by Isabel Allende
A family saga set in an unnamed but very recognisable country this book is teeming with all sorts of characters from animals-"Barabbas came to us by sea"-children, lovers, tyrants, spirits of the dead and they all combine to tell a story that is magical, strange sad and somehow uplifting all at once. This is not the sort of book I would normally read but I enjoyed it immensely 8/10
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Beloved
by Toni Morrison
A story set in the American South just after slavery was abolished. A slave who escaped before abolition is never far from the consequences of her early life which drove her to kill(sacrifice? protect?) one of her young children. Is it a ghost story? It is certainly haunting and will live with me for some time. The characters are beautifully crafted and the pain is shared with them. I would recommend this book to anyone who has not read it. 8/10
A story set in the American South just after slavery was abolished. A slave who escaped before abolition is never far from the consequences of her early life which drove her to kill(sacrifice? protect?) one of her young children. Is it a ghost story? It is certainly haunting and will live with me for some time. The characters are beautifully crafted and the pain is shared with them. I would recommend this book to anyone who has not read it. 8/10
Saturday, February 15, 2014
The Black Dahlia
by James Ellroy
A very dark crime thriller. This is a novel set around a real murder in the late 40's in Los Angeles. I found some of the gore scenes too much but was hooked by the whodunnit element. 7/10
A very dark crime thriller. This is a novel set around a real murder in the late 40's in Los Angeles. I found some of the gore scenes too much but was hooked by the whodunnit element. 7/10
In the Darkness
by Karin Fossum
A nordic thriller with unusual characters but a fast moving plot. Quite a short novel but a good read. I will definitely look out for more by her. 7/10
A nordic thriller with unusual characters but a fast moving plot. Quite a short novel but a good read. I will definitely look out for more by her. 7/10
A Wild Herb Soup
by Emilie Carles
This is a great memoir of a woman growing up in the rural south of France. She was born in 1900 and as well as a personal story it reflects the history of France during the 20th century. 8/10
This is a great memoir of a woman growing up in the rural south of France. She was born in 1900 and as well as a personal story it reflects the history of France during the 20th century. 8/10
Thursday, January 23, 2014
An Officer and a Spy
by Robert Harris
A fictionalised account of the Dreyfus affair told from the standpoint of George Picquart, an officer in the French army who, having witnessed Dreyfus's degredation discovered the truth that he had been wrongly committed. The book traces the history of the case in a very engaging way, and is a warning as to what can be buried if the authorities choose to make it so. Question everything! 9/10
A fictionalised account of the Dreyfus affair told from the standpoint of George Picquart, an officer in the French army who, having witnessed Dreyfus's degredation discovered the truth that he had been wrongly committed. The book traces the history of the case in a very engaging way, and is a warning as to what can be buried if the authorities choose to make it so. Question everything! 9/10
Under Fire
by Henri Barbusse
This is a book by a Frenchman which won the prix Goncourt in 1916.
It is a fictionalised account of life in the trenches. Some of the descriptions are breathtaking, others are heartbreaking while others are just horrific. Written by somebody who served in the trenches and written before the war had ended it is a book that still holds lessons for today and asks the question, Why? 8/10
This is a book by a Frenchman which won the prix Goncourt in 1916.
It is a fictionalised account of life in the trenches. Some of the descriptions are breathtaking, others are heartbreaking while others are just horrific. Written by somebody who served in the trenches and written before the war had ended it is a book that still holds lessons for today and asks the question, Why? 8/10
Sunday, January 05, 2014
Old Goriot
by Honoré de Balzac
This is the second time I have read this book but I enjoyed it as much this time around as before. It is his attention to detail and the expansion of a character that draws you in to the story. Great book 8/10
This is the second time I have read this book but I enjoyed it as much this time around as before. It is his attention to detail and the expansion of a character that draws you in to the story. Great book 8/10
Monday, December 23, 2013
The Bat
by Joe Nesbo
The first book in the Harry Hole series and a real page turner that keeps you guessing right to the end.
This is Nordic noir with a twist, not least because it is set in Australia!
My advice, don't get too attached to any of the characters because if you do they are likely to end up dead!
The central dilemma I have with the book is whether I like Harry Hole or not. This may be deliberate on the part of the author but there are times in the book when you think he is an alright guy. There are other times when you feel sorry for him. Then there are others when you just know that he is a total asshole. I think I may need to read another book to clarify my view of him. It was a good crime thriller either way. 8/10
The first book in the Harry Hole series and a real page turner that keeps you guessing right to the end.
This is Nordic noir with a twist, not least because it is set in Australia!
My advice, don't get too attached to any of the characters because if you do they are likely to end up dead!
The central dilemma I have with the book is whether I like Harry Hole or not. This may be deliberate on the part of the author but there are times in the book when you think he is an alright guy. There are other times when you feel sorry for him. Then there are others when you just know that he is a total asshole. I think I may need to read another book to clarify my view of him. It was a good crime thriller either way. 8/10
Sunday, December 01, 2013
Professor Hanaa
by Reem Bassiouney
The professor of the title is an ambitious single-minded single woman of 40. We know this because she tells us on the first page alond with what she intends to acheive-all of which she does fairly quickly. The story unfolds from there and is a beautifully told love story against a background of Egyptian society and clashing values and world views which is equally funny and painful at times. As someone who knows very little of the society this is set in I enjoyed it immensely and still felt I could share the very human emotions encountered. One of the highlights of my year. 9/10
The professor of the title is an ambitious single-minded single woman of 40. We know this because she tells us on the first page alond with what she intends to acheive-all of which she does fairly quickly. The story unfolds from there and is a beautifully told love story against a background of Egyptian society and clashing values and world views which is equally funny and painful at times. As someone who knows very little of the society this is set in I enjoyed it immensely and still felt I could share the very human emotions encountered. One of the highlights of my year. 9/10
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
The Idiot
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The idiot of the title is Prince Muishkin, a young man who has just returned to Russia after being treated in Switzerland for epilepsy. The other main characters are Rogojin-another nobleman he meets on the train, Nastasia Philipovna-a woman they both love and who has a questionable reputation and Aglaya Epanchin-a young woman who Muishkin also "loves" and at one point looks like marrying.
I struggled with this book. I found the characters hard to believe and very shallow-especially some of the supporting ones. I should say this was not helped by the fact I listened to this as an audio book, and the narrator made many many of the characters sound like something out of a Monty python sketch. I also found the book incredibly long with many of the passages being an excuse for Dostoevsky to tell a yarn of some sort. Having said that I did enjoy General Ivolgin "retired and unfortunate" and his tall tales of his exploits in the army and his time as a child with Napoleon in Moscow.
I also thought the explanation at the start of part 4 as to why you cannot write a novel about ordinary people was fantastic. But as a novel I did not like it. 4/10
For a much more positive view see this excellent review by AS Byatt from 2004.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/jun/26/highereducation.classics
The idiot of the title is Prince Muishkin, a young man who has just returned to Russia after being treated in Switzerland for epilepsy. The other main characters are Rogojin-another nobleman he meets on the train, Nastasia Philipovna-a woman they both love and who has a questionable reputation and Aglaya Epanchin-a young woman who Muishkin also "loves" and at one point looks like marrying.
I struggled with this book. I found the characters hard to believe and very shallow-especially some of the supporting ones. I should say this was not helped by the fact I listened to this as an audio book, and the narrator made many many of the characters sound like something out of a Monty python sketch. I also found the book incredibly long with many of the passages being an excuse for Dostoevsky to tell a yarn of some sort. Having said that I did enjoy General Ivolgin "retired and unfortunate" and his tall tales of his exploits in the army and his time as a child with Napoleon in Moscow.
I also thought the explanation at the start of part 4 as to why you cannot write a novel about ordinary people was fantastic. But as a novel I did not like it. 4/10
For a much more positive view see this excellent review by AS Byatt from 2004.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/jun/26/highereducation.classics
Sunday, November 24, 2013
The Secret History
by Donna Tartt
This book was written over 20 years ago so I am surprised that I have only just come across it as she publishes her third novel.
The book starts with a death and then proceeds for the first half of the book to tell us why it happened; then in the second half of the book, the consequences of it happening to the protagonists. These said protagonists are a greek class at a small exclusive college in Vermont. The book is beautifully written and left me wanting to do a course in greek mythology! However, while knowing some more might of added to my enjoyment, not knowing any of the greek myths did not detract from how enjoyable a read this was. I am still musing over what I felt about all of the characters. They were all flawed in some way but who was good and who was bad is something I will still be thinking about weeks from now. That has to be a good book doesn't it? 9/10
This book was written over 20 years ago so I am surprised that I have only just come across it as she publishes her third novel.
The book starts with a death and then proceeds for the first half of the book to tell us why it happened; then in the second half of the book, the consequences of it happening to the protagonists. These said protagonists are a greek class at a small exclusive college in Vermont. The book is beautifully written and left me wanting to do a course in greek mythology! However, while knowing some more might of added to my enjoyment, not knowing any of the greek myths did not detract from how enjoyable a read this was. I am still musing over what I felt about all of the characters. They were all flawed in some way but who was good and who was bad is something I will still be thinking about weeks from now. That has to be a good book doesn't it? 9/10
Alex
by Pierre Lemaitre
This starts as a kidnapping thriller and is very very disturbing. If rats freak you in any way this may not be the book for you.
However, this is an incredible page turner with numerous twists and turns in the plot. If you like nordic noir then I think this would appeal.
I loved the way that regardless of what you learn about the main character the author manages to leave you always with an empathy toward her. Great writing and great thriller. 9/10
This starts as a kidnapping thriller and is very very disturbing. If rats freak you in any way this may not be the book for you.
However, this is an incredible page turner with numerous twists and turns in the plot. If you like nordic noir then I think this would appeal.
I loved the way that regardless of what you learn about the main character the author manages to leave you always with an empathy toward her. Great writing and great thriller. 9/10
Sunday, November 03, 2013
Expo 58
By Jonathan Coe
This was a very funny book that rocked along at a cracking pace and reminded me of Our Man in Havana. The ending was sentimental but well done. It is set against the backdrop of the world fair being held in Brussels in 1958. Our hero is sent there by the government department he works for. He has varied adventures of the romantic and espionage varieties. Great larks! 8/10
Thursday, October 10, 2013
The Lowland
by Jhumpa Lahiri
This is the story of two brothers from Calcutta. The major "event" of the book occurs very near the beginning and is based in historical facts about a political movement in India known as the Naxalbari.The rest of the book tells the story of how this effected the characters through the rest of their lives. Lives that are very ordinary and yet by weaving backwards and forwards through time and place I became tied up with their lives and cried at the end. At times I felt the characters were so thinly drawn that I did not know then but then I reached the end of the book and found I would miss them. A good read 8/10
This is the story of two brothers from Calcutta. The major "event" of the book occurs very near the beginning and is based in historical facts about a political movement in India known as the Naxalbari.The rest of the book tells the story of how this effected the characters through the rest of their lives. Lives that are very ordinary and yet by weaving backwards and forwards through time and place I became tied up with their lives and cried at the end. At times I felt the characters were so thinly drawn that I did not know then but then I reached the end of the book and found I would miss them. A good read 8/10
Postwar-A history of Europe since 1945
by Tony Judt
Published in 2005 I read this book as an audiobook but thankfully had the book copy to read as well. As an audiobook it is quite dry at times, especially those parts where Judt is listing reams of statistics.
However, this became easier with the paperback copy to refer to afterwards.
The book covers a vast canvas and is a fascinating take on how Europe has developed as a response to two world wars fought on its territory. You might not always agree with what he says or his interpretation of events but I found it raising all sorts of questions that I have discussed with myself and others over the past few months. It was a great read 9/10
Published in 2005 I read this book as an audiobook but thankfully had the book copy to read as well. As an audiobook it is quite dry at times, especially those parts where Judt is listing reams of statistics.
However, this became easier with the paperback copy to refer to afterwards.
The book covers a vast canvas and is a fascinating take on how Europe has developed as a response to two world wars fought on its territory. You might not always agree with what he says or his interpretation of events but I found it raising all sorts of questions that I have discussed with myself and others over the past few months. It was a great read 9/10
We need new names
by NoViolet Bulawayo
I read a review of this book that complained about the way each chapter seemed to deal with a seperate topic and I would rather agree with that. This caused it to lose its narrative flow and by the end it seemed to have lost its way completely. 4/10
I read a review of this book that complained about the way each chapter seemed to deal with a seperate topic and I would rather agree with that. This caused it to lose its narrative flow and by the end it seemed to have lost its way completely. 4/10
Unexploded
by Alison Macleod
This book is set in Brighton during the second world war and tells the tale of a small family falling apart as the husband takes on additional responsibilities for the war and his wife first distrusts him and then falls for a german artist who is held in a detention camp at the foot of the downs. Her husband is the senior civilian at the camp.
She makes it clear that this is fiction and that she has didtorted the truth to fit her fictional narrative. This did not stop Adam Mars Jones slaughtering the book for its factual innaccuracies in LRB recently. I do not understand this response. It reminds me of people getting upset with the Da Vinci Code for making things up. Hello, the clue is in the genre-this is fiction. I don't read novels for historical facts but for the escape into a good yarn. This book was not great but it was a good story. I would give it a thums up 6/10
This book is set in Brighton during the second world war and tells the tale of a small family falling apart as the husband takes on additional responsibilities for the war and his wife first distrusts him and then falls for a german artist who is held in a detention camp at the foot of the downs. Her husband is the senior civilian at the camp.
She makes it clear that this is fiction and that she has didtorted the truth to fit her fictional narrative. This did not stop Adam Mars Jones slaughtering the book for its factual innaccuracies in LRB recently. I do not understand this response. It reminds me of people getting upset with the Da Vinci Code for making things up. Hello, the clue is in the genre-this is fiction. I don't read novels for historical facts but for the escape into a good yarn. This book was not great but it was a good story. I would give it a thums up 6/10
Harvest
by Jim Crace
I enjoyed this book. It is set in an unnamed village in England at a time when life was transitioning from open common land to enclosures. It deals with how we have always dealt with strangers-especially in uncertain times. It has a beautiful language that evokes the rural landscape. From the very first page I felt I could smell the woodsmoke and the loss felt by the village folk as their masters barn burned. It ended in a way that I was not expecting but which made perfect sense when I thought about it. This book is shortlisted for this years booker and would be among my favourites to win. 8/10
I enjoyed this book. It is set in an unnamed village in England at a time when life was transitioning from open common land to enclosures. It deals with how we have always dealt with strangers-especially in uncertain times. It has a beautiful language that evokes the rural landscape. From the very first page I felt I could smell the woodsmoke and the loss felt by the village folk as their masters barn burned. It ended in a way that I was not expecting but which made perfect sense when I thought about it. This book is shortlisted for this years booker and would be among my favourites to win. 8/10
Thursday, August 22, 2013
The Luminaries
by Eleanor Catton
Let me start by saying this was a long book. It also has a very intricate structure set around star signs and astrological charts that I did not fully get.
It has a lot of characters and it took me until well after half way through the book to work out who everybody was.
Having said all this there was something strangely compelling about the book that drew me in to the story. The story takes place in New Zealand at the time of the gold rush in the 1860's. We find out very quickly that someone has died(murdered?), somebody appears to have attempted suicide(but did they) and somebody else has disappeared-all on the same evening. We spend the rest of the book trying to find out what actually happened and why. Definitely a book to read in print rather than on a kindle-I seemed to be forever going back to recall what had happened earlier or which date we were at. 7/10
Let me start by saying this was a long book. It also has a very intricate structure set around star signs and astrological charts that I did not fully get.
It has a lot of characters and it took me until well after half way through the book to work out who everybody was.
Having said all this there was something strangely compelling about the book that drew me in to the story. The story takes place in New Zealand at the time of the gold rush in the 1860's. We find out very quickly that someone has died(murdered?), somebody appears to have attempted suicide(but did they) and somebody else has disappeared-all on the same evening. We spend the rest of the book trying to find out what actually happened and why. Definitely a book to read in print rather than on a kindle-I seemed to be forever going back to recall what had happened earlier or which date we were at. 7/10
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