Have I found my favourite book of 2023? 

Ah! The theme of a person not having a purpose or place is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately! I feel like a lot of autistic people are feeling like that today. Definitely going to check this out. And would love more recommendations surrounding this theme.

This sounds like the kind of very niche historical fiction that I love but don't read as much as I used to! Incredible review as always!

I don't even know what to say. This is so out there -- so utterly foreign. It's the compassion you bring to it that so touches me. Very special....💜🥺💜

I love the way you let a good story by a good wordsmith really mix with you intellectually and emotionally. How you appreciate writers and the universe of subjects they hope to take readers on a journey through. Literally just started The Manningtree Witches earlier today during a break from being selected for jury duty here. I love the cover art on Glutton what do you think?

Wow, your favourite novel of 2023! This must be a good one. It reminds me a bit of Perfume. This is going straight on my tbr list!

Yesssss I *must* read this. I've been fascinated by Tarrare ever since I first heard of his story.

i love waking up every morning and seeing you in my feed. 💜

I love watching your videos while I have breakfast, I'm learning english and your videos are perfect for learning and practicing listening because you speak so so well, I always recommend your videos to my friends and I feel so happy about the fact that I can understand your amazing and beautiful reviews I send you a hug from Costa Rica 💚

I always truly value your description of the book in addition to your review! Already have this one on hold at the Library, can not wait to read!

Cats are my favourite too. 🐈🐈‍⬛

Loved your review. I finished The Glutton a few days ago and like you think it could well be my best read of the year, it's sooooo good!

I just finished this book. It was so heartbreaking. The cruelty of this world laid bare for all to see. If only someone showed Tarare some human kindness, maybe the conclusion would have been different. Recommend a strong constitution to read this one!

Have you read the novel Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind? Dark, historical fiction/fantasy novel set in 18th century France about an orphan born with an exceptional sense of smell. I first read it in the early 90s and it has never really left me. I think you'd like it.

I like to hope that we all have a pace. It feels hard to imagine it with all the things happening right now but I do like to hope that we can all find that place eventually. I'll have to check this out if it's gonna have me thinking along those themes. And the cover is incredible, I can be easily swayed by a great cover

I loved this book, I will read anything A K Blakemore writes. The main character is disgusting at times, but is written with so much empathy that we forgive him. I agree he is a mirror to what is going on around him, and I too have been trying to think of him in the context of the French revolution. The doctors were also very interesting to me.

I bought this because you spoke of it recently.....I haven't read it yet...but will do soon 😊

Thanks for the review and recommendation!! Just finished this and loved it

Loved your review! 😊 I went to a book event in Edinburgh soon after the Glutton came out and it was so interesting to hear A. K. Blakemore talk about it. Really want to get to it soon!

Interesting. Been watching yiur videos without noticing you were a fan of historical novels like myself. I want to read this author, she sounds like up my alley. Thanks for recommending her. I shall think of South African novels that links with British history for you to tryout.

Huh. Well, now I'm just super curious about WHY the MC doesn't have agency/a place (which aren't the same thing; one might be marginalized but still make use of as much agency as is available or, like the pre-revolution peasants, have a clear place in society without having much power in the system). Is it that people just think he's too much of a freak? Does he have some kind of intellectual disability? Does he just not WANT to make choices (which is rare, but not impossible)? That seems relevant to the question of whether society can be made to fit everyone...