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Matthew (Bibliofreak.net) rated a book 4 of 5 stars

The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
by Anthony Horowitz

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The House of Silk (2011) is the first Sherlock Holmes book to be officially endorsed by the Conan Doyle estate, Anthony Horowitz claiming to have written not a pastiche, but a new Sherlock Holmes novel. The House of Silk is truly two cases, the titul...more The House of Silk (2011) is the first Sherlock Holmes book to be officially endorsed by the Conan Doyle estate, Anthony Horowitz claiming to have written not a pastiche, but a new Sherlock Holmes novel. The House of Silk is truly two cases, the titular and The Case of the Man in the Flat Cap. The two cases are set in motion when a Bohemian art dealer visits Holmes in Baker Street, fearing for his life, and being stalked by a scar-faced man who lurks around every corner. Holmes and Watson are quickly drawn into a sprawling case of twists and turns and, what starts as the fallout from an art deal gone awry, quickly turns into something more sinister, with conspiracy and scandal threatening to “tear apart the very fabric of society”.

A big Sherlock Holmes fans himself, Horowitz recreates Conan Doyle's style effectively and has clearly spent a long time ensuring the novel is of the highest quality. He does, though, afford himself the opportunity to fine tune elements of the work for a modern audience. The novel finds a new and progressive attitude towards social conscience, particularly in reference to the Baker Street Irregulars, with sentiments more akin to Dickens than Conan Doyle frequently expressed. This brings out a warmer, less arrogant side of Holmes. Indeed, Holmes as a whole appears a more balanced individual than the character drawn by Conan Doyle; here he lacks the single-minded harshness - the self-centred petulance - that created such a dichotomous and fascinating character originally. There is a mistrust of authorities and those with power too, and it is suggested that, rather than a few bad eggs, corruption is endemic and inextricably linked with power – a position which smacks of a more modern state of mind.

Horowitz captures the atmosphere of Victorian London and the voice of Watson wonderfully, without ever becoming clichéd or creating a caricature. There is the odd slip in the prose; an Americanism here and there, some modern phraseology, but nothing that one might grumble at. As for the story itself, although the novel is noticeably longer than any of Conan Doyle's four Holmes novels, the plot carries it along at a fair old pace and, whilst the middle of the book sags just a little, it is certainly well-paced by modern standards. There are, however, some indulgences when it comes to the characters included in the story with Moriarty and, to a lesser extent, Mycroft's appearances feeling a little unnecessary to the plot.

The two cases tie together pleasingly at the novel's conclusion and, although one strand is a little too predictable and the other a little too obtuse, the plot is well constructed and forms a delightful mystery. Horowitz has taken Holmes's world and subtly recreated it for a modern audience; the essence of the characters and the world they inhabit maintained, whilst a modern sensibility is allowed to seep, effortlessly, into the framework of the story. There are one or two inconsistencies that will irritate devout Holmes fans but, on the whole, The House of Silk is an excellent addition to the Holmes canon and, whilst never breaking new ground, provides a rollicking new adventure for fans to enjoy.(less)

Dec 20, 2011 12:56am · see review

Matthew (Bibliofreak.net) made a comment on his profile

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Haven't seen you much on Twitter lately. Guess I'm not up late enough at night to catch you.
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Dec 20, 2011 12:55am

Matthew (Bibliofreak.net) rated a book 2 of 5 stars

The Slap
by Christos Tsiolkas

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The Slap (2008) is Christos Tsiolkas’s divisive novel about the use of corporal punishment to discipline children, and a scathing indictment of Melbourne’s middle classes and their failings. The titular event occurs in the first chapter when Hugo, a...more The Slap (2008) is Christos Tsiolkas’s divisive novel about the use of corporal punishment to discipline children, and a scathing indictment of Melbourne’s middle classes and their failings. The titular event occurs in the first chapter when Hugo, a stroppy four-year-old, acts up at a suburban barbecue and Harry, one of the guests, takes discipline into his own hands, slapping Hugo across the face. Hugo’s new age parents are furious with Harry and the barbecue dissolves into bitter accusations. The subsequent chapters explore the slap’s consequences from the varying perspectives of eight kaleidoscopic characters who attended the barbecue, one chapter devoted to each.

From the novel’s promotion and blurb one expects a sensitive, bold, and insightful discussion about the disciplining of children in the modern, politically correct world. Sadly, there are really only two polarized views expressed: ‘it’s always wrong to hit a child’, and ‘the child needed disciplining – someone had to step in’, neither of which are explored in adequate depth. Instead the novel becomes a study of Melbourne’s emerging middle class; its uncomfortable multiculturalism, pretensions, prejudices, desires, and failings. The characters depicted cover a broad spectrum; Tsiolkas attempting to capture the truly cosmopolitan nature of Australia in the modern world, and exploring the underlying tensions between the different groups. Despite their varying cultural heritage the characters are, almost without exception, self-centred, judgemental, lascivious, conflicted, and humourless. Reflective of small sections of society though they may be, one lacks any empathy for such an infuriating ensemble, and quickly loses interest in their perspective. Equally, although one is presented with different character’s perspectives, their motivations and behavioural drivers are often unclear, or poorly explained.

The quality of the prose is variable, with simple grammatical mistakes and poorly constructed sentences affecting the novel’s fluency. Within the first few pages it becomes clear that Tsiolkas is writing provocatively, unnecessary foul language littering the work and graphic sexual scenes, which in no way propel the plot, occurring in nearly every chapter.

Although the novel is promoted as a controversial and thought-provoking work, the central event and the subsequent discussions around it fail to conjure any strong moral or intellectual conflict. Put simply, one is rarely challenged, a major failing from a POV novel that purports to deal with an important moral issue. The novel’s conclusion was particularly disappointing, with some characters’ behaviour feeling particularly affected and no final, cutting observation from the author on his characters or their behaviour and personal ideologies. Far from a piece of sharp social commentary, The Slap reads as a soap opera – its inclusion on the long/short-lists for various literary prizes belying this fact.(less)

Dec 19, 2011 08:15am · see review

Matthew (Bibliofreak.net) rated a book 4 of 5 stars

The Unbearable Lightness of Being
by Milan Kundera

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The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1984) is a philosophical novel concerned with existentialism and Nietzschean theories. Much of the plot centres around the Prague Spring of 1968 and the communist years that followed, tracing the lives of four major...more The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1984) is a philosophical novel concerned with existentialism and Nietzschean theories. Much of the plot centres around the Prague Spring of 1968 and the communist years that followed, tracing the lives of four major characters; Czech surgeon Tomas and his wife, Tereza, one of Tomas’s lovers, Sabina, and later one of Sabina’s lovers, Franz. However, the plot is sparse and secondary to the exploration of the novel’s central themes of love and miscommunication, being and lightness.

An assuredly postmodern novel, The Unbearable Lightness of Being breaks from narrative tradition featuring neither a linear plot nor fully rounded characters, instead providing a series of episodes in the characters lives interspersed with the author’s philosophical ruminations. This fragmented structure is used to suggest the mayhem of modern life, leaving the author as the only reliable voice within the novel. Despite this the lives of Kundera’s characters are significant, with the oppression and lack of choice under the communist regime compared to the suffocating determinism of life and lack of meaningful choice on a wider scale. In relation to aspirational politics, the novel sets forward the idea that the world’s ills are all born from the desire for a utopian ideal, and is full of similarly intriguing paradoxes.

Though The Unbearable Lightness of Being deals predominantly with the human condition Kundera does not over-sentimentalise humans. Indeed, as a fierce advocate of animal rights much of his discourse is underpinned by the idea that humans can claim no superiority over the natural world, that essentially they are not special or significant in any substantial way.

Whether through translation or by design the language is plain and uncomplicated, the sentences sharp and without flair. The narrative is consistently punctuated by Kundera, as the narrator, commenting on his own creations (the story, the characters) - his intrusions analogous to the government’s interference in citizen’s lives. As the novel progresses one becomes increasingly attuned to Kundera’s turn of phrase and philosophical reasoning, leading to a greater understanding of his arguments as a whole, and lessening the grating effect of the dispassionate prose.(less)

Dec 19, 2011 08:14am · see review

Matthew (Bibliofreak.net) rated a book 3 of 5 stars

The Hum and the Shiver (Tufa, #1)
by Alex Bledsoe (Goodreads Author)

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The Hum and the Shiver (2011) is the first novel in Alex Bledsoe's Tufa series. Set in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, the novel builds on an old Appalachian myth, and imagines a race of mysterious, dark-haired people, known as the Tufa. Altho...more The Hum and the Shiver (2011) is the first novel in Alex Bledsoe's Tufa series. Set in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, the novel builds on an old Appalachian myth, and imagines a race of mysterious, dark-haired people, known as the Tufa. Although their origins have long since been lost, the insular community of mountain folk desperately cling to the traditions of their ancestors, passing their mystic songs from one generation to the next. The novel centres on Bronwyn Hyatt, a young Tufa woman, who has recently returned from the Iraq war following a harrowing accident and abduction. Touted as a war hero by the outside world, Bronwyn is known in the Tufa community, from her teenage years, as a promiscuous hell-raiser. The plot follows Bronwyn as she recovers from her injuries, relearning the Tufa ways and dealing with old acquaintances, new suitors, and an underlying threat to both her family and the wider Tufa community.

Bledsoe stitches the Tufa's world neatly to our own, creating a patchwork reality that one can easily identify with. Indeed, the novel has much to say about our own reality; from the role America plays in the world, to the treatment of minorities and the vulnerable by those who struggle to deal with diversity and difference. At its heart though, The Hum and the Shiver is about family, tradition, and community, about making one's way in the world whilst respecting one's roots. Bronwyn provides the perfect centre point for this, a rebellious youth who feels oppressed by the weight of her family's history. The themes are universal, and the supporting characters are drawn sensitively and provide identifiable conflicts for Bronwyn, whether they are Tufa or not.

The plot is subtly constructed, moving at a gentle pace as it creates the world of the Tufa. This is a sign of an author comfortable with his style and respectful of his audience, never feeling the need to contrive scenes of explosive energy to hold the attention, but instead delicately relaying a tale of intrigue and mystery. Sadly, in contrast to the measured style there are phrases that grate and sentences that are poorly constructed. These are infrequent but glaring, and inhibit the overall flow of the story. Towards the end of the novel too, some characters begin to lose shape, acting to propel the plot rather than maintaining behaviour consistent with the personality drawn for them.

In Bronwyn, Bledsoe has created an engaging character and one that many readers will be drawn to. However, although Bronwyn is portrayed as a rebel and someone who has enjoyed a wild and reckless youth, this is occasionally overdone. In particular, one finds the frequent sexual references wearing and more than that, indicative of a mild lechery on the author's part towards his provocatively created protagonist. That aside, the novel works well as an introduction to the Tufa series, and Bledsoe's subtle blend of realism and fantasy makes the work accessible to a wide audience.(less)

Dec 19, 2011 08:12am · see review

Matthew (Bibliofreak.net) took the Never-Ending Book Quiz

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Dec 19, 2011 08:12am · like · beat his score

Matthew (Bibliofreak.net) rated a book 5 of 5 stars

London Fields
by Martin Amis

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London Fields (1989) is a murder mystery, in reverse. Set in London in 1999, with an undefined crisis on the horizon, the story follows the sexually savvy Nicola Six, who has a premonition about her own death, as she tries to identify and entice her...more London Fields (1989) is a murder mystery, in reverse. Set in London in 1999, with an undefined crisis on the horizon, the story follows the sexually savvy Nicola Six, who has a premonition about her own death, as she tries to identify and entice her murderer. A willing murderee, Nicola develops relationships with the yobbish Keith Talent, a petty criminal and darts enthusiast, and the affluent but weak Guy Clinch, driving both men to sexual distraction in an attempt to propel one of them to murder. The story is relayed by a fourth character; dying American author Samson Young, who socialises with the characters, drawing inspiration for his final book from their ‘story’.

As with Amis’s previous work the lack of motive becomes central to the novel, creating, more than a whodunnit, a whydunnit. An uneasy air hangs over the characters determined path, with Nicola’s desire for death never fully explored. Indeed, as much as a personal death wish Nicola comes to represent the world itself, a willing murderee, longing for death but in need of assistance. Intricately conveyed, the novel’s themes have to be carefully picked from the tangled plot. What at first appears to be a meditation on the potential for nuclear holocaust and its devaluation of human life slowly becomes a metaphor for the act of writing, and the death of the author and of literature itself. The postmodern condition remains under constant consideration in a variety of ways, for example, the abdication of social responsibility due to the filtration of information and stupefying effect of television.

The dialogue and some of the set pieces are assuredly majestic; Amis creates the most acutely observed atmosphere and, through Keith in particular, crafts colloquial discourse of almost poetic brilliance. The depiction of deprived London and its inhabitants is magnificent, engulfing one in the texture and language of poverty, and contrasting it with its polar opposite – a stark reminder of the London’s bizarre juxtaposition, where the lives of rich and poor are so intertwined. As in Money, Amis includes an authorial presence, in this case Samson Young (in addition to absent character Mark Asprey, often referred to as M.A.) who, far from enjoying Amis’s narrative authority, is unable to fully get to grips with the situation. Unlike the unruly lives of his characters though, Amis retains tight control of the most complex of structures, comfortably disguising the skill needed to create such a multilayered work.

Like much of Amis’s writing London Fields courts controversy; it was excluded from the Booker Prize shortlist because some members of the judging panel were offended by perceived sexism within the novel. Certainly, the work is searingly written and does not compromise on its candid and experimental inclinations, although sometimes these are more justifiable than others. Aside from the possible offence some readers might find in the novel the main complaint is undoubtedly the plot itself. Despite being beautifully written, the characters are exaggerated versions of reality and the vehicle they inhabit is at times slow moving and a little tedious. But these are auxiliary issues when compared to the richness and depth of the text as a whole.(less)

Dec 19, 2011 08:12am · see review

Matthew (Bibliofreak.net) is now a fan of Goodreads Author Alex Bledsoe