A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston

Identified only as the girl who gives up her freedom to let her sister have a better life, our protagonist is a weaver of stories. When she takes her sister’s place to be the dreadful Lo Melkhin‘s newest wife, she is but a brave girl. Spoken about in hushed but revered tone by women, her sacrifice is like none other. It is only when she faces the evil that resides in her husband does she find the real magic hidden in her. I can’t say for sure if it was ancient magic or the strength of her character or her self belief, that changes the face of the cruel world but it makes for a damn good story. 

Loosely adapted from the Arabian Nights, this book has a strange appeal. It wasn’t until I finished reading this book did I realize that save for the husband of the protagonist there were no names. Titles, yes but names, none. Plot is engaging and the world building, minimal. It is a period of retelling. New stories hashed out from old ones keep lining up but a select few have the magical touch. A Thousand Nights by E K Johnston has it.

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Lullaby by Leila Slimani

Myriam, a mother of two joins work trusting the care of her children to a nanny who her husband and she approve after a lot of deliberation. Nanny Lousie takes over their home and lives with an effortless ease. Both of Myriam's kids love Lousie and the apartment has never been this perfect. Myriam and Paul begin to enjoy the freedom which seldom existed previously. Entertaining friends, taking off for family vacations and even excelling at work are the perks of having someone to manage their kids and home. Yet as time passes Myriam finds that something is amiss. Is Louise slowly encroaching their private space? Is there a line that they need to draw?  Myriam finds that she doesn't  have the guts to confront Lousie for the sort of indiscretion Paul and she find on a regular basis.

Louise on the other hand is a character hard to sympathise for. She comes with a lot of baggage. There are glimpses of her past life. Knowing what she is capable of, doesn't make this task any easier. Speaking of what we already know, the first page let's you in on the horror that Louise has set upon the household and it is really difficult to look at her objectively. We are human after all. Such cruelty no matter under what circumstances isn't easily forgotten or even forgiven. 

This novel moves at a pace that is so racy yet so slo-mo. If I have to, I'll compare it with watching a car crash on a close circuit camera. Inevitable, brutal, shudder inducing and bloody horrifying. 

Finally, it would be a disservice to the translator Sam Taylor if we do not acknowledge the beauty of this translation.

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