House of Ashes
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House of Ashes by Monique Roffey — Lonesome Reader
Please update your billing details here to continue enjoying your subscription. Excerpted from the full review: Roffey, whose third novel, Archipelago, was the winner of the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature , has in her new book a creative undertaking not dissimilar to a holy ritual, one replete with its own unfair allotment of both bodies and blood. Narrative takes a three-pronged approach in House of Ashes. Through Ashes and Aspasia, the author works hard to show how terror may share a mutual cell of confinement, in the hearts of both terrorist and victim. It is Ashes, who, mid-skirmish during the storming of the House, perceives the absurd levy of so much violence.
May 26, Mandy rated it it was amazing.
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Based on the real life attempted coup in Trinidad in , this tense and gripping novel follows the course of an attempted coup on the fictional island of Sans Amen in the Caribbean when a group of disaffected followers of the charismatic Leader storm and take possession of the House of Power, the seat of government. But nothing works out quite as they had planned and the situation soon deteriorates into violence and chaos, both within the building and outside.
As events unfold each and every o Based on the real life attempted coup in Trinidad in , this tense and gripping novel follows the course of an attempted coup on the fictional island of Sans Amen in the Caribbean when a group of disaffected followers of the charismatic Leader storm and take possession of the House of Power, the seat of government. As events unfold each and every one of those involved is forced to re-evaluate their beliefs and theories and discover that what seemed so simple and justifiable in the planning soon becomes complicated and complex in the execution.
I found this a compelling and convincing account of a political coup, with some excellent characterisation, well-plotted and well-paced, and very thought-provoking.
- A vigorous, grimly absorbing tale of a bloody Caribbean coup;
- House of Ashes by Monique Roffey | The Times!
- River Madness?
- Blood Knot;
Jan 15, Pamela Scott rated it really liked it Shelves: I really enjoyed House of Ashes. This can be a good thing. House of Ashes deals with some serious and intense issues but writes about this in a simple way. The novel had some very intense and chilling moments. I li I really enjoyed House of Ashes.
I liked the blend of light and dark. I also really liked the sort of epilogue at the end which takes place 23 years after the main events. Talk about heart wrenching.
- Ghosts of Engines Past.
- House of Ashes by Monique Roffey review – the story of an insurrection | Books | The Guardian.
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House of Ashes is great. Feb 24, Ruth Brumby rated it really liked it. Thoughtful and thought provoking. Feb Re-reading in October The part of the book describing the siege is central and probably the most powerfully convincing. The characters and settings are engaging.
The construction is tight. However there is a feeling for me that it is all constructed round an idea in a way that doesn't quite work. I felt a bit manipulated at some points by something a bit sentimental, pseudo-religious and slightly woolly. Nevertheless I still found it thoughtful and Thoughtful and thought provoking.
Nevertheless I still found it thoughtful and thought-provoking. Jul 25, Marie Conlin rated it it was ok. A poignant book about power, faith and identity. Tough going in parts as you would expect of any book reflecting on a coup d'eat. The sense of place and time is rich; I went looking for a sense of Caribbean culture and politics and wasn't disappointed. Some of the prose felt wooden in parts which let the book down for me but ultimately Roffey writes with such warmth and heart that I will definitely read her again.
Nov 25, Mercia McMahon added it. This Costa Book Award shortlisted novel is by favourite read of It is a fictionalising of the holding hostage of the Trinidad parliament. It explores the mindsets of hostages and revolutionaries and is a good argument against staging a coup just in case any of you were tempted.
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Jun 15, Joan rated it it was amazing. A beautiful melding of history and fiction. The characters are memorable, and the scenes of the five days of the insurrection are painted vividly and unforgettably. I read this book almost non-stop as I fell in and out of love with the characters. Jun 06, Marci - Serendipitous Readings rated it really liked it Shelves: Apr 13, Rosie Hughes rated it really liked it. There are many layers to this book, which is a thought provoking read.
Apr 30, Judi Mckay rated it really liked it Recommends it for: I found this an interesting read, and I liked the outcome. Many layers and a good book for a reading group. It felt very authentic, so a lot of research must have been done. Mar 14, Teresa Cardinez rated it it was amazing. Book Worm Chatter Box.
48. House of Ashes by Monique Roffey
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