Susie Mesure

Mystery in everyday objects

Household gadgets take on a sense of wonder or menace for Lara Pawson, who sees a porpoise’s dorsal fin in the dial of a toaster and a hand grenade in a pepper mill

[Getty Images] 
issue 27 January 2024

‘The surest and quickest way for us to arouse the sense of wonder is to stare unafraid at a single object.’ Cesare Pavese wrote those words in Dialogues with Leucò, one of two quotations that preface Lara Pawson’s deceptively slim third book, Spent Light.

When her dog starts killing squirrels, Pawson cooks them, acquiring
a Whitby Wild Cat skinning knife

Pawson takes the Italian writer at his word, turning to a toaster for inspiration.

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