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Orchid and the Wasp

par Caoilinn Hughes

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825325,236 (3.05)3
In this dazzlingly original debut novel, award-winning Irish writer Caoilinn Hughes introduces a heroine of mythic proportions in the form of one Gael Foess. A tough, thoughtful, and savvy opportunist, Gael is determined to live life on her own terms. Raised in Dublin by single-minded, careerist parents, Gael learns early how a person's ambitions and ideals can be compromised-- and she refuses to let her vulnerable, unwell younger brother, Guthrie, suffer such sacrifices. When Gael's financier father walks out on them during the economic crash of 2008, her family fractures. Her mother, a once-formidable orchestral conductor, becomes a shadow. And a fateful incident prevents Guthrie from finishing high school. Determined not to let her loved-ones fall victim to circumstance, Gael leaves Dublin for the coke-dusted social clubs of London and Manhattan's gallery scene, always working an angle, but beginning to become a stranger to those who love her. Written in electric, heart-stopping prose, Orchid & the Wasp is a novel about gigantic ambitions and hard-won truths, chewing through sexuality, class, and politics, and crackling with joyful, anarchic fury. It challenges bootstraps morality with questions of what we owe one another and what we earn. A first novel of astonishing talent, Orchid & the Wasp announces Caoilinn Hughes as one of the most exciting literary writers working today.… (plus d'informations)
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» Voir aussi les 3 mentions

5 sur 5
complex story, well written, financier father, conductor mother, epileptic brother, determined heroine daughter ( )
  StphnT | Aug 7, 2023 |
Protagonist Gael Foess is a member of a dysfunctional family. She is a hard-edged narcissist who thinks she knows what is best for everyone and is not afraid to go after it. She follows through on many audacious ideas in an attempt to “help” her family members, though one wonders if it is really a form of control.

Gael’s brother experiences seizures and turns to art to capture his feelings. Her mother is a symphonic composer and conductor who never wanted children. Her father is a wealthy investment banker with rigid and judgmental views. In trying to distance herself from her father, Gael becomes more like him. It is set mostly in 2008-2011 in Dublin, London, and New York, with the economic depression and Occupy Wall Street movement as a backdrop.

This is a character-driven novel with art as one of the primary topics, so it seemed at first glance like something I would enjoy. The author is certainly talented, and I appreciate her expressive writing. However, it was hard to get past the plot holes. For example, oil paintings do not dry in a few days and the gallery reps would surely have noticed. Gael does not learn anything from her experiences, and it is hard to believe she is fully formed at such a young age, so it is hard to care about what happens to her. The writing is strong, but it seemed like a chore to finish it. ( )
  Castlelass | Oct 30, 2022 |
I love strong female characters, and unlikable main characters sometimes make for the best stories. Unfortunately, the graphic and unpleasant opening image of Orchid and the Wasp by Caoilinn Hughes sets a tone that I cannot get past. I need a connection to develop with the characters or the story to envision the opening in another light. Unfortunately, that connection never develops. I am left wishing I could unsee that opening.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2018/09/orchid-and-wasp.html

Reviewed for Penguin First to Read program. ( )
  njmom3 | Sep 10, 2018 |
I thought for sure when I read the synopsis it would be right up my alley but unfortunately I just never felt a connection with this book. I normally love books that explore family dynamics throughout the years and having most of the story take place in Ireland should have been an added bonus but I was bored for just about the entire book. I was never able to care about Gael or her family or what happened to them. Disappointing because I think the author does have talent, but this just wasn't a good fit for me.

Thank you to First to Read for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! ( )
  fastforward | Jul 11, 2018 |
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I have read (and partially skimmed) the first chapter of this novel and concluded that it is not for me. The part I read was from the perspective of the (in some ways) extremely precocious 11 year old Gael, as she gets into trouble at school, cares for her younger brother and manages her father (or perhaps only thinks she does). While I can see Gael has potential, I do not like her and am reluctant to read an entire novel of her outlook on life. I found the opening off-putting (Gael explains to her friends her views on virginity and hymen removal/fake restoration) and once we got to her watching her father in the shower I had had enough.
  pgchuis | Feb 15, 2018 |
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In this dazzlingly original debut novel, award-winning Irish writer Caoilinn Hughes introduces a heroine of mythic proportions in the form of one Gael Foess. A tough, thoughtful, and savvy opportunist, Gael is determined to live life on her own terms. Raised in Dublin by single-minded, careerist parents, Gael learns early how a person's ambitions and ideals can be compromised-- and she refuses to let her vulnerable, unwell younger brother, Guthrie, suffer such sacrifices. When Gael's financier father walks out on them during the economic crash of 2008, her family fractures. Her mother, a once-formidable orchestral conductor, becomes a shadow. And a fateful incident prevents Guthrie from finishing high school. Determined not to let her loved-ones fall victim to circumstance, Gael leaves Dublin for the coke-dusted social clubs of London and Manhattan's gallery scene, always working an angle, but beginning to become a stranger to those who love her. Written in electric, heart-stopping prose, Orchid & the Wasp is a novel about gigantic ambitions and hard-won truths, chewing through sexuality, class, and politics, and crackling with joyful, anarchic fury. It challenges bootstraps morality with questions of what we owe one another and what we earn. A first novel of astonishing talent, Orchid & the Wasp announces Caoilinn Hughes as one of the most exciting literary writers working today.

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