Audely Bensen Writes

Ever since the first time I read an Alix Harrow book while curled up in my Grammy's hand-me-down tweed armchair, I've been in love. Her books have a way of pulling me completely out of the day-to-day world. They're captivating without being pretentious, and I love the feeling of sinking into her worlds.  Starling House did not disappoint. This book was spooky without being scary, and left me feeling a deep empathy for all its characters. Alix Harrow is a master at building characters, and building villains, who are deeper than they first appear, and letting the reader discover them on their own time.  This was a beautiful book that I can't wait to return to on the next rainy day. 

As is the usual case lately, I read Our Wives Under the Sea based on my writing group's recommendation. There are not a lot of books that appeal to everyone's taste within our little group, but this one has slowly been making the rounds.  This is definitely a literary story. The meandering narrative was a lesson in story telling. The whole time I was reading this book, I couldn't stop asking 'how did she do this?' How does someone fit snapshots of hazy memories together in a way that slowly illuminates a single picture, while keeping the reader enthralled at the shape slowly forming? I think the only way to answer that story will be to read it again a few dozen times.