by Colson Whitehead
This book grew on me as it went along. The story of a black slave in pre-civil war America is a timely reminder of the evils of racism and how barbaric man can be.
Cora, the slave in question who tries to runaway, is the character who holds the narrative together. I liked the construct of a physical underground railroad that was used to take slaves from state to state and examine the various stances different parts of the US took.
However, I never quite engaged with the narrative for some reason 5/10
Friday, August 25, 2017
Home Fire
by Kamila Shamsie
A story of 3 siblings -British Asians who are torn apart by current political turmoil. This book is riveting reading and definitely one of the best books I have read this year. It progresses at a breathtaking pace as the storytelling passes from one character to another. 9/10
A story of 3 siblings -British Asians who are torn apart by current political turmoil. This book is riveting reading and definitely one of the best books I have read this year. It progresses at a breathtaking pace as the storytelling passes from one character to another. 9/10
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Autumn
by Ali Smith
A round up and, to some extent, a comment on the current state or mood of the country. It is a story of the friendship between an old man, Daniel and a young girl/woman, Elisabeth that is full of imagination and humour that I loved. Quirky at times and maybe lopping off characters -such as Elisabeth's lovers-too quickly I really enjoyed it which almost certainly kills off its chances in the Man Booker prize for which it has been longlisted. 9/10
A round up and, to some extent, a comment on the current state or mood of the country. It is a story of the friendship between an old man, Daniel and a young girl/woman, Elisabeth that is full of imagination and humour that I loved. Quirky at times and maybe lopping off characters -such as Elisabeth's lovers-too quickly I really enjoyed it which almost certainly kills off its chances in the Man Booker prize for which it has been longlisted. 9/10
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness
by Arundhati Roy
This is an engaging book but I found that when I picked it up I found it hard to put down, but when I put it down I felt no urgency to pick it back up.
The story is that of an Indian transexual who sets up an odd but engaging community in an old graveyard. The characters are tragic and comic and larger than life but they have a vibrancy that draws the reader in. A large part of the middle of the book is taken up with the Kashmir conflict and the relationship of 2 people caught up in it. This was interesting but for me a bit to long but a good read all the same 8/10
This is an engaging book but I found that when I picked it up I found it hard to put down, but when I put it down I felt no urgency to pick it back up.
The story is that of an Indian transexual who sets up an odd but engaging community in an old graveyard. The characters are tragic and comic and larger than life but they have a vibrancy that draws the reader in. A large part of the middle of the book is taken up with the Kashmir conflict and the relationship of 2 people caught up in it. This was interesting but for me a bit to long but a good read all the same 8/10
Les Parisiennes
by Anne Sebba
A fascinating book that I found difficult to follow at first because of all the names mentioned, but it gives a very balanced view of the role women played in Parisian life during the second world war and some of the reasons they may have acted as they did. 8/10
A fascinating book that I found difficult to follow at first because of all the names mentioned, but it gives a very balanced view of the role women played in Parisian life during the second world war and some of the reasons they may have acted as they did. 8/10
Unconditional Surrender
by Evelyn Waugh
The final part of the Sword of Honour trilogy sees things work out not too badly for Guy. This is a book full of pathos as the war nears its end and society realises that things have changed forever.
It has some interesting comment on being a catholic and the cultural as well as religious implications. I enjoyed this better than the second volume but still enjoyed the first book best 8/10
The final part of the Sword of Honour trilogy sees things work out not too badly for Guy. This is a book full of pathos as the war nears its end and society realises that things have changed forever.
It has some interesting comment on being a catholic and the cultural as well as religious implications. I enjoyed this better than the second volume but still enjoyed the first book best 8/10
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