June 2025 Issue of the Ottawa Review of Books

As we head into our summer break, ORB offers you our insights into a very eclectic selection of books. Topping off the list is the English translation of Ivan Lesay widely acclaimed novel from Slovakia, The Topography of Pain. A triptych of speculative fiction against a backdrop of political critique, this is an exemplary work of contemporary New Europe fiction. Seasoned ORB reviewer Tim Niedermann gives you his take on murder in a British elite school in Dark Like Under by Alice Chadwick. ORB stalwarts, Wendy Hawkin and Robert Runté share their respective insights on two very Canadian books: The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor and the Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Celebration of Canadian Life Through Story anthology edited by Shawn Bird. So with that, we are off to the beach, folks. Enjoy the issue and enjoy your summer!