I'M A FAN, by Sheena Patel (Granta, $22.99)
There's a burning rage that borders on psychopathic in Sheena Patel's first novel. Named one of the Observer's top 10 best debut novelists for 2023, Patel has written a story that delves into the vampiric world of fandom, betrayal and desire.
The unnamed narrator dreams of possession: possession of people, art, power, culture, and taste. Her boyfriend, a kind, caring and sweet man, has no idea she's having an affair with a much older, married man, whom she refers to as "the man I want to be with".
There's not much detail about our narrator, only that she's a person of colour, she's much younger than the older man's wife and his other mistresses, and she's scraping by on freelance jobs. She wants to be with him because of his status as a wealthy, famous white man in Britain, because she wants to create cultural impact, and also because she wants the illusion of brilliance that comes with generational wealth. However, at the same time she understands the colonial and violent history that denies her these things and by turn also gives them their value.
Denne historien er fra July 8 - 14, 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra July 8 - 14, 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
