Bring up the Bodies

by Hilary Mantel
This is the sequel to Wolf Hall and once again won the Booker prize. I enjoyed this so much more than Wolf Hall. The story of Thomas Cromwell continues and he is given a central role in the demise of Anne Boleyn. He is a great character and if little is known about him historically these books create a character that you both love and hate in equal measure. He is ruthless and yet loyal and has a cast of characters around him who bring the court alive. I still find the writing style hard at times but the plot of this book kept me going even though I knew the ending! 8/10

The Great Gatsby

by F Scott Fitzgerald
Listened to this as audiobook and got a bit frustrated with the narrator. However, the story is good. It is a short novel and yet, somehow, Fitzgerald summons up a sense of place which is breathtaking. The narrator is placed in the centre of the action and yet is totally detached from it, which works incredibly well. Definitely recommend 8/10

Our Man in Havana

by Graham Greene
The story of an English colonial vacuum salesman in Cuba who inadvertently gets caught up in the secret service. Wormold is a great creation, together with his daughter Milly and his friend Dr. Hasselbacher I enjoyed every minute of this book. Probably should be read with a Cuban soundtrack playing in the background and a glass of whiskey by your side.
It is humorous throughout and even in its darker passages(It is Graham Greene after all) it seems to tread lightly. I think the novel works because as the book concludes, Wormold is crazy but "... never quite mad enough." 9/10