ESPRESSO TALES
ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH
Great follow-up to 44 Scotland Street. Lovely characters, but this one seemed to be rather dominated by young Bertie. (Or did it just feel that way?)
A second novel that's utterly faithful to the first. Seems there's a third. More about that when I get to it.
THE READING GROUP
ELIZABETH NOBLE
Depressed the living daylights out of me a few chapters in. So was abandoned, with more than a little guilt, for the following reasons: A fabulous construct (the lives of five different women who come together at a book club, and whose stories are amplified by their selection of fiction). Several interesting characters that you could probably recognise at the third sentence (in fact, that was my principal problem - it was all too damn real for me). A truly interesting set of books (including Atonement, and The Woman Who Walked Into Doors).
Still, it wasn't meant to be. And much as I'd like to blame it on Bad Luck And Trouble, the new Lee Child I'd been lusting after and finally obtained, I know it isn't so.
Maybe, someday, when I'm older.
BAD LUCK AND TROUBLE
LEE CHILD
As a friend from school used to sing in chorus to a certain Boney M song: Delicious, delicious. It's a super book, and actually adds a level to the already quite fabulous Jack Reacher franchise. Reacher has friends!
I was so happy for him for the brief minute before I was plunged headlong into crazy action. Hope to see the rest of the gang in other books.
The large format paperback I read promised the next Reacher escapade, Play Dirty, sometime in 2007, so I guess I just have to wait.
LIGHT
M. JOHN HARRISON
Abandoned a few chapters in, solely because I wasn't in the mood for SF. But this one will be retrieved later, for certain. It's too highly recommended to not make the effort.
Maybe when I'm on holiday. AFTER the Eco book that's been earmarked for long trips.
MCSWEENEY'S MAMMOTH TREASURY OF THRILLING TALES
MICHAEL CHABON (ED.)
Read a couple. Loved them. And have installed the book on my bedside table to dip into whenever a. I'm in between books, b. I hate the book I'm actually reading, or c. Feel like a short.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Thursday, May 03, 2007
I/ I'm smiling next to you/ In silent lucidity.
A SPOT OF BOTHER
MARK HADDON
Self-assured and unexpected as hell, it's the follow-up to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
It's the story of sweet old George Hall, trying to go mad politely. While his wife carries on with a neighbour. His daughter tries to settle for a suitable man. His son loves, and loses. And his grandson watches video.
The characters are drawn perfectly, with more restraint and humanity than I've seen in a really long time. The descriptions are lush; the choice of words, unselfconscious. It's such a well-finished piece of writing, it immediately calls to mind McEwan.
It's a book that sticks out for its non-literariness. It's not Literary Award Bait. Not a metaphor for poverty in the Third World. Not manically overwritten ot overtold. It's a story about a man and his family - and it describes, narrates, and entertains, at that level alone.
Just with a degree of polish and certainty that few have attempted before.
Click here for excerpts from the book. My favourite lines remain Katie's description of the opposite sex:
They took up so much space. That was the problem with men. It wasn’t just the leg-sprawl and the clumping down stairs. It was the constant demand for attention. Sit in a room with another woman and you could think. Men had that little flashing light on top of their heads. Hello. It’s me. I’m still here.
For the publishers' websites on the book, click here, and here. Though I suggest heading for the nearest bookstore instead. It's well worth it.
MARK HADDON
Self-assured and unexpected as hell, it's the follow-up to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
It's the story of sweet old George Hall, trying to go mad politely. While his wife carries on with a neighbour. His daughter tries to settle for a suitable man. His son loves, and loses. And his grandson watches video.
The characters are drawn perfectly, with more restraint and humanity than I've seen in a really long time. The descriptions are lush; the choice of words, unselfconscious. It's such a well-finished piece of writing, it immediately calls to mind McEwan.
It's a book that sticks out for its non-literariness. It's not Literary Award Bait. Not a metaphor for poverty in the Third World. Not manically overwritten ot overtold. It's a story about a man and his family - and it describes, narrates, and entertains, at that level alone.
Just with a degree of polish and certainty that few have attempted before.
Click here for excerpts from the book. My favourite lines remain Katie's description of the opposite sex:
They took up so much space. That was the problem with men. It wasn’t just the leg-sprawl and the clumping down stairs. It was the constant demand for attention. Sit in a room with another woman and you could think. Men had that little flashing light on top of their heads. Hello. It’s me. I’m still here.
For the publishers' websites on the book, click here, and here. Though I suggest heading for the nearest bookstore instead. It's well worth it.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Roam if you want to/ Without wings/ Without wheels.
THE HARD WAY
LEE CHILD
Just finished The Hard Way. And like a true Reacher junkie, will be picking up Bad Luck and Trouble on my way home. Hardback, large format paperback, whatever.
For other diehard Lee Child fans, there's a Reacher short story to be found here. The Hard Way review will be up shortly; I'm a little behind, comme d'habitude.
LEE CHILD
Just finished The Hard Way. And like a true Reacher junkie, will be picking up Bad Luck and Trouble on my way home. Hardback, large format paperback, whatever.
For other diehard Lee Child fans, there's a Reacher short story to be found here. The Hard Way review will be up shortly; I'm a little behind, comme d'habitude.
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