Another varied year dominated mid-year as is becoming traditional-by the Booker prize list. Around this I have read a couple of good biographies-particularly enjoyed the Balzac. On the non fiction side I particularly enjoyed a history of France by John Julius Norwich.
The Booker was won by Milkman, set in Northern Ireland at the time of the troubles. However, my favourites were Washington Black and The Overstory and I would find it difficult to choose between them.
In other fiction I have listened to a couple of Dickens-very enjoyable as ever. Have also read the English Patient which was good but I think my favourite has to be a short novel called The Mussel Feast set at a German meal table.
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Love is Blind
by William Boyd
This book set at the end of the nineteenth century is the tale of Brodie Moncur, a Scottish piano tuner. It is peopled with marvellous characters some of whom I would have liked to see and hear more of.
The story follows Brodie all over Europe and beyond and although I felt the story stalled at times I always was interested to find out what happened next. 7/10
This book set at the end of the nineteenth century is the tale of Brodie Moncur, a Scottish piano tuner. It is peopled with marvellous characters some of whom I would have liked to see and hear more of.
The story follows Brodie all over Europe and beyond and although I felt the story stalled at times I always was interested to find out what happened next. 7/10
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine
by Gail Honeyman
an accounts assistant in Glasgow, with a past, this book is very funny and very sad in equal measure as Eleanor tries to come to terms with the present,
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic. One of the most enjoyable reads of the year. 9/10
an accounts assistant in Glasgow, with a past, this book is very funny and very sad in equal measure as Eleanor tries to come to terms with the present,
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic. One of the most enjoyable reads of the year. 9/10
Saturday, November 17, 2018
A tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens
How good to read this tale of the French revolution again. Different to many of Dickens that I have read. Fewer comic characters-although Cruncher and Miss Pross are magnificent and situated largely out of London it is interesting to try and hear Dickens view of the revolution.
You still get his concern for the working classes and the condemnation of the rich but in a very English way he seems wary of the revolution as a means of solving these problems. I guess history has proved him right with clear social divides still in clear view on the streets of Paris. 9/10
How good to read this tale of the French revolution again. Different to many of Dickens that I have read. Fewer comic characters-although Cruncher and Miss Pross are magnificent and situated largely out of London it is interesting to try and hear Dickens view of the revolution.
You still get his concern for the working classes and the condemnation of the rich but in a very English way he seems wary of the revolution as a means of solving these problems. I guess history has proved him right with clear social divides still in clear view on the streets of Paris. 9/10
The Order of the Day
by Eric Vuillard
This is a recording of history from the second world war that scarily demonstrates how we can get sucked into the most chilling acts by turning a blind eye. How the outworking of evil can sit next to the most banal acts of everday life.
It is short. It is well researched-the farewell luncheon for Ribbentrop in London could have been (and probably was) lifted straight from Churchill's memoirs of the second world war. It is fascinating 8/10
This is a recording of history from the second world war that scarily demonstrates how we can get sucked into the most chilling acts by turning a blind eye. How the outworking of evil can sit next to the most banal acts of everday life.
It is short. It is well researched-the farewell luncheon for Ribbentrop in London could have been (and probably was) lifted straight from Churchill's memoirs of the second world war. It is fascinating 8/10
Monday, November 12, 2018
France-A history from Gaul to De Gaulle
by John Julius Norwich
A gallop through French history from 58BC to the end of the second world war.
Although by its very nature this history omits much of the detail it is a very enjoyable and informative read. His personal asides are amusing without ever diluting his clear love for France and its people. 9/10
A gallop through French history from 58BC to the end of the second world war.
Although by its very nature this history omits much of the detail it is a very enjoyable and informative read. His personal asides are amusing without ever diluting his clear love for France and its people. 9/10
Saturday, October 27, 2018
A walk through Paris
by Eric Hazan
A walk from South to North through areas of Paris that tell the story of the republic from a left perspective. I love his (I suspect slightly tongue in cheek) asides, speculating on how people will react in the coming revolution, as well as his extensive knowledge of the city he has always lived in. Good to have a street map at your side, or better still be in Paris as you read. 7/10
A walk from South to North through areas of Paris that tell the story of the republic from a left perspective. I love his (I suspect slightly tongue in cheek) asides, speculating on how people will react in the coming revolution, as well as his extensive knowledge of the city he has always lived in. Good to have a street map at your side, or better still be in Paris as you read. 7/10
The Mussel Feast
by Birgit Vanderbeke
This is a short but fantastic story. It is set on one evening in the late eighties in East Germany. A family of four awaits the father so they can celebrate his new job with his favourite food -moules frites.
He is late and as the evening gets later more and more gets revealed about how this idyllic family buries many secrets. In turns funny and sad it has a great ending. 9/10
This is a short but fantastic story. It is set on one evening in the late eighties in East Germany. A family of four awaits the father so they can celebrate his new job with his favourite food -moules frites.
He is late and as the evening gets later more and more gets revealed about how this idyllic family buries many secrets. In turns funny and sad it has a great ending. 9/10
Paris Echo
by Sebastian Faulks
An American post grad researcher and a young Moroccan man searching for something meet in unusual circumstances as they arrive in Paris. There follows a story of how they bounce off each other as one looks for love and one looks to forget love, told in a storytelling way that Faulks is so good at. Good read for a holiday 8/10
An American post grad researcher and a young Moroccan man searching for something meet in unusual circumstances as they arrive in Paris. There follows a story of how they bounce off each other as one looks for love and one looks to forget love, told in a storytelling way that Faulks is so good at. Good read for a holiday 8/10
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Everything Under
by Daisy Johnson
The last of this years Booker crop and an interesting read. It was not my favourite but it may have the right ingredients to win.
Everything in this book is fluid. Set on the canals and rivers, relationships are fluid, gender is fluid and everything in between keeps moving. Scary to follow and the reveal at the end of the book of the adaption of a well known Greek myth is clever but also a bit too in your face. 7/10
The last of this years Booker crop and an interesting read. It was not my favourite but it may have the right ingredients to win.
Everything in this book is fluid. Set on the canals and rivers, relationships are fluid, gender is fluid and everything in between keeps moving. Scary to follow and the reveal at the end of the book of the adaption of a well known Greek myth is clever but also a bit too in your face. 7/10
The Overstory
by Richard Powers
This is an amazing book. It is about trees and the people who try to save them. The characters are fascinating, and the commentary on the human race depressing but the beauty of the storytelling is wonderful. It would be up there as a possible Booker winner this year for me. 9/10
This is an amazing book. It is about trees and the people who try to save them. The characters are fascinating, and the commentary on the human race depressing but the beauty of the storytelling is wonderful. It would be up there as a possible Booker winner this year for me. 9/10
The Flemish House
by George Simenon
Maigret is invited by a distant cousin to look at a murder near the Belgian border. It is an interesting book in that Maigret is investigating in an unofficial role and the end of the book is surprising while displaying another side of his character. As usual I enjoyed this book 8/10
Maigret is invited by a distant cousin to look at a murder near the Belgian border. It is an interesting book in that Maigret is investigating in an unofficial role and the end of the book is surprising while displaying another side of his character. As usual I enjoyed this book 8/10
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Milkman
by Anna Burns
Another surprise from this year's Booker longlist.
It is a book set in 1970's Belfast although the book never mentions the city, or the country or the conflict by name. It also never mentions the characters names other than by relationship to the nameless narrator.
All of this made me reluctant to pick this book up but I ended up listening to an audiobook and this was definitely the right choice. The narration of Brid Brennan is fantastic, catching the language of the book in a compelling and gripping way. This is important because the central character is forever going down side roads as she tells the story of how Milkman came into her life and how he was shot.
Along the way it is very funny in places, very sad in others and, for those who remember those years, a reminder of how unusual and scary a time it was. 7/10
Another surprise from this year's Booker longlist.
It is a book set in 1970's Belfast although the book never mentions the city, or the country or the conflict by name. It also never mentions the characters names other than by relationship to the nameless narrator.
All of this made me reluctant to pick this book up but I ended up listening to an audiobook and this was definitely the right choice. The narration of Brid Brennan is fantastic, catching the language of the book in a compelling and gripping way. This is important because the central character is forever going down side roads as she tells the story of how Milkman came into her life and how he was shot.
Along the way it is very funny in places, very sad in others and, for those who remember those years, a reminder of how unusual and scary a time it was. 7/10
Sunday, September 16, 2018
The Long Take
by Robert Robinson
I did not expect to like this novel. A novel written largely in verse about a Canadian soldier returning to America after the second world war.
He travels from New York to California and the book gives us impressions of his experience and flashbacks to France. I found it mesmerizing and much better than I expected it to be. The experiences, past and present, are presented raw and without comment - a good read 8/10
I did not expect to like this novel. A novel written largely in verse about a Canadian soldier returning to America after the second world war.
He travels from New York to California and the book gives us impressions of his experience and flashbacks to France. I found it mesmerizing and much better than I expected it to be. The experiences, past and present, are presented raw and without comment - a good read 8/10
Wednesday, September 05, 2018
Normal People
by Sally Rooney
The writing here is compelling and it drew me in against my will. The subject matter are two young people from Ireland, both intelligent but both flawed in some way. They have a peculiar relationship that lasts through various angst that did wear me down a bit. I can see why people rave about Rooney's writing talent but I fear I am a little too old for the subject matter to resonate with me. I have still not made up my mind about this book. 7/10
The writing here is compelling and it drew me in against my will. The subject matter are two young people from Ireland, both intelligent but both flawed in some way. They have a peculiar relationship that lasts through various angst that did wear me down a bit. I can see why people rave about Rooney's writing talent but I fear I am a little too old for the subject matter to resonate with me. I have still not made up my mind about this book. 7/10
The Mars Room
by Rachel Kushner
This is a story about life in a Californian prison and the lives of those incarcerated there. It is a depressing and tedious life that is reflected perfectly n this book. I did not enjoy it. 4/10
This is a story about life in a Californian prison and the lives of those incarcerated there. It is a depressing and tedious life that is reflected perfectly n this book. I did not enjoy it. 4/10
Monday, September 03, 2018
Warlight
by Michael Ondaatje
This was a fascinating book. It did however fall into two parts. Part one set just after the second world war is full of Dickensian characters and Wilkie Collins mystery as Nathaniel and his sister are seemingly abandoned by their parents and looked after by various seedy characters.
The second part moves on to 1959 and Nathaniel is working for the government trawling through files to see what still needs to be destroyed to protect the history being written about the still recent war. It is also where he slowly unpeels what happened with his parents-or his mother at least. I found this second part of the book less convincing. Too many unresolved questions. Characters who are painted so vividly in part one fade away leaving you wanting more. What did happen to his father? The writing, as you would expect, is beautiful 8.5/10
This was a fascinating book. It did however fall into two parts. Part one set just after the second world war is full of Dickensian characters and Wilkie Collins mystery as Nathaniel and his sister are seemingly abandoned by their parents and looked after by various seedy characters.
The second part moves on to 1959 and Nathaniel is working for the government trawling through files to see what still needs to be destroyed to protect the history being written about the still recent war. It is also where he slowly unpeels what happened with his parents-or his mother at least. I found this second part of the book less convincing. Too many unresolved questions. Characters who are painted so vividly in part one fade away leaving you wanting more. What did happen to his father? The writing, as you would expect, is beautiful 8.5/10
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Washington Black
by Esi Edugyan
This is in many ways a tall yarn in the style of Peter Carey and I loved it.
It tells the story of a slave called George Washington Black and the brother of a cruel slave owner. His nickname is Titch and he is a mad inventor who takes Washington on board, releasing him from the ever close cruelty inflicted on his fellow slaves. Trying to get a flying machine to work they have a number of adventures and following a tragic suicide both Titch and Wash make a dramatic escape taking the across America to the Arctic and eventually to Europe and Africa.
Beneath the adventure there is the pain of finding a place of belonging and home and self worth. It is the best booker nominee I have read so far this year 9/10
This is in many ways a tall yarn in the style of Peter Carey and I loved it.
It tells the story of a slave called George Washington Black and the brother of a cruel slave owner. His nickname is Titch and he is a mad inventor who takes Washington on board, releasing him from the ever close cruelty inflicted on his fellow slaves. Trying to get a flying machine to work they have a number of adventures and following a tragic suicide both Titch and Wash make a dramatic escape taking the across America to the Arctic and eventually to Europe and Africa.
Beneath the adventure there is the pain of finding a place of belonging and home and self worth. It is the best booker nominee I have read so far this year 9/10
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Snap
by Belinda Bauer
This worked as a crime novel but not sure how it ended on the Booker longlist-other than Val McDermid is one of the judges this year and she appears on the cover of the book raving about how good it is.
It has a good plot line which keeps you reading but the language was pretty underwhelming and cliched in places.
It is the story of Jack who gets abandoned by his mother- along with two younger siblings- on the hard shoulder of the M5 while she goes to call for help. She never comes back and is found murdered a week later. The story is what happened next. 7/10
This worked as a crime novel but not sure how it ended on the Booker longlist-other than Val McDermid is one of the judges this year and she appears on the cover of the book raving about how good it is.
It has a good plot line which keeps you reading but the language was pretty underwhelming and cliched in places.
It is the story of Jack who gets abandoned by his mother- along with two younger siblings- on the hard shoulder of the M5 while she goes to call for help. She never comes back and is found murdered a week later. The story is what happened next. 7/10
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
The English Patient
by Michael Ondaatje
Fascinating book examining the interaction of four characters in an abandoned villa in Italy at the end of the second world war.
The characters are wonderfully portrayed and tension remains throughout. A book to read in large chunks and let the prose wash over you. 9/10
Fascinating book examining the interaction of four characters in an abandoned villa in Italy at the end of the second world war.
The characters are wonderfully portrayed and tension remains throughout. A book to read in large chunks and let the prose wash over you. 9/10
The Water Cure
by Sophie Mackintosh
I did not enjoy this book. Set slightly in the future you guess it appears at first to be a tale about some distopian future but starts to shed scales and reveal what seems more like child physical and sexual abuse. Very little that is redeeming about it. 4/10
I did not enjoy this book. Set slightly in the future you guess it appears at first to be a tale about some distopian future but starts to shed scales and reveal what seems more like child physical and sexual abuse. Very little that is redeeming about it. 4/10
From a Low and Quiet Sea
by Donal Ryan
A collection of short character studies of three very different characters that are brought together in the final chapter in a rather contrived way.
I enjoyed the writing but didn't feel it held together as a novel. 7/10
A collection of short character studies of three very different characters that are brought together in the final chapter in a rather contrived way.
I enjoyed the writing but didn't feel it held together as a novel. 7/10
In our Mad and Furious City
by Guy Gunaratne
This story is told in a number of different voices over 2 days on a London housing estate. It tells the story of young second and third generation british asians as well as giving us the background on early immigration waves from the West Indies and Ireland. It took me a while to get into the language but I enjoyed the book a lot. 8/10
This story is told in a number of different voices over 2 days on a London housing estate. It tells the story of young second and third generation british asians as well as giving us the background on early immigration waves from the West Indies and Ireland. It took me a while to get into the language but I enjoyed the book a lot. 8/10
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Flights
by Olga Tokarczuk
This is a collection of tales wound together by airports and flights and travel. They go back and forth in time and are beautifully told. Almost before you realise it you have tumbled into a new story and then just as you are settling down with it you take off on the back of another story. 8/10
This is a collection of tales wound together by airports and flights and travel. They go back and forth in time and are beautifully told. Almost before you realise it you have tumbled into a new story and then just as you are settling down with it you take off on the back of another story. 8/10
Friday, July 06, 2018
Dawn of the Belle Epoque
by Mary McCauliffe
I have always enjoyed Mary McCauliffe's writing about Paris, ever since Paris Notes-which I still miss by the way.
This is a very readable book and well researched, and it left me wanting to seek out places I have never been to in Paris-small galleries and quirky corners. It's also about 19th Century France/Paris so how can you not love it. 8/10
I have always enjoyed Mary McCauliffe's writing about Paris, ever since Paris Notes-which I still miss by the way.
This is a very readable book and well researched, and it left me wanting to seek out places I have never been to in Paris-small galleries and quirky corners. It's also about 19th Century France/Paris so how can you not love it. 8/10
Brideshead Revisited
I really enjoyed revisiting Brideshead after a long break-it must be 30 years ago I last read it. It has lost nothing of its attraction and I fell in love with the characters all over again. 9/10
Blood Wedding
by Pierre Lemaitre
Typical Lemaitre, gruesome, gripping and full of twists and turns it is a can't put down, can't take any more type of book. 9/10
Typical Lemaitre, gruesome, gripping and full of twists and turns it is a can't put down, can't take any more type of book. 9/10
A far cry from Kensington
by Muriel Spark
Really enjoyed this. Great characters with a narrator offering useful asides to the reader which made me chuckle on ore than one occassion. Will definitely read more of Muriel Spark 8/10
Really enjoyed this. Great characters with a narrator offering useful asides to the reader which made me chuckle on ore than one occassion. Will definitely read more of Muriel Spark 8/10
Sunday, May 20, 2018
The Saint-Fiacre Affair
by Georges Simenon
An unusual tale where it is not clear a murder has taken place but a lady is dead and her death was induced by a malevolent act.
This book is more interesting for the back story on Maigret's childhood on an old landed estate. I enjoyed it a lot 9/10
An unusual tale where it is not clear a murder has taken place but a lady is dead and her death was induced by a malevolent act.
This book is more interesting for the back story on Maigret's childhood on an old landed estate. I enjoyed it a lot 9/10
The Beast in Man
by Emile Zola
A rereading of this novel, which was even more powerful than when I first read it, exploring mental illness and psychosis to a devastating conclusion. 9/10
A rereading of this novel, which was even more powerful than when I first read it, exploring mental illness and psychosis to a devastating conclusion. 9/10
Winter
by Ali Smith
Second in a planned quartet charting the state of modern britain. Ok storyline, funny in places and a /great quirky introduction. 7/10
Second in a planned quartet charting the state of modern britain. Ok storyline, funny in places and a /great quirky introduction. 7/10
A Sultan in Palermo
by Tariq Ali
Fourth in the Islam Quintet this as the title suggests is set in Palermo in the court of King Roger in the twelth century. It tells the tale of Idrisi the court cartographer against the backdrop of encroaching christian invaders. Great story with a different ending to what I had expected 8/10
Fourth in the Islam Quintet this as the title suggests is set in Palermo in the court of King Roger in the twelth century. It tells the tale of Idrisi the court cartographer against the backdrop of encroaching christian invaders. Great story with a different ending to what I had expected 8/10
Monday, April 02, 2018
Balzac
by Graham Robb
Telling the life of a figure like Balzac is difficult. He spent much of his life constructing stories about his life while running away from his creditors or lovers that seperating fact from fiction becomes very difficult. Robb recognises this difficulty but puts together a very readable account of A life of Balzac. However, I finished by thinking this was one life amongst many that could have been constructed and many others that probably died with Balzac and his acquaintances. 8/10
Telling the life of a figure like Balzac is difficult. He spent much of his life constructing stories about his life while running away from his creditors or lovers that seperating fact from fiction becomes very difficult. Robb recognises this difficulty but puts together a very readable account of A life of Balzac. However, I finished by thinking this was one life amongst many that could have been constructed and many others that probably died with Balzac and his acquaintances. 8/10
Thursday, March 01, 2018
My Life, Our Times
by Gordon Brown
A fascinating self portrait of Gordon Brown in power. He tries to spell out why he thought and acted as he did, much of which was admirable. The book really comes to life with the financial shocks of 2007-8 and their aftermath which Brown played a leading role in.
A man like Brown seldom seems to think they are wrong and the apologies he makes in this book are of a minor nature. The true assessment of Brown as Chancellor and Prime Minister will have to come from others.
A minor criticism but I did find the prose rather clunky in places 6/10
A fascinating self portrait of Gordon Brown in power. He tries to spell out why he thought and acted as he did, much of which was admirable. The book really comes to life with the financial shocks of 2007-8 and their aftermath which Brown played a leading role in.
A man like Brown seldom seems to think they are wrong and the apologies he makes in this book are of a minor nature. The true assessment of Brown as Chancellor and Prime Minister will have to come from others.
A minor criticism but I did find the prose rather clunky in places 6/10
Friday, February 16, 2018
Soviet Milk
by Nora Ikstena
This book is published in translation by Peirene press.
As usual it is a great read. The story is told in alternating chapters by a mother and daughter who are born and live in Latvia.
The mother is born just after the second world war and the daughter in 1969. The mother grew up as the Soviet Union tightened its grip during the Cold War. The daughter grew up as that grip was loosening and the breakup of the Soviet Union drew near. It is also the story of a mother and daughter who despite desperately trying were prevented by life and illness and circumstances from ever bonding.
It is a sad but beautiful story that I missed when it ended.8/10
This book is published in translation by Peirene press.
As usual it is a great read. The story is told in alternating chapters by a mother and daughter who are born and live in Latvia.
The mother is born just after the second world war and the daughter in 1969. The mother grew up as the Soviet Union tightened its grip during the Cold War. The daughter grew up as that grip was loosening and the breakup of the Soviet Union drew near. It is also the story of a mother and daughter who despite desperately trying were prevented by life and illness and circumstances from ever bonding.
It is a sad but beautiful story that I missed when it ended.8/10
A long Way from Home
by Peter Carey
This novel starts off as a road caper movie as an off the wall and suspended teacher teams up with his neighbours to take on the Redex trial- a gruelling road race around Australia.
However, part way through he becomes seperated from husband and wife team-the Bob's and at a section aptly named a fork in the road his life starts in a new direction.
Set in the 1950's, it is, as well as being funny in places, a stark look at what racism looks like at ground level. Willy, the hero, is brought up to believe he is the child of German immigrants. It turns out he is not. His escapades in Northern Australia bring him face to face with the realities of his own past and at the same time, the past of Australia's white settlers. Great book 9/10
This novel starts off as a road caper movie as an off the wall and suspended teacher teams up with his neighbours to take on the Redex trial- a gruelling road race around Australia.
However, part way through he becomes seperated from husband and wife team-the Bob's and at a section aptly named a fork in the road his life starts in a new direction.
Set in the 1950's, it is, as well as being funny in places, a stark look at what racism looks like at ground level. Willy, the hero, is brought up to believe he is the child of German immigrants. It turns out he is not. His escapades in Northern Australia bring him face to face with the realities of his own past and at the same time, the past of Australia's white settlers. Great book 9/10
Echo Park
by Michael Connelly
Bosch sailing close to the wind again and displaying a slightly dark side to his character as he takes on the hunt for a serial killer and his latest victim who may be still alive. 7/10
Bosch sailing close to the wind again and displaying a slightly dark side to his character as he takes on the hunt for a serial killer and his latest victim who may be still alive. 7/10
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Dombey and Son
By Charles Dickens
What to say, he makes you laugh, he makes you cry, he is far too sentimental yes but this does not take away from the drama and fast moving plot lines that are Dicken's hallmark. A great read over the new year period 9/10
What to say, he makes you laugh, he makes you cry, he is far too sentimental yes but this does not take away from the drama and fast moving plot lines that are Dicken's hallmark. A great read over the new year period 9/10
The French Art of War
by Alexis Jenni
A great start but meandered it's way through the latter 20th century French wars. It tells the story of Victorien Salognen who has fought in the second world war, Indochine and Algeria.
The story is told by a young man who stumbles across Victorien in Lyon, having given up on his job and girlfriend. It turns out that Victorien is an artist and he offers to teach the younger man to paint in return for writing the story of his life. The book jumps from the present day to the various war zones.
It is a vast book and I felt it only partly worked. I loved the bits about painting but the war scenes were very mixed. 5/10
A great start but meandered it's way through the latter 20th century French wars. It tells the story of Victorien Salognen who has fought in the second world war, Indochine and Algeria.
The story is told by a young man who stumbles across Victorien in Lyon, having given up on his job and girlfriend. It turns out that Victorien is an artist and he offers to teach the younger man to paint in return for writing the story of his life. The book jumps from the present day to the various war zones.
It is a vast book and I felt it only partly worked. I loved the bits about painting but the war scenes were very mixed. 5/10
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