Private Rites

A Novel

By: Julia Armfield

Narrated by: Hannah van der Westhuysen

“One of my favorite novels of the past few years.” —Jeff VanderMeer, New York Times bestselling author of Annihilation

From the award-winning author of Our Wives Under the Sea, a speculative reimagining of King Lear, centering three sisters navigating queer love and loss in a drowning world

It’s been raining for a long time now, so long that the land has reshaped itself and old rituals and religions are creeping back into practice. Sisters Isla, Irene, and Agnes have not spoken in some time when their father, an architect as cruel as he was revered, dies. His death offers an opportunity for the sisters to come together in a new way. In the grand glass house they grew up in, their father’s most famous creation, the sisters sort through the secrets and memories he left behind, until their fragile bond is shattered by a revelation in his will.

The sisters are more estranged than ever, and their lives spin out of control: Irene’s relationship is straining at the seams, Isla’s ex-wife keeps calling, and cynical Agnes is falling in love for the first time. But something even more sinister might be unfolding, something related to their mother’s long-ago disappearance and the strangers who have always seemed unusually interested in the sisters’ lives. Soon, it becomes clear that the sisters have been chosen for a very particular purpose, one with shattering implications for their family and their imperiled world.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

Beautifully Written, But Mainly Fluff and Filler

Where to start? I want to give this book praise for everything it does well. Like everything Julia Armfield does, this book is gorgeously written in a way that brings you smack dab in the middle of the world and makes you forget reality. The sisters all feel real, grounded, and believable. Their flaws will resonate, and they feel like they could be your own family, struggling through life and love. But, unfortunately, that is the height of what this book does well. It is less a novel and more a snapshot of three sisters going through life at the end(?) of the world. The plot, while roughly that of King Lear, is basically non-existent. 90% of the book feels like filler and fluff, setting up back stories and side interests that ultimately don't mean a damn thing. The plot doesn't really exist, and is basically all rushed through in 1-2 chapters at end. And speaking of endings, Julia's works never really seem to end, just kind of stop. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just something to expect. In Our Wives Under The Sea, it helps fit the jarring changes of the characters and their lives. Here it really just felt lazy. All in all, it's a gorgeous piece of prose that lacks the substance it needs to be a true winner.

sisters aren't always great

Prefacing this with the fact I have not read King Lear.

However, I really enjoyed this book. I think it captures growing up with sisters you love, but weren't particularly close to. How you feel loyal and connected to them, and yet can't quite bridge your gaps. I think the commentary of your family holding you to a past-you standard when everyone else knows the now-you is genius as well.

Narration and writing was absolutely beautiful

This is one I wish I had read instead of listened to. Except it was such a beautiful listen. I think I missed a lot that I would have caught by reading.

Outstanding ending

The first half had me concerned but the ending made the initial trudge well worth it

Never a sunshine, how is it possible to have so much bad weather

I found this very sad and depressing. Too much focus on the weather and water.