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The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin

Set in a distant future, Genly Ai is an investigator for The Ekumen; a galactic empire based not on force, might and conquest, but "curiosity, adventure, delight."  He has come to Gethen, a planet in a permanent state of Winter, to convince them to join The Ekumen. Ai's friendship with King Argaven's advisor Estreven makes him a pawn in a political game. 

That's the basic narrative of the novel, but it doesn't really reveal it's style, which alternates between the analytics of Ai's field reports, Gethenian fables and sacred texts; plus, the actual friendship between Ai and Estreven. Which, it is suggested has the potential to be much more.

I'd also draw attention to worldbuilding, which for me is as much a capital crime for writers as info dumping. The fine details of life on Gethen come conversationally.  So, we learn Gethenian's become the opposite gender (called Kemmer) for a few days each month. This biological fact has shaped every part of their society as much as climate. The cold means that Gethenians eat constantly, strangers are both welcomed and given shelter and buildings have two sets of doors to allow for snowdrifts.

In that sense, it comes from that late 1960's era of science fiction. But it's easier to read and more graceful than something like Dune. I'd probably class that as something like Catch 22 or Ulysses: a K2 or a King Lear of a book; where everyone makes an attempt but few succeed.

Le Guin is seen by many as an icon of fantasy and science fiction; but I think that isn't enough praise. I'd also mark her personally in the same league as Bulgakov or Spark. I've read one book by each and I am terrified to read another, lest it isn't as good.

**Content warning**: themes of bereavement, loss, torture 

Reviewer: Kev, Mind member

Death and Croissants by Ian Moore

Death and Croissants is the first fictional novel by Radio 4 comedian Ian Moore. I picked this one up because the blurb described it as being like Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, but actually, for me, it has a different feel to it – a little darker and, perhaps, requiring a little more investment. The story is about a middle-aged Englishman who runs a B&B in beautiful rural France. The mystery begins when a guest goes missing only leaving behind a bloody handprint on the wall and a broken pair of glasses.

To be honest, I found the whodunnit murder-mystery elements of the plot were almost circumstantial to the overall development of the story and my enjoyment of it. It was a bit convoluted and, even now, I’m not entirely sure I understand everything that led to the protagonists solving the crime.

But it is in the characterisation that Death and Croissants shines. The main character, Richard is your quintessential grump who shuns excitement, speaks very little French and feels entirely out of place both in the hospitality industry (he started the B&B with his now ex-wife) and as an amateur detective – think comedian Jack Dee or the dad out of the Outnumbered TV series. He is played as boring but Richard’s comedic observations shared only to the reader are sharp and satirical.  He is reluctantly pulled into the life of adventure by another guest, the vivacious and indomitable Valerie – a beautiful French lady of a certain age who won’t take no for an answer. The way these two characters bounce of each other is hilarious and it was this relationship that kept me reading after I’d lost control of the main plot. The supporting characters all have their own humour to them too (although I would guide more conservative readers to steer clear of Richard’s neighbours and rival B&B owners whose guest house doubles as a venue for hobbyist swingers!) Overall, Death and Croissants reads more like a sitcom than a crime thriller, so if dry wit and subtle comedy and character-driven stories are your thing, then this could just be the novel for you.

Reviewer: John, Membership and Participation Manager

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Jennette McCurdy grew up with a pushy mother who wanted her to become an actress. Some of you may know her from her biggest role as Sam Puckett in the hit Nickelodeon show, iCarly. But what you may not know about McCurdy is her lifetime of abuse from her mother, and the impact it’s had on her life. Growing up in a Mormon household, McCurdy experienced a childhood of restrictions, guilt and lack of choice. Her mother had issues with hoarding, so their house was always cluttered and dirty, and McCurdy and her brothers had to sleep on the floor most nights. Her father was physically present, but didn’t bring much else to the table.

Her mother was in control of every aspect of her life until she was in her early 20s. She would control what McCurdy would wear, what she would eat, where she would go and who she would see. She would bathe McCurdy until she was 18. She normalised restricting what McCurdy ate and exercising until exhaustion to slow her puberty, so she could continue to get roles portraying a child well into her teenage years.

McCurdy writes with a raw and open honesty about her life as a child actor – how she suffered from severe anorexia, and later, bulimia, struggling with alcohol abuse, OCD and anxiety. Her mother had cancer when she was a child, but went into remission for a long while. The cancer came back, and her mother died when McCurdy was 21 years old. It was only when she saw a therapist for her bulimia that she started to see that her relationship with her mother was not built on love, but abuse, power and control.

So, while the title of her memoir may be shocking to some, once you understand what McCurdy went through at the hands of her mother, you may be thinking “I’m glad her mum died, too”. Finally, she is free.

**Content warning**: references to abuse, disordered eating, self-harm, drug and alcohol use, suicidal ideation and mental health problems

Reviewer: Emily, Membership Officer