In reading the author’s note, I was struck by how artists - writers, painters, musicians - must experience the world so much more richly, deeply and possibly also intensely because they immerse themselves in it, take everything that they can from it. Lucy’s author’s note is so full of the rich, well considered and weighted research for the book that she had clearly amassed over a lifetime, as well as specifically looked up or contacted people for. It’s not the main thrust of the book - which I thought was wildly beautiful and moving - but this author’s note following the weight of the novel itself I found to be an inspiration to get out into the world and experience life to the fullest.
The book itself is fantastic. It is orange and yellow (I remember thinking “Who chooses an orange binding for their hardback??”). Obviously it is richly visual and tactile but the enjoyment the reader experiences by seeing the world so vividly scratched out before them belies the adeptness of the writing, the word choice and the pacing of the phrases and paragraphs. I loved the framing, the chapter structure and variation in length, used to appropriate effect. Most of all, I felt - like I experience weight - each word falling into its resting place in each sentence with a kind of naturalness of rhythm that bowled me over is almost overwhelming.
Bravissima Lucy. Your mind contains multitudes.
31st August 2025