Rebecca Perry's debut novel, May We Feed the King, is a dazzling puzzle-box of a book that deliberately wrongfoots the reader at every turn. On its surface, it appears to be an intriguing tale about a curator tasked with creating historically accurate scenes in a medieval palace, but as you delve deeper, you realize that nothing is quite as it seems.
The novel's use of detail and specificity is striking, yet simultaneously frustrating, as Perry insists on presenting the reader with everything – and nothing at all. The story unfolds through the eyes of an unnamed curator who navigates the world of the palace, uncovering snippets of information about a king whose life has been reduced to mere fragments.
As you follow the Curator's journey, the narrative seamlessly shifts between the present day and the medieval past, weaving together a complex tapestry of reflections, shadows, and movements. It's as if we're the ghosts haunting the palace, trying to decipher the clues left behind by the courtiers.
At its core, May We Feed the King is a powerful exploration of the limits of human understanding. The novel asks us to confront our own biases and assumptions about history, and the lives of those who come before us. Perry's portrayal of the king, who possesses ultimate power but is forced into objecthood, is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking.
Ultimately, May We Feed the King is a novel that defies easy interpretation. It's a richly entertaining and frustrating read that will leave you questioning everything. The book's final message – to listen for everything and pay attention – serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of subtlety and nuance in storytelling. While Perry may withhold some answers, she rewards her readers with a puzzle-box of a novel that is impossible to put down.
The novel's use of detail and specificity is striking, yet simultaneously frustrating, as Perry insists on presenting the reader with everything – and nothing at all. The story unfolds through the eyes of an unnamed curator who navigates the world of the palace, uncovering snippets of information about a king whose life has been reduced to mere fragments.
As you follow the Curator's journey, the narrative seamlessly shifts between the present day and the medieval past, weaving together a complex tapestry of reflections, shadows, and movements. It's as if we're the ghosts haunting the palace, trying to decipher the clues left behind by the courtiers.
At its core, May We Feed the King is a powerful exploration of the limits of human understanding. The novel asks us to confront our own biases and assumptions about history, and the lives of those who come before us. Perry's portrayal of the king, who possesses ultimate power but is forced into objecthood, is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking.
Ultimately, May We Feed the King is a novel that defies easy interpretation. It's a richly entertaining and frustrating read that will leave you questioning everything. The book's final message – to listen for everything and pay attention – serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of subtlety and nuance in storytelling. While Perry may withhold some answers, she rewards her readers with a puzzle-box of a novel that is impossible to put down.
. The thing is, it's like they want you to get lost in the book and never find your way out... which, honestly, was kinda annoying 
. I mean, who needs all that extra info? It's like trying to solve a puzzle blindfolded while being hit with a bunch of unnecessary details 
. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely thought-provoking and all, but sometimes I just wanna know what's going on already 
! Still, the writing is top-notch and Rebecca Perry's got some serious storytelling chops... so yeah, 4/5 stars from me 
and i'm still reeling from the experience!!! Rebecca Perry's attention to detail is insane - like, seriously meticulous. But what really gets me is how she plays with our perceptions of history and reality. It's like she's hiding clues in plain sight and then BAM, you're left questioning everything 
. it feels like a puzzle itself, all these different threads woven together to create this complex narrative. i love how the author doesn't shy away from ambiguity - sometimes you feel like you've got it all figured out, only to be hit with another curveball 
. and can we talk about how frustrating it is when you're trying to piece together the story but she's all like "nope, not telling you anything" 
? haha, i mean, in a good way... kinda? anyway, trust me when i say this book will keep you on the edge of your seat and questioning everything 
.
. But what really got me was the exploration of human understanding and biases... it's so relatable, you know? 
I mean, who hasn't tried to fill in the gaps of someone's life story? 
It's like we're all trying to uncover the same clues, but with different perspectives. Anyway, I'm still thinking about it months after finishing the book, and I think that's a testament to Perry's skill as a writer 
. I love how Perry subverts expectations and makes you question everything, even the king's backstory 
. Overall, May We Feed the King is a wild ride that'll keep you guessing until the very end 
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meanwhile the more i read the more i felt like a ghost haunting the palace with the curator 
it's so frustrating because you want to know everything about this king, but perry is all "hey nope not gonna tell you that"