THIS WEEK’S NEW BOOKS REVIEWED | FEATURE
THE ECHO WIFE
Sarah Gailey (Hodder & Stoughton)
What would you do if you had an exact replica of yourself in front of you? This is the revolutionary concept that provides the basis for this novel from author Sarah Gailey: not only a fresh new idea for the thriller genre, but one which, in the current circumstances does not seem beyond the realm of possibility.
A familiar scenario forms the beginning of the story as protagonist Evelyn is contemplating the ending of her marriage amidst a successful career, having won an award for her scientific research. However, meeting her husband’s new partner who has been cloned to look and act exactly like Evelyn is a shocking revelation, that brings the ethical and moral issues of her work and how it has been used to the fore.
The controversial subject matter focuses on identity and the role of women in society, and provides eye-opening accounts; well-drawn characters and strong plot twists provide a high level of tension throughout. And if you’re wary about the scientific aspect, don’t let this put you off: an understanding of genetics is not essential prior to reading this novel, with explanations throughout about much of the science behind the procedures. The Echo Wife really is a unique and thought-provoking read; with so many books adapted into films at the moment I don’t think it will be long before the rights are snapped up for this one.
Price: £17.99. Info: here
words RHIANON HOLLEY
INHALE/EXILE
Abeer Ameer (Seren)
With empathy and insight, Cardiff poet Abeer Ameer [pictured, top] ‘head hops’ – and, also, heart hops – between a disparate, diverse range of characters who are, for the main part, united by experiences of political threat, unrest, upheaval, and exile. Intimacy and atrocity go hand-in-hand in these poems, the reader of which frequently witnesses the aftermath of terrible events – but also many tender moments.
“As the reed flute sings you weep your sorrow” is the opening line of one of Ameer’s penultimate poems, and it’s this same mix of hope and sadness, resilience and tragedy, which unpins the pieces in this collection, making for a very powerful read indeed. Perhaps my favourite poem in the book, however, is the uplifting The Love Letter, which offers up a series of understated yet heartwarming assertions in the style of a blessing: “Beloved stranger, upon your hills be peace”. The universality of this points to the power of hope, of faith, and also in the tenacity of human hearts, which can survive war and displacement and still offer up a kind of benediction; a wish for others’ peace and happiness. It’s this sense of gratitude and of ‘being blessed’ which ultimately shines through, here.
This is a book of terrible revelations, but also of hope and of wonder. An old woman, in the final lines of the book’s final poem, may be blind, but still “her inner eye beholds celebration”. These poems urge us to do the same.
Price: £9.99. Info: here
words MAB JONES
THE PLAGUE CYCLE
Charles Kenny (Scribner)
In this investigation into how humanity has battled, and ultimately coped with, infectious diseases over the years, Charles Kenny outlines how this has contributed to life expectancy and population increase. The Plague Cycle is, of course, a timely account, but Kenny takes a historical approach, identifying how connections between countries – that is, global development – increased exposure to disease as travel and trade advanced. (Kenny, an ex-economist, is currently a researcher at the Centre For Global Development.)
Yet he does not dwell too heavily on the catastrophes, rather showing how advancement in medicine in the 20th century quelled much of the premature deaths caused by diseases. It is though a cyclical process: through the advancement of trade, development of civilisation and its achievements comes fresh threat of outbreaks.
While Kenny marks the progress against infection, he also cautions that our best defences against disease can be misused, resulting in new or more resistant infections. In our efforts to understand the current COVID-19 crisis, and the titular plague cycle, we will do well to inform ourselves with this book. Even in the most urbanised, prosperous societies, we still face unprecedented battles.
Price: £20. Info: here
words EMILY EDWARDS
RACELESS
Georgina Lawton (Sphere)
It would be natural, expected even, to assume that being a black girl born to two white parents would raise some questions. The problem for Georgina Lawton [pictured, top – photo credit Jamie Simonds © Loftus Media] was, it didn’t. Her debut memoir recounts her experience discovering that she was different from her family, and the arduous journey of racial self-discovery that followed.
Cemented around her father’s death, Lawton’s account sees her candidly battle shame and grief in tandem, in the hope that she may uncover an identity that was denied from her. Harnessing that vulnerability prevents the memoir from feeling overly preachy, as the narrative never strays too far from the author’s own experiences. Indeed, Lawton navigates the nuanced subject with ease, deftly switching between the personal and the political in a manner that allows her to extrapolate her own experiences as a way to ground wider racial issues. That ability to wield similitude makes her account valuable and deeply readable not just as a frank reflection on her identity, but also as an accessible start to wider contemporary racial thought.
Price: £18.99. Info: here
words ALEX PAYNE
WARD NINE: CORONAVIRUS
Alys Morgan (Parthian)
An emotive read, albeit sadly all too familiar at the moment, Ward Nine is formed from diary entries written during Alys Morgan’s three-week stay in hospital with coronavirus. She writes of how, initially, medics weren’t aware of it being Covid-19 until she was hospitalised, and how NHS Wales saved her life. She talks about the people she met on the ward, how they dealt with Coronavirus, and the devastating impact on the hospital staff.
It’s a short read but an important one, recommended especially to those who aren’t taking the pandemic seriously. Having experienced Covid myself, it was slightly too relatable, a tough read which brought back memories of being hospitalised. Morgan also includes quotes from Daniel Defoe’s book A Journal Of The Plague Year to draw comparisons between past and current events; this adds intrigue, and facts I had no previous knowledge of.
The author dedicates the book to NHS Wales and Mind, calling Ward Nine “a love letter to them both”. Undoubtedly, there will be many further first-hand accounts of coronavirus to come, but this one is a powerful read which provides hope for the future.
Price: £8.99. Info: here
words SARAH BOWDIDGE