Three notable new book releases have arrived in UK bookshops this week, offering readers diverse literary experiences from established authors. The collection includes a disappointing second novel from acclaimed cultural critic Olivia Laing, an imaginative exploration of storytelling from Jeanette Winterson, and the concluding instalment of Yoko Tawada's trilogy.
The Silver Book: A Cinematic Disappointment
Olivia Laing's much-anticipated second novel, 'The Silver Book', has proven to be a literary letdown despite the author's established reputation as an excellent cultural critic. Published by Hamish Hamilton at £20 for 256 pages, the novel transports readers to 1970s Italy but fails to deliver the quality expected from the writer of celebrated works about Virginia Woolf and other artists.
The story follows the love affair between Nicholas, a London waif, and Danilo Donati, the visionary costume designer working on two classic Italian film sets: Pier Paolo Pasolini's controversial anti-fascist final work 'Salò' and Federico Fellini's 'Casanova'. While Laing's prose remains lush and intoxicating, the novel becomes too enamoured with its own beauty, creating an artificial experience that mirrors the very film sets it describes.
The narrative takes a particularly crude turn in its final pages, focusing on Pasolini's appalling death and attempting to connect the story to Italy's current right-wing resurgence. This heavy-handed denouement feels disconnected from the main narrative, leaving readers with a sense of disappointment in what could have been a compelling exploration of cinema's capacity to summon fantasy and desire.
Winterson's Celebration of Imagination
In stark contrast to Laing's disappointing offering, Jeanette Winterson's 'One Aladdin, Two Lamps' presents a cartwheeling ride through memoir, fiction and politics that celebrates the sovereignty of imagination. Published by Jonathan Cape at £18.99 for 272 pages, the book uses the Arabian Nights as its framework to explore storytelling as a survival tactic.
Winterson, author of 'Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit', argues that true freedom lies in our ability to fashion stories from both the world around us and our very selves. She writes: "The message of the [Arabian] Nights, regardless of what story we are reading, is the sovereignty of the imagination. The people who come off badly are those who can't see past their own representation of reality."
The book features restless, shapeshifting commentary on Trump, feminism and Winterson's own much-storied life, creating a treatise on art, transformation and the current moment. However, some readers might find her glib and alarming application of these arguments to artificial intelligence somewhat concerning, particularly her statement that "This isn't the end of the human, unless you think being human begins and ends with biology."
Tawada's Trilogy Conclusion
Yoko Tawada's 'Archipelago of the Sun' completes her trilogy about protagonist Hiruko's journey across seas with fellow travellers searching for her apparently obliterated homeland of Japan. Published by Granta at £12.99 for 224 pages, the book continues the author's distinctive style that may not appeal to all readers.
The narrative features various strange and mysterious encounters during Hiruko's journey, prompting deep reflection about identity, borders, language, migration and the concept of home itself. Potential readers should note that this concluding volume assumes familiarity with the preceding instalments, making it essential to read the earlier books first.
Whether readers enjoy Tawada's writing ultimately depends on their appreciation for her particular brand of cute, quirky Japanese whimsy, which some may find charming while others might consider overly affected.
Availability and Final Thoughts
All three books are available now from the Mail Bookshop, offering UK readers diverse literary options for autumn reading. While Laing's novel disappoints despite its promising premise and beautiful prose, Winterson's work provides thought-provoking commentary on storytelling and imagination. Tawada's conclusion to her trilogy will satisfy existing fans but requires commitment to the entire series for full appreciation.
These new releases demonstrate the varied landscape of contemporary literature, from experimental fiction to cultural criticism and imaginative storytelling, ensuring there's something for every type of reader in this week's new book selections.
