There has been a lot of critical acclaim for American Dirt and also some controversy around the subject matter and the ethnicity of the author. For meThere has been a lot of critical acclaim for American Dirt and also some controversy around the subject matter and the ethnicity of the author. For me - provided a story is told authentically it matters not who the messenger is. This tale of Mexican cartels and illegal cross-border migration explodes from the first chapter into a desperate race against time that illustrates the plight of victims of crime and xenophobia around the world. As a novel - a page turner. As a political statement - essential....more
It was whilst reading Gilead that I discovered it appearing as #2 on The Guardian's list of the top 100 novels of the last 20 years.
Praise indeed forIt was whilst reading Gilead that I discovered it appearing as #2 on The Guardian's list of the top 100 novels of the last 20 years.
Praise indeed for a wonderfully peaceful and spiritually uplifting journal written by a 76-year old Iowa preacher in the final weeks of his life.
Composed as a message/sermon to the 7-year old son who surprisingly arrived in his later life, he reflects upon his family history, that of his closest friend and on the trials of life in this remote outpost of American civilisation.
Gilead is a gorgeous, relaxing page-turner that explores faith and relationships like the lapping of waves on a quiet sea shore....more
What a superb read with which to end the year. A worthy successor to The Night Circus, full of magic and mystery - a kaleidoscope of images that washWhat a superb read with which to end the year. A worthy successor to The Night Circus, full of magic and mystery - a kaleidoscope of images that wash across the mind from page to page - excellent....more
So upset that one of my favourite authors has produced my most-disliked read of 2019.
Page after page of turgid descriptions of characters and scenes.So upset that one of my favourite authors has produced my most-disliked read of 2019.
Page after page of turgid descriptions of characters and scenes. A King James Bible re-enactment that is harder to read than the original, set in Bitworld, featuring characters about which I cared not, doing things I rarely understood.
Reading Ada Palmer's Terra Ignota trilogy was one of the most difficult challenges I have ever taken on (had to read the first novel twice to understand what was going on) - but it was worth it.
How often does one approach a "sequel" with trepidation, concerned that the work may have been forced by commercial considerations or disappoint inHow often does one approach a "sequel" with trepidation, concerned that the work may have been forced by commercial considerations or disappoint in scope? Not so in this case - Margaret Atwood delivers in every sense, picking up the story of those affected by Gilead 15 years after the events of The Handmaid's Tale. Every bit as engaging as the first book and original, whilst returning to some favourite characters. I found myself delaying work on trains so that I could keep reading - it's not often a book has that effect on me. Superb. ...more
A perfect time to visit the original text, having completed all seasons of the TV adaptation and purchased "The Testaments". In spite of the changesA perfect time to visit the original text, having completed all seasons of the TV adaptation and purchased "The Testaments". In spite of the changes from television, a compelling and worryingly prophetic book that both engrosses and horrifies the reader. Atwood paints a stark picture of how extremism in any form leads to inhumanity - a timely lesson in these days of Republican and Tory lurches to the right under the tutelage of puppet idiots. In this story the main victims are women, children and male dissenters. In our current world, the victims are ethnic, the dispossessed and the poor....more
An excellent first novel from Sara Collins that had me engaged from start to finish. Superbly written, an engrossing story and brilliant characters.An excellent first novel from Sara Collins that had me engaged from start to finish. Superbly written, an engrossing story and brilliant characters. The sleeve notes explain the plot. Add this to your reading list and you will not be disappointed....more
If you like your science-fiction to be challenging - this is the right place to be.
Tade Thompson takes us to north of Lagos and a shanty city that hasIf you like your science-fiction to be challenging - this is the right place to be.
Tade Thompson takes us to north of Lagos and a shanty city that has grown around a giant dome (at first mysteriously appearing from the ground - but we learn more) which opens once a year to cure the ill (and, ominously, reanimate the dead).
Which is the tip of an iceberg of a story that echoes the very best of Neal Stephenson in detail, characterisation and brain-busting concepts.
A book that I definitely will (have to) read again when the full trilogy is published.
The impressive emergence of a new writing talent....more
My journey through Zafon's Barcelona concludes - it has been a great experience but, with hindsight, I wish I had stared from book 1 and not book 4 -My journey through Zafon's Barcelona concludes - it has been a great experience but, with hindsight, I wish I had stared from book 1 and not book 4 - as this created a number of spoilers as I worked through the saga - Zafon's suggestion that the books can be read in any order isn't accurate IMHO.
For all that, it has been a fascinating journey and I have grown to love the characters, the setting and the story....more
Zafon continues to develop the characters passing through The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, with the story of David Martin and his bizarre adventures. AZafon continues to develop the characters passing through The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, with the story of David Martin and his bizarre adventures. A story that incorporates mystery and thrills, Loves won and lost, the supernatural and the Gothic shadows of mid-20th Century Barcelona. Zafon maintains that his quartet can be read in any order and this is my third - I understand his point as people and events wind into each other in a complex tapestry. Thorough escapism and very enjoyable....more
Every now and then a novel comes along that leaves the reader bereft when finished. Easily my favourite of the year so far - and the first I have readEvery now and then a novel comes along that leaves the reader bereft when finished. Easily my favourite of the year so far - and the first I have read of this quartet of books but not in the slightest spoiled by arriving so late. I’ll simply start from the first book as soon as I get back from holiday. Having said that, the prospect of two more days in Greece with nothing to read encourages me to consider downloading to my iPad. Brilliant writing and my kind of length for a good story....more
Having referred to "the hero's journey" many times over the years, it has always been on my bucket list to read Campbell and my recent trip to SouthHaving referred to "the hero's journey" many times over the years, it has always been on my bucket list to read Campbell and my recent trip to South Africa provided the ideal opportunity, with plenty of uninterrupted time to focus. Campbell demonstrates that the hero's journey forms the basis of every major and minor world religion, of mythology and folklore across the planet, from Australian Aboriginal to Aztec, from Inuit to Arabian, from Greece to Rome - everywhere the root stories are the same. Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Buddha and the spirits that watch over rivers, caves and trees - mankind has created stories to explain their wonderment at the heavens and the earth - all of those stories have evolved from a common pre-history. Campbell doesn't have to make an atheist of the reader and doesn't try - he lets the record speak for itself - how did South American Incas compose the same explanations for what they saw around them as Ancient Japanese or Africans? Fascinating - a tough read but worth the effort. ...more
Every now and then a book comes along that changes the way you see yourself and the world - this is one of them. Perhaps the most important book IEvery now and then a book comes along that changes the way you see yourself and the world - this is one of them. Perhaps the most important book I have read fro some time and immediately making me ask questions about my lifestyle choices.
As well as revealing fascinating science, Matthew Walker does so with a writing style that makes turning those pages a pleasure and not a task.
I'd put this on every school curriculum and as part of every employees onboarding process in my company. I'm going to make it a recommended read for every client.
If you want the best out of yourself and those around you - get the right amount of sleep....more
The writing style didn't suit my taste but the storyline was ingenious enough to keep my attention.
SomeA book that grew on me as I read it.
The writing style didn't suit my taste but the storyline was ingenious enough to keep my attention.
Some interesting ideas around how time travel would affect its participants, a clever murder mystery, fascinating interactions of characters who meet numerous times in different time zones....more
There's no doubt that I wouldn't have survived this walk with Raynor Winn, choosing to throw myself off one of the many cliff pathways she describes,There's no doubt that I wouldn't have survived this walk with Raynor Winn, choosing to throw myself off one of the many cliff pathways she describes, rather than have to endure her constant and repetitive moaning about the dice that life have rolled against her. I've lost my home as a result of an ill-conceived business venture and I've had to walk around a supermarket, counting down my cash on the calculator until it ran out and we walked to the till. I've lost my shirt in business twice. Both times I was the stupid one - and didn't blame anyone else or "the system". I've picked myself up, started again and made a success of life. I'm also genuinely sorry that your husband was not well - nobody deserves that - ever. When I was down I didn't moan about rich people around me enjoying themselves, about the environment falling to bits, about the weather, about poorly designed camping gear, about being hungry, about what other people thought of me, about cities, about towns, about the countryside, about doctors, about, about, about.....gawd. Rarely been happier to finish a book, having persevered to the end, waiting for an epiphany that never came. I wish you both happiness and long life. ...more
Following an epoch-changing event, centre politicians argue about the thick end of thin things whilst those on the extreme left and right slowly buildFollowing an epoch-changing event, centre politicians argue about the thick end of thin things whilst those on the extreme left and right slowly build their following amongst a disillusioned populace. Hmmm...... Credit where it's due though to China Mieville - already one of my favourite writers - who brings the events before, during and after October 1917 to life, explaining complex political machinations in an easy to digest way. Thoroughly enjoyable and should be on school curriculums - oh - and perhaps a copy for Mrs. May and the Tory Party grandees?...more
Neal Stephenson is simply my favourite writer of modern times and I have marvelled at his knowledge and skill for some years.
This collection ofNeal Stephenson is simply my favourite writer of modern times and I have marvelled at his knowledge and skill for some years.
This collection of essays, articles and (very) short stories is of most relevance to those who already know his work, as there are frequent references to his fictional subject matter, characters and plots.
That said, the bulk of this book is a piece he created in the 1990's on the history and (then) current deployment of undersea cables to join the world's communication systems. Even though written so long ago - it remains fascinating because of Stephenson's narrative style and humour.
I don't read a lot of non-fiction nowadays (all of my selfs have been helped thank you) but I raced through this marvellous book, loving every minute of it.
Read Stephensons Cryptonomicon and The Baroque Cycle and you will too....more
Nobody said this was going to be easy - but Indiana Jones with brains is worth the effort.
Beautiful prose brings this fantastical world to life in aNobody said this was going to be easy - but Indiana Jones with brains is worth the effort.
Beautiful prose brings this fantastical world to life in a convincing way - the characters are fascinating and the interplay between Merrick and Raphael is a highlight.
A wonderful book set in the year 1491 that slowly peels away the skins of "appearance" to reveal the goings-on in a declining Somerset village. TheA wonderful book set in the year 1491 that slowly peels away the skins of "appearance" to reveal the goings-on in a declining Somerset village. The death of Oakham's wealthiest man cannot be explained and through the eyes of village priest John Reve we slowly discover the truth, albeit fiendishly written in reverse chronological order, starting 4 days after the demise and working backwards to the moment of his death. Clever, superbly written and engrossing....more
Did I ever imagine reading a collection of essays and speeches by a leading feminist and non-violent protestor from America’s final half of the 20thDid I ever imagine reading a collection of essays and speeches by a leading feminist and non-violent protestor from America’s final half of the 20th Century? Thanks to the Brain Pickings newsletter I did so - and enjoyed meeting Grace....more
I've been meaning to read the Shardlake series for years and finally made a start.
Engaged from the start and found this a good ripping yarn - aI've been meaning to read the Shardlake series for years and finally made a start.
Engaged from the start and found this a good ripping yarn - a page-turner - but not especially testing.
Guessed "who done it" well before the reveal (which you have to know, for me is unheard of) and I think that says more about the book than anything - it's an easy read if you want one.
I'll probably get around to reading the rest but I'm not racing to Waterstones....more
A story that din't waste much time in taking unexpected directions and kept me turning pages until the end - where I found myself depressed and stillA story that din't waste much time in taking unexpected directions and kept me turning pages until the end - where I found myself depressed and still hungry to know more about the character who gave the book its title....more
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