UK Book Club discussion
Around the World in 80 Books
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Andrew's around the world challenge
message 51:
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Liz, Moderator
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May 11, 2013 05:30AM
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Liz wrote: "Wasn't paying enough attention, for a moment I thought you'd written 'Half a Yellow Sandwhich'!"That certainly sounds like a book I would read Liz!
26;RWANDA;
What I enjoy about this challenge is that it stretches me and I try to look beyond the book. The Rwandan genocide was something I knew little about but this short book (180 pages) gave much of the background and explained the horror to me although it's still impossible to understand the inhumanity. The book is narrated by a young man who goes to Rwanda as a worker in a Swiss development agency before the civil war. He falls in love with a Hutu woman who he has come across in a Belgian airport. The book highlights the hypocrisy of the development agency ,and contrasts the narrators morality with the morality of the pereptrators of massacres. It is written in a very matter of fact manner which I felt emphasised the cruelty and oddly made it more horrific without over emphasising it .There is a lack of empathy with the narrator, who comes across as weak and very self centered and a choice he makes at the end was impossible to excuse. It's a era in history that I would be interested in learning more about but like the Holocaust and Bosnia/Serbia would I expect be difficult to read about.However I would recommend the book.
26;NORTH KOREA
I have reviewed this and expressed my dilemma that whilst I enjoyed the first half I felt in the second half the writer, moving into a more imaginative form of story including direct conversations with Kim Jong Il become also more imaginative in his depictions of the atrocities of the regime. I don't doubt the appalling nature of the regime however some of the comments in the author interview at the back left me with a nagging doubt in the back of my mind about whether this gave atrue picture of the country. I'd be really interested in other peoples views.
27;SOUTH KOREA
I really enjoyed this story of American fighter pilots in the Korean war. Really good narrative and descriptions of fights and the country although not a lot of moral examination. However another classic American writer whose other books I will try and find.
Andrew. Ordered The Hunters from Amazon. looks my type book and New country.
Hope you enjoy it Robert. I'll be interested to hear your views.
28;CROATIA
Having really enjoyedThe Memory of Lovea couple of years ago I borrowed this her new book and enjoyed this as well. It is narrated by Duro a handyman who helps an Englishwoman Laura and her family renovate the house they have purchased in a croatian village as a holiday home. The renovation stirs up memories and tensions within the community from the civil conflict of the 90's. An easy read and again it's hard to beleive ,like Rwanda that this period is now nearly 20 years ago and the book reflects the tensions and horrors that visited a small town and how neighbours turned against each other. I would recommend it.
29;PERU
Having started this challenge I am constantly surprised by the quality of writing I am coming across especially in the crime genre and even more so in south America. I am also enjoying finding about areas and history I didn't know about so I was looking at Peru on wikipedia to learn about their contemporary troubles, really interesting. Anyway, the book, Felix Chacaltana Salvidar is the prosecutor in a city in Peru which has been troubled by terrorism since the early 80's, he is at the beginning an innocent who investigating a horrible murder is almost invilved in Kafkesque shunting from military commander to police commander to bury the crime,whilst going home to talk to his dead mother!. He is moved to another town as an electoral inspector where he is stumbling around malpractice, dogs hanging from lamposts and more murder.Over the course of the book he dramatically changes and whilst a serial killer is on the loose the book deals with religion and politics in a way that I haven't seen in more mainstream crime fiction. A very good read that I will be giving 5 Stars.
Mod
Andrew wrote: "29;PERUHaving started this challenge I am constantly surprised by the quality of writing I am coming across especially in the crime genre and even more so in south Amer..."I'll be interested to know what you think Ian.
30;FINLAND
I really enjoyed this (new to me) dose of Scandi crime. The first outing of Kimmo Joentaa a detective who at the beginning of the book is sitting at his wife's death bed. Grief and how he deals with it gives him a connection to what appears to be serial killer who randomly chooses his victims. This is series I will definitely read more of and it gave a feel for Finland,its woods, cold, and a couple of other characters look that they will develop well.
31;UKRAINE
I didn't really know what to expect with this book. The principal character Victor, a short story writer, has adopted a penguin when Kiev zoo closed called Misha who lives in his apartment and is his only friend .Victor get s drawn into writing for the paper obituaries of people who have yet to die. The book introduces a number of odd characters and situations, including an odd romance and Misha being hired for funerals, but the apparent innocence of the story and Victor contrasts with an underlying theme of civil unrest and crime and a mild surreal element. Another book on my travels that I have really enjoyed.
Mod
Having started this challenge I am constantly surprised by the quality of writing I am coming across especially in the crime genre and even more so in south Amer..."Didn't enjoy it Andrew. Often felt it read like a satire with Felix being a sort of unbelievable Catch 22 character at the heart of all the madness. Interesting themes about religion, politics and terrorism/freedom fighters, but left me longing for the end well before I got there. Hated the translation as well......that bit about "broads" was pure NYC and not Peru.
Ian wrote: "Andrew wrote: "29;PERUHaving started this challenge I am constantly surprised by the quality of writing I am coming across especially in the crime genre and even more s..."Thats a shame Ian, I know what you mean about his detachment (unbelievability) as a character, and I don't know if that was deliberate device to contrast his innocence with his later corruption, a problem with the translation, or a trait of South American fiction ( the few I've read in the challenge have an element of disconnection not present in Scandi crime) perhaps there is a bit of magic realism which is part of their tradition, I'm just speculating but am interested to read more from that region especially crime if you can recommend!
Mod
may appeal......but it's a region I'm generally finding difficult as the heavyweights like Isabel Allende etc just don't appeal.....waiting for the Luis Suarez "I'm a misunderstood nutter" story for Uruguay lol. Have got The Sickness for Venezuela on your shout though.
Watched a film by the same name Ian, very good Argentinian movie, didn't realise there was a book.
32 CZECH REPUBLIC/CZECHOSLOVAKIA
I'd need several pages to get to a summary of this book.I'd heard about the author on the Foreign Bodies programme last year re European crime fiction but couldn't get hold of his crime books so tried this. It starts with a young teacher Danny Smiricky joining a school social work students in post war communist Czechoslovakia, he develops a relationshiop with the very forward student Vixi but while suffering from anSTd isnt able to consumate her attentions, and at some point they are witness to a miracle in a church when the statue of St Joseph moves. In 1968 he is an member of the literati in Prague both before and after the Prague spring.The book is all over the place in terms of structure with tons of different scenes, characters and time periods with funny situations such as weird chess tournaments, communist party monitoring of examinations of students, encounters with tank drivers, drunk singers, former czech politicians tending Californian golf greens, and much sexual misadventure. Overall though it is a criticism from an insider of Communism and its effects and cruelties. A bizarre/funny book and one I'm glad I perservered with but I don't think I'd recommend it unless you were really interested in the period and the impact upon Czechoslovakia.
33:VIETNAM
A brilliant war novel which has been given 5 stars.The book details Bravo company's repeated battles to take the mountain which lies on the North Vietnamese Armies route from Laos into Vietnam.Its character driven allowing the reader to develop relationships with the soldiers which makes the subsequent horror of the war difficult to read. The book demonstrates the futility of the strategies of the higher brass who view the war as attritional which makes you wonder what has changed since 14-18.It also capture the issue of race relations. Yet again a trip that makes me want to explore the history. Highly recommended.
34;ITALY
An enjoyable crime novel about a young student Giorgio who finds himself drawn into a friendship with Francesco a card sharp/gambler who draws Giorgio into poker game scams , and a hedonistic lifestyle. Parrallel to this a caribinieri lieutenant is investigating a series of sexual assaults. Told in first person and third person the two narratives eventually collide. Its set in the South East coastal town of Bari and captures the feel of a weak youth drawn to an enigmatic chancer. The police part is less strong but overall enjoyable three stars. Hope to get to 40 by Christmas!
35;DENMARK
Think Im going bonkers as just deleted two posts! Anyway an enjoyable crime novel which introduced me a new detective whom I enjoyed with his suspiciously engaging but worrying Syrian sidekick, not very believable plot but I still enjoyed the hunt so will try more.
36;GREECE
Inspector Haritos is on sick leave but is asked unofficially to investigate the very public suicides of some prominent public figures. The 3rd in a series the book is set against the backdrop of very hot Athens building for the 2004 Olympics with immigration from the Balkans, the ghosts of the military junta and appalling traffic. An enjoyable detective who has a happy marriage, enjoys his job and loves dictionaries, I will be giving it 4 stars and will look up the first two books an, an enjoyable change from the snow of Scandi crime. Note to self that this is not a crime tour of the world although that may be a good next challenge if I ever finish!
Yay, Finally achieved a technical connundrum, although there is a lot of white to go!!
Just seen one of Ians post and realised missed Norway off!!
Coming on nicely Andrew! You have done well with S. America - will have to look and see what you have read.
Mod
Mod
Thanks, Ian, Sue, And Trojanhorse,Funny but the size of the books for Brazil and Argentina did not compare to the size of the countries still they all count. Am in Hungary at mo but Russia Canada and India would certainly fill some gaps. Thanks again!!
37;HUNGARY
A fascinating picture of two very different women in a Hungarian town. One cleans for the other and is the hub of the society, aggressive , dismissive and verbally abusive of her employer a writer the relationship changes over 20 years to allow you to learn her story which probably echoes the lives of many Hungarians pre and post war. I gave it 5 stars as wonderfully written and gripping for a very simple tale.
38;BELGIUM
I wanted to give this 4 for the novelty but it went down to 3 because the villain was so evident early on. Set in Antwerp Pr Cox is a lecturer in film history especially American film noir. His drunken wife is murdered and then he takes up with a Louise Brooks/Clara Bow lookalike young students. A series of murders over a few years all have connections to him and he realises they have either a movie theme e.g Psycho or The Big Heat or echo notorious deaths of starlets. Its seeped in film references and was enjoyable and captured the feel of Belgium (never been) particularly a seaside hotel ( which reminded me of one featured in Mark Gattis's euro horror doc earlier this year) its just a shame the end wasn't as good as I wanted but I will definitely try another.
39;LIBYA
Very good novel from the perspective of a 9 year old narrator at the time of Gadaffi's take over in the late 70's. The author captured the voice of the 9 year old brilliantly with the self centered view at a time when the lives of his family are in jeopardy.Childhood betrayals have huge significance and these are contrasted with adult vulnerabilities. I loved it and from front cover I wonder what beat to the Booker prize?!
Mod
40;CANADA
Yay halfway there! This is the joy of this trip , I was randomly serching in the library and came across this book and I really enjoyed it. The book is set in New Brunswick 'first nation' reservation in 1985 and in 2006. Markus is a policeman in 2006 preoccupied with a string of events in 1985 which affected his future life. At the time he is the grandson of the chief of the micmac tribe, a young boy starts work in the hold of a cargo ship, and on his first day is klled. A potential killer is identified being a non native who lives in close proximity to the tribes 'band'land . THere then develops a string of politically based assumptions and consequences that lead to events that still impact on the participants 20 years on. A good read, bit stilted in style however once I'd adapted to it loved it. Strange though that the good read reviews have the author down as a great Canadian author but I'd never come across him before. It will be another 5 star but prob 4.5.
Mod
Congratulations!! Really liked the look of your Canadian book (have been to Canada) - I read a really good one about an Indian policeman for the USA states which was interesting as there was a lot about native culture as well as the investigation. Think it was William Kent Krueger.
Sue wrote: "Congratulations!! Really liked the look of your Canadian book (have been to Canada) - I read a really good one about an Indian policeman for the USA states which was interesting as there was a lot..."Thanks Sue , he looks interesting I have added to my ever growing TBR section!!
41:RUSSIA
This will probably be my book of the year. A heartbreaking story of the two Chechen wars and its impact on ordinary people. The scenes of torture are balanced by the contrasting scenes of feeling exhibited by individual characters. The tales of betrayal are poignant and make even the apparent villain human. A hard read at times but very readable and very good. Yet again with this challenge makes you wonder at mans inhumanities and perhaps fiction provides a perfect insight into them. Perhaps something lighter next!!
42;MOROCCO
An excellent book which contradicts mans inhumanity against his strength inspired by a faith. I'm not particularly religious being a long lapsed catholic but the story based on truth is inspiring and paints the Islamic faith in a different perspective to that in the media.The horror is factual ( the Un and amnesty had to intervene to end this imprisonment )and is about a man and his colleagues imprisoned for 18 yaers in a cell 5 foot high by 5 foot wide and 10 foot long with meagre diet who through inner strength survives. Not a long read 190 pages but troubling and stays with you. Very good.
43: NORTHERN IRELAND
Not a bad police thriller set in early 80's Belfast (Carrickfergus) where a Catholic policeman in RUC hunts a serial killer targeting homosexuals. Ok and I'll try the next in the trilogy but perhaps not dour enough given my diet of Scandi crime this year! A contrast though to my recent grim political journeys!! Can anyone suggest a funny book for my next stop? I have got No1 detective agency somewhere although not drawn to it particularly but it may be lighter!!!
Mod
Ho ho ho, reminds me of the day i was enjoying a pint on a family hol in lake district and got a text from a friend saying the help line for fans was 0161616161, still it must make it funnier that's its an Everton manager although on flip Martinez seems to be doing well, can you boys do better than a derby draw next time
44;PORTUGAL
Set in Lisbon at the time of the Spanish civil war and the Salazarist government's repression of any opposition, Pereira is the cultural correspondent of Lisboa a government friendly newspaper. He is overweight ,widowed and established in his routines until he strikes up a relationship with a young man who is part of the opposition. Gradually Pereira changes and moves out of his rut and becomes aware of what is going on around him. An interesting picture of Lisbon at an important time in European history. Well written and engaging I warmed to the lead and again found myself wanting to explore the history of the country.
45;SOMALIA
I came across this slim penguin classic in the library and had never heard of it but it was a fascinating read. The heroine Kabla is an 18 yaer old girl who is part of a nomadic tribe in the Somalian countryside whose life involves tending the cattle. When her grandfather gives her hand to a 48 year old man she runs away to a village where she goes to live with a distant cousin and his heavily pregnant wife. The cousin then incurs a heavy financial penalty for smuggling and promises her to another man so she runs off again with a neighbours nephew to Mogadishu. The book pictures a girl who has never seen a car or a plane , cannot cook doesn't know what the police are or have any concept of a government at a time when in the late 1960's independence is coming. Perhaps most sad without parents she has no concept of sex and is the victim of sexual exploitation. A lot of the book is her internal monologue and at 180 pages it is short but an interesting picture of women in this society, the hypocrisy of men using religion and marriage as sexual power, and the innocence of the tribal members in modern society.
46 PAKISTAN
A very interesting tale set around the death of military dictator General Zia in 1988 by a plane crash. It runs a parallel story of Colonel Shigri, the son of a military hero who is arrested when his close friend has disappeared and he subsequently ends up in prison. At the same time we see life around Zia who is becoming increasingly paranoid whilst courting the US as the soviets leave Afghanistan. It is well done and gives an interesting picture of the Pakistani dictator although perhaps not as comic I imagine as the book portrays him.
47 HAITI
A book that starts and ends with a 7 year old girl Claire and her father in A small Haitian town as he decides whether to let a local woman adopt her. The intervening chapters show several different characters in their individual stories which include the victims of gangs, a local radio presenter/temporary teacher, a returned son of the shool head, and others. Lyrically written it engages and was an interesting picture of small town Haiti away from the tourist areas.
Oh, I heard that was good - it's on my to-read list, I think. Sounds interesting!
47 KAZAKHSTAN
This is an astonishing novella which at 122 pages is full of lyricism, traditional tales, music and the modern day horror of nuclear testing. An intro tells the reader that from 1949 to 1989 468 nuclear explosions were tested in a test site in the Kazakh steppes. This story tells of Yerzhan a 27 year old man who looks like a 12 year old boy whom the narrator meets on a train selling yoghurt and playing his violin. He then tells the story of his and his families exposure to nuclear radiation. Part folk tale with magical elements it has a love story within it and a picture of the traditions of the Steppes. An excellent read giving a snapshot of a region the size of Europe devastated by nuclear testing.
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