19 Comments
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calista ginn's avatar

why am i so shook that ethan hawke wrote a really great book?? gotta dig in!!! j’adore you j’adored this dispatch

Nic Marna's avatar

No, it was surprising to me too!! I will say, it reads like a Boy Movie™️ but in a way that is still fun and not an eye roll.

Regan's avatar

Jumping on the Hawke-as-author train here to say I loved A Bright Ray of Darkness, and I also lovedddd his sophomore novel Ash Wednesday --which also lowkey giving Boy Movie (well said, Nic), but actually very surprisingly beautiful & insightful

Nic Marna's avatar

Wait..... do I have to become a Hawke completionist?

Steph Halchin's avatar

😭 home always reveals itself once we leave it. but it's still yours!!! hope you really love the london transition

also, excited to read the wall this month (hi martha), the hounding, and sorry ethan hawke is writing novels???

Nic Marna's avatar

Ethan Hawke has BEEN writing novels!! Since 1996!!

Marquita's avatar

I loved Ghosts, let us know how you feel about it! I actually felt seen in that book in a way I thought I wouldn't. And congrats on a move to London!

Nic Marna's avatar

Thank you!!!

It was a reread and it wasn’t what I remembered, but I still liked it! Also, it takes place really close to my new place in London which is so cool

Natalia Quintero Ochoa's avatar

Perfect bed-side stack!!

Stacey's avatar

Agree with how engrossing The Wall was, I felt totally hypnotized by the plain rhythm of her days. And the Kitten mention!! <3

Nic Marna's avatar

Weeee of course!!! It’s firmly planted at the top of my TBR 🫶

Martha Adams's avatar

Unbelievably gorgeous intro - I'm SO thrilled to have you here on my door step!

I am currently in the throws of The Wall right now and agree with you - its so melodic? Almost trance like? It's very gentle while also eviscerating the systems we live under - good times. I can't wait for the discussion too! And I love the way you described Just A Little Dinner - it literally DID all feel so real.

I've also never read Of Mice and Men so I'm sat for the review of that!!

Martha Adams's avatar

also why is everyone in these comments raving about Ethan Hawke am I sleeping on him as an author?!

Nic Marna's avatar

I think you should skip Of Mice and Men 🫶

And I can’t speak to Hawke in general, but this one was really a delightful surprise!! (Have to google if he’s a bad person, I’m like not sure)

Allison's avatar

I loved Ghosts!!!

Emma's avatar

I’ve also just finished the Wall which I agree was very good despite it being very simple and repetitive.

I listened to Ethan Hawkes a bright ray of darkness and it was a great audiobook. I look forward to revisiting it again soon!

I’d be interested to know how you get on with Ghosts. I love Dolly Alderton but was disappointed with this.

Nic Marna's avatar

I’m reading Ghosts for the North London vibe! I really love Dolly’s voice and I’m wondering if it’ll work for me in fiction. Excited to dig in!

Abigail Whittington's avatar

That intro was beautiful 😭

Nic Marna's avatar

Thank you abi!!!!!!! 🫶🫶🫶