Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Sun
Translated from the Korean by Janet Hong
Published by Apollo, 2021
Rating: 
At this book's core is the murder of a teenage girl, as we look at how this event affects the lives of her sister and the two prime suspects across the years. Though set up like a thriller, however, this is in fact a quiet look at grief, and a dissection of the social landscape in modern-day Korea.
There are interesting ideas at play here, but the execution lacks emotional intensity, the central mystery somehow feeling both predictable and superfluous.
A swift read, it's the kind of book I failed to find many specific faults with, but which ultimately left me feeling cold, contemplating what could have been given the strength of the initial concept.
Thank you to the publisher for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Brand New Ancients by Kae Tempest
Published by Picador, 2013
Rating:
In this contemporary epic poem about the triumphs and tragedies of two families whose lives intersect, Tempest draws on mythology to explore the ideas of storytelling, inheritance, and the ripple effects felt across generations. It also serves to bolster the piece's primary theme: That even the most ordinary lives are in fact extraordinary.
Exploring violence, resilience, love, and heartache against the backdrop of working-class Britain, the story packs a weighty emotional punch, with Tempest's signature eye for human observation, excellent use of rhythm, and clever word play all very much present.
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