Private Rites
Author: Julia Armfield
Published by: 4th Estate
Pages: 336
Format: Hardback
My Rating: ★★★★
Published by: 4th Estate
Pages: 336
Format: Hardback
My Rating: ★★★★
There’s no way to bury a body in earth which is flooded. It is a fact consigned to history along with almost everything else.
It's been raining for a long time now, for so long that the lands have reshaped themselves and the cities have retreated to higher storeys. Old places have been lost. Arcane rituals and religions have crept back into practice.
Sisters Isla, Irene and Agnes have not spoken in some time when their estranged father dies. A famous architect revered for making the new world navigable, he had long cut himself off from public life. They find themselves uncertain of how to grieve his passing when everything around them seems to be ending anyway.
As the sisters come together to clear the grand glass house that is the pinnacle of his legacy, they begin to sense that the magnetic influence of their father lives on through it. Soon it becomes clear that others have also taken an interest in both his estate and in them, and that perhaps their inheritance may not be theirs alone.
It's been raining for a long time now, for so long that the lands have reshaped themselves and the cities have retreated to higher storeys. Old places have been lost. Arcane rituals and religions have crept back into practice.
Sisters Isla, Irene and Agnes have not spoken in some time when their estranged father dies. A famous architect revered for making the new world navigable, he had long cut himself off from public life. They find themselves uncertain of how to grieve his passing when everything around them seems to be ending anyway.
As the sisters come together to clear the grand glass house that is the pinnacle of his legacy, they begin to sense that the magnetic influence of their father lives on through it. Soon it becomes clear that others have also taken an interest in both his estate and in them, and that perhaps their inheritance may not be theirs alone.
My thoughts:
Julia Armfield’s Private Rites delves deeply into themes of identity, intimacy, and the unsettling beauty of isolation, making it an entertaining and thought-provoking read. Armfiekd, known for her hauntingly poetic prose, brings her unique voice and skill to this novel, crafting a story that will linger in the reader’s mind long after the book is closed.
The story blends psychological depth with surreal, and often, gothic elements. The characters are well-drawn, flawed and relatable, and their inner lives come alive on the page with raw vulnerability.
My favourite element of the novel lies in Armfield’s ability to craft atmosphere. Her language is precise and lush, sometimes bordering on lyrical, creating a mood that perfectly complements the dark themes she explores.
While I admittedly found the pacing a bit challenging at times, Armfield’s layered storytelling invites readers to sit with the discomfort and consider what lies beneath the surface.
Overall, Private Rites is a compelling read that will leave readers with much to discuss and dissect, making it an excellent choice for book clubs. This was selected as the October read for a monthly book club I attend. For me it’s a solid four star read, with the kind of haunting resonance that invites reflection long after the final page.
Overall reaction:
Julia Armfield’s Private Rites delves deeply into themes of identity, intimacy, and the unsettling beauty of isolation, making it an entertaining and thought-provoking read. Armfiekd, known for her hauntingly poetic prose, brings her unique voice and skill to this novel, crafting a story that will linger in the reader’s mind long after the book is closed.
The story blends psychological depth with surreal, and often, gothic elements. The characters are well-drawn, flawed and relatable, and their inner lives come alive on the page with raw vulnerability.
My favourite element of the novel lies in Armfield’s ability to craft atmosphere. Her language is precise and lush, sometimes bordering on lyrical, creating a mood that perfectly complements the dark themes she explores.
While I admittedly found the pacing a bit challenging at times, Armfield’s layered storytelling invites readers to sit with the discomfort and consider what lies beneath the surface.
Overall, Private Rites is a compelling read that will leave readers with much to discuss and dissect, making it an excellent choice for book clubs. This was selected as the October read for a monthly book club I attend. For me it’s a solid four star read, with the kind of haunting resonance that invites reflection long after the final page.
Overall reaction: