Hot Milk by Deborah Levy: a review

I 100% picked up this book because I was fascinated by the title, and then reading the blurb just made it a must add to my pile of library books.

            Hot Milk by Deborah Levy follows Sofia as she tries to make her way through a life which never seems to quite go right. She lives with and cares for her mother whose ailments are under investigation at an expensive clinic in Spain. Dr Gomez, the chief clinician, doesn’t seem to have medicine as a priority, so Sofia’s mother appears to have little chance of getting better. With her anthropology PhD having to be left behind, can Sofia figure herself out while trying to understand just what’s going on with her mother?

            I adore the way the narrative voice is written. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but I’m so fascinated by it. I assume it’s intended to replicate an anthropologist’s investigation, given that Sofia lives her life as if everything is a study. It’s short, sharp, and gets right to the point, but keeps the perfect balance between telling and showing. I think this works so well because it’s written in such a way that, if I heard someone actually talk like this, I’d be incredibly put off by them. However, it works brilliantly as a reflection of thought.

            While not being written in this form, I do feel like I’ve found someone’s diary and have decided to read it despite knowing that I shouldn’t. It feels almost illicit, but I think that’s one of the reasons that this is such a thrill to read. There’s that feeling of “oh, just a little peak couldn’t hurt”.

            At the end of some chapters, there are these short passages from a stranger’s perspective who appears to be watching and following Sofia. The little details that lead you to figuring out who this is work so well, and really sheds light on this character’s motives. In fact, little details really are the making of this book.

            I am left with a couple of questions, but nothing that couldn’t be answered with another read through. I’m not sure that I will be reading this again. I really enjoyed this book, and I can certainly recommend it, I’m just not sure that it’s a book that’s so easy to read over and over again. Maybe with some time left between reads, then I can come back to it.

            Don’t forget about the Bad Reputation wishlist. In fact, my next review is something that could have easily featured in this wishlist if I’d thought of it. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/33XX7MWZ3PD7A?ref_=wl_share