by Gillian Flynn
A thriller about a woman's disappearance where the clear suspect is the husband. His position is made more untenable by the fact that he tells the readers early on that he is lying to the police.
The story is told in alternate chapters by the husband Nick on the one hand and his wife Amy on the other. The story is further broken up by the fact that the two protagonists tell there story on different timelines so Nicks first chapter is on the day she disappears wheras Amy's first chapter starts 7 years earlier.
The timeframes get closer and closer as the book unfolds and adds to the mounting tension.
It is a pageturner and uses some great devices to arrest the readers attention, but I think the central device has been done better by Sarah Waters.
I enjoyed reading this book but I did feel a little dissatisfied with the ending. 7/10
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
May we be forgiven
by A. M. Homes
I enjoyed this. If you like Dicken's I think you would like this book. It is peopled with marvellous characters, some more comic than others. It has a young heroine character, a baddy or two and a happy ending. Perfect Dickens territory but set very much in 21st century America.
The narrator is Harold Silver and the story unfolds over a very eventful and wild year from one thanksgiving to the next. The story starts with his sister in law kissing him at the annual thanksgiving dinner, followed closely by his younger and somewhat bullying youger brother being at the wheel of his car when two people are killed. Harold ends up picking up the pieces that leads to further disaster.
There is always something happening which keeps you turning the pages. I felt the last quarter of the book rather coasted to a soft landing but that aside it was a fun read 8/10
I enjoyed this. If you like Dicken's I think you would like this book. It is peopled with marvellous characters, some more comic than others. It has a young heroine character, a baddy or two and a happy ending. Perfect Dickens territory but set very much in 21st century America.
The narrator is Harold Silver and the story unfolds over a very eventful and wild year from one thanksgiving to the next. The story starts with his sister in law kissing him at the annual thanksgiving dinner, followed closely by his younger and somewhat bullying youger brother being at the wheel of his car when two people are killed. Harold ends up picking up the pieces that leads to further disaster.
There is always something happening which keeps you turning the pages. I felt the last quarter of the book rather coasted to a soft landing but that aside it was a fun read 8/10
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
The Third Industrial Revolution
by Jeremy Rifkin
This is a thought provoking book. It maps out a vision for a way through the current climate change problems facing the human race. It does not shy away from the enormity of this challenge and neither does it descent into a doomsday mentality. It is founded in practical case studies that Rifkin is involved with around the globe and the five pillars that he sets out as the bedrock of the third revolution are practical and in many cases well on the way to fruition.
I did have problems with a couple of issues. The first was in chapter eight where Rifkin examines education and changes that need to be made. He suggests that there needs to be a change to collaborative thinking and a working for the common good(my interpretation). There seems to be a belief (hope) that the younger generations will adopt this as a normal way of working. I have trouble reconciling this with my experience which is that there will always be somebody who will see a chance to maximise personal return, albeit at the expense of the majority. I readily accept this may be due to a dose of Calvin in my youth tempered by later Darwin!
Secondly, Rifkin alludes to but did not deal with the problem of the North-South divide. It is a great aspiration to state that the developing countries may leapfrog the developed nations in the roll out of renewable energies etc. but it is hard to see the developed nations letting that happen without a fight. The step back from committment to a green agenda-see recent cuts by the UK and French governments in these areas-suggests that GDP growth will remain the driving force of these nations at any cost.
I applaud the ideas of this book but find it hard to share Mr. Rifkin's optimism for the future of our species. I hope to attend the World forum in Lille later this year and will be interested to hear an update from Jeremy Rifkin on the current state of our planet. I would thoroughly recommend reading this book. 9/10
This is a thought provoking book. It maps out a vision for a way through the current climate change problems facing the human race. It does not shy away from the enormity of this challenge and neither does it descent into a doomsday mentality. It is founded in practical case studies that Rifkin is involved with around the globe and the five pillars that he sets out as the bedrock of the third revolution are practical and in many cases well on the way to fruition.
I did have problems with a couple of issues. The first was in chapter eight where Rifkin examines education and changes that need to be made. He suggests that there needs to be a change to collaborative thinking and a working for the common good(my interpretation). There seems to be a belief (hope) that the younger generations will adopt this as a normal way of working. I have trouble reconciling this with my experience which is that there will always be somebody who will see a chance to maximise personal return, albeit at the expense of the majority. I readily accept this may be due to a dose of Calvin in my youth tempered by later Darwin!
Secondly, Rifkin alludes to but did not deal with the problem of the North-South divide. It is a great aspiration to state that the developing countries may leapfrog the developed nations in the roll out of renewable energies etc. but it is hard to see the developed nations letting that happen without a fight. The step back from committment to a green agenda-see recent cuts by the UK and French governments in these areas-suggests that GDP growth will remain the driving force of these nations at any cost.
I applaud the ideas of this book but find it hard to share Mr. Rifkin's optimism for the future of our species. I hope to attend the World forum in Lille later this year and will be interested to hear an update from Jeremy Rifkin on the current state of our planet. I would thoroughly recommend reading this book. 9/10
Monday, July 08, 2013
Felix Holt-The Radical
by Geaorge Eliot
I listened to this book after thoroughly enjoying Middlemarch and I am not so enthusiastic about this. There is still Eliot's enjoyable humour and her fantastic descriptions of nineteenth century life.
However, my main problem was that I did not like Felix Holt or Harold Transome. Part of me is glad about this but at other times I found it hard to engage with these characters. We were promised so much mystery surrounding Harold that was never delivered upon.
The story is set around the Reform Act of 1832 and the book is a great way of looking at social tensions around at that time however, some, like me, may find that there is a little too much detail on this front. 7/10
I listened to this book after thoroughly enjoying Middlemarch and I am not so enthusiastic about this. There is still Eliot's enjoyable humour and her fantastic descriptions of nineteenth century life.
However, my main problem was that I did not like Felix Holt or Harold Transome. Part of me is glad about this but at other times I found it hard to engage with these characters. We were promised so much mystery surrounding Harold that was never delivered upon.
The story is set around the Reform Act of 1832 and the book is a great way of looking at social tensions around at that time however, some, like me, may find that there is a little too much detail on this front. 7/10
Friday, May 31, 2013
Flight Behaviour
by Barbara Kingsolver
I listened to this as an audio book read by Barbara Kingsolver herself.
The plot revolves around a "small town America" society, and one family in particular that is jolted out of its day to day routine by a natural event triggered by global warming.
It examines one woman's awakening to both her own plight and the larger issues arising from environmental change. I loved the characters and the ending was close to perfect as far I was concerned. This is a thought provoking book that I would read again. 9/10
I listened to this as an audio book read by Barbara Kingsolver herself.
The plot revolves around a "small town America" society, and one family in particular that is jolted out of its day to day routine by a natural event triggered by global warming.
It examines one woman's awakening to both her own plight and the larger issues arising from environmental change. I loved the characters and the ending was close to perfect as far I was concerned. This is a thought provoking book that I would read again. 9/10
Thursday, May 30, 2013
A Delicate Truth
By John le Carre
I really enjoyed this book. It involves the British intelligence services and Cornwall and much in between. As ever you are never quite sure who the good guys are. It moves at a cracking pace and ended too soon 9/10
Saturday, May 04, 2013
The Blind Man's Garden
by Nadeem Aslam
I loved this book. The use of language is gorgeous in places evoking smells, sounds and a sense of place. The story of two brothers in a small Pakistani town near the Afghanistan just after 9/11 is both moving and unnerving as the pain and hopelessness of the individual caught up in a global struggle unfolds. Having said that it is not a book without hope, and as such, is well worth reading 9/10
I loved this book. The use of language is gorgeous in places evoking smells, sounds and a sense of place. The story of two brothers in a small Pakistani town near the Afghanistan just after 9/11 is both moving and unnerving as the pain and hopelessness of the individual caught up in a global struggle unfolds. Having said that it is not a book without hope, and as such, is well worth reading 9/10
Monday, April 29, 2013
Manuscript Found in Accra
by Paul Coelho
I was dissapointed with this book. It read like a book of biblical proverbs-and indeed quotes liberally from the bible. The plot is very thin if existing at all. Like all of his books that I have read the language is beautiful at times and did save the book for me from a premature end. 4/10
I was dissapointed with this book. It read like a book of biblical proverbs-and indeed quotes liberally from the bible. The plot is very thin if existing at all. Like all of his books that I have read the language is beautiful at times and did save the book for me from a premature end. 4/10
The Ghost riders of Ordebec
by Fred Vargas
Another good read featuring Inspector Adamsberg. I like these novels because they are full of quirky characters. This novel is no exception and if anything swings too far into the quirky nature of the Inspector and his team rather than concentrating on the crime that needed solving. It was not the best of Fred Vargas but enjoyable all the same. 7/10
Another good read featuring Inspector Adamsberg. I like these novels because they are full of quirky characters. This novel is no exception and if anything swings too far into the quirky nature of the Inspector and his team rather than concentrating on the crime that needed solving. It was not the best of Fred Vargas but enjoyable all the same. 7/10
A dance to the Music of Time-Spring
by Anthony Powell
This is the first volume of the four part version of Powell's story of 20th century England, consisting of three of the twelve novels in the series. I found myself drifting from wrapt enjoyment to wishing he would just get on with it throughout the story. Some of the characters are really enjoyable. The alcoholic Stringham, the arrogant Widmerpool and the crazy left winger Gypsy Jones spring to mind among others. The narrator, Nicholas Jenkins I found tedious in the way he was so detatched from the story he was intimately involved in.
We move from his schooldays-just after the Great War-to the 1930's, and it is a well drawn picture of a very narrow section of British society during this period. It is comical in places but overall it left me with a feeling of melancholy. Will I read the rest of the series? I think I probably will, but need a break first. 6/10
This is the first volume of the four part version of Powell's story of 20th century England, consisting of three of the twelve novels in the series. I found myself drifting from wrapt enjoyment to wishing he would just get on with it throughout the story. Some of the characters are really enjoyable. The alcoholic Stringham, the arrogant Widmerpool and the crazy left winger Gypsy Jones spring to mind among others. The narrator, Nicholas Jenkins I found tedious in the way he was so detatched from the story he was intimately involved in.
We move from his schooldays-just after the Great War-to the 1930's, and it is a well drawn picture of a very narrow section of British society during this period. It is comical in places but overall it left me with a feeling of melancholy. Will I read the rest of the series? I think I probably will, but need a break first. 6/10
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Hard Times
by Charles Dickens
The only major novel by Dickens I had not read previously. I thoroughly enjoyed this as Dickens lays into nineteenth century capitalism with all guns blazing.
Yes its full of melodrama, and cartoon characters but it is also full of comedy (read the first few chapters to see where Monty Python got there "shoebox in the middle of the road"sketch), and great characters like Gradgrind and Bounderby, Stephen and Rachel.
If you have never read any Dickens, this is not his best novel, but it is short and would be a good place to start. I am biased because I love Dickens so don't be swayed by my score. 9/10
The only major novel by Dickens I had not read previously. I thoroughly enjoyed this as Dickens lays into nineteenth century capitalism with all guns blazing.
Yes its full of melodrama, and cartoon characters but it is also full of comedy (read the first few chapters to see where Monty Python got there "shoebox in the middle of the road"sketch), and great characters like Gradgrind and Bounderby, Stephen and Rachel.
If you have never read any Dickens, this is not his best novel, but it is short and would be a good place to start. I am biased because I love Dickens so don't be swayed by my score. 9/10
The Second World War
by Antony Beevor
I covered this book through a combination of audio book and print. If I am honest, I may not have finished this in print as I am not a big follower of military history, and inevitably there is a lot of description of battles. However, this book covers a lot of the politics and social history as well, and is an excellent overview of a war that changed the face of the world.
The numbers become incomprehensible and the depths of savagery that man can fall too are made very apparrent. I think everyone should make themselves aware of this conflict in the hope that we may never go there again. History is written by the victors and this book is no exception (so for instance bomber Harris is treated far more leniently than he would have been if German), but for all that it tries to be as objective as possible. A chilling book, a depressing book, but with this subject matter, it should be. 9/10
I covered this book through a combination of audio book and print. If I am honest, I may not have finished this in print as I am not a big follower of military history, and inevitably there is a lot of description of battles. However, this book covers a lot of the politics and social history as well, and is an excellent overview of a war that changed the face of the world.
The numbers become incomprehensible and the depths of savagery that man can fall too are made very apparrent. I think everyone should make themselves aware of this conflict in the hope that we may never go there again. History is written by the victors and this book is no exception (so for instance bomber Harris is treated far more leniently than he would have been if German), but for all that it tries to be as objective as possible. A chilling book, a depressing book, but with this subject matter, it should be. 9/10
Friday, February 22, 2013
Waiting for Sunrise
by William Boyd
When your lead character has a name like Lysander Rief, and the book opens in 1913 Vienna with him visiting a contemporary of Freud to deal with a complaint called Anorgasmia (you will have to look it up or read the book), then you know you are in for another great tale from William Boyd.
Lysander is an actor by profession, the son of a famous actor, and we follow him from Vienna to London to avoid a scrape, and into the First World War, espionage and more to boot. Anything I have read by William Boyd is always enjoyable. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the latter stages of the novel but found myself a little disappointed with the ending. 7/10
When your lead character has a name like Lysander Rief, and the book opens in 1913 Vienna with him visiting a contemporary of Freud to deal with a complaint called Anorgasmia (you will have to look it up or read the book), then you know you are in for another great tale from William Boyd.
Lysander is an actor by profession, the son of a famous actor, and we follow him from Vienna to London to avoid a scrape, and into the First World War, espionage and more to boot. Anything I have read by William Boyd is always enjoyable. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the latter stages of the novel but found myself a little disappointed with the ending. 7/10
The Rise and Fall of the Second Empire, 1852-1871
by Alain Plessis
This is a book in the Cambridge History of Modern France series. I enjoyed it because I have an interest in all things to do with the Second Empire in France, and this book is a good backgrounder to the social and political events of that time. Having said that, it could be a bit dry at times and may be better to dip into than read cover to cover. Mind you, it is not that long at 212 pages.
It gives some fascinating insights into a period of significant change in France resulting from the railways and changes in industrial and commercial practices. It also approaches the topic of Napoleon III's reputation and whether he was a force for good or bad, and I think concludes that the jury is still out! 7/10
This is a book in the Cambridge History of Modern France series. I enjoyed it because I have an interest in all things to do with the Second Empire in France, and this book is a good backgrounder to the social and political events of that time. Having said that, it could be a bit dry at times and may be better to dip into than read cover to cover. Mind you, it is not that long at 212 pages.
It gives some fascinating insights into a period of significant change in France resulting from the railways and changes in industrial and commercial practices. It also approaches the topic of Napoleon III's reputation and whether he was a force for good or bad, and I think concludes that the jury is still out! 7/10
A Cold Day for Murder
by Dana Stabenow
This is the first in a series of 20 novels featuring Kate Shugak. She is an ex police officer who lives in the middle of a cold Alaska, where crime is rife and racism is not far under the surface. This case involves an investigation of two missing persons. It is a quick read but I liked the characters and the description of an unknown landscape. Not sure she will be boosting the local tourism economy though. Good relaxing reading if you like crime novels 7/10
This is the first in a series of 20 novels featuring Kate Shugak. She is an ex police officer who lives in the middle of a cold Alaska, where crime is rife and racism is not far under the surface. This case involves an investigation of two missing persons. It is a quick read but I liked the characters and the description of an unknown landscape. Not sure she will be boosting the local tourism economy though. Good relaxing reading if you like crime novels 7/10
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Cleaner of Chartres
by Sally Vickers
This was not my normal choice of read but I enjoyed it. The descriptions of Chartres and the Cathedral are very good and the plot-while not exactly complex-moves along at an engaging pace. The cleaner of the title has a mysterious past that is unveiled as the story progresses and has a good upbeat ending.
Some of the story line seems a bit unnecessary-do we really need a mother superior running off with a monk in Rome? Still apart from some monor irritations along this line it was still agreeable. 6/10
This was not my normal choice of read but I enjoyed it. The descriptions of Chartres and the Cathedral are very good and the plot-while not exactly complex-moves along at an engaging pace. The cleaner of the title has a mysterious past that is unveiled as the story progresses and has a good upbeat ending.
Some of the story line seems a bit unnecessary-do we really need a mother superior running off with a monk in Rome? Still apart from some monor irritations along this line it was still agreeable. 6/10
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared
by Jonas Jonasson
This is a book that lives up to the promise of the wacky title.
It follows the fortune of its hero, Allan Karlsson, following his climb out of the said window as well as going back over his remarkable life.
It follows the fortune of its hero, Allan Karlsson, following his climb out of the said window as well as going back over his remarkable life.
The book is very funny in places but falls into the tallest of tall story categories and is ultimately a feel good story that I was more than ready for by my Christmas break. Apart from the real life historical figures there are a great array of support characters that you cannot help cheering on as the book progresses. 7/10
Saturday, December 15, 2012
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
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
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
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
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