Clean by Alia Trabucco Zerán
A maid, accused to murdering a young child, must tell her story to an invisible listener to prove her innocence. A literary thriller of defiance, class, capitalism, resilience, and the unconventional ways the powerless can challenge the powerful.
The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud
Four loosely connected women, a prostitute, a mother, a lover, an innocent caught in the crossfire tell the story of notorious, real life gangster, gambler and murderer Boysie Singh. A novel that is rich in the culture, history, food and every day life of 1950s Trinidad and Tobago.
River East River West by Aube Rey Lescure
Exploring the complexities of family, identity, and social class against the backdrop of China's economic boom, this Women's Prize nominee follows two generations of a mixed race family, tracing their journey through Shanghai and Qingdao. A poignant and complex exploration of race, class, cultural identity and the American dream.
The Plains by Federico Falco
An unnamed narrator retreats to a remote house in the countryside after a painful breakup. There, he immerses himself in the rhythms of nature, tending to a neglected garden and reflecting on his past. A lyrical testament to the power of language to capture the beauty and fragility of life.
Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright
Winner of the 2024 Miles Franklin Award (the Australian book of the year), this 700 page epic allegory tells the story of a small Australian town covered by a climate change induced haze. Considered by many reviewers to be a modern Australian masterpiece.
My Friends by Hisham Matar
A poignant exploration of friendship, exile, and the unique complexities of living under a repressive regime. Set against the backdrop of 1980s Libya under Gaddafi, the novel follows the lives of Khaled and Mustafa, two university students whose lives are dramatically altered by a chance encounter with a short story.
Read a full review here.
The Mark by Fríða Ísberg
In a near-future Reykjavik, society is divided by a controversial Empathy Test. Measuring an individual's capacity for compassion and identifying potential anti-social behavior, those who pass gain privileges and opportunities, while the unmarked face discrimination and social exclusion. Through interconnecting stories, the author explores themes taken from today's headlines - social stratification, surveillance, privacy and the dangers of unchecked power.
An Elevator in Sà̀i Gòn by Thuận
A young woman, living in Paris, returns home to Sài Gòn for her mother's funeral. The fact that her mother died falling down an elevator shaft in her son's newly built house sparks a quest to unravel the secrets of the family's past. Mixing detective story, historical romance, and post-colonial ghost story, this is a compelling and multifaceted read.
