Shell
Shell
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Brief
Beta259
Novel • Fiction
Sydney, Australia • 1960s
2018
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Shell by Kristina Olsson follows a journalist and a sculptor in 1960s Sydney amid the construction of the Sydney Opera House. Their lives intertwine as they navigate personal and societal changes during this transformative era. The novel explores themes of ambition, identity, and social change against a backdrop of political unrest and art.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
936 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Shell by Kristina Olsson is praised for its poetic prose and atmospheric depiction of 1960s Sydney. The narrative intertwines personal and political transformations, capturing the era's essence. However, some readers find the pacing slow and the plot meandering. Despite this, Olsson's rich character development and exploration of themes resonate well.
Who Should Read Shell?
A reader who would enjoy Shell by Kristina Olsson appreciates historical fiction with political and emotional depth. Fans of Colum McCann's Let the Great World Spin or Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing would likely be drawn to the intricate storytelling and strong sense of place.
936 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
259
Novel • Fiction
Sydney, Australia • 1960s
2018
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!