Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2016

I know I’m pretty late jumping on the band wagon here, but Hot Milk is a powerful, must-read novel. Better late than never, right?

Once you establish this isn’t a thriller, but in fact a story of truth, identity and realism, you will not be surprised why Hot Milk made the shortlist.

I may be biased because I’m sad that I picked up a book expecting to get my detective hat on and solve some murders, but was faced with trauma and a story which, whilst powerful, was not what I had expected from the blurb.

The plot:

Here’s why I thought it was a thriller. The synopsis of Hot Milk reads:

“Today I dropped my laptop on the concrete floor of a bar built on the beach. My laptop has all my life in it and knows more about me than anyone else. So what I am saying is that if it is broken, so am I…”

Sofia Papastergiadis, the narrator in Hot Milk, leaves her PhD in Anthropology behind to follow her mother, Rose, to Southern Spain in hopes that Dr. Gomez can treat Rose’s mysterious illness. 

We meet a variety of different personalities and imagery which Deborah Levy brought together for us to question alongside Sofia, “what is a myth?”. From Greek mythology, to a chained-up dog, to jellyfish and even marbled walls, this book is rich with information and creativity.

It’s impossible not to feel all types of emotion.

Personally, I feel there were a few stones left unturned, but all-in-all, a great read, as long as you’re not expecting a thriller.

This isn’t a long book and in such a short time you get so attached to the characters; Hot Milk is so descriptive and detailed, it’s impossible not to feel all types of emotion.

It is beautifully written and would make a great book to read on holiday and it’s the best book I’ve read this year which focuses on a mother-daughter relationship.

Hot Milk has the Bookmark That stamp of approval.

Hot Milk, Deborah Levy, RRP £8.99 (paperback); Waterstones