eeeee you’ve gotten me so excited to read this! I have heard some mixed reviews, but I love your review, and I am eager to dive in! Admittedly, I had to skip the “extremely light spoilers” section, but I will return to that once I've read the second book. UGH, I'm so happy you loved it— and I can’t wait for Natalie's accompanying review!
I love how we're all On The Calculation of Volume train! I skimmed the last part as I am reading vol 2 right now and did not want to risk seeing something! I haven't read a series this long since I was a child - but I am here for anticipating the final 5 books!
Yes! I'm calling it the Balle bandwagon! 😂 I've read a series or two over the years, like the Neapolitan Novels and the first two books of Dune. But I'm always hesitant to start a series in the newsletter because then you have to figure out how much real estate to devote to it, and then there's spoilers etc. So I'm not sure what I'll do for the next two books. Maybe a small group chat with people who are caught up, etc. Or maybe I will just read the rest of the series for me. We'll see.
Great review! I have seen the books around, but had no idea what they are about. Seven is a lot to commit to reading and I have a hard time finishing series (reading the fourth in the Neapolitan Quartet currently). I may wait until later in the year…..
I was really looking forward to this post, Mike! I co-sign on your description of the evocative nature of this book. It has stayed with me since I read it and I do catch myself thinking about where it may be going… but I feel like the point of it is to accept that there is no resolution to the mundanity of life, to the micro-aggressions of daily existence, to the eerie cruelty of marriage… You just wake up one day and SEE it, while those around you may or may not be on that same wavelength as you.
I really love that Kate Bush song! It is a perfect companion to this book. I have still not been able to make myself reach for vol 2. 🙈😅
Thanks, Petya! I also don't think there's a happy ending in store for Tara, but I'm interested in her journey nonetheless because I'm curious where it's going and also how Balle can sustain the narrative across that many books. We'll see! I'm glad also that you liked the inclusion of Kate Bush. At least in the early part of the book, it just kept popping into my head.
I love hate this book, it takes me so long to get through a few pages but I’m also thinking about it at random moments in my day. If nothing it’s extremely unique
i just finished vol 2 last week!! That ending …………..
i really enjoyed your write up. i definitely agree with your points about it being about the existential isolation of modern life and routine and how we break out of it (and can we?). i also read tara’s journey as an allegory for depression and/or grief and how to cope with those as well. vols. 3 & 4 are translated by different people than 1 & 2 which i think will be interesting, i am curious to see how/if the style differs as a result.
Thanks, Isabella! You make a really good point about depression/grief. I think the story is definitely composed of, and trying to grapple with, all these things. It will be interesting to see if the narrative varies based on translator. Now I'm even MORE excited to read the next installments. And I think I'm going to go to the book club event about vol. 2 because I haven't stopped thinking about it since I finished.
This book series sounds INCREDIBLE. I will add it to a list until they're all out. I don't start a series until it's done. I can't stand waiting in between.
I read Pisti this past week (sat and read it over two hours one night cover to cover). Thank you again for sending it. I described it to my husband (not THAT accurately) as "a lesbian Russian literature version of Catcher in the Rye." I liked this much more than that novel, though. I'm still not sure what exactly to make of it, but I am glad I gave it my time and attention. I'd 200% read more of Hoy's work. The writing style was perfection.
I'm so glad you enjoyed Pisti! I think you're description is amazing! Ha! I can totally see that. Hoy's style is so great. I can't wait to read more of her work. I have her short-story collection, too, and hoping I can fit it in over the summer. I hear you about waiting in between installments of a series. It makes me furious when I think about Game of Thrones, and also I'm frustrated that I have to wait MONTHS to find out what happens to Tara in Volume. So annoying!
I finally got to read this post I've been saving until I gathered my own thoughts about the first book. I love that it made you think of songs-- I had so many memories coming back to me while reading it. It really leaves room to fill in your own emotional resonance with the themes, because nothing is overdescribed or overstated. How are we gonna make it to November though?
eeeee you’ve gotten me so excited to read this! I have heard some mixed reviews, but I love your review, and I am eager to dive in! Admittedly, I had to skip the “extremely light spoilers” section, but I will return to that once I've read the second book. UGH, I'm so happy you loved it— and I can’t wait for Natalie's accompanying review!
Thanks, EJ! I hope you enjoy it, too! Can't wait to see what you think.
I love how we're all On The Calculation of Volume train! I skimmed the last part as I am reading vol 2 right now and did not want to risk seeing something! I haven't read a series this long since I was a child - but I am here for anticipating the final 5 books!
Yes! I'm calling it the Balle bandwagon! 😂 I've read a series or two over the years, like the Neapolitan Novels and the first two books of Dune. But I'm always hesitant to start a series in the newsletter because then you have to figure out how much real estate to devote to it, and then there's spoilers etc. So I'm not sure what I'll do for the next two books. Maybe a small group chat with people who are caught up, etc. Or maybe I will just read the rest of the series for me. We'll see.
Great review! I have seen the books around, but had no idea what they are about. Seven is a lot to commit to reading and I have a hard time finishing series (reading the fourth in the Neapolitan Quartet currently). I may wait until later in the year…..
Thanks, Kate! Yeah, 7 is a lot of books to commit to. But I'm hopeful it will be worth it.
I was really looking forward to this post, Mike! I co-sign on your description of the evocative nature of this book. It has stayed with me since I read it and I do catch myself thinking about where it may be going… but I feel like the point of it is to accept that there is no resolution to the mundanity of life, to the micro-aggressions of daily existence, to the eerie cruelty of marriage… You just wake up one day and SEE it, while those around you may or may not be on that same wavelength as you.
I really love that Kate Bush song! It is a perfect companion to this book. I have still not been able to make myself reach for vol 2. 🙈😅
Thanks, Petya! I also don't think there's a happy ending in store for Tara, but I'm interested in her journey nonetheless because I'm curious where it's going and also how Balle can sustain the narrative across that many books. We'll see! I'm glad also that you liked the inclusion of Kate Bush. At least in the early part of the book, it just kept popping into my head.
I love hate this book, it takes me so long to get through a few pages but I’m also thinking about it at random moments in my day. If nothing it’s extremely unique
I totally get it! She is definitely onto something. It sticks with you, for sure.
I had no knowledge of this series and I can't wait to be engulfed by it!
I think you'd really like it, Amy! Hope all is well!
i just finished vol 2 last week!! That ending …………..
i really enjoyed your write up. i definitely agree with your points about it being about the existential isolation of modern life and routine and how we break out of it (and can we?). i also read tara’s journey as an allegory for depression and/or grief and how to cope with those as well. vols. 3 & 4 are translated by different people than 1 & 2 which i think will be interesting, i am curious to see how/if the style differs as a result.
Thanks, Isabella! You make a really good point about depression/grief. I think the story is definitely composed of, and trying to grapple with, all these things. It will be interesting to see if the narrative varies based on translator. Now I'm even MORE excited to read the next installments. And I think I'm going to go to the book club event about vol. 2 because I haven't stopped thinking about it since I finished.
Oooh i might be convinced to attend too…!
This book series sounds INCREDIBLE. I will add it to a list until they're all out. I don't start a series until it's done. I can't stand waiting in between.
I read Pisti this past week (sat and read it over two hours one night cover to cover). Thank you again for sending it. I described it to my husband (not THAT accurately) as "a lesbian Russian literature version of Catcher in the Rye." I liked this much more than that novel, though. I'm still not sure what exactly to make of it, but I am glad I gave it my time and attention. I'd 200% read more of Hoy's work. The writing style was perfection.
I'm so glad you enjoyed Pisti! I think you're description is amazing! Ha! I can totally see that. Hoy's style is so great. I can't wait to read more of her work. I have her short-story collection, too, and hoping I can fit it in over the summer. I hear you about waiting in between installments of a series. It makes me furious when I think about Game of Thrones, and also I'm frustrated that I have to wait MONTHS to find out what happens to Tara in Volume. So annoying!
Nice review. I love the covers. They aren't my usual kind of covers that I grvitate towards but there's something abt these covers
Thanks, Resh! I agree. Definitely something intriguing about them.
I finally got to read this post I've been saving until I gathered my own thoughts about the first book. I love that it made you think of songs-- I had so many memories coming back to me while reading it. It really leaves room to fill in your own emotional resonance with the themes, because nothing is overdescribed or overstated. How are we gonna make it to November though?
Thanks, Abra! November can't come fast enough!