The Apple in the Dark by Clarice Lispector

 

Martim had committed a crime. He believes he killed his wife and has been on the run since then. He takes refuge in Vila Baixa owned by a woman named Vitoria who lives with her cousin, Ermelinda.

His temporary stay seemed fascinating and established a relationship between them. Everything was a soft prolongation but he finally was free, quiet and stable. There was so little time left for him to cover and start in a new way though. Little by little Martim was caught on his feelings, perception, anxiety and act. He had been held prisoner within the structure of his past.

I enjoy reading about antiheroes because their brain is not confined by strict moral values. Even though the character is bad I get mixed with the passion and emotional turmoil of the story's flow.

Seeing how he justifies and explains even the most terrible actions is so 'different' to me. I always find that Martim's motivations are very complex and it’s impossible to predict.

At the end of the day, it’s hard to hate them (yes, three of them) when you have access to their most private thoughts and know all the events that led them to be the way they are. This novel is a modern classic that offers a slow-paced symbolism of realism and escapism and was originally published in 1961.

Thanks to @times.reads and @putrifariza for the review copy. Opinions are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores 

The North Light by Hideo Yokoyama

I am a slow reader when it comes to a good story. It requires a lot of time and attention to gain a detailed understanding.

For someone who loves a thriller, the plot line of this book held my attention. The author's writing style is another reason for the high rating. I feel a connection between the characters. I expected something different with the ending - the combination of the whimsical but by the time I got to the end, my skeptical frown had long since given way to a grin of satisfaction. So I guess, this is my last book of 2023 that I proudly love and give 5 ⭐️ 😭😭 

Minoru Aose is an architect. A client has requested to build their new home. They requested the same design that featured The Best Design of the Year, the famous Y Residence. The owner of Y Residence is Touta Yoshino. The feeling of resistance to build a clone home overlapped with the disappearance of Yoshino's family without a trace. He believes his world and Yoshino's are intertwined. If someone were to able to solve the whole mystery, it's Aose. The whole point of the mystery is to learn more about atoning, Aose's childhood, a possible red herring and Bruno Taut, a German architect who took asylum in Japan in 1933. 

Thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing for the review copy. Opinions are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores

I'm planning on reading other Hideo's work next year 🤞🤞

The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai

 

I adore the heartwarming story of Kamogawa Diner and Detective Agency. Mr Kamogawa and his daughter Koishi are such a dynamic duo, always going above and beyond to ensure their clients are satisfied. The way they recreate dishes to bring back memories is simply magical.

This story is a delightful reminder of the simple pleasures in life, and how they can bring us so much joy. Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate. Nostalgia can be just as vital an ingredient that promotes a sense of self-identity, and belonging and reflects on difficult moments. The sentimental longing for the past can be a delightful feeling.

A brief fictional prose narrative. A gentle reminder, the author's style of writing is straightforward to read and follow. I've always imagined that the last chapter might leave my expectations in chaos but there's none. I did wonder why put Drowsy on the cover. So, yes, it is what it is.

Thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing for the review copy. Opinions are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores

📚

#definitelybooks #donereading #TheKamogawaFoodDetectives by #HisashiKashiwai #igbooks #igreads #letsgetreading #emabaca #bookrecommendations #bookreview #malaysiamembaca