P.J. Skinner's Blog, page 8
January 27, 2022
Mars Thriller
Mars Mission I: Surviving the Kessler Effect by Christopher JonesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Despite the sometimes clunky characters, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the central idea of the race against time on both earth and Mars caused by the Kessler effect of the books title. Mars is very much on my mind these days and I found this book believable and the science interesting. Great read.
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Fabulous Roman Epic
The Cicero Trilogy by Robert HarrisMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
A trio of books I read late into the night. A myriad cast of characters described by the faithful Tiro, scribe to Cicero. This reminded me of I Claudius/Claudius the God by Robert Graves which is my favourite historic/factual novel. The searing descriptions of character and the eloquent descriptions of place captured me completely. I haven't enjoyed a book/series so much for ages. Wonderful.
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August 18, 2021
Africa Green
In 2003, I went to Sierra Leone to work on a diamond project, and I returned many times over the next five years. The civil war had finished and the UN had collected the weapons, but the population was still traumatised. I visited the Tacugama Chimp Sanctuary several times. During one of the visits, I bought a DVD about the sanctuary and it mentioned Pinkie, the white baby chimp. She had lived at the sanctuary for a short while before dying of unknown causes. I have used the sanctuary and Pinkie as characters in my latest novel, Africa Green, which follows on from Rebel Green. It tells the story of Isabella, the youngest Green Daughter, who has become a journalist, and is sent to Sierra Leone to write an article about the sanctuary. I hope you will enjoy this tale of adventure, love and hope.
P.J. Skinner Africa Green
P.J. Skinner Africa Green
June 17, 2021
Magic Martian
The Martian by Andy WeirMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Tension, science, potatoes; what's not to like?
Brilliant and innovative. A proper adventure without ludicrous car chases and people shooting each other. I really enjoyed this book, and looked forward to reading a couple of chapters a day to see how Watney planned to survive a little longer. The taut relationships between him and earth and the spaceship kept the story flowing. I always wanted to be an astronaut, and now I have an idea of the perils and problem solving involved, it makes me sad that I'm too old. I'll have to make something up.
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April 12, 2021
Girl, Woman, Other feelings
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine EvaristoMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Staggered to the finish line on this one. I forced myself to give it three stars but I really didn't like it. A great collection of character studies, if a little cliched at times, fantastically written and imagined. The lack of puntuation sometimes confused and irritated me. It seemed a bit pointless. But then the book seemed a bit pointless. There is no narrative, and I'm old fashioned; I like a story in my book. I just couldn't get on with it and found the endless stream of characters irritating and finally boring. There are several novels in here, crying to be let out, but this isn't one of them. Sorry.
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March 17, 2021
Too many books in one
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I found this book fascinating and frustrating in equal measure. While Adichie's observations on race and culture are endlessly interesting and illuminating, I felt like the narrative suffered. I found the book too long and Obinze's story too trite. And the love story? Not really believable on her side and not really part of the main story. I felt like there were several books in here swamped under social commentary. So, as much as I wanted to enjoy it, I did not find myself looking forward to continuing it. Way too long, but as I said, perhaps three books in here begging to be let out. Some of the writing is breathtaking, but not enough story for me.
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February 17, 2021
Main Man Missing
Big Sky by Kate AtkinsonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love Kate Atkinson's books, and, generally, the Jackson Brodie stories are some of my favourites. While I enjoyed the familiar turn of phrase and complex plot of this novel, I felt a lack of Jackson's presence affected my enjoyment. It was nice to reaquaint myself with several long running characters and the descriptions were as lucid as ever. The story, about trafficing was submerged in the small details of people's lives but did not suffer much from that, seeing as it was pretty simple in itself. A great book to read but lacking the main man too much for my taste.
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January 1, 2021
Agent running in the field
Agent Running in the Field by John le CarréMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fast paced, easy read, the author's distain for Trump and Brexit is obvious, but then Le Carre never kept his political opinions to himself. I felt the story was a little less complex than usual but the writing was of the usual high quality and kept me glue to the page. Le Carre was one of a kind and I will miss his writing. A good book for a rainy afternoon.
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November 13, 2020
Compelling and Moving
Homeland by Fernando AramburuMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Magnificent. Moving and fascinating. A long read but never boring. I read this a few chapters a day as I wanted it to last. How do people cope with tragedy and betrayal? What if the cause of that tragedy is a family in the same village. Superb characterisation and lean descriptions make this a compelling read. Highly recommended.
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August 8, 2020
On Writing
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen KingMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wonderful in lots of ways. The searing descriptions of the author's mishaps growing up and his work ethic that led him to overcome all obstacles including acoholism and poverty keep me glued to the page. Great encouragement and advice for writers, especially us pantsers. I love this book.
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