Literary Blog Hop

A new blog hop is being hosted this week by The Blue Bookcase that I think is right up my alley. This blog hop is for "literary" blogs, or in other words, blogs that focus on the aesthetic quality of a work as well as the narrative quality. While I do review the odd fantasy novel here and there, in general my enjoyment of a book is directly related to its aesthetic value, so I would say The Story Girl would qualify.

This week's prompt is:

Please highlight one of your favorite books and why you would consider it "literary."

My favorite book of all time is Kartography by Kamila Shamsie. The book has two stories in counterpoint - one, the story of two engaged couples who begin the civil war of 1971 engaged to one person and finish it engaged to the other, and two, the friendship of their children, Raheen and Karim, and the way their relationship is tested by the still ongoing ramifications of that war and their parents' choices during that war.

This book isn't very well known. The only people I know who have read it did so at my recommendation. However, I think this is definitely an example of a literary novel. The beauty of the writing is indisputable. Here is an example of a passage I love:

'Jake came to stand beside me as I gently squeezed the ink cartridge and a rain drop turned blue.

'"You really have this ability to find beauty in weird places."

'There was a tone of reconciliation in his voice, but when he had said it was over between us my heart had lurched ever so slightly, and if we were to stay together now perhaps it would lurch even more next week, next month, or whenever that inevitable ending came.' (p. 108) (And no worries, this is not a spoiler. Jake is not a significant character).

Another reason I think Kartography is literary is because the story is focused on the relationships between the characters. They must learn to forgive, accept, and love despite their frailties, betrayals, and mistakes. I think this novel portrays the real way relationships work, with their flaws and complexity, rather than dropping the story at happily ever after.

I hope this qualifies as a literary blog. I have had a harder time finding literary blogs, as it seems that there are abundant paranormal romance blogs, so I look forward to finding great blogs to read through this hop.