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The Coiled Serpent

Longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize 2024
3.57 goodreads logo

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( 625 ratings, 205 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Coiled Serpent by Camilla Grudova explores the intersections of art, society, and identity through the lens of different characters navigating a complex world. The narrative weaves a tapestry of cultural insights, delving into the transformative power of art and how it shapes human connections. Camilla Grudova's storytelling offers a thought-provoking reflection on creativity and the human experience.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have an interest in exploring the intricate connections between artistic expression and societal norms. With its captivating exploration of art and culture, advanced readers will appreciate the imaginative storytelling and thought-provoking themes.

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An arresting, discomforting collection from 'one of Britain's best young short story writers' (The Telegraph) that revels in the rotten and festers in the imagination.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A little girl throws up Gloria-Jean's teeth after an explosion at the custard factory; Pax, Alexander, and Angelo are hypnotically enthralled by a book that promises them enlightenment if they keep their semen inside their bodies; Victoria is sent to a cursed hotel for ailing girls when her period mysteriously stops.

In a damp, putrid spa, the exploitative drudgery of work sparks revolt; in a Margate museum, the new Director curates a venomous garden for public consumption.

In Grudova's unforgettably surreal style, these stories expose the absurdities behind contemporary ideas of work, Britishness, and art-making, to conjure a singular, startling strangeness that proves the deft skill of a writer at the top of her game.

The Coiled Serpent by Camilla Grudova is an exploration of unique narratives that defy conventional storytelling, showcasing her prowess in crafting intriguing and imaginative worlds.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Coiled Serpent by Camilla Grudova is celebrated for its incisive satire and vivid imagery, often compared to the surreal and evocative style of artists like Paula Rego. Critics describe it as an inventive, gripping collection that blends dark, creepy themes with humour and poignancy, making other contemporary works seem tame. It is noted for its grotesque, gothic-tinged body horror and refusal to shy away from grim realities, establishing Grudova as a uniquely daring and original voice in modern literature.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781838956356

Publisher: Atlantic Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 02 November 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Atlantic Books

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 321g

Pages: 208

About the Author

Camilla Grudova lives in Edinburgh where she works as a cinema operator and waitress. Her fiction has appeared in The White Review and Granta. She is the critically-acclaimed author of The Doll's Alphabet (2017) and Children of Paradise (2022).

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