by Mohsin Hamid
Long-listed for the booker prize this year this is a short gripping novel and highly recommended.
It is written in the first person and is one side of an unusual conversation. It builds suspense gradually and has a gentle humour as well as being very touching. It also makes you think about some of the larger issues in the world and hopefully offers a slightly different perspective. 9/10
Monday, August 27, 2007
Zest for Life
by Emile Zola
The twelfth novel in the Rougon-Macquart series and the worst so far in my view. The plot is extremely thin and being obsessed with death is very depressing. No wonder one of the hero's idols is Schopenhauer.
The novel is set on the Normandy coast and has some good description of the sea and its relentless attack on the cliffs. There are some graphic descriptions of childbirth and gout but I found the whole thing a bit too repetitious. Hopefully it will be like La Curée and improve on second reading. Still the good news is that the next novel is Germinal and this I love. 4/10
www.emilezola.info
The twelfth novel in the Rougon-Macquart series and the worst so far in my view. The plot is extremely thin and being obsessed with death is very depressing. No wonder one of the hero's idols is Schopenhauer.
The novel is set on the Normandy coast and has some good description of the sea and its relentless attack on the cliffs. There are some graphic descriptions of childbirth and gout but I found the whole thing a bit too repetitious. Hopefully it will be like La Curée and improve on second reading. Still the good news is that the next novel is Germinal and this I love. 4/10
www.emilezola.info
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexander Dumas
If AD was alive today he would surely be writing film scripts. This book moves at such an exhilarating pace that the 1200+ pages seemed to fly by with its cast of prisoners, thieves, bandits, child murderers, poisoners, lesbians, drug users, and more. For a ripping yarn and not quite the expected ending this is great stuff. 9/10
If AD was alive today he would surely be writing film scripts. This book moves at such an exhilarating pace that the 1200+ pages seemed to fly by with its cast of prisoners, thieves, bandits, child murderers, poisoners, lesbians, drug users, and more. For a ripping yarn and not quite the expected ending this is great stuff. 9/10
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
The Blond Baboon
by Jan willem van de Wetering
Another crime mystery and this time our laid back Amsterdam heroes are back in their home town investigating the death of an old woman. A very easy read but great fun as ever7/10
Another crime mystery and this time our laid back Amsterdam heroes are back in their home town investigating the death of an old woman. A very easy read but great fun as ever7/10
The Ladies Paradise
by Emile Zola
The eleventh book in the Rougon Macquart series and one of the most fascinating to date. It follows on very closely from Pot Bouille following the fortunes of Octave Mouret and the growth of the department store. The social and economic history element to this book is as fascinating as the character narrative itself.
The heroine reminded me very much of a Dickensian heroine although I did enjoy her resolve in leaving her uncle and the umbrella maker to run with the new. 9/10
www.emilezola.info
The eleventh book in the Rougon Macquart series and one of the most fascinating to date. It follows on very closely from Pot Bouille following the fortunes of Octave Mouret and the growth of the department store. The social and economic history element to this book is as fascinating as the character narrative itself.
The heroine reminded me very much of a Dickensian heroine although I did enjoy her resolve in leaving her uncle and the umbrella maker to run with the new. 9/10
www.emilezola.info
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