Gideon the Ninth

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, 448 pages

When she was an infant, orphan Gideon was grudgingly taken in by the Ninth House, where she became a playmate/indentured servant to House heir Harrowhawk, though Gideon always dreamed of escape. Her chance finally arrives after more than two decades, when the mystical and revered First House sends a summons to the Second through Eighth Houses for their best necromancer and a cavalier to come compete for a job serving the undying Emperor. Harrowhawk and Gideon answer the call on behalf of the Ninth, traveling to a world inhabited only by reanimated skeletons, searching through a possibly empty palace for keys to their potential future.

Rereading my description, it sounds like a really dark and weird story, which is definitely correct. But it doesn't fully capture the twisted humor and horrifying situations. Gideon is basically a sword-wielding foul-mouthed jerk who is forced by uber-goth Harrowhawk into pretending to be a silent creepy nun. And this possibly empty palace? Dusty and creepy as anything you've ever seen in a movie, read about in a book, or dreamed in your worst nightmare. Somehow, it combines to make a story that is funny and creepy and full of action and intrigue.

The Library at Mount Char

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins, 390 pages

Carolyn is not your average librarian (if such a thing even exists). She studied languages at Father's very exclusive library with her "siblings" and now has the ability to speak nearly every language on Earth, including those of different animals. Her siblings each have their own fields of study: tutu-wearing David knows all there is to know of combat and war, while always-stoned Jennifer has mastered medicine to the point of easily resurrecting the dead, usually after Margaret (who studies the dead) has found them in the afterlife. But Father (who may be a god) has gone missing, the siblings cannot approach the library without dire consequences, and they're starting to get desperate. Enter Steve, a former thief and current wannabe Buddhist, and Erwin, a military hero-turned-art teacher-turned-Homeland Security thug, who will somehow, possibly be involved in solving this mess.

This book is equal parts horrifying (the gore David leaves in his wake and the well-described putrid smell of Margaret) and hilarious (Steve being Steve). While I very much enjoyed this book, I'm curious what the Orcs & Aliens will think of this when we discuss it on Monday night, as it's definitely a departure from our usual titles.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, 289 pages.

Moshfegh, author of the novel, Eileen, and the short story collection Homesick for Another World, among others, is comfortable (or at least very good at) writing about dark situations that seem as though they should be impossible. Moshfegh makes it all seem matter-of-fact though. The unnamed narrator of this novel has decided to take a year off. Her parents, with whom she had distant and difficult relationships, have both died, she has broken up with Trevor, the boyfriend she does not really like (and who doesn't care for her), and she has lost her job. She has enough money, but nothing really appeals to her except sleep. So, with the help of a criminally negligent therapist, our narrator, decides to medicate herself into a year-long sleep. Her only friend Reva makes vague attempts at intervention, but is easily distracted by her own wants and needs. Moshfegh makes this bizarre narrative a compelling and eerily interesting book. While there is no one to root for, the story pulls you along. I listened to about half of the book and read the rest. Julia Whelan does a great job narrating the audio.

Agony / Mark Beyer, introduction by Colson Whitehead, 173 pp.

This is a re-release of a title from the 80s published by New York Review Comic, part of New York Review of Books.  Colson Whitehead thinks it's great.  I think I am missing the graphic lit gene.