Opine Books
Leavening this downbeat mood is Rawson’s enduring sense of wonder and her humour, epitomised in her relations with the families of quolls and pademelons that cohabit her property in their unruly “wild” way, along with the snakes, the fairy wrens, and the microbats that shit in the walls.
Tombe’s name resonates with the darkness of the ice house, which may have held corpses, and his presence triggers sexual jealousy within the group, though Sam, immune to his charms, notes his complete lack of self doubt and the “mocking edge” of his charisma.
But Sittenfeld gently reminds us that, considering the chaotic past decade, where death, catastrophe and complex political issues have dominated American lives, fear and anxiety are an entirely reasonable emotional response.
Looking at western occult traditions from ancient times to the present day, the book explores how human societies have sought power, protection and insight from gods and stars, spells and amulets, sacred places and seductively enigmatic organisations.
Equally disappointing – but in line with its origins in Rawls’ ideas – Lefebvre at no point asks liberals to reflect on the legitimacy of the repressive powers of the state, the police, national borders or the prison system.