Didn't finish this. Manchester sees the middle ages as a dark age of ignorance and stagnation the antithesis of the Renaissince. Its a pretty out of d...moreDidn't finish this. Manchester sees the middle ages as a dark age of ignorance and stagnation the antithesis of the Renaissince. Its a pretty out of date attitude as the current belief is that people invneted and disvoered lots of stuff during the middle ages and that it was the plant that supported the flowering of the Renaissance. Also he's a believer in the Great man view of history also pretty old hat since behind every great man are the toilers who made all his discoveries possible and the events which allowed him to express his greatness. However I just read a review talking about serious debauchery and am considering giving it another go. (less)
I love biographies. When I was a kid there were a series of uplifitng books for children that I loved with titles like "Young Florence Nightingale." T...moreI love biographies. When I was a kid there were a series of uplifitng books for children that I loved with titles like "Young Florence Nightingale." This however is not one of them. In fact is was hard for an old lefty like me to realize just what a vicious bunch of scumbags the Bolsheviks were and how in a lot of ways they were very like Al Quieda are now. They even planned to crash a bi-plane full of explosives into the Winter Palace at one stage. They were proud to be terrorists and happy to kill innocent bystanders for what they saw as the greater good. I never thought Stalin was a nice guy, of course, but this terrific biography made him human and made it clear just how a guy like him comes to be. Stalin was a gangster, a ruthless perpertrator of bank-jobs and protection rackets (i.e pay the Bolsheviks if you don't want your oil well to burn down) but he was obviously also very charismatic. If nothing else it was an exciting life. This biography was aterrific read. I was also pleased to see how much of a role strong capable young women played in the sucess of the Russian Revolution even if the ideals were hijacked along the way. (less)
Grim Grim Grim. I only finished it because I paid real money for it. Its a workman like summing up of the period since the 1970's but doesn't seem to...moreGrim Grim Grim. I only finished it because I paid real money for it. Its a workman like summing up of the period since the 1970's but doesn't seem to offer much hope for the future. I kept hoping for some kind of good news story. Was I wrong? There are plenty of Cambodians who struggle onwards and achieve something despite the dreadful system. I met some of them when I travelled there. Joel seems to offer no hope which is a bit of a cheap and easy out. To say that Cambodians (and he appears to mean all Cambodians)are naturally passive becasue of thousands of years of autocratic rule is to dismiss a whole nation. Nor is it a sign of passivity to say you are happy with Hun Sen's rule when your only real alternative seems to be chaos and the Khmer Rouge. He does make give us a two page summary in the final chapter of signs of improvement. I would have liked more. I get a bit sick of Westerners pontificating so rightoeusly about the hopelessness of otherpeoples systems. Our democracies have developed over hundreds of years of ordinary folks struggling onwards and some of us still have pretty crap public health systems. (less)
Loved these stories about Supernatural powers misused or just going wrong. Biancotti is a master storyteller and I'd love to see a whole book about De...moreLoved these stories about Supernatural powers misused or just going wrong. Biancotti is a master storyteller and I'd love to see a whole book about Detective Palmer. Thank you Twelth Planet Press for producing this little book. "Hate superheros? Yeah they probably hate you, too."(less)
This charming little book is a depiction of the Ecadorian rainforest that is so lucious you can see, smell and taste it. A short little jewel of a boo...moreThis charming little book is a depiction of the Ecadorian rainforest that is so lucious you can see, smell and taste it. A short little jewel of a book that I waas completely transported by. It pure Latin American writing though not particulalry magic realist and as well as giving a wonderful picture of jungle life it also lets the reader into the world view of South American Indian cultures. I wonder how like Hemingways Old Man and the Sea it is in stucture but I'm not prepared to read Hemingway to find out so I'd be greatful for any imput on this(less)
A quiet little book, very charming, possibly a little twee but an object lesson in how to make small things fascinating. De Berneires has a lovely spa...moreA quiet little book, very charming, possibly a little twee but an object lesson in how to make small things fascinating. De Berneires has a lovely spare style that doesn't make itself too obvious. Easy to read but as they are short stories (even if they all feed into each other) they are better read over a series of short sittings like train journeys. He aims to and suceeds in showing English country life in all it beauty and horror, in all it ordianry and extraordinariness. The stories about the pet rook are the most poginiant. The several stories about the meeting of the wind quartet are the most delightful. I enjoyed them all. (less)
I could just spit when I here literary writers on the radio shamefacedly admitting they are reading trashy fantasy and then confessing that said fanta...moreI could just spit when I here literary writers on the radio shamefacedly admitting they are reading trashy fantasy and then confessing that said fantasy is Game of Thrones. What's trashy about it guys? Hmm! The writings good (obvious style is not always good style, my little literary dumplings) and the plotting is breathtaking. And the belief that fantasy has no value because it has dragons. I mean??????? What IS this about? Fantasy is a way of dealing with the big picture of history in a way that ordinary fiction cannot (unless its historical fiction like Hillary Mantel's Wolf Hall.) In Game of Thrones the boring old fantasy trope of good versus evil is no where to be seen. People are people with all their complexities and mixed motives. The great jockey for power and wealth, unleashing often futile war on each other as if they were playing a chess game. The unfortunate small folk bear the brunt of the random violence and hunger. George R.R. knows his social history. As people focus only on the day to day, the reader is ever aware that the climate disaster of the many years of long winter is approaching and no one is putting anything by. Am I being obvious to suggest that like all genre writers Martin is reflecting his own world, a world in which the powerful have been pointlessly bringing random violence and hunger to the unfortunate ordinary people of the Middle East, and are too busy bickering over the trinkets of success to notice that we face our own climate disaster? I can remember Ramona Koval and Kate Grenville saying on the RN book show that you can't write an interesting novel about climate change. I think you may have been proved wrong ladies. Game of Thrones is world building at its finest. I put the first book in my blog but I've read the others as well and I want more. I'm in for the long haul. Write like the wind George R.R. Martin! (less)
I bought this book because I thought as fantasy writer should understand the theory beind magic better. I've had it for years and boy do I wish I'd re...moreI bought this book because I thought as fantasy writer should understand the theory beind magic better. I've had it for years and boy do I wish I'd read it earlier. It clarified a lot of things for me. It's not about how to perform magical rituals but about mankind's pursuit and atudy of magic. It was a delicious book to dip into during my daily train travelling time, because Cavendish's style is very clear and enjoyable to read and occasionally fun. For instance, I enjoyed the paradigm shift of thinking of Pythagorus as a magician, which was how he thought of himself and I enjoyed the story of how the Nazi's set up an institute of magic because they believed the British to be using pendulums to find the locations of German Uboats in the Channel Although I used to be a librarian for the Theosophical Society, I'm a non-believer in magic. Yet I'm fascinated by people who do believe and the places it takes them. At heart this is a serious little book, defining for me the aim of magic which is to gain power over the natural world and how so-called High magic, differs from the everyday magic of curses and love-potions. The secion on the medieval witch craze made sobering reading but it was also interesting to be reminded that even in those supposedly supersitious time there were people who could stand back and question the logic of it all. (less)
World buidling is Le Guins forte and its brilliantly evident here where she brings the spiritual beliefs and daily life of pre-roman italy brillaintly...moreWorld buidling is Le Guins forte and its brilliantly evident here where she brings the spiritual beliefs and daily life of pre-roman italy brillaintly alive. I was captivated by the story of Lavinia who is a mere footnote in the Aeniad, but here given her own story. Reminded me of why I love fantasy fiction(less)
A wonderful book. An insight into a self-made man and a new view of the Tudors. Really brings home what it is like to be close to an absolute monarch....moreA wonderful book. An insight into a self-made man and a new view of the Tudors. Really brings home what it is like to be close to an absolute monarch. Always thought Cromwell was an oink and Thomas More was a great bloke. Nice to be convinced the other way. Always a sign of good writing. And the writing is terrific. So smooth and clear. I was totally enthralled. A worthy Booker book(less)
A touching and thoughtful book. The writer has a delicate and transperant style as she evokes the voice of an idealistic young woman living in a near...moreA touching and thoughtful book. The writer has a delicate and transperant style as she evokes the voice of an idealistic young woman living in a near future when all pregnant women die of preganancy. Full of thought provoking ideas. Quietly dazzling and a gripping read. Is Jessie Lamb a Christ Figure?(less)
Another satisfyin Pratchett romp. With lots of favourate characters i.e the patrician and some terrific new ones. Where does he get these names. Moist...moreAnother satisfyin Pratchett romp. With lots of favourate characters i.e the patrician and some terrific new ones. Where does he get these names. Moist Von Lipwig and Adorabable Dearheart. Answers the immortal question Is a vampire the worst thing you can be? Is the gold standard the only one. I read this as a talking book which is always great.(less)
Wonderfully written evocative stories. Brillaintly imagined. Not just about Vietnamese stuff but about columbian contract killers and teenage boys in...moreWonderfully written evocative stories. Brillaintly imagined. Not just about Vietnamese stuff but about columbian contract killers and teenage boys in Victorian fishing towns. Slightly disturbing stream of misoginy in the stories though. Does it always have to be the womans fault?(less)
Sensusous and interesting about the tourist/ local divide. Read this after reading Ann Patchetts Bel Canto which I'm afriad it is too much like. Enjoy...moreSensusous and interesting about the tourist/ local divide. Read this after reading Ann Patchetts Bel Canto which I'm afriad it is too much like. Enjoyed it but. A solid piece of story telling. Reads a lot like a book thats been throughly workshopped.(less)
Well I finished it but it was hard. A very sludgy read and after it had been on the bookshow too. The endless trips to cafes for Cakes, the mystrious...moreWell I finished it but it was hard. A very sludgy read and after it had been on the bookshow too. The endless trips to cafes for Cakes, the mystrious and sometimes outright foolish detective acitivies of the two women ; Too much detail, lady. Show some control. Kill your darlings. We are supposed to admire Erszebet and she is pretty interesting at first but Shield makes her seem a fool and I suspect this is unintentional. And the name which summons up excrement and I'm not positive that that that is unintentional. What a waste of an interesting plot, setting and research (less)
Can't recommend this. It falls in a heap in the middle and there is something unbelieveable about the main characters. Maybe I just hate self righteou...moreCan't recommend this. It falls in a heap in the middle and there is something unbelieveable about the main characters. Maybe I just hate self righteous people. Very interesting evocation of China, but otherwise disappointing(less)
I enjoy detectives like Montalbano so much more than Rebus or Wallander When Montalbano gets depressed he eats. (like me) He doesn't drink and moan. Th...moreI enjoy detectives like Montalbano so much more than Rebus or Wallander When Montalbano gets depressed he eats. (like me) He doesn't drink and moan. There are some very dark places in this book but on the whole and enjoyable engrossing read with fond fun pointed at other members of the police force. A great way to escape for the dreary world of drinkers and moaners. (less)
Neato! Especially the ending. Can't say why because of spoilers but hard to resist a novel that has all the elements this one has in the climactic sce...moreNeato! Especially the ending. Can't say why because of spoilers but hard to resist a novel that has all the elements this one has in the climactic scene. A rollicking good read.(less)
The story of a witch with a magic harp set to protect the wonder of the world. My first de lint book, but it won't be my last. De Lint really knows ho...moreThe story of a witch with a magic harp set to protect the wonder of the world. My first de lint book, but it won't be my last. De Lint really knows how to capture the wonder of magic and fairy tale. A young adult book with the usual underlying themes of freedom and individuality, but it still manages to seem fresh. thought it was great.(less)
A Hyland says that someone should be telling more of these stories of modern aboriginal life ad I say more power to him. Emily Tempest is an excellent...moreA Hyland says that someone should be telling more of these stories of modern aboriginal life ad I say more power to him. Emily Tempest is an excellent character and this is a nice thght thriller. It does lapse into fantasy at the end. Hmm. My only beef with Hyland and its the same with most Australian detective writers is that we live in the most beautiful contry in the world and detective writers conentrate almost exclusively on the grunge.(less)
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