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Book Club Challenge
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Around The World in 80 Books 2020-2023
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Ellen
(last edited Feb 15, 2015 10:31AM)
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Feb 15, 2015 05:08AM
Just finished The Beachby Alex Garland, set in Thailand. It's kind of a more modern Lord Of the Flies (William Golding). An easy read. I haven't seen the film but can imagine it would make a good one!
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Another new one on me. NOt heard of him/her. Where are you travelling next? If only these journey's were for real
From The Bahamas to Belgium...Resistance by Anita Shreve.t took me a while to get into this book, which was a very different style to the book I had just been reading. This novel began with very short sentences, very different to the subtle nuances writing of the Polished Hoe that it came as a shock!
I felt the staccato effect used when writing about the bomber fighting was hard to follow and the short sentences moved me on as if I was darting from object to object or person to plane. For example,
'Tail to pilot. Our wingman is about three hundred yards back and down off the right wing. Two other 17 s about a quarter mile out to your right.
Thanks, tail gunner.
Ball turret to pilot. contrails.
Roger, ball turret.
Ted thought of Warren in the turret.' Page 36. I didn't really understand what was going on, and actually found I didn't want to try to understand. It was like gobbledegook to me!
It continues in this style for a number of pages, which I found slightly off-putting. However, after the description in the air, I got into the style it became a very easy read.
It is the story of a bomber coming down in the village of Delahaut in Belgium, near the French border towards the end of World War 2 and his rescue by the Belgian Maquis, or resistance. It brings our attention, as Anita Shreve writes, into the homes of the Belgian people: 'The war was being fought in kitchens and attics all over Belgium'. I like to read about the war from angles I never learnt in history lessons at school. I never even thought about the risks of resistance workers during my history lessons, but here we have their lives, the risks they took and their quiet bravery laid bare for us to see. It humbles the reader.
It is also a simple, sad love story.
I enjoyed reading this novel, but was not longing to get a quiet moment to read it.
Karen wrote: "From The Bahamas to Belgium...t took me a while to get into this book, which was a very different style to the book I had just been reading. This novel began with very short sentences, very diffe..."
It sounds very interesting, Karen, but I couldn't find the title of the book you were reading in your post...
please enlighten me!
It's half-term school holiday and my boys (age 7 and 5) have had two friends round to play all day. I have spent a lot of time today hiding behind my book and trying to ignore the light-sabre duels and other assorted chaos that has resulted from their fun. I have, therefore, managed to finish another book towards this challenge: A Well-Tempered Heart by Jan-Philip Sendker, set in Burma. Enjoyable but not as easy to read as his first book (The Art of Hearing Heartbeats. I found the convoluted way that he engineered for the main character to have a reason to travel to Burma was not very believable this time but once you got past that, the story he wove was then quite interesting. I was a bit disappointed by the conclusion and felt that he didn't wrap up the loose ends very well. Even so, I would give it a 4/5 rating. If you haven't read one of Sendker's books before I would recommend you read his first one, not this one.
Mod
Thanks Ellen - sounds like a new reading challenge - reading in adverse conditions. Still, you look like a woman on a mission.
Shanghai, China with Death Of A Red Heroine by Xiaolong Qui. ( A recommendation from Ian I think, as a "Q" in his previous alphabetical challenge?!) It was a really long book for a detective novel and the first 150-200 pages I found dreadfully dull. But I appreciate they were necessary to set the scene on the communist beaurocracy, culture, and police procedure in a way that the remainder of the book wouldn't have made much sense without. Having had to force myself to wade through the first third of the book the plot then picked up speed nicely and was a much better read. Despite this book's later improvement I don't think I could face reading another book by this author, even though crime fiction is normally my default genre.
Denmark. The Forgotten Girls- Sara Blaedel. How I wish I hadn't read this! Such good writing, plot and characterization but number 7 (I think) in the series and now I know the back story. Didnt realise it was part of a series when I ordered it, decided not to read it until I'd read the others but it sat there calling me. So a thoroughly recommended author for those who like scandi crime. Brings up no 10 in this challenge.
Mod
Three questions - i) do you know where in Denmark it is set? ii) do you think it spoils the earlier ones then and ii) what was between this and the Katharine Webb - I am missing one of your list - I only have 9
Hi Ian.1. It's set mainly around Avnso lake which is south west of Copenhagen. 2. Well the detective has had an eventful life which are referred to in this book so I will know how they turned out . But it was so good will probably read them anyway. With my memory I might well have fotgotton anyway
Sue wrote: "Denmark. The Forgotten Girls- Sara Blaedel. How I wish I hadn't read this! Such good writing, plot and characterization but number 7 (I think) in the series and n..."Ooh thanks for the recommendation - I love Nordic crime fiction so always keen to hear about an author I haven't come across before. I looked her up and it seems her first book in this series is only in Danish but her second has been translated into English Call Me Princess so I'll see if I can find a copy of that to start with. Cheers!
Recently finished my 13th in this challenge - taking a break from war and hardship in Asia for a light-hearted romp with the delinquent OAPs of Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg's The Little Old Lady Who Struck Lucky Again!. It's a sequel to the The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules and just as much fun. Set mostly in Sweden- Norra Lagno, Varmdo (near Stockholm) (after a brief start in Las Vegas).BTW, Ian, it looks from the map like you have missed off my Vietnamese offering (Graham Greene's The Quiet American)
Mod
Thanks Ellen - have added both. I lost teh Quiert American somewhere. I am also missing 3 books for you. I've got the following:
Arthur Upfield Death of a Swagman
GW Kent Devil-Devil
Peter Ho Davies The Welsh Girl
John David Morely journey to the end fo the whale
Tan Twan Eng The Gift of Rain
Graham Greene The Quiet American
Alex Garland The Beach
Jan-Philip Sendker A Well-Tempered Heart
Qui Xialong Death of a Red Heroine
Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg The Little Old Lady Who Struck Lucky Again
Who am I missing?
From my list you're missing: Keri Hulme, The Bone People (New Zealand)Albert Camus 'the outsider" (Algeria), Murakami's Colorless Tsukuba Tasaki... ( which I read for challenge #1 and was already on the map so didn't bother mentioning again on this thread). They are all on the map :-)
Mod
Thanks - I obviously put them up with there without recording on my spreadhseet (am trying to keep track of everyone's book list)
Hi Ian,Sorry, have just added the title of my Belgian story. Resistance by. Anita Shreve.
The Light Between Oceans by M L Steadman.Set on a tiny island off Australia called Janus Rock, where there is a lighthouse. Near the coastal town of Partaguesa, near Albany. Perth might be the nearest big Australian place to guide a pin in a map.
This was a good read. I thought it was going to be predictable, but as the story progressed and the feelings of the characters unfold, the reader can empathise and thus gets involved. It's about a decision, and right v wrong and how to make up for decisions wrongly made in the past.
An easy read. I won't be seeking out anymore books by this author, but it was a great book to read sat by the fire to get over my cold!
I also read The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt set in New York. I enjoyed it and will read more by her. It was different...she has a good understanding of a hedonistic lifestyle, drug-taking, alcohol abuse. A story of loss that is sad. But also a story of obsession over a painting. I am not into possessions and found this bit hard to relate to...especially the extent to which he obsesses over it.
I've just finished Those in Peril by Wilbur Smith which is largely set on the coast of Somalia. If nothing else it reminded me as to why I stopped reading his books.
Mod
Set on a tiny island off Australia called Janus Rock, where there is a lighthouse. Near the coastal town of Partaguesa, near Albany. Perth might be the ..."
Our reading group read this last year - it was the Devon Library service book of the summer. It was generally well received by most - though I remember feeling that it was somewhat improbable and a bit predictable
Mod
Yes - you read one you read em all. I last read one about 20 years ago - he keeps on turning them out though - prolific and obviously has a readership. You are the frist to register a book on the African continent. Excellent. All books added to the map
Just finished Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World. Mongolia. Very interesting history of Mongolia and it's impact on the modern world. I have to say Genghis's traditional bloodthirsty image is quite different to the historical truth, according to this book. It seems we owe quite a lot of positive things to the influence of the mongol hordes! Another illuminating read from this challenge!
Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "The Light Between Oceans by M L Steadman.Set on a tiny island off Australia called Janus Rock, where there is a lighthouse. Near the coastal town of Partaguesa, near Albany. Perth..."
Yes,it was one of the reading group books. I agree to the improbability of it, but a great read while I was feeling ill ...nice and easy!
Mod
Set on a tiny island off Australia called Janus Rock, where there is a lighthouse. Near the coastal town of Partaguesa, near Al..."
agree that. Just what you need sometimes
Mod
Was a really a cuddly, homely kind of rampaging warrior then Ellen?
Ian wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just finished Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World. Mongolia. Very interesting history of Mongolia and it's impact on the modern world. I have to say Genghis's..."Hmm, not quite, but he generally offered surrender to enemies first and those that took the offer were generally well-treated and absorbed into the empire. Those that preferred to fight were then proficiently wiped-from the face of the earth! He was an exceptionally capable leader and military strategist, adopted every new form of warfare he came across and harnessed intelligence and craftsmen from everywhere he conquered to develop new forms of warfare. He never used torture but slaughtered very efficiently once surrender was refused. He respected all religions and encouraged his empire's subjects to follow their own religions and expected them to co-exist harmoniously. He promoted free-trade and opened and protected trade-routes which were some of the safest for merchants in the known world. Which is a lot more than you can say of our own European civilisations which at the time which spent most of their energy on trying to exterminate other religions (Jews in particular were targeted amazing frequently through that period of history- history's go-to scapegoats it seems) and cruelly torturing anyone they didn't like (burning witches, death by trial, rack torture etc etc!). Most of the reputation was exaggerated fearful rumours and reports of the very efficient complete destruction and looting of cities. He made experienced military commanders look very silly by completely wiping out their huge, powerful armies with just a few hundred very well-trained, fast warriors on horseback. So the stories had to make the mongols sound more horrific and not as clever as they actually were! However, Ghengis neglected the education of his sons and grandsons and the mongol empire kind of fell apart once he was gone.. finally finished off by the Plague... or the world might be still under mostly mongol rule today!
Mod
Thanks Ellen - that is really interesting and, as you say, not the stuff of legend.
Karen wrote: "The Light Between Oceans by M L Steadman.Set on a tiny island off Australia called Janus Rock, where there is a lighthouse. Near the coastal town of Partaguesa, near Albany. Perth might be the ..."
Karen wrote: "Hi Ian,
Sorry, have just added the title of my Belgian story. Resistance by. Anita Shreve."
Read this last year, really enjoyed it and found it moving.
Been in Saskatchewan, Canada and the route to the Atlantic with Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper. Once I was over the magical realism element, I did enjoy it. There are a number of stories both present and past woven into each chapter all beautifully presented.
Mod
Looks like a good read. And the first for Canada! Map is looking good but no action in Russia or South America and very little in Africa or US yet - there is time
I read Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith, Ian. That is set in Moscow, Russia and is counting for this challenge for me. I think I posted under 'what I'm reading' topic though, so apologies! I'm also currently reading Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel at the moment which is set in Mexico - I've nearly finished that and will post my comment when I have.
Mod
Brilliant - Russia and South America - hope the jet lag is improving! On the map now
Mod
Finally making a start on this challenge! This year I have so far completed: The Royal Lacemaker(Devon UK)
Reading In Bed (London & York UK)
Haruki MurakamiColorless Tskuru... (Tokyo & Nagoya Japan)
Keeping the World Away (Paris)
I am just starting Trespass by Rose Tremain, our RG choice for this month ( Cevennes region France)
Wish we could collect Airmiles with this challenge!
Have just finished reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Set in the US mostly along the Pacific Crest Trail from California through Oregon. Before I started reading this, I didn't know it was about a real experience. I thought it was a novel, made into a film.
It is interesting, easy to read and makes you want to get up and do a hike like this.
Mod
Ian wrote: "Sue wrote: "Been in Saskatchewan, Canada and the route to the Atlantic with Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper. Once I was over the magical realism..."I have read one for Canada...the Margaret Atwood, Cat's Eye. Set in Toronto.
Ooooo - harsh moderating Ian, especially to your wife!! Lol
Mod
Duly added to the map
Mod
Its not often I get to exert control, so making the most of it!!
Continuing my travels in South-East Asia with another few to add to this challenge: Never Fall Downby Patricia McCormick, Cambodia- is the heart-rending story of a boy forced to become a child soldier for the Khmer Rouge at the time of the killing fields, and his story of survival. Then on to the Philippines with Dusk by Francisco Sionil Jose- a first of a saga starting whilst the Spanish were occupying the islands and finishing as the Americans were "liberating" the islands and taking over. An excellent read and very well written. Then finally to North Korea for a horrific tale of life and escape from a closed political labour camp: Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West (which is also one of the World Book Night books so counts towards challeng #4 too!)
I've just finished reading Bones of the Lost by Kathy Reichs. This is the latest in the series featuring Tempe Brennan, a forensic anthropologist. The story sees her link two cases; murder in Charlotte, Canada and an exhumation of bodies in Bagram, Afghanistan. I've enjoyed many of the books in the series, but I did feel that this was a weaker effort and didn't enjoy it as much as some of the others as a result. Still counts against the challenge though!!
Ian wrote: "Just starting The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov. Ive been wanting to read this for some time - reputed to be a classic of the 20th century. The Devil visits aetheistic Russia and..."I read the graphic version after going to The Barbican to see it on stage - very interesting it was too. Hope you enjoy the book.
Mod
I'm exhausted by your travels Ellen - will you be leaving Asia soon?
Mod
Put it against Canada - let me know if you prefer Afghanistan
Mod
I'm loving it so far, Sue - getting quirkier by the minute
Ian wrote: "I'm exhausted by your travels Ellen - will you be leaving Asia soon?" Sorry Ian, not quite- I still plan to read a book from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and I will have to wait until May to complete Asia by ticking of Laos when the newest Colin Cotterill book in the Siri Paboum series, (Six and a Half Deadly Sins), will be released.
So, just for you Ian, I have taken a break and moved to Africa with Imagine This by Sade Adeniram, set in Nigeria (Lagos). It is written in the style of a diary, which is a style I normally hate. However, I quickly became engrossed in the story. It's the tale of a girl born in London who is moved from England to Nigeria by her father at age 9 and abandoned in a remote Nigerian village to be brought up by various relatives. This was her story of survival. I enjoyed reading how she adapts to a completely different culture and the trials that she faces along the way.
Mod
Sorry Ian, not quite- I still plan to read a book from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and I will have to w..."
Great to see an entry for Africa - along with South America a continent less travelled at present. I'll add it now. Dont let me distract you from Asia mind - I'm enjoying your journey.
Ellen wrote: "Ian wrote: "I'm exhausted by your travels Ellen - will you be leaving Asia soon?" Sorry Ian, not quite- I still plan to read a book from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and I will have to w..."
Ellen a good one set n Afghanistan is Kite Runner by Khaled Housseini. Have you read it yet? Or A Thousand Splended Suns was even better. Our reading group is on Kite Runner at the moment and readers are loving it. Most are going on to read A Thousand Splendid Suns too! Karen
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