Sunday, February 28, 2016

The Hunter

by Richard Stark
This is the first Parker novel and it is hard to describe. I enjoyed it and was willing Parker on even though he is a killer, a woman beater, an out an out criminal. It bugs me that I cannot put my finger on why you end up rooting for him, but you do (or at least I did). Maybe it's the Soprano's thing. Why would you ever like Tony Soprano, but who can't help loving him. Definitely worth a read 7/10

A history of the Barricades

by Eric Hazan
A whirlwind tour of the French barricades from 1588 to 1871-the 1968 barricades were different. It is mostly about Paris but points out that they were used across France and other parts of Europe. It is a book that sets you hunting for more information (I have acquired 2 Victor Hugo boos on the back of it). I enjoyed it immensely and am already planning my next Paris trip to track down some of this history 8/10

The Man I Became

by Peter Verhelst
A novella about a gorilla who gets kidnapped and trained up to behave like a human. He observes and reflects on his life from a time beyond a great catastrophe and it is at times funny, sad and downright weird! I enjoyed it though and it was the right length to avoid becoming stale. 7/10