Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad

Matyáš Namai. Palazzo Editions. (112p) ISBN: 9781786751362
Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad

Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad

I was asked if I’d like to read Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad I think probably because I’d been on a bit of a graphic novel reading spree recently and jumped at the chance.

Collecting information from the period, including interviews and statements this graphic novel explores the disaster at the Chernobyl reactors in 1986.

The blending of information and the interviews works really well and flows easily throughout the book, giving an immediacy that could have possibly been missing in a straight information or interview format.

Following the development on the reactors through to the inevitable conclusion, and it’s made very clear that this was inevitable under the cronyism and culture of the late Soviet era, was terrifying, all the more so as I remember vividly the warnings of the radioactive cloud at the time.

Combine this method of writing and exploring the incident with a very cool palette and homage to Soviet style propaganda posters and constructivist art gives the book a really distinct style and feel.

I had meant to keep this to read closer to the publication date in April but I couldn’t resist reading it twice last night as soon as I opened it.

Great example of graphic novel presentation but also an extremely informative work.


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Wakenhyrst

Michelle Paver. Bloomsbury Publishing. (416p) ISBN: 9781788549578
Wakenhyrst

Wakenhyrst

I’ve always loved reading Michelle Paver’s work and got Wakenhyrst as soon as it came out in paperback, then it’s languished on my TBR for years, creeping up and down as the mood took me.

The Edwardian era is such a short date but so fixed in the minds, lots of societal changes, with technology, science, and religion going through a lot of huge jump.

Wakenhyrst is set in rural Suffolk and follows the obsession of Edmund Stearne and how it twists and turns through the years playing on a shocking secret from his childhood. This is all seen through the eyes of his daughter, Maud.

After the death of her mother in childbirth Maud goes through various periods of development and hate toward her father, the church, and the world. Intelligent and astute though she is her perceptions are those of an innocent child in the countryside and this is crucial to the plot development.

The intertwining of Edmund’s guilt, piety, callousness, and authoritarian trends make this a story that you’re never sure of. On as solid ground as the fens that surround the house, threads come and go throughout this story that are fun to trace down and often as ephemeral as the mists the supernatural theme floats throughout the story.

With an excellent ending this has been a wonderful read, and for those that love the gothic style of ghost stories this is a must book.


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The Titanic Detective Agency

Lindsay Littleson. Cranachan Publishing. (200p) ISBN: 9781911279440
The Titanic Detective Agency

The Titanic Detective Agency

Though the story does come with a well-known ending, The Titanic Detective Agency explores the story of the Titanic from a different angle.

This is the story of Bertha and her dreams, travelling from Aberdeen to America she has to fill her time and sets up the titular detective agency. Mysteries, treasure maps, friendship, and family relationships are at the core of this well-written and fast-paced story.

Lindsay brings the Titanic to life through the eyes and mind of children on their own adventures.

The foreshadowing of the inevitable tragedy is peppered throughout the book, but my favourite is the tea-leaf reading scene early on and not only because my nan’s surname is Toomey.

The class divisions are writ large throughout the book as well, making it difficult for the protagonists at times.

A wonderful middle-grade historical novel which gives a fresh take on a well-worn story, well-paced with great characters.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a review by Cranachan Publishing.


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