Newly arrived fiction from around the world
The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James
Weaving together elements of Westerns, historical fiction, and magical realism, The Bullet Swallower is a multi-generational family saga set on both sides of the Texas/Mexico border. Telling the story of the Sonoro family, from Jaime, a famous singer and actor in the 1960s, back through a bloody past to Antonio, a ruthless bandido. Rich in revenge, atmosphere and historical flavour it asks questions of culpability, familial responsibility, and whether people can ever truly escape their past.
The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk
Reimaging a classic gothic setting, The Empusium unfolds in a remote sanatorium in 1913 Western Poland where men gather for supposed healing. However, the atmosphere is thick with intellectual debate and a growing sense of unease with war on the horizon. Tokarczuk explores themes of masculinity, philosophy, and the unsettling undercurrents of a seemingly idyllic retreat to create a story that plays with the tropes of the gothic genre, while also adding a very modern, and Tokarczukian, twist.
After escaping a forced marriage in The Girl with the Louding Voice, 14 year old Adunni is navigating the complexities of womanhood and societal expectations while further education and independence. She faces financial struggles, societal prejudices, and the constant threat of those who seek to exploit vulnerable women. Meanwhile, Tia, who has sheltered and supported Adunni faces her own challenges after shocking revelations challenge everything she thought she new about herself. Adunni is a character you will fall in love with over and over again, brave, fierce and uncompromising.
The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
As Kirabo enters adolescence, unsettling questions surface, stubbornly ignored by the adults surrounding her. Haunted by her absent mother, she demands answers: why the abandonment? Driven by her inquisitive and determined nature, Kirabo embarks on a quest for truth. This journey propels her beyond her privileged 1970s Ugandan upbringing, into a realm steeped in magic, ancient traditions, and the enigmatic legend of the primordial woman.
I Will Find the Key by Alex Ahndoril
Haunted by a gruesome photo and a memory blackout, a man enlists PI Julia Stark to unravel a potential murder. Their investigation leads them to his family's grand Swedish estate, the scene of a tense gathering. Julia and her policeman ex-husband delve into the family's intricate web of secrets, where each member harbors hidden motives. The atmospheric setting heightens the psychological tension as they reconstruct fragmented memories and navigate a labyrinth of lies. Written by the same wife/husband pair who cowrite Lars Kepler,
Ashour's sweeping epic follows the lives of the family of Abu Jaafar, a bookbinder in the ancient city of Granada following the fall of the city to the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492. As his apprentice Saad prepares to marry Saleema, the books are confiscated and burned and Abu Jaafar moves to secretly safeguards his library. A vivid portrayal of the cultural richness of the Andalusian city, the complexities of religious tolerance, and the devastating impact of historical forces on ordinary lives.
Battling a blizzard, Kyungha rushes to Jeju Island to save her injured friend Inseon's beloved pet bird, Ama. Battling the fierce storm she's plunged into a surreal, dark reality, uncovering a forgotten, violent chapter of Korean history. The narrative blurs dream and reality, weaving a tale of friendship and remembrance. It reveals buried past voices, rescuing them from oblivion. "We Do Not Part" is a poignant ode to enduring love and the fragile beauty of life amidst unspeakable brutality from the 2024 Nobel Laureate.
These Letters End in Tears by Musih Tedji Xaviere
Bessem's life alters upon meeting the captivating Fatima on a soccer field, but in Cameroon, their forbidden love faces harsh realities. When Fatima's brother discovers their affair, violence erupts, followed by a police raid. Fatima vanishes after their jail time, leaving Bessem with haunting uncertainties. Thirteen years later, a professor, Bessem, still yearns for Fatima, until a chance encounter with a mutual friend reignites her search for her lost love, plunging her into a quest to uncover Fatima's fate, amidst societal dangers and the lingering pain of their separation. A heart-wrenching story of enduring love and the search for closure in a hostile environment.
