by Marie Sizun
The story of growing up at the end of the second world war seen through the eyes of a child. For her early years she is brought up by her mother alone as the father is away at the war. But then he comes back and everything changes. This is a moving portrayal of how a child deals with adult issues and draws you in immediately. I loved it. 9/10
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Camille
by Pierre LeMaitre
The third in a crime trilogy featuring Camille Verhoeven. There is a good back story about the quirky and very short commandant in the French police force.
His girlfriend gets caught up in a violent robbery and Camille breaks a number of rules to track down the perpetrators. As in all three there are a number of twists along the way but in this one I did see the end coming. Still a real page turner 8/10
The third in a crime trilogy featuring Camille Verhoeven. There is a good back story about the quirky and very short commandant in the French police force.
His girlfriend gets caught up in a violent robbery and Camille breaks a number of rules to track down the perpetrators. As in all three there are a number of twists along the way but in this one I did see the end coming. Still a real page turner 8/10
Friday, June 03, 2016
Trunk Music
by Michael Connelly
Another Harry Bosch novel where he returns to homicide after a previous case had put him on suspension.
A simple murder case on Mullholland drive turns serious when Harry discovers that they are treading on the toes of an FBI engagement. Harry also discovers an old love. 7/10
Another Harry Bosch novel where he returns to homicide after a previous case had put him on suspension.
A simple murder case on Mullholland drive turns serious when Harry discovers that they are treading on the toes of an FBI engagement. Harry also discovers an old love. 7/10
Zola and the Victorians
by Eileen Horne
This is the story of the Vizetelly publishing house and the trouble it got into by publishing the novels of Emile Zola. It highlights the sheer madness of a society that allows a bunch of people with extremely clear views of what is right and wrong to drive public opinion over the edge of a cliff. The outcome of these 2 cases which resulted in Henry Vizetelly being imprisoned for 3 months had long repercussions in England with many books banned/destroyed. This was not reversed until the 1960's and the new laws on obscene publications together with the Lady Chatterley case.
The author of this book covers the ground really well but I found the novelistic style a bit much at times. I also would have to complain again about the poor editing, with words missed out or spelt incorrectly or merged together. Who does read these books before going out?
The dustjacket cover is fabulous! 6/10
This is the story of the Vizetelly publishing house and the trouble it got into by publishing the novels of Emile Zola. It highlights the sheer madness of a society that allows a bunch of people with extremely clear views of what is right and wrong to drive public opinion over the edge of a cliff. The outcome of these 2 cases which resulted in Henry Vizetelly being imprisoned for 3 months had long repercussions in England with many books banned/destroyed. This was not reversed until the 1960's and the new laws on obscene publications together with the Lady Chatterley case.
The author of this book covers the ground really well but I found the novelistic style a bit much at times. I also would have to complain again about the poor editing, with words missed out or spelt incorrectly or merged together. Who does read these books before going out?
The dustjacket cover is fabulous! 6/10
The Story of a New Name
by Elena Ferrante
The second in the Neopolitan quartet follows Lila on her disastrous marriage and Lenu on her journey through the education system. It deals in raw detail with domestic violence and the male dominated society of the girls upbringing. These parts of the book were difficult for me but what drew me in was the reflections of Lenu on growing up in a working class environment where little things we now take for granted(telephone, fridge, washing machine) were luxury goods only owned by the well to do in society. This kept lighting up memories from my own past.
I also empathised with the struggle to fit into a society where everyone but you seems to know the rules, and no matter how bright you maybe you are always one step away from your next social faux pas.
But underneath this is a story of a friendship that endures and that is what makes it so engaging and so human. I am looking forward to part 3. 9/10
The second in the Neopolitan quartet follows Lila on her disastrous marriage and Lenu on her journey through the education system. It deals in raw detail with domestic violence and the male dominated society of the girls upbringing. These parts of the book were difficult for me but what drew me in was the reflections of Lenu on growing up in a working class environment where little things we now take for granted(telephone, fridge, washing machine) were luxury goods only owned by the well to do in society. This kept lighting up memories from my own past.
I also empathised with the struggle to fit into a society where everyone but you seems to know the rules, and no matter how bright you maybe you are always one step away from your next social faux pas.
But underneath this is a story of a friendship that endures and that is what makes it so engaging and so human. I am looking forward to part 3. 9/10
Sunday, May 15, 2016
The Dancer at the gai-moulin
by Georges Simenon
Yet another Maigret and I think my favourite to date. Two young lads get caught up in a much bigger story when they see a dead man in a club they meant to rob. Lots of tension as Maigret unravels what really happened at the gai moulin. 8/10
Yet another Maigret and I think my favourite to date. Two young lads get caught up in a much bigger story when they see a dead man in a club they meant to rob. Lots of tension as Maigret unravels what really happened at the gai moulin. 8/10
The Grand Banks Cafe
by Georges Simenon
Another enjoyable Maigret yarn. This time set in a normandy fishing port where a whole crew appear traumatised from a recent trip and the captain has ended up dead. Who did it and why is that radio operator acting so stangely? 7/10
Another enjoyable Maigret yarn. This time set in a normandy fishing port where a whole crew appear traumatised from a recent trip and the captain has ended up dead. Who did it and why is that radio operator acting so stangely? 7/10
Cousin Bette
by Honore de Balzac
Great storytelling and character painting from one of the greats. Bette is a horrible person with a huge chip on her shoulder and the book unfolds the devious way she goes about trying to get revenge on her virtuous cousin using the outrageous characters she is surrounded by. Very funny in places, gut wrenching in others this was an enjoyable novel and did not speak well of early nineteenth century parisians! 9/10
Great storytelling and character painting from one of the greats. Bette is a horrible person with a huge chip on her shoulder and the book unfolds the devious way she goes about trying to get revenge on her virtuous cousin using the outrageous characters she is surrounded by. Very funny in places, gut wrenching in others this was an enjoyable novel and did not speak well of early nineteenth century parisians! 9/10
A People's History of the French Revolution
by Eric Hazan
A very readable account of the French revolution and told from the left's point of view. I found this very engaging and particular the positive view of Robespierre's role in the events of 1789-1793.
Definitely would read again 9/10
A very readable account of the French revolution and told from the left's point of view. I found this very engaging and particular the positive view of Robespierre's role in the events of 1789-1793.
Definitely would read again 9/10
Thursday, April 14, 2016
The Man with the Getaway Face
by Richard Stark
The second Parker novel. Did not enjoy it as much as the first one. An average crime caper where the good guy is a bad guy. 5/10
The second Parker novel. Did not enjoy it as much as the first one. An average crime caper where the good guy is a bad guy. 5/10
The Vanishing Man
by Laura Cumming
Having read the blurb I was not sure what to expect from this book. I wasn't sure if it was a novel or art history or what?
It turns out to be a very readable book about Velazquez and a little known (and to me totally unknown) shopkeeper from Reading whose life was dominated by a painting he was sure was by Velazquez. It is an absorbing tale as we follow both men through very different but equally fascinating lives. It is also beautifully illustrated 8/10
Having read the blurb I was not sure what to expect from this book. I wasn't sure if it was a novel or art history or what?
It turns out to be a very readable book about Velazquez and a little known (and to me totally unknown) shopkeeper from Reading whose life was dominated by a painting he was sure was by Velazquez. It is an absorbing tale as we follow both men through very different but equally fascinating lives. It is also beautifully illustrated 8/10
Number 11
by Jonathan Coe
A great book but probably made better by having read What a Carve Up recently. The book is not a sequel but it does hark back to the Winshaw's a reasonable amount.
A reflection on 21st Century Britain it is both very funny and very sad with a very bizarre ending that on reflection is what the subject matter deserves. 9/10
A great book but probably made better by having read What a Carve Up recently. The book is not a sequel but it does hark back to the Winshaw's a reasonable amount.
A reflection on 21st Century Britain it is both very funny and very sad with a very bizarre ending that on reflection is what the subject matter deserves. 9/10
A Man's head
by Georges Simenon
This was a very enjoyable Maigret. Set in Paris and Maigret on the edge as he has a man released from prison to try and find the true killer. Great stuff 8/10
This was a very enjoyable Maigret. Set in Paris and Maigret on the edge as he has a man released from prison to try and find the true killer. Great stuff 8/10
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
War and Peace
by Tolstoy
Have listened to this over the last 3 months as an audiobook and it is epic in so many ways.
The thing Tolstoy seems to do effortlessly is move from the large scale of the franco russian conflict to the lives of individual russians and their concerns and daily lives. His detailing of character is wonderful and even his fatalistic philosophising gives you pause for thought-although he does go on a bit! 9/10
Have listened to this over the last 3 months as an audiobook and it is epic in so many ways.
The thing Tolstoy seems to do effortlessly is move from the large scale of the franco russian conflict to the lives of individual russians and their concerns and daily lives. His detailing of character is wonderful and even his fatalistic philosophising gives you pause for thought-although he does go on a bit! 9/10
Sunday, March 27, 2016
What a carve up!
by Jonathan Coe
Part satire on the 1980's and 90's life in Britain, part out and out farce this is the story of the Winshaw family who represent everything dreadful about Thatcher's Britain. They have a butler who goes by the wonderful name of Pyles.
There story is told by Michael Owen, an author down on his luck and whose life is far from staightforward.
It is very funny in places and a good bedtime read 8/10
Part satire on the 1980's and 90's life in Britain, part out and out farce this is the story of the Winshaw family who represent everything dreadful about Thatcher's Britain. They have a butler who goes by the wonderful name of Pyles.
There story is told by Michael Owen, an author down on his luck and whose life is far from staightforward.
It is very funny in places and a good bedtime read 8/10
Voices from the Dark Years
by Douglas Boyd
This was a survey of what it was like in France after the German occupation.
It looks at the wider picture but ties the narrative together by looking at particular families and individuals and the way they dealt with life in this difficult period for France. I found this approach helpful and offered some fresh aspect on living ordinary lives in difficult times. I found some of the editing a bit flawed but I am being picky 7/10
This was a survey of what it was like in France after the German occupation.
It looks at the wider picture but ties the narrative together by looking at particular families and individuals and the way they dealt with life in this difficult period for France. I found this approach helpful and offered some fresh aspect on living ordinary lives in difficult times. I found some of the editing a bit flawed but I am being picky 7/10
Sunday, February 28, 2016
The Hunter
by Richard Stark
This is the first Parker novel and it is hard to describe. I enjoyed it and was willing Parker on even though he is a killer, a woman beater, an out an out criminal. It bugs me that I cannot put my finger on why you end up rooting for him, but you do (or at least I did). Maybe it's the Soprano's thing. Why would you ever like Tony Soprano, but who can't help loving him. Definitely worth a read 7/10
This is the first Parker novel and it is hard to describe. I enjoyed it and was willing Parker on even though he is a killer, a woman beater, an out an out criminal. It bugs me that I cannot put my finger on why you end up rooting for him, but you do (or at least I did). Maybe it's the Soprano's thing. Why would you ever like Tony Soprano, but who can't help loving him. Definitely worth a read 7/10
A history of the Barricades
by Eric Hazan
A whirlwind tour of the French barricades from 1588 to 1871-the 1968 barricades were different. It is mostly about Paris but points out that they were used across France and other parts of Europe. It is a book that sets you hunting for more information (I have acquired 2 Victor Hugo boos on the back of it). I enjoyed it immensely and am already planning my next Paris trip to track down some of this history 8/10
A whirlwind tour of the French barricades from 1588 to 1871-the 1968 barricades were different. It is mostly about Paris but points out that they were used across France and other parts of Europe. It is a book that sets you hunting for more information (I have acquired 2 Victor Hugo boos on the back of it). I enjoyed it immensely and am already planning my next Paris trip to track down some of this history 8/10
The Man I Became
by Peter Verhelst
A novella about a gorilla who gets kidnapped and trained up to behave like a human. He observes and reflects on his life from a time beyond a great catastrophe and it is at times funny, sad and downright weird! I enjoyed it though and it was the right length to avoid becoming stale. 7/10
A novella about a gorilla who gets kidnapped and trained up to behave like a human. He observes and reflects on his life from a time beyond a great catastrophe and it is at times funny, sad and downright weird! I enjoyed it though and it was the right length to avoid becoming stale. 7/10
Sunday, January 31, 2016
The Haunted Hotel
by Wilkie Collins
A ghost story set in London and Venice. In true Collins style the plot gallops along as the mystery of what really went on with the older brother in a family is revealed. Great stuff and also coupled with a short story, The Dream Woman'. 8/10
A ghost story set in London and Venice. In true Collins style the plot gallops along as the mystery of what really went on with the older brother in a family is revealed. Great stuff and also coupled with a short story, The Dream Woman'. 8/10
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