The color of infinity inside an empty glass

 I actually didn't read all that much in February, but here are the books I *did* finish.

Setterfield, Diane: The Thirteenth Tale. Atria Books. 2006.
I loved "A River's Tale" a few years back, so I assumed this novel would be a safe bet. On the surface it circles around the same topics as "A River's Tale": What is fiction? And what is reality in relation to fiction? Does reality even exist or will everything that filters into our consciousness per default turn into fiction? So, on the surface level interesting, especially since it's a book about books / a book about reading and don't we all love those? But I found the plot to be absolutely outlandish and the whole novel rather heavy-handed. I can't say that I was bored, but I had high hopes for this one and Setterfield didn't quite deliver.

Edelbauer, Raphaela: Die Inkommensurablen. Klett-Cotta. 2023. (German)
This is a novel set in Vienna on the literal eve of WWI. It follows three friends as they spend they night and witness how the war breaks out. The vibes of this book are amazing. The Viennese slang is spot-on. (I wouldn't expect this to be translated into English anytime soon and if it is I can't see how a translation could hope to emulate the sound of this book.) Edelbauer more than delivers on the Austrian vibe and on the topics and ideas that were discussed at that point in time. I didn't connect with her characters all the much and all the esoteric talk about shared dreams went right over my head. But the rest was fantastic.

Kay, Adam: This is going to hurt. Picador. 2017.
Read for research and on that front it delivered. Other than that I think it's very specific to its time and place. If you don't live in GB you will have to live with the fact that this book clearly was not written for you. You'll still find some "funny" medical anecdotes in this. So if that's what you're looking for, go ahead and read this. (I'd advise to stay clear if you're pregnant or ever plan on being pregnant.)

Babb, Sanora: Whose Names Are Unknown. University of Oklahoma Press. 2006.
This novel tackles the same topics Steinbeck talks about in "The Grapes of Wrath" (and maybe you remember that I didn't like that book at all). The plot points are very similar - you have a family in the Oklahoma Panhandle that has to deal with continuous crop failure and that then goes to California and lives in a refugee camp. "Whose Names are Unknown" isn't a stellar novel either, but I like numerous things a lot better than in "The Grapes of Wrath": Babb clearly knows what she tallks about. Her descriptions of farm life and a farmer's relationship with his animals is spot-on and rings very true. Also, in contrast to Steinbeck she tells us things and then allows us to come to our own conclusions. You re actually invited to think for yourself in this one. Steinbeck was constantly trying to drive home his own political views via his storytelling. Even if you don't end up reading this novel, have a look at the publication history. It's highly fascinating!