Only the Astronauts by Ceridwen Dovey review – playful and deeply moving close encounters

Metal objects launched into space observe perplexing humanity in this wildly inventive novel from the author of Only the Animals

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Telling stories from the perspectives of dead animals was, Ceridwen Dovey admits, “a tiny bit nutty”. Only the Astronauts – a “sequel of sorts” to her book Only the Animals – is a bolder and madder venture again. This time Dovey’s first-person narrators are inanimate objects which have been launched into outer space, including the International Space Station; the Voyager 1 space probe; a mannequin by the name of Starman; a sculpture on the moon (containing Neil Armstrong’s spirit); and a tampon that once belonged to Sally Ride.

The “tamponaut” declares that if anyone considers her ridiculous, then they “clearly don’t understand that most space missions are performative and symbolic above all else”. She could be defending Dovey here, who is troubled by the “spectre of ridiculousness” haunting books like hers.

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Continue reading…Metal objects launched into space observe perplexing humanity in this wildly inventive novel from the author of Only the AnimalsGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailTelling stories from the perspectives of dead animals was, Ceridwen Dovey admits, “a tiny bit nutty”. Only the Astronauts – a “sequel of sorts” to her book Only the Animals – is a bolder and madder venture again. This time Dovey’s first-person narrators are inanimate objects which have been launched into outer space, including the International Space Station; the Voyager 1 space probe; a mannequin by the name of Starman; a sculpture on the moon (containing Neil Armstrong’s spirit); and a tampon that once belonged to Sally Ride.The “tamponaut” declares that if anyone considers her ridiculous, then they “clearly don’t understand that most space missions are performative and symbolic above all else”. She could be defending Dovey here, who is troubled by the “spectre of ridiculousness” haunting books like hers.Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue reading… 

Metal objects launched into space observe perplexing humanity in this wildly inventive novel from the author of Only the Animals

Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email

Telling stories from the perspectives of dead animals was, Ceridwen Dovey admits, “a tiny bit nutty”. Only the Astronauts – a “sequel of sorts” to her book Only the Animals – is a bolder and madder venture again. This time Dovey’s first-person narrators are inanimate objects which have been launched into outer space, including the International Space Station; the Voyager 1 space probe; a mannequin by the name of Starman; a sculpture on the moon (containing Neil Armstrong’s spirit); and a tampon that once belonged to Sally Ride.

The “tamponaut” declares that if anyone considers her ridiculous, then they “clearly don’t understand that most space missions are performative and symbolic above all else”. She could be defending Dovey here, who is troubled by the “spectre of ridiculousness” haunting books like hers.

Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning

Continue reading… Books, Australian books, Culture, Space Science | The Guardian

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