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thebobsphere's review
4.0
Fairlight Moderns are a series of pocket sized book which feature stories by authors from around the world, and although I like what Fairlight publish, I will admit that these little books are a reading highlight. So far the quality has been high and I haven’t been disappointed by the ones I’ve read. Although they can be completed in less than an hour, they are quite punchy and will stick with the reader for a while.
This time we’re off to Cyprus with Polis Loizou. The plot is about pregnant Despo, whose life is steeped in Cypriot folklore especially the Kalikantzari, goblins who emerge during the 12 days of Christmas and cause havoc. These creatures are at the back of her mind. At the same time her husband Loukas is having a relationship with a married Englishman who is studying the fauna and flora of Cyprus. Both couples are drifting apart and yet they know that their child will need them to be together.
A Good Year is steeped in Cypriot culture and superstitions and that fascinated me. As the book takes place during Christmastime it is interesting to see the myriad of customs from keeping a fire burning until epiphany to family gatherings. At one point the English couple give Loukas and Despo a Christmas cake and they don’t like it that much, proving how deep set traditions can be. Incidentally as I live on an island in the Mediterranean (albeit Malta is 94% Roman Catholic as opposed to Cyprus’ Christian Orthodox), I was curious to see if any traditions overlapped but other than the role of the poinsettia there’s a lot of differences
As Loukas begins to worry about his orientation we see how religion plays an important role. At one point he begins to confess to a priest about his desires and the whole thing ends in a disaster as homosexuality is inconceivable. From Despo’s side the reader can see how pagan rituals take over the true meaning of Christmas due to her worry that the baby will be born before epiphany, thus exposing it to the Kalikantzari.
I read and enjoyed Polis Loizou’s previous novel The Way it Breaks , which was about the problems in contemporary Cyprus but A Good Year focuses on a lot of Christmas traditions, many of which were unknown to me, which goes to show the diversity of the Mediterranean cultures. Anyway A Good Year is another worthy addition to The Fairlight Moderns and definitely one of the strongest of the batch.
This time we’re off to Cyprus with Polis Loizou. The plot is about pregnant Despo, whose life is steeped in Cypriot folklore especially the Kalikantzari, goblins who emerge during the 12 days of Christmas and cause havoc. These creatures are at the back of her mind. At the same time her husband Loukas is having a relationship with a married Englishman who is studying the fauna and flora of Cyprus. Both couples are drifting apart and yet they know that their child will need them to be together.
A Good Year is steeped in Cypriot culture and superstitions and that fascinated me. As the book takes place during Christmastime it is interesting to see the myriad of customs from keeping a fire burning until epiphany to family gatherings. At one point the English couple give Loukas and Despo a Christmas cake and they don’t like it that much, proving how deep set traditions can be. Incidentally as I live on an island in the Mediterranean (albeit Malta is 94% Roman Catholic as opposed to Cyprus’ Christian Orthodox), I was curious to see if any traditions overlapped but other than the role of the poinsettia there’s a lot of differences
As Loukas begins to worry about his orientation we see how religion plays an important role. At one point he begins to confess to a priest about his desires and the whole thing ends in a disaster as homosexuality is inconceivable. From Despo’s side the reader can see how pagan rituals take over the true meaning of Christmas due to her worry that the baby will be born before epiphany, thus exposing it to the Kalikantzari.
I read and enjoyed Polis Loizou’s previous novel The Way it Breaks , which was about the problems in contemporary Cyprus but A Good Year focuses on a lot of Christmas traditions, many of which were unknown to me, which goes to show the diversity of the Mediterranean cultures. Anyway A Good Year is another worthy addition to The Fairlight Moderns and definitely one of the strongest of the batch.
mcglassa's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tailsbeth's review
4.0
Perfect read for the festive period! As someone who doesn't read historical fiction very often, I found the writing incredibly accessible. Loved learning about a place & time very unfamiliar to me without feeling alienated.
pewterwolf's review
2.0
I have had such high hopes for this ever since I first heard of it. Queer, creepy and gentle handling of sexuality, loveless marriage and becoming a parent in 1920s Cyprus, filled with superstitions and folklore.
And yet... it didn't work for me. It didn't hit me in the way I was hoping or expecting, and am not sure why. It wasn't the writing, but it was at the same time. It wasn't the characters, but it was at the same time. It wasn't the plot, but it was at the same time.
You see my problem here. Everything was good, but it felt false at the same time. Am glad I tried this, but didn't work for me, sadly.
And yet... it didn't work for me. It didn't hit me in the way I was hoping or expecting, and am not sure why. It wasn't the writing, but it was at the same time. It wasn't the characters, but it was at the same time. It wasn't the plot, but it was at the same time.
You see my problem here. Everything was good, but it felt false at the same time. Am glad I tried this, but didn't work for me, sadly.
laurasbookishbabbles's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thebookmagpie's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was deliciously creepy, terribly sad, and possibly hopeful? I can't explain a single thing more than that except that I think everyone that can should read this book. But maybe not if you're pregnant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
bobthebookerer's review
4.0
This beautiful and fun book takes us through the folklore and tales leading up to a Christmas celebration, with creatures, spirits and stories peppered throughout to add life and texture.
As the characters go through their own personal struggles (sexuality, family cohesion, fears about the future) they also tie together beautifully in this story that felt like it was being delivered in an oral tradition.
It was fun, clever and very alive, and I enjoyed the ride greatly.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As the characters go through their own personal struggles (sexuality, family cohesion, fears about the future) they also tie together beautifully in this story that felt like it was being delivered in an oral tradition.
It was fun, clever and very alive, and I enjoyed the ride greatly.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
jaydgreen's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
savidgereads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5