What are we reading? 11th May 2022

[AB76]

I have finished The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence, superb, a great read from start to finish

Hard and quite questioning of life and what it brings, doubt and fear, pride through fear, an nonagenarian raging against the dying of the light, immigrant Canada, the prairie's baked in summer, frozen in winter and 90 years of life...

[scarletnoir]

giveusaclue wrote: "Arrrggghhhh wrote reviews of the books I have been reading on holiday and lost them. I'll try again.

The first book was the third in the Bradcote and Catchpoll series by Sarah Hawkswood.[bookcover..."

Thanks for those reviews... you give us a brief synopsis, but don't comment on the quality... are these excellent, mediocre, or somewhere in between? What are the strengths and weaknesses?

(I tend to like crime stories with believable characters and plots which are at least possible even if far-fetched. Good dialogue and convincing locations help...)

I am always on the lookout for readable crime series, as these provide a necessary relief from occasional more serious reading!

[scarletnoir]

AB76 wrote: "glad to see this novel being read, not sure if it came from my original mention of it when i was suggesting LA reads a few months back but Himes is a real talent"

I had already read most of Himes' Harlem Detectives series before this, and bought the e-book of 'If he hollers' a few months ago... your post may well have precipitated that purchase - I don't recall, now. I know Hushpuppy (and others, maybe) recommended Hines before I'd read any, though I already knew his name.

[AB76]

scarletnoir wrote: "AB76 wrote: "glad to see this novel being read, not sure if it came from my original mention of it when i was suggesting LA reads a few months back but Himes is a real talent"

I had already read m..."

ah yes, it might have been you who recommended one of those crime novels, i have "rage in harlem" on my pile and i read an early 1970s one set in a heatwave and enjoyed it

[AB76]

Next classic novels is Georges by Alexandre Dumas(1843), set in French Mauritius and an interesting one of his novels as the only that deals with ethnicity and race

His father was a Haitien revolutionary,Dumas was dual-heritage and this novel is apparently of great interest to modern writers about slavery and the slave trade, alongside identity, dual heritage etc

Its been on my pile for a while but got lost at the bottom. Mauritius was French from the 1730s to 1810, when it was conquered by the British. Not sure if the novel covers that transition but it should if the 1810-24 time setting is correct.

i remember a family holiday in Mauritius in the late 80s,vivid memories vast fields of sugar cane with roads that passed inbetween and the name of the airport Sir Seewosagar Rangoolam Int. Under the French the island used Malagasy and Mozambiquan slave labour, the British abolished slavery on the island in the 1830s and soon huge numbers of Indian indentured labourers were coming to the island, within a decade Indians were the majority on the island and remain so today

[Paul]

AB76 wrote: "Next classic novels is Georges by Alexandre Dumas(1843), set in French Mauritius and an interesting one of his novels as the only that deals with ethnicity and race

His father was a Haitien revol..."

I read Georges a few years back and enjoyed it. It wasn't quite up to the level of classic Dumas in terms of tension and adventure. Then again, it's not up to the level of classic Dumas in terms of word count either.

[Georg]

Tam wrote: "Veufveuve wrote: "Lots of interesting takes on Green! Much more than I expected, so thanks everyone. And thanks to Anne for another great introduction.

And Georg, that's exactly the kind of quest..."

What a "blühende Fantasie" you have, Tam!

In turn I tried to imagine what you have imagined (had to look up a bit about Peronesi) and found my living space being decidedly un-Peronesian. If not anti-Peronesian ;-)

By my calculation today should have been the last day of your commute to Oxford.
Too early in the day for a real toast, I'll get there in the evening though.

[AB76]

Paul wrote: "AB76 wrote: "Next classic novels is Georges by Alexandre Dumas(1843), set in French Mauritius and an interesting one of his novels as the only that deals with ethnicity and race

His father was a H..."

i did think it was a "slender" Dumas, looking foward to starting it

[MK]

scarletnoir wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "Arrrggghhhh wrote reviews of the books I have been reading on holiday and lost them. I'll try again.

The first book was the third in the Bradcote and Catchpoll series by Sarah ..."

I'm slowly (rationing to one a month) listening (library download) to David Downing's Zoo Station series. Soon to be listening to #5 - Lehrter Station - which should be the first in post-WW2 Berlin.

If you haven't tried them, you might take a look. Journalist/sometime spy for whoever, his lover, an actress, and his pre-teen son are the main characters.

[Gpfr]

MK wrote: "David Downing's Zoo Station series. ..."

I've had the 1st one for a while, but haven't yet read it.

[giveusaclue]

scarletnoir wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "Thanks for those reviews... you give us a brief synopsis, but don't comment on the quality... are these excellent, mediocre, or somewhere in between? What are the strengths and weaknesses?"


Sorry, I'm not a trained reviewer. 😢

The Bradcote novels are what you might call medieval slightly cozyish mysteries, not heavy duty so I would call them medium, easy reading.

The Oliver Davies ones, when you can get over the misprints, are better stories and I really do like them, They are very good I would say.

I feel a bit nervous because one person's very good might by another person's borefest. But I will try to be a bit clearer in future. Meanwhile, if I find a book ok but perhaps a bit run of the mill I would give it 3*, anything very good 4* and a book has to be amazing for me to give it 5* (such as The Mirror and the Light and Jack Gatland's Whisper for the Reaper) Anything under 3* is a condemnation.

You may like to look at the Jack Gatland ones:

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/g/ja...


but they do need to be read in order, and disbelief may need at times to be suspended, but they are suspenseful!

[Tam]

Georg wrote: "Tam wrote: "Veufveuve wrote: "Lots of interesting takes on Green! Much more than I expected, so thanks everyone. And thanks to Anne for another great introduction.

And Georg, that's exactly the k..."

I think it was more that Piranesi tended to rework everything, (fill in the gaps?) and dare I say, a bit overdo it, to very entertaining effect though. I think I was just drawn by the idea of already having enough chairs for all plausible usage and yet still lusting after more. It has made me think, which I'm always pleased to do, and am wondering about Morris's dictat, have nothing in your house that is not both useful, and beautiful, and pondering my relationship to his advice.

I did love the atmosphere in Susanna Clarke's novel 'Piranesi' all those sea-swirled rooms with sculptural niches have stayed with me, if not so much the plot... The last day of the treatment is Monday the 16th... we will be going out to celebrate a 'sigh of relief' I suspect

[giveusaclue]

Gpfr wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "I have just started reading the third in the Commisario Sonari series..."

Thanks for the recommendation: I had a look and got the first in the series, [book:River of Shadows|84..."

He is a bit of a tormented soul finding life a bit confusing and things don't happen particularly quickly, but I do like to read books set in Italy.

BTW I have received an email this week from Riviera Travel advising me that the hotel in Volterra I will be visiting in September (hopefully) is no longer able to provide "our guests" with and evening meal! But.....

However, to ensure you receive the same board basis that we have advertised, we will now be including dinners in a local restaurant in Volterra town where you will be able to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine in a lovely setting. Your transport to and from the restaurant will of course be included free of charge.

I rather like the sound of that. Although I am going to ring Riviera to ask why the change, just out of principle.

[giveusaclue]

Tam wrote: ". The last day of the treatment is Monday the 16th... we will be going out to celebrate a 'sigh of relief' I suspect"

That is brilliant news Tam, all good wishes for the future, and enjoy that celebration.

[Gpfr]

giveusaclue wrote: "dinners in a local restaurant in Volterra town where you will be able to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine in a lovely setting ..."

Might be nicer than eating in the hotel

[Bill]

Friedrich Kunath - “How To Get Up And Get Dressed” - C-print

[giveusaclue]

Gpfr wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "dinners in a local restaurant in Volterra town where you will be able to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine in a lovely setting ..."

Might be nicer than eating in the hotel"

Totally agree G. I am rather pleased with the idea.

[Tam]

giveusaclue wrote: "Gpfr wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "dinners in a local restaurant in Volterra town where you will be able to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine in a lovely setting ..."

Might be nicer than eating in th..."

I think that Volterra is probably suffering from a foreign tourist deficit, possibly. It was like that when I spent 3 days in Delphi, at I would have thought, near peak tourist season, (May/June) in a lovely hotel, with fantastic views. I was the only person there, apart from one other, for one night. It was during the Greek economic squeeze of 4/5 (corrected to 2014, 8 years ago!... be a bit suspicious of older peoples recollection of quite how long ago things happened... perhaps?...) years ago. The hotel owner told me that local/Greek people had stopped coming. They couldn't afford it, whereas they used to come for family weekends. A few places were doing OK, but these were hotels on backpacker/international tourist travel itineries, arranged and booked, internationally I suspect. I think this might well explain the loss of the hotel restaurant. Anyway you might well have a much more interesting and better time because of it... small clouds with silver linings often pop-up in odd places... Enjoy yourself....

Volterra is not on the classical tour list of must visit places in Italy, it is its own place and very different from most hill top Italian towns, anyway I hope you have a great visit...

[AB76]

Tam wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "Gpfr wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "dinners in a local restaurant in Volterra town where you will be able to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine in a lovely setting ..."

Might be nic..."

was Volterra in the latest Bond film? rings a bell or was it Matera?

[Tam]

AB76 wrote: "Tam wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "Gpfr wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "dinners in a local restaurant in Volterra town where you will be able to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine in a lovely setting ..."

..."
I think that was Matera, another very interesting place. If you want an old-time (WWII) take on life in the Matera district of Italy, then I can suggest 'Christ stopped at Eboli', (pub 1945) by Carlo Levi. Carlo Levi was a doctor, writer and painter, a native of Turin. In 1935, Levi's anti-fascist beliefs and activism led to his banishment by Benito Mussolini's fascist government to a period of internal exile in a remote region of southern Italy. Despite his status as a political exile Levi was welcomed with open arms, for the people of this area were naturally gracious hosts. His book, Christ Stopped At Eboli, focuses on his year in the villages of the Lucania region and the people he encountered there. (Edit here) This description makes it look kind of folksy, but it isn't, the descriptions of poverty are quite extreme, hence the title.

[giveusaclue]

AB76 wrote: "Tam wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "Gpfr wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "dinners in a local restaurant in Volterra town where you will be able to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine in a lovely setting ..."

..."

Sorry I haven't seen that one.

[[deleted user]]

@giveus – Rather envious of you going to Volterra. We were there once for just half a day, which was definitely not enough. I could have spent most of a day drinking in the amazing view from the town terrace.

[Robert]

Anne wrote: "Hello everyone. Welcome to the new thread.

I open with words from Rilke posted by Tam, and which I was rather taken by:
"I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world. I may n..."

Thanks for the mention.

[Lljones]

Bill wrote: "
Friedrich Kunath - “How To Get Up And Get Dressed” - C-print"

😉

[Berkley]

Bill wrote: "
Friedrich Kunath - “How To Get Up And Get Dressed” - C-print"

I like it. First I've heard of Kunath.

[giveusaclue]

Russell wrote: "@giveus – Rather envious of you going to Volterra. We were there once for just half a day, which was definitely not enough. I could have spent most of a day drinking in the amazing view from the to..."

I am really looking forward to it. Especially having read

[[deleted user]]

giveusaclue wrote: "...Volterra ...I am really looking forward to it. Especially having read Cold Tuscan Stone (Rick Montoya Italian Mysteries Book 1) by David P. Wagner"

Don't know it - looks like a great summer read.

[MK]

giveusaclue wrote: "Gpfr wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "I have just started reading the third in the Commisario Sonari series..."

Thanks for the recommendation: I had a look and got the first in the series, [book:River ..."

Just took a look at Volterra thanks to Google maps. Great photos and beaucoup history, but nary a tree in sight! Correction - I should clarify in the city center as the Roman ruins have plenty of greenery.

Note: When I was so sick of living the the DC area, I made a list of what was important and green was the first item on the list. I had had to travel to Colorado Springs many a time for work. Colorado Springs (what springs?) is SO tan and dry (chapstick here I come) that it never came close to being on that list.

[MK]

Russell wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "...Volterra ...I am really looking forward to it. Especially having read Cold Tuscan Stone (Rick Montoya Italian Mysteries Book 1) by David P. Wagner"

Don't know it - looks li..."

And was able to download this book from the library, too. Thanks. I'll get to it as soon as I finish listening to David Downing's Lehrter Station.

[AB76]

All change in three sections of my reading:

Last night i started an Oxfam bookshop find The Irish in Britain by Kevin O'Connor from 1972. It is well written and full of information for a short book and i have covered the first 100 years or so of mass immigration, triggered by Act of Union in 1800.

Yet to start:
Georges by Alexandre Dumas (1843), a novel of slavery and empire, set in French and then British Mauritius

The Tsars Foreign Faiths: Toleration and the Fate of Religious Freedom in Imperial Russia, my first Russian read since the Ukraine war started, this OUP study is an area i am very interested in, Imperial Russia and its accommodation of religious minorities

[MK]

OMG! After checking out and downloading Cold Tuscan Stone, I made the mistake of seeing what is waiting for me at the library - UGH! - I have 6 (2 - history, 2 - mystery, and 2 cookbooks), plus there's a little red truck that's bringing 3 more. I'm going to be like that guy in bed with a book, and the dust will continue to thicken throughout the house.

[scarletnoir]

MK wrote: "David Downing's Zoo Station series...

Following a recommendation quite possibly from yourself, I read and liked the first in this series, and have bought the second.

[scarletnoir]

giveusaclue wrote: "Sorry, I'm not a trained reviewer. 😢"

Haha! Well, neither am I, and it wasn't meant as a criticism but as an encouragement to you to provide a little explanation about why you like or dislike a book. Tastes will inevitably differ... so when you say the books are "medieval slightly cozyish mysteries" that's useful - I think they're probably not for me (I tend to like more gritty stuff), but not a definite no-no either - I much enjoyed 'Cadfael' as a TV series, though haven't read the books.

When someone describes a book containing a four page description of the living room carpet as a 'masterpiece', I think: "definitely not!" As we are all different in what we enjoy, it's just helpful to have some idea of what appeals/doesn't appeal in a book.

[MK]

scarletnoir wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "Sorry, I'm not a trained reviewer. 😢"

Haha! Well, neither am I, and it wasn't meant as a criticism but as an encouragement to you to provide a little explanation about why you ..."

I highly recommend the Cadfael series which, like most series, should be read in order A Morbid Taste for Bones being the first. I have all of the small, put in a pocket, paperbacks which I rationed myself to one-a-month during lockdown. I even began to look forward to the 15th which was my self-imposed start date each month.

Ellis Peters roused my interest in the era, and I've purchased (yet to read) Stephen and Matilda's Civil War: Cousins of Anarchy because of these mysteries.

[Andy]

Anne wrote: "Andy wrote: "I’m watching it Anne. Coming to episode 5.
I’ve read a c..."

Episode 4 was when I got gripped. It's been a huge benefit not having to read Slow Horses 'cos I tried several times and ..."

I think he’s the least convincing of the adaptation characters also.
After you’ve read a book you have a mental image of what the characters might look like. Often an adaptation’s view is quite different. Nearly always, as with River, if glamorises them - they become far too good looking..
That was a reason I couldn’t get into Peaky Blinders… they were just all far too beautiful..

[Andy]

scarletnoir wrote: "Andy wrote: "Thanks for the summary Anne.
I’m enjoying Slow Horses also, thanks to your recommendation.

If He Hollers Let Him Go by Chester Himes [bookcover:If He H..."

Agreed. Looking forward to your review.

[Andy]

AB76 wrote: "scarletnoir wrote: "Andy wrote: "Thanks for the summary Anne.
I’m enjoying Slow Horses also, thanks to your recommendation.

If He Hollers Let Him Go by [author:Chester Himes|4392029..."

Could well have been AB..

[Andy]

giveusaclue wrote: "scarletnoir wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "Thanks for those reviews... you give us a brief synopsis, but don't comment on the quality... are these excellent, mediocre, or somewhere in between? What ar..."

‘Trained’ reviewers are often not to be trusted anyway Clue.
Most have received an ARC and worried about upsetting the publisher.
Try to find a critical review of a book, it’s very difficult.
I’d much rather read them on here, like yours.. much more genuine and tell us what we need to know,
And if they don’t, we can always ask..

[giveusaclue]

MK wrote: "OMG! After checking out and downloading Cold Tuscan Stone, I made the mistake of seeing what is waiting for me at the library - UGH! - I have 6 (2 - history, 2 - mystery, and 2 cook..."

See you here again in 6 months!

[giveusaclue]

scarletnoir wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "Sorry, I'm not a trained reviewer. 😢"

Haha! Well, neither am I, and it wasn't meant as a criticism but as an encouragement to you to provide a little explanation about why you ..."

No, the four page description of the living room decoration isn't for me either, which is why I gave up on the Jack Reacher and Kathy Reichs books.

The Cadfael books are similar to the Bradcote and Catchpoll series if that helps.

[giveusaclue]

MK wrote: "Ellis Peters roused my interest in the era, and I've purchased (yet to read) Stephen and Matilda's Civil War: Cousins of Anarchy Stephen and Matilda's Civil War Cousins of Anarchy by Matthew Lewis because of these mysteries.
"

If you have an interest in the anarchy you may like to try these novels of the Eleanor of Aquitaine series:


https://www.fantasticfiction.com/p/sh...

[giveusaclue]

Andy wrote: "‘Trained’ reviewers are often not to be trusted anyway Clue.
Most have received an ARC and worried about upsetting the publisher.
Try to find a critical review of a book, it’s very difficult.
I’d much rather read them on here, like yours.. much more genuine and tell us what we need to know,
And if they don’t, we can always ask..
"

Thanks Andy, and I am quite happy to have folks post and say "yes but......" and ask more questions.

[Gpfr]

30° temperatures & thunderstorms on the way ...

[Berkley]

scarletnoir wrote:

"... so when you say the books are "medieval slightly cozyish mysteries" that's useful - I think they're probably not for me (I tend to like more gritty stuff), but not a definite no-no either"

The odd thing is that the Middle Ages were generally a much more violent, brutal era than the 20th-21st century, at least for Europe. So from that POV there's no obvious reason a medieval mystery should be cozier than a contemporary one.

"When someone describes a book containing a four page description of the living room carpet as a 'masterpiece', I think: "definitely not!" "

'First there was a thread, then another thread of much the same colour. But next to those, there seemed to be something different - no, sorry, trick of the light, it was another thread. I carried on searching ...'

[giveusaclue]

I have now finished reading

and have to confess to being disappointed. The story starts with a massive crash on the autostrada near Parma in thick fog in which fire breaks out. A woman's burned body is found nearby and it is apparent that she had not died there. In the previous two books in the series there has always been a tendency to feature Sonari's angsty tendencies but it went too far in this one. In fact there seemed to be more pages of that than of the actual investigation. Add to that the inclusion of a very down on his luck aristo who got away with going into restaurants, sitting at a just vacated table and eating the leftovers, without being thrown out.... Seemed a little far fetched.

The book also heavily features the Roma community and illegal immigrant Romanians. There is a lot of stereotyping going on. It may well be accurate for Italy but I think some readers would be offended.

So only 2* for this one I am afraid.

[Gpfr]

I've just finished the latest in Barbara Nadel's long-running Istanbul-set Ikmen series: Bride Price.
I'm still enjoying this series. Ikmen has been retired from the police for several books now, but still gets caught up in events. His best friend and former subordinate is getting married and the preparations for the wedding go on amidst a complicated investigation started off by the death of a jeweller and mysterious discoveries made in his home.
I found myself getting rather confused with the names - there's a list of characters at the beginning, but I was reading it as an e-book and it's not so easy to consult as in a physical book.

[AB76]

One trend i have noticed in my non-fiction reading in last year or so, is a preference for personal memoirs of events, or travel accounts.

Separate to my diary reading of course, i am finding i am slightly less fond of the university press specialist studies which i generally love.

i cant put a finger on why, the difference between subjective memoir and objective historical study...

[Andy]

Championed by many here, Paul, Elizabeth and Justine of course.. I’ve eventually got on to The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter in pretty much ideal circumstances.. almost empty campground in the Vosges in a village called Saint Quirin. Dog in the lake, me in the shade as temperature mid 20s..

I’m only 15% in, 50 pages, and her characters are so wonderfully well drawn..

Biff the barman..

What he had said to Alice was true - he did like freaks. He had a special friendly feeling for sick people and cripples.
Whenever somebody with a harelip or TB came into the place he would set him up to beer. Or if the customer were a hunchback or a bad cripple, then it would be whisky in the house. There was one fellow who had had his peter and his left leg blown off in a boiler explosion, and whenever he came to town there was a free pint waiting for him.

Mick (the 12 year old Tomboy).. .

Mick drew the big black letters very slowly. At the top she wrote EDISON, and under that she drew the names of DICK TRACY and MUSSOLINI. Then in each corner with the largest letters of all and outlined in red, she wrote her initials - M.K. When that was done she crossed over to the opposite wall and wrote a very bad word - PUSSY, and beneath that she put her initials too.

Portia.. (the maid, to Mick)

’But you haven’t never loved God nor even nair person. You hard and tough as cowhide. But just the same I knows you.
This afternoon you going to roam all over the place without never being satisfied. You going to traipse all around like you haves to find something lost. You going to work yourself up with excitement. Your heart going to bear hard enough to kill you because you don’t love and don’t have peace. And then some day you going to bust loose and be ruined. Won’t nothing help you then.’

[Paul]

giveusaclue wrote: "I have now finished reading

and have to confess to being disappointed. The story starts with a massive crash on..."

If an Italian written book strays heavily into racism and neo-fascistic characterizations of Rom, then yes I'd say it is fairly par for the course in Italy

[Tam]

I am aching still, from too much gardening on Friday!... The fly-mo's nut and bolt shot off, well must truly have, momentarily, 'flown' away... I guess it's quite satisfying for an object to actually be able to live up to one's name for once, in my stalwart attempt to subdue the 'dragonish' growth of the rampant back garden. This is the bit of the mower that I had replaced with a nut and bolt, as the long lost proper stylish attachment mechanism had disappeared many years ago, and that kept the handles attached to the body of the machine. Well with a lot of scratching around I found the bolt, but the nut is no where to be found, and I cant find a nut to fit... I'd need a metal detector, which I don't have, to reclaim it from the undergrowth so I'm rather in the position of 'losing my nuts' somewhat.

Much later later on I watched the end of the Eurovision song contest on Saturday, only to find out that a 'hippyish' singer, Sam Ryder had sort of won it with the professional jurors verdict, with his song, 'Space Man', and then rather wonderfully fully backed down on claiming a win, and said that the honours were due to Ukraine, when the public vote came in. Such a 'hippyish' statement, and reminds me of my more idealised youthful days. So in light of that, and for the fact that here was a man who was quite happy to write a song about life on Earth being preferable to visiting 'black holes' in space... I can hear ET here, for some reason, muttering "Home" in the background, bits of my past are floating back to me. Yay! and well done Ukraine...

So with that is mind I have truly achieved another nominal digression, to add to my previous digression of the story of 'The Little Green Dragon's visit to CERN. I took him to meet Glad in the park yesterday, to cheer up my 'waiting' time, where she very kindly supplied the 'refreshments' in the park. I guess just to prove that the little green dragon is/was/will be both here and there. She possibly thinks that I am slightly barking, but no worries, she's the very soul of discretion to me. So here is the little green dragon, out and about in Oxford, and loving it, https://i.postimg.cc/s21RYGNL/IMG-031... but I am sure I heard him ask, on the way home, why was it that I took him to some very odd, and quite interesting, places, but how was it that he never got to visit a proper black hole now and again, or even just once?

I guess "you cant please everyone, for all of the time..." or even just now and again, with much reliability. Hopefully I will get back to books again. I am about half way through 'The Doors OF Eden' by Adrian Tchaikovsky, and it is quite a romp through alternate universe's, and, most nicely to me, does sort of 'woke' stuff without making a song and dance about it, it's just taken for granted with no fuss attached to it, so I doff my hat to him, and it is just what I need at the moment to fill in the waiting time between alternate universe's.