Great précis and I so wanted this to be mysterious, magical, imaginative and fun but I just found it weird and boring. Tedious conversations, the constant search for people behind close doors and less than mysterious discoveries once behind those doors. Despite the comic tone I thought there was an undercurrent of sad relationship paranoia which confused me and I felt this was never resolved.
In the end it felt like I had read some drunken ramblings from someone on a long and repetitive train journey who decided to take some hallucinatory drugs and had fallen asleep to ease the journey.
I liked the writing which is descriptive and with a light tone and I wanted to enjoy it but I didn’t.
With thanks to Netgalley for the arc.

I read Peaces ahead of its upcoming paperback release, and had high hopes because I have enjoyed a couple of Oyeyemi’s previous works. This ended up being one the strangest novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Oyeyemi is a wondrous writer and this whimsical novel had me entranced from the beginning. As another reviewer commented, there’s little point in trying to decipher every little oddity and quirk, it is much more enjoyable to simply surrender and enjoy the ride.

I read this book as I had really enjoyed other novels by Helen Oyeyemi, and the premise intrigued me. I loved the setting of a strange, possibly magical train, and the strange characters onboard. Otto and Xavier have been gifted a semi-honeymoon trip but all is not as it seems. I enjoyed the mystery and confusion and the description of what was happening as the story unfolded, with more digressions into Otto, Xavier and their pet mongoose's pasts. They are trying to prove that Ava, the owner of the train, is sane (hinging around whether another character actually exists or not) and can inherit a fortune, but things get stranger and stranger. The setting and plot are reminiscent of Victorian mysteries, but the characters are very modern. It is rather confusing and hard to follow, and I I found it a little bit ominous and threatening. Beautifully written magical realism, but not a story I will reread.

Despite my loving the voice and its energy (and author's vivacious style) I really could not follow what was going on .. or this world's rules .. they travel with a mongoose?? They accept train travel from mysterious reclusive witch??Characters proliferate right from start and I realise I'm lost. Beautiful but hard to get hold of.

Completely off the wall and quirky, leaving me admiring the beautiful phrasing but confused whether this should be a fantasy and perhaps I've swallowed the wrong pill. Otto and Xavier Shin, are recently married and gifted a train journey to an unknown destination as a non-honeymoon honeymoon gift from their eccentric, wealthy aunt. Each carriage is its own world, varied and unique, and the owner of the train is the mysterious and absent Ava Kapoor. There appears to be more than a coincidence behind the few passengers, but what is the link.

There is no doubt the writer is talented, but the story is a bit crazy and disjointed with lots of divergences and I felt like I was "watching" through a swirling word-mist. Nothing felt real, until it became clear it was. The words twisted and untwisted images so that you were left doubting the black and white meaning. Furthermore, despite the names, it took me a while to realise it was a same sex couple, so I had to keep re-calibrating my perspective. Ava Kappor made no sense either, younger than Id expected, with irrational choices and actions. Add a pet mongoose into the mix, I kept doubting what was part of the story or simply a metaphor. I'm not sure this style is for everybody. I should give 5 out 5 for technicality, creativity and originality but I'm not sure I even enjoyed the story,

Good for people who like: surreal fiction, strange mysteries, talkative narrators.

Peaces is a unique novel, and one I’m still trying to work out what actually happened. It’s a great choice for anyone who likes surreal fiction. Those who have enjoyed Helen Oyeyemi’s other books will not be disappointed by this read.

Otto and Xavier Shin are on their non-honeymoon honeymoon on The Lucky Day, a private train sparsely inhabited by the mysterious theremin playing Ava Kapoor, her restricted team of companions, and occasional guests. This is in no way a normal train, as Ava adds carriages on a whim including a portrait room, gambling den, and a bazaar which comes on board every so often. Both Otto and Ava also travel with a companion mongoose. Ava is an unusual host, preferring to avoid contact with anyone outside her small circle. It’s unclear why Otto and Xavier have been invited on to the Lucky Day, and following a phone call as the train is about to set off, they wonder about the motives of an acquaintance who has inserted himself into the life of Xavier’s adopted aunt.

‘<i>Suppose your finger passed through the shoulder you’d presumed to tap, straight through, as if that shoulder were a mere hologram? Or suppose some overwhelmingly anti-magnetic sensation prevented your finger from descending onto the target shoulder? Let’s just suppose and suppose and suppose, and never find out for ourselves what life turns into after that decisive a failure to connect …</i>’

There is a story, but as is often the case with literary fiction there is more than one interpretation of events, and it is more about the journey than the destination. Otto is a talkative narrator, and you find yourself being taken on asides into the past for some chapters, with these stories tying in with the present day narrative in a non-obvious way. There is a mystery (a surreal one) which comes together but still leaves the reader asking questions at the end. There are lots of quirky details which add humorous moments.

This is overall a skilfully written and strange read, with something a bit haunting about it. The train as a setting is dreamlike, and some completely bizarre things are taken as fact by the characters.

This book was reviewed by Cathy.

With thanks to Faber & Faber and NetGalley for an electronic copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Shelves: General Fiction (Adult); Literary Fiction; November 2021

In the past, I haven't reviewed books that I haven't read. But, I have changed my mind. Firstly, I think that the fact that I couldn't finish a book is a valid criticism, and this is where we give feedback to the publisher. Secondly, I need to get my score up. I will not post this anywhere else but here. My rating will be based on what other people would think about this work.

I read about 30% of this book. I seem to be having problems reading fiction at the moment. This effected this book. I couldn't get motivated to read it. However, I could see that it has beautiful writing and a brilliant idea behind it. Many people would love this book.

Otto and Xavier are going on a non-honeymoon on a train that is the home of the allusive magician Ava Kapoor. They are to enjoy the train ride but avoid Ava who will inherit millions only if she can pass a sanity test and must not be disturbed.

Of course they do speak to Ava and learn of the conditions of her inheritance and of her benefactor's son, Prêm. Who is Prêm? Did he ever exist? Ava has never seen him despite others assuring her of his presence. Why could she not see him? What effect would being unseen, even if only by one person, have? Why did Ava, continue to play her theremin to an empty room, even if she did feel a presence there in the emptiness?

Peaces is an odd novel with a bizarrely mannered tone. It feels nineteenth century but in an adapted for TV way. It's like a closed door mystery with monocles, mongooses, mesmerism and a little mayhem and madness. It's clever, it's unusual, it's filled with love, desire, mystery and the power of art, but ultimately it wasn't for me. That doesn't mean it might not be for you...

Peaces will undoubtedly appeal to those who love the theatre of circus carnivalesque, the excitement of a curiosity shop filled with magical objects to tickle your subconscious. and there are also two mongooses who fall in love. You get the idea.

I found this book very difficult to read as I couldn't follow what was happening tor who the characters were. It left me feeling I just hadn't been clever enough to understand its meaning, never a good feeling when you finish a book. The plot features a train journey to a mysterious destination, possibly a honeymoon trip for the main protagonists (who are accompanied by their pet mongoose) given to them by an aunt. I have no idea why I requested it but thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Simply brilliant.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

If you thought Gingerbread was stuffed full of magical realism, then you’ll be amazed how much is crammed into Peaces. A wonderfully distracting train journey featuring a few eccentrics, a mongoose and frequent playing of theremins. The fact that it all seems quite normal is a testament to the skill and imagination of the author. Excellent stuff.
This story would be perfect as a Wes Anderson film.

Highly unusual and surreal, a fascinating read. This is my first by this author. I adored much of it, confused by some of it. I looked forward to trying more of this authors work.

My thanks to Faber & Faber for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Peaces’ by Helen Oyeyemi in exchange for an honest review.

‘Peaces’ is Helen Oyeyemi seventh novel. Her style is unique. She rejects the term ‘magical realism’ to describe her writing and instead favours ‘extra fictional’. There are always fantastical, dream-like aspects to her writing.

Since my encounter with her 2005 debut novel, ‘The Icarus Girl’ I have been been a fan of Oyeyemi’s writing. I greatly admire her imagination as well as her exquisite writing. Of the five of her previous novels that I have read to date, only one proved inaccessible.

‘Peaces’ focuses on a mysterious train journey taken by Otto and Xavier Shin. It was intended as a ‘non-honeymoon honeymoon’ gifted by Xavier’s wealthy auntie, Shin Do Yeon.

They are accompanied on the trip by their pet mongoose, Árpád XXX. The Árpáds have been animal companions of Otto’s family since Árpád the First appeared in his great-grandfather’s nursery in Borneo. Having this charming mongoose as a supporting character definitely added to my enjoyment.

The train named ‘Lucky Day’, had once been used for tea smuggling. It is made up of themed carriages, each more unusual and fascinating than the last. Many adventures ensue.

They also encounter Ava Kapoor, the sole full-time inhabitant of the train, and the driver Allegra. Yet the question lingers - are they passengers or prisoners? Added to this mix is a man named Přem, who may or may not be invisible.

This is undoubtedly a surreal novel with touches of whimsy. It is a novel that I am likely to reread in the future in order to appreciate its multiple layers and Helen Oyeyemi’s lyrical writing. As a result I also have its full cast unabridged audiobook edition, as its poetry-like narrative is well suited to the immersive experience of a combined read/listen.

Highly recommended work of literary fiction with extra fictional features.

Otto, Xavier and their mongoose embark on a train journey as a type of honeymoon, although they did not officially marry. Whimsical episodes occur, mystery abounds and layer upon layer is added. Magical realistic writing makes this a slightly surreal and discombobulating read, but it’s worth a look.

How to describe Peaces? I don't think I can. But if you love the whimsy, bizzare and unexplainable things happening in books, this is for you. Otto and Xavier take a honeymoon-like trip on a locmotive called The Lucky Day, with their pet mongoose. This is no ordinary train. Everything is whimsical and fabulous - kitchen, library, the characters/fellow travellers too. Each person is connected to Otto or Xavier and their past. So there you have it— good writing, twists, LGBTQ characters, nice story, also some confusion (you will be confused, that's just the way it is).

Every Helen Oyeyemi book is different. And that's something I love about her. My favourite remains Mr Fox. This was a wild ride though. Nice!

Although I did enjoy some of Helen Oyeyemi's previous books, I'm afraid I couldn't get into this one. It is intriguing and the characters are engaging, but I found it a bit too strange for my liking despite enjoying her beautiful writing.

Although a big fan of Helen Oyeyemi, I struggled to finish this book. I'm sure I will pick it up again sometime in the future but at this moment in time, the surrealist nature of the book is a little difficult for me to get through.

What a strange, beautifully written tale this is!
I can’t really pin down the plot of Peaces (and don’t want to) but Otto, Xavier and their pet mongoose Arpad board a magical sleeper train and take us along on a weird and wonderful journey.
Like a fairytale, I found it a dark, unsettling and emotional read. But it is also full of wit, joy and whimsy.
The characters are complex but relatable, full of nuance and humanity. And the story made me feel like them: disorientated and disturbed, searching for answers and an identity.
Peaces plays with plot, time and reality- just when you think you “get” it, you probably don’t … or perhaps you do!
It’s a brilliant tale of love, and life in all its enchanting complexity. Enjoy the ride!
I’m looking forward to reading more of Helen Oyeyemi’s work.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All views are my own.

This is a surreal quirky, read following a couple and their mongoose on their non-honeymoon honeymoon on a mysterious train owned by a lady called Ava Kapoor. Phantasmagoric and amazing settings and characters like straight out of a dream, a Wes Anderson, Alice in Wonderland or Tim Burton film, a puzzle to be solved. They are all connected to a mysterious presence that is quite unseen but is certainly there, It's hard to put a finger on whatever is happening. It is a kind of understanding that reveals itself gradually if you surrender your expectations, are willing to listen and you just play along with what unfolds on the page, and even then you will be left with questions. The sense of invisibility, of being erased, seen or unseen, the idea that there is some puppeteering with someone pulling the strings is terrifying and mesmerising at the same time. So unique and spellbinding, it's like the author has stepped away from fairy tales and created a unique universe drawing inspiration form the mysterious tales and atmospheres of Prague, where she lives. Recommended to those willing to be transported. Amazing Oyeyemi, 5 stars!

My thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I love all the parts of this novel. The surrealism. The magical realism. The ornate train passing through unidentifiable destinations, full of bizarrely themed compartments. The semi-sentient mongooses and absurd, coincidental meetings. It’s a list of reasons to love Peaces. But I didn’t. I think the problem is the characters, Otto and Xavier the non-honeymooning honeymooners, Ava, Allegra, and Laura, the residents of the train on a quest to prove Ava’s sanity. The endlessly mysterious Prem who links them all. They’re all rather two-dimensional, pawns to the plot and setting that fail to capture the attention. The theme of visibility, of being seen or unseen by others runs through it but the thread leads nowhere, tangling and spiralling in a way that becomes dull and repetitive because the characters with the capacity to see or be seen have no purchase on the reader’s attention of feelings. The writing, as ever, is glittering and acrobatic but just wasn’t enough. I’m struck that the story could have beenba brilliant short story, or a novella, but they're just isn't enough substance for 250+ pages.