Monday, August 22, 2016

Hot Milk

by Deborah Levy
The story of a 20 something woman who has ended up in Spain with her English mother to try and find a cure for a puzzling illness. Her Greek father left when she was young but he does put in appearance in the book as she struggles to find meaning in it all. The use of language is at times mesmerising and beautiful to listen to on the audio book I listened to this on. The story fely a bit laboured toward the end but I would happily read this again. 9/10

Eileen

by Ottessa Moshfegh
Set in 1960's America this is a strange book that tells the story of a young women who is a loner from an abused background who forms an unlikely friendship with a young women at the detention facility in which she works. It builds suspense very well but I was disappointed with the story telling. A sure sign it will win the booker prize for which it has been longlisted. 5/10

The Bitter Taste of Victory

by Lara Feigel
A look at Berlin from 1944 to the early days of the cold war. It is told from the angle of writers and artists, journalists and musicians who all for various reasons chose to get involved or went to have a look. It is a fascinating read. There are fascinating sections on the relative positions to Germany of Thomas Mann and his children, the involvement and responses of British writers such as Auden and Mervyn Peake. Who wouldn't marvel at James Gavin of the 82nd Airborne who at one time was carrying on simultaneous affairs with Martha Gellhorn and Marlene Dietrich. It was a mad, depressing time that led to mad unreal responses. 9/10

A Climate of Fear

by Fred Vargas
Gorgeously quirky Commissioner Adamsberg at it again with his team of bizarre French detectives. The story just hangs in there for an enjoyable romp which I had just about unravelled before the end. 8/10