Since the global galvanisation of Burkes #metoo movement in 2017 – which saw myriad accounts of sexual exploitation and abuse come to a head – there has been a widespread push to warrant that the impetus of the campaign is maintained.
With her first novel, Kate Elizabeth Russell’s fortitude to ensure that this momentum isn’t derailed is evident; ‘My Dark Vanessa’ is a cutting reflection of our current zeitgeist, where the reconsideration of boundaries and the collective attitude towards victims is urgently spotlighted and acknowledged.
The novel wastes no time in getting straight to the heart of the plot, with readers immediately introduced to 32-year-old Vanessa Wye – a hotel employee shackled to a routine fuelled by self-medication and a series of failed romantic relationships – who discovers that her college professor and long-term abuser, Jacob Strane, is at the centre of a new sexual violence allegation. Constructed through a narrative that runs over the course of two decades, each page unearths a new stratum of predatory abuse, highlighting how the power of manipulation and wordplay can tether individuals to their childhood experiences. The story pays particular attention to Vanessa’s present-day situation – where she is forced to recalibrate a life once built upon false promises and empty lies – after coming into contact with another of Strane’s past victims. A narrator struggling with her own inner contradictions, the story is laced with heart-rendering naivety that is undoubtedly painful to read.
My Dark Vanessa is an account that will force you to challenge your own inhibitions and moralities. Made seemingly evident through Russell’s astute power of language; Vanessa’s teenage recollections are shaped through the perception of a rose-tinted love story, making it tough to digest from the outside perspective of a reader looking in. An expression of desire built upon a brickwork of credulity and innocence, Vanessa’s infatuation with stories (think Nabokov’s, “Lolita”) result in her unable to extricate her own reality from the fiction that she is fixated on.
The novel is a fraught reflection of how privilege can permeate a culture of silence and denial; exposing the ambiguities of abusive relationships, the narrative holds up a mirror to a society in which too many claims are often overthrown for the sake of status and power. Kate Elizabeth Russell’s debut masterpiece proves how literature can be unpleasant, uncomfortable, and complex, but also compelling, eye-opening, and – at most – necessary.
With many of us still traversing newly-founded surges of free time post-lockdown, there is no better opportunity to start delving into the world of all things literature. Kickstarting House of Coco’s new thread of book reviews – to keep you occupied from the holiday reminiscences – we went transatlantic to discover life on the sidewalks of New York City, courtesy of Hanya Yanagihara’s, 2015 Booker Prize nominee, ‘A Little Life’.
I spent most of my lockdown with an emotional hangover; from the TV adaptation of Rooney’s ‘Normal People’ to Evaristo’s ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, there wasn’t often a morning where I woke up not cloaked by a quilt of melancholy, an aching chest full of nostalgia consequentially caused by my bout of excessive binge-watching / reading the evening before. But with Hanya Yanagihara’s ‘A Little Life’, the aftermath couldn’t be whittled down to a momentary morning slump. This wasn’t a 24-hour bug – the kind that grips you with its all-consuming clout then evaporates into an unpleasant memory – but more a chronic affliction that never departs. In other words, this book stuck with me. It welded itself to my heartstrings and cortex, in a bid to ensure that I’m never a few hours away from remembering a snippet of the text and reverting back to that ‘the-morning-after’ state of disconsolate disposition.
In overview, the storyline threads itself through the lives of four protagonists; a group of male aspirants desperately trying to navigate their existence from the apartment blocks of New York City after graduating from New England University. With an eclectic mix of career goals behind them, the personal nuances of each character are echoed through their private quirks, foibles, and life-choices; take the scene – for example – where we learn that JB, a hopeful artist, is sleeping on the floor of his studio following an entanglement with addiction, whilst his long-term companion Jude opts to spend his evening mulling over mathematical enigmas for fun.
The plot does an excellent job of transporting its audience to the concrete pavement of a fervent metropolis, buzzing with all-night-rendezvous’ and overpriced restaurants, but it soon becomes clear that this novel is less an account of a bunch of spritely twenty-somethings grappling with city living, and more-so an acumen to the subtleties and complexities of life.
The quaternate narratives are told through a series of idiosyncratic points of view, but readers are mostly cast into the realities of Jude, a gifted law graduate trying to come to terms with his unforgiving past, and Willem, an ambitious actor who is thrust into the spotlight and aims to juggle his attention between newfound fame and a tightknit social circle. There’s no denying that the novel is intimidating in size, but Yanagihara’s succession in packing decades of life’s gradations and turbulences makes the 700(-ish) pages feel transient. From altruistic levels of kindness to cataclysmic miscommunications, it would be an injustice to reduce these characters to a fragment of the imagination when – through their distinctions of behaviour and thought processes – they are an opportunity for us to look within. How can something be forgotten when it embodies such a myriad of authentic sentiment, eventually becoming an extension of ourselves?
A Little Life is less an acknowledgment of the peaks and troughs of living, but an account of how our past and the people we choose to surround ourselves with plays into every fragment of our being. Yes, the book is subversive and of its own, but it is also an example of how acts of unconditional love can ultimately carry us through the darkness and provide a light of solace when we – sometimes unknowingly – need it most.
If you are a travel junkie looking for inspiration or simply dreaming of leaving your house, let your imagination run wild by reading about your dream destination from home. Recommended by travel insiders such as hoteliers and destination specialists, these books have the power to transport you to beautiful locations beyond your front door.
Greece
Corfu: Recommended by Vassilis Dracopoulos, Owner of MarBella Collection
Transport yourself to Corfu with ‘My Family and Other Animals’ by Gerald Durrell
This wonderfully uplifting book will help you fight away the isolation blues and transport you to the Greek island of Corfu. Durrell’s exceptional book paints a vivid picture of the Greek landscape, so detailed you will feel as if you are experiencing them yourself. With thoughtfully portrayed characters and fascinating descriptions of the locals, nature and wildlife, this book will have every reader ready to visit Corfu.
Dive deep into Greece with Vassilis Dracopoulos’ additional book recommendations including ‘From the Holy Mountain’ by William Dalrymple, ‘Prospero’s Cell’ by Lawrence Durrell, ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ by Louis de Bernier, ‘Graves Mythology’ by Robert Graves, ‘The Peloponnesian War’ by Donal Kagan, ‘Pyrrhus of Epirus’ by Jeff Champion, ‘Memoirs of Hadrian by Margueritte Yourcenar and ‘Roumeli – Travels in Northern Greece’ by Patrick Leigh Fermor.
Crete: Recommended by Natasha Martsekis, Founder and CEO of Bright Blue Villas
Take a Virtual Trip to Crete with ‘The Island’ by Victoria Hislop
Set on the island of Spinalonga, off the coast of Crete where lepers were banished, this award-winning novel is filled with love, drama and secrets. Whilst the story may have you gripped, the author’s research into Cretan culture is evident, creating an inspiring vision of this popular Greek island. Readers will be taken on a fantastic adventure, whilst learning from an inspiring account of Cretan history.
Zagori: Recommended by Vasilis Iosifidis, Owner of Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas
Fantasy Travel to the Greek Mountains with ‘Walking and Trekking in the Zagori: Walking routes in Greece’s wild and beautiful northern Pindos mountains’by Aris-Dimitrios Leontaritis
In North West Greece, Zagori is a beautiful mountainous region that still remains relatively unknown amongst visitors. This detailed and visual guide showcases the best of its unspoilt trekking routes, from dramatic gorges to mystical forests, clear blue rivers and rugged alpine peaks. Whether you are an amateur hiker or an adrenaline junkie this is a destination worth dreaming about. Filled with pictures of the stunning Zagori landscape, this book will truly transport you into the Greek mountains.
Italy
Tuscany: Recommended by Jasmine Boni-Ball, Tuscany Now & More
Escape to the Italian Countryside with ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ by Frances Mayes
This enchanting memoir perfectly portrays the sights, smells and sounds of Tuscany. Much like many properties in Tuscany, Frances Mayes finds herself in an abandoned villa which she carefully restores. Readers join Frances on her incredible journey through Tuscany’s vibrant local markets, beautiful landscapes and historic and cultural sites. Her recipes, cooked in her traditional kitchen will set you taste buds on fire whilst her story transports you to Italy’s magical destination. By the end of the book, we guarantee you’ll be as in love with Tuscany as we are.
To truly give you a sense of Tuscany, Jasmin Boni-Ball also recommends reading; ‘Every Day in Tuscany’ by Frances Mayes, ‘Vanilla Beans and Brodo’ by Isabella Dusi and ‘The Agony and The Ecstasy’ by Irving Stone.
Courmayeur: Recommended by Alessandra Borre, Courmayeur Monte Blanc
Keep Cool and Dream of the Slopes with ‘Courmayeur : A Mad Dog Ski Guide’ by Gaby De Pace
Already prepping for the 2021 ski season? Plan the perfect trip to impress your friends and family with this expert guide to Courmayeur. With clear maps and detailed descriptions of slopes, bars and restaurants, this guide will help you plan the ultimate ski trip for next year.
Want an extra opinion? Alessandra Borre also recommends ‘Courmayeur – Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges – a Guide for Skiers’ by Anselme Baud
Venice: Recommended by Chiara Zambianchi, General Manager at Grand Hotel dei Dogi, The Dedica Anthology
Live the glitz and glamour Venetian lifestyle with ‘Venetian Chic’ by Francesca Bortolotto Possati
This stunning coffee table book written by art connoisseur, interior designer, and hotelier Francesca Bortolotto Possati is filled with incredible photography by Robyn Lea. It will lead you on a magical journey through Venice. Perfect for armchair travellers, Francesca Bortolotto Possati guides readers through the city and its best kept secrets. Showcasing Venice’s premium artisan studios, iconic palazzos, markets and restaurants, the book is both beautiful and informative.
Rome: Recommended By Piero Magrino, General Manager at Palazzo Naiadi, The Dedica Anthology
Immerse yourself in the ancient city of Rome with ‘Angel and Demons’ by Dan Brown
The famous thriller is gripping and inspiring, taking the reader on a mysterious journey through the ancient city of Rome. Dan Brown imaginatively describes the city through the story of Robert Langdon who travels through Rome’s sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals and the most secret vault in the world on his quest to defeat the Illuminati. Reading Angels and Demons, you feel as if you have visited the eternal city and once travel resumes you can retrace Langdon’s steps in person.
Turkey
Istanbul: Recommended by Sedat Nemli, General Manager at AJWA Hotel Sultanahmet
Explore Turkey’s most populous city with ‘Strolling Through Istanbul: The Classic Guide to the City’ by Hilary Summer-Boyd and John Freely
There is no better way to experience a city than by foot and this classic guide will take you on a fantasy stroll around Istanbul. Planning a trip to Istanbul? This book is perfect for an in-depth look into this captivating city. Written by true experts, the book provides vivid anecdotes, secret histories, hidden gems and details on all the best attractions to visit. Whilst guidebooks can be hard to follow whilst you are on the ground, this book will help you plan the future trip of a lifetime, ensuring you won’t miss a thing in the city.
To further inspire your virtual trip to Istanbul, Sedat Nemli also recommends; ‘Istanbul: Memories and the City’ by Orhan Pamuk, ‘The Ottoman Centuries’ by Lord Kinross and ‘The Fall of Constantinople, 1453’ by Steven Runciman
Hungary
Budapest: Recommended by Tamas Fazekas, General Manager of New York Palace, The Dedica Anthology
Experience Budapest through the beautiful imagery in Luxury Budapest 2020
This incredible coffee table book offers readers a perfect guide to the Hungarian capital. Filled with alluring pictures and well written articles, the reader is guided through the luxury Budapest lifestyle. This stylish book will help readers discover the elegance, beauty, history and culture of the city, taking you on a trip around Budapest’s finest restaurants and visiting the city’s most luxurious elements.
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia: Recommended by Angela Torille, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort
‘Sent Lisi: Poems and Art of Saint Lucia’ by Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott, Sir Dunstand St. Omer, Roderick Walcott, Harry Simmons, John Robert Lee and others
It was described at the launch as “an iconic collection”, which features the work of Nobel laureate Derek Walcott (his poems and art), Sir Dunstan St. Omer, the late Roderick Walcott and deceased icon Harry Simmons alongside the poems and art of younger St. Lucian writers and artists. Eighteen writers and seventeen artists are featured. Amongst them is John Robert Lee, a writer from St Lucia whose short stories and poems have appeared in international anthologies. This is a wonderful book which encompasses older and younger St. Lucians, all who have nurtured their artists, writers, musicians, dancers and actors.
Further recommendations include Growing Up in St. Lucia by Loverly Sheridan
UK
Northern Ireland: Recommended by Julie Hastings, Hastings Hotels
Snuggle up with a classic and dream of the Mourne Mountains with’ ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’ from C.S.Lewis
C.S Lewis, author of `The Chronicles of Narnia’ that began with `The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, was inspired by the Mourne landscape in County Down, Northern Ireland. He wrote of the scenery here “it made me feel that at any moment a giant might raise its head over the next ridge”. Lewis holidayed in the Mourne Mountains, near the village of Rostrevor. He loved the Celtic myths told to him in childhood, also inspiration for his Narnia stories.