A highly readable autobiography. I picked it up not knowing a lot about Alder other than his M+A+S+H TV series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about him.
He had a very unusual upbringing and dysfunctional family. His parents were actors in theatre and Alder was brought up backstage. He recalls all the semi-clad women who doted on him and watching his parents from the side of the stage. From an early age he was included in their acts.
His mother seems to have some sort of mental health condition and his father eventually divorces her. Alder escapes to Europe and haphazardly finds his way into an acting career. It wasn't easy for him but his description of his situation and his life in general are made with a light touch, a sunny and positive perspective rather than a melancholic one.
He seems genuinely happy! He looks at the best part of everything and doesn't seem perturbed by the weird and wonderful things that have happened in his life.
There are photographs of him throughout his life and the ones I enjoyed the most were the ones of him and his grand-kids tap dancing in his garage. He is dedicated to his family.
I was encouraged by this book and his outlook on life, it lifted my perspective and I wish I could say that to him. His book is worth reading, it will make you laugh, entertain you and help you see the best in others.
Friday, August 31, 2012
The Solitude of Thomas Cave | Georgina Harding
I've always enjoyed stories of Polar exploration, both fiction and non-fiction. I think it's because incredible journeys have been undertaken which put men under such duress, they all seem a bit surreal. The true stories are often more unbelievable than the fictitious ones.
This story I loved. Told in a very precise and economical style, beautiful language and haunting imagery. Thomas Cave on a dare is left behind in the Far North to winter over on his own. He seems well equipped in all respects to survive the winter but he is a melancholic man and there are hints of a tragedy in his past. He is a strong but flawed man and there is intrigue there in terms of his past and his ability to deal with it in order to survive the winter.
As the night descends on Cave, we are drawn into the psychological nightmare of the loneliness, the darkness and the mental strength required to survive. He hunts and comes into close contact with polar bears who seem to become a totem animal to him.
The story also explores life after the ordeal and how Cave lived out his days totally colored by the Polar Night he experienced.
It was engrossing and beautifully written.
This story I loved. Told in a very precise and economical style, beautiful language and haunting imagery. Thomas Cave on a dare is left behind in the Far North to winter over on his own. He seems well equipped in all respects to survive the winter but he is a melancholic man and there are hints of a tragedy in his past. He is a strong but flawed man and there is intrigue there in terms of his past and his ability to deal with it in order to survive the winter.
As the night descends on Cave, we are drawn into the psychological nightmare of the loneliness, the darkness and the mental strength required to survive. He hunts and comes into close contact with polar bears who seem to become a totem animal to him.
The story also explores life after the ordeal and how Cave lived out his days totally colored by the Polar Night he experienced.
It was engrossing and beautifully written.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Sorry | Gail Jones
I love reading Australian authors. Jones is no exception although this is the first of her novels I have read. There is so much of the Australian landscape and climate infused in the characters and stories of Australia.
"Sorry" is the story of a mismatched family dysfunctional in the extreme. A scholarly father, a crazy mother and Perdita the child. The family moves from England to Broom, Western Australia to study the Aboriginal people of the area. The isolation and culture shock drive Stella (the mother) to cling to her knowledge of Shakespeare and eschew reality. She ignores Perdita who is neither schooled not doted on by her parents. As the marriage strains and fails, Perdita is left to the care of Mary the Aboriginal girl helper. Perdita's only other friend is a deaf/mute neighbor who in his simplicity loves her and communicates with her in contrast to the silence of her parents.
The novel touches on many themes but most poignantly it addresses the prejudices agains Aboriginals. Jones has a deep understanding of their culture and shows this through Mary's character. It's not a happy story but a touching one.
I am going to look out for Jone's other books as she writes in a beautiful style.
"Sorry" is the story of a mismatched family dysfunctional in the extreme. A scholarly father, a crazy mother and Perdita the child. The family moves from England to Broom, Western Australia to study the Aboriginal people of the area. The isolation and culture shock drive Stella (the mother) to cling to her knowledge of Shakespeare and eschew reality. She ignores Perdita who is neither schooled not doted on by her parents. As the marriage strains and fails, Perdita is left to the care of Mary the Aboriginal girl helper. Perdita's only other friend is a deaf/mute neighbor who in his simplicity loves her and communicates with her in contrast to the silence of her parents.
The novel touches on many themes but most poignantly it addresses the prejudices agains Aboriginals. Jones has a deep understanding of their culture and shows this through Mary's character. It's not a happy story but a touching one.
I am going to look out for Jone's other books as she writes in a beautiful style.
Friday, August 24, 2012
An Honourable Man | by Gillian Slovo
I found this book recommended by someone so I downloaded it onto my Kindle for something to read while I traveled.
Unfortunately it wasn't as engaging as I would have liked. The story switches between three protagonists and their respective locations.
A London doctor, John, who volunteers for the Cramer Corps in the British Army. His wife who stays behind and finds herself with nothing much to do. And finally General Charles Gordon who was under siege in Khartoum.
John rediscovered himself as he works with the wounded and gets into more and more dangerous situations. He realised his London life has become monotonous and predictable. He realises his marriage has lost its passion and priority in his life.
His wife is caught up in the politics of the war and the stress of being on her own. She turns to laudanum for comfort and is soon heavily addicted. She then befriends a local prostitute to supply her.
Gordon is delusional and awaits his rescue mission with dwindling hope.
There is resolution at the end of the book for all three characters but I felt it was tedious getting there.
A London doctor, John, who volunteers for the Cramer Corps in the British Army. His wife who stays behind and finds herself with nothing much to do. And finally General Charles Gordon who was under siege in Khartoum.
John rediscovered himself as he works with the wounded and gets into more and more dangerous situations. He realised his London life has become monotonous and predictable. He realises his marriage has lost its passion and priority in his life.
His wife is caught up in the politics of the war and the stress of being on her own. She turns to laudanum for comfort and is soon heavily addicted. She then befriends a local prostitute to supply her.
Gordon is delusional and awaits his rescue mission with dwindling hope.
There is resolution at the end of the book for all three characters but I felt it was tedious getting there.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
An exceptionally good run of great books
Every time I read a book I add it to my database of "Books I've Read". I also give them a one word appraisal to prompt my memory. Thus far this year I have read 45 books, and of those 22 have gained an "excellent'. This is by far an unusual and personal best for any year.
I will review all the books individually but here is a list of my favorite reads in the last 6 months for those who need ideas about what to read next. Enjoy!
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.
A Far Country by Daniel Mason.
Random acts of heroic love by Danny Scheinmann
As the Earth turns silver by Alison Wong
The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney
The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo
The Snowman by Jo Nesbo
A Beautiful Place to die by Malla Nunn
Wulf by Hamish Clayton
The World We found by Thrity Umrigar
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
Vaclav & Lena by Haley Tanner
Spilling the Beans by Clarissa Dickson Wright
The different world of Fin Starling by Elizabeth Stead
Peacocks Dancing by Sharon Maas
Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka
Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding
The Chemistry of tears by Peter Carey
Never have your dog stuffed by Alan Alder
The Other Child by Charlotte Link
I will review all the books individually but here is a list of my favorite reads in the last 6 months for those who need ideas about what to read next. Enjoy!
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.
A Far Country by Daniel Mason.
Random acts of heroic love by Danny Scheinmann
As the Earth turns silver by Alison Wong
The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney
The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo
The Snowman by Jo Nesbo
A Beautiful Place to die by Malla Nunn
Wulf by Hamish Clayton
The World We found by Thrity Umrigar
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
Vaclav & Lena by Haley Tanner
Spilling the Beans by Clarissa Dickson Wright
The different world of Fin Starling by Elizabeth Stead
Peacocks Dancing by Sharon Maas
Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka
Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding
The Chemistry of tears by Peter Carey
Never have your dog stuffed by Alan Alder
The Other Child by Charlotte Link
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