Boggling. Another university read, ‘Houses of Ravicka’ was my introduction to Gladman’s writing. It is set in the topsy-turvy ‘Ravicka’, a made up world wherein gender and reality are far from accessible or sensical. It is the fourth book in the series, but I don’t think reading the prior novels would have made reading this any easier. The plot revolves around a ‘comptroller’ who has lost their home. It’s unclear what the home actually is - a physical home? Metaphorical? Metaphysical? Regardless, it is evident that a loss has been experienced. The novel is divided into two parts, the first with narrative structure relating to the aforementioned plot while the latter seems to be a poetic stream of consciousness about the concept of identity. The latter was my favourite, windswept yet embedded with beautiful lines such as “you’re still passing each other, exchanging novels, trying to find the right reader for your words”. It’s hard to describe, but it’s beautiful. 4/5 ⭐️ #books #bookstagram #ukbookstagram #housesofravicka #ravickaseries #bookreview #bookrecommendations #lgbtq #contemporaryfiction #reneegladman #fiction https://www.instagram.com/p/CM2nFuYlgCf/?igshid=8f5qev1ssdnv