confusion & work. Does the UK ever have Daylight Savings? Or no? I just wish it would stay the same. The days can be short here in the winter. Good grief the darkness!
Glad you filled us in that The Promise was the frontrunner on the Booker. I guess I’m behind on reading the shortlist … but I’ve started Bewilderment so far. I will eventually get to The Promise. I’m curious about Galgut’s writing style. Cheers. Have a great week.
UK does have daylight savings, we just don’t change the clocks at the same date as US. This year we went back to normal one week before you. It would make life easier if it at least was synchronised across time zones. Thanks, and a great week to you as well!
Yeah good point … the time should be synchronized across time zones. How confusing that it’s all done at different times. Very disruptive.
That sunrise is just stunning! I was pretty surprised when The Promise won the Booker Prize, but did add it to my list. I noticed that both the ebook and audio are available on hoopla. I don’t think Razorblade Tears is a book for me though.
I was glad to get that extra hour of sleep last night and was happy to have it lighter earlier this morning. The darker evenings make it feel more like fall/winter… but can’t say that I like it much. Sigh.
Hi JoAnn: your dark evenings might not be so bad there in that climate, ha. We get pretty short days so it’ll be a struggle. I guess that’s winter.
Yeah I think you probably might not like Cosby’s crime novels … they can be harsh with the language etc. I’ll be curious to hear about The Promise if it’s readable etc. It really surprised that it won the Booker. Hmm. Enjoy your week!
What a beautiful sunrise! While I prefer the fall/winter months, I’m with you, I love DST so it’s light longer! I do have The Promise on my bookshelf but haven’t gotten to it but definitely looking forward to it. Hope you have a great week ahead. I feel like when the clocks change it always takes my body/mind like a week to get used to it!
I agree Iliana — it takes me quite awhile when the clocks change, feel sleepy. We like hanging out on the back deck even in the fall/winter months so DST is perfect for that. Now it’s just going to be dark outside at 4. Ugh.
It’s great you already have a copy of The Promise. Let us know if you get to it. So much to read though — I know! Have a great week.
I agree that Razorblade Tears is good, but super R rated in the violence category!
I am a morning person so like it when it’s lighter in the mornings. I don’t mind the darker early evenings too much, but we’re pretty far south so it isn’t as bad for us.
Hi Helen, I think there was a time when I liked lighter mornings as well. But this far north the lighter late afternoons are now more important to me, Ha. I get your point of view though. Razorblade Tears was rough on me language wise … perhaps he’ll tone it down for his next one …. likely Not! Have a great week.
I love Daylight Savings, it just kicked in here at the end of September, and will go until March.
Razorblade Tears sounds like a gritty read,I’m adding to my TBR
Wishing you a great reading week
Thanks Shelleyrae … lucky you with Daylight Savings. I bet the days are Long there, right? Razorblade Tears is a Gritty read! Exactly. See what you think. Cheers.
My brother-in-law was talking last night about how disappointing it is to get home at 5:30 as it getting dark. I wasn’t even thinking about people much farther north who experience the dark at even earlier times. I’m with the crowd that would keep the time the same all year. It’s hard on my body to adjust.
I admire Razorblade Tears for the way it is able to capture the anger of the fathers about the loss of their sons but I am sensitive reader and it would be too much for me. I will be interested in hearing what you think about The Promise.
Yeah I agree Deb, keeping the same time year around would help sleep disruption. My body/mind is so confused each time we change even One hour.
I think you’re right Razorblade Tears would be too much for you — though it’s nice to see that its story is empathetic to the LGBTQ community.
We will see about The Promise. Have a great week.
Super photo! I hate that it gets dark so early after we fall back.
Hey thanks Beth. Yeah it’s tough when it’s dark so early, yikes! Confusing too. Good luck with it where you are.
I read Blacktop Wasteland and recognized that S.A. Cosby is most definitely not my cup of tea. I confess my literary ignorance in never having actually heard of the new winner of the Booker before but I do plan to make his acquaintance soon. Love the sky picture!
Thanks Dorothy. The photo has a feeling to it. SA Cosby can be a harsh cup of tea and is not for everyone. But he write action & dialogue pretty real. I’ll be curious if you get to The Promise what you think of it. Happy Reading.
I don’t really care which, I just wish that we would quit changing clocks twice a year and choose one of the two to stick with. Love the photo…wow.
Razorblade Tears is definitely one of the rougher crime novels out there, but Cosby’s writing wowed me despite how far-fetched some of the more violent scenes really turn out to be. I think his debut novel is a lot better.
I think I would want to read The Promise just to keep that beautiful cover around for a few days. It’s really pretty spectacular…now I need to find a copy
Hi Sam / yeah those darn clock changes! So confusing.
Did you like Cosby’s first novel better too? Yeah I did. I think many readers liked the 2nd one better but nah. Maybe the 2nd one drums it into your head too much its themes.
I hope The Promise lives up to its cover! Have a good week.
I could adjust to either Standard or DST if it remains the same. It is the switching back and forth that is the problem. I don’t mind it getting dark earlier, but I want it on nature’s cycle and gradual, not throwing suddenly into the dark. Of course, the worst is in the spring, but I could happily live with either one as long as we leave the clocks alone once they are set. 🙂
Good points Jen. The sudden changes are always tough and disrupt sleep. I struggle for a couple weeks with the change and then the rest of winter with darkness. Making it on nature’s cycle would be good. Cheers.
The Booker Prize jury and I seem to have quite different preferences for novels. Sometimes I do like the runners-up, but I’ve kind of given up reading the winners. Your prospective review is interesting.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae. Yeah sometimes the jury’s pick don’t jibe with my reads either. But I’m curious to see. Some of the runner-up picks are on my TBR still. I’m slow to getting to any of these so far. Hope you have a great week.
Such beautiful colours ! I agree with you, I like having more light at the end of the day, it makes me feel… more human, as if I had more time to appreciate it ! I’ve never read this author before, but I am curious 🙂
Hi Iza, thanks. I keep looking at these sunrise colors too. There’s been more days of these pink skies, which seems unusual for November. The days are getting shorter here … so I guess I have to make the most of it when I can. Hope you are well there.
Wow, very dramatic and I love it!
The Promise sounds very good but Razorblade Tears isn’t for me.
Hi Vicki — yeah I thought you’d like those pink skies! Those books likely won’t be for everyone. Have a great week.