This novel tackles a difficult issue, with humour and a light touch, without taking away from the seriousness of the subject.
The main characters are Lou and Will, two people who are so vastly opposite it is unthinkable they would ever meet...But Lou is desperate for a job, her family depends on her income as her sister is a solo mum and her Dad is made redundant. Will is a high flyer in the business world, daring and adventurous and active...who suffers a terrible accident and becomes a quadriplegic. She is from a low income family, he is from a background of privilege and money.
Lou becomes a companion for Will, who does not want her around. He has a all the care money can buy but has no desire to engage with the world. Lou is funny, sharp and doing the job only for the money. Her contract is for six months, she can put up with his acid tongue and unwelcome manner because of the short term nature of her commitment.
As the story develops Lou finds out why her contract is only for six months: Will wants to die. The rest of the novel deals with the attitudes of people who can't abide by this decision and those, like Will, who have no other decisions they can make for themselves. Their only independent act is to choose to die.
Worth a read, interesting to see both sides of the argument well supported. This is the first time I have read a book by Moyes.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Due Preparations for the Plague | Janette Turner Hospital
What an incredible read! This author is the best discovery of the year for me, her work so well crafted and her stories draw me in and keep me engaged.
This novel is like a circular vortex, a slowly turning whirlpool which centres around one event, the highjacking of Flight 64. We move around this slowly twisting plot, nothing is as it seems. I have enjoyed other circular rather than linear telling of stories and this one is one of the best.
The hijacking of Air France flight 64 took place twenty years before the start of the novel. We meet some of the survivors, they are the children on the flight who were released after a few days on board. They are now haunted adults, full of survivors guilt. They are slowly dying.
The story then twists around the plot of the flight. We hear from the hijacker, from the adults on board, the secret agents, the government officials and read classified documents about the incident.
We start to notice coincidences, like something you see out of the corner of your eye as you move around the story, nothing confirmed, but a suspicion about what actually happened on the flight...were the passengers actually chosen? assigned to the flight, to die?
This is a great book, you will find yourself abandoning your daily duties just to read more!
I rate this author highly, check out Orpheus Lost, another great story.
This novel is like a circular vortex, a slowly turning whirlpool which centres around one event, the highjacking of Flight 64. We move around this slowly twisting plot, nothing is as it seems. I have enjoyed other circular rather than linear telling of stories and this one is one of the best.
The hijacking of Air France flight 64 took place twenty years before the start of the novel. We meet some of the survivors, they are the children on the flight who were released after a few days on board. They are now haunted adults, full of survivors guilt. They are slowly dying.
The story then twists around the plot of the flight. We hear from the hijacker, from the adults on board, the secret agents, the government officials and read classified documents about the incident.
We start to notice coincidences, like something you see out of the corner of your eye as you move around the story, nothing confirmed, but a suspicion about what actually happened on the flight...were the passengers actually chosen? assigned to the flight, to die?
This is a great book, you will find yourself abandoning your daily duties just to read more!
I rate this author highly, check out Orpheus Lost, another great story.
Friday, November 7, 2014
The Uninvited Guests | Sadie Jones
I love Jones' work. She has a great turn of phrase, characters come alive and the stories are beautiful. She has a fantastic way with words.
This story is a slight departure from her usual ones, but none the less, and enjoyable read. I would call it a gentle gothic tale, nothing too hard core but it has all the right elements: a dark and stormy night, uninvited guests who suddenly arrive, a hard-to-believe gregarious gentleman who seems to be menacing under the bonhomie...
It reminded me a little of Florence and Giles by John Harding.
Worth reading, and all her other books as well.
This story is a slight departure from her usual ones, but none the less, and enjoyable read. I would call it a gentle gothic tale, nothing too hard core but it has all the right elements: a dark and stormy night, uninvited guests who suddenly arrive, a hard-to-believe gregarious gentleman who seems to be menacing under the bonhomie...
It reminded me a little of Florence and Giles by John Harding.
Worth reading, and all her other books as well.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Fish and Shellfish | Rick Stein
What a great book! Initially I borrowed it but then had to buy myself a copy as it's such a great book on how to handle, chop, dissect and buy seafood!!
Then it launches into recipes, which are making me look great at dinner parties. Lovely as a gift, but you will want your own copy. I have learned so much and the step by step photos are amazing.
Thanks Rick!
Then it launches into recipes, which are making me look great at dinner parties. Lovely as a gift, but you will want your own copy. I have learned so much and the step by step photos are amazing.
Thanks Rick!
The Long Shadow | Mark Mills
Mills has been a favourite author for some time and I try and keep up with what he writes. This is a somewhat disappointing read given the tight prose and tense thrillers he has written before.
The story is essentially about two childhood friends, Jacob and Ben, who lose touch as adults. In their early forties, Ben is a less than successful screenwriter. He is coming to terms with his divorce and the shared custody of his son whom he dotes on and loves.
All of a sudden he is offered a 'too good to be true' option on a screenplay he is finishing and it transpires Jacob is back in his life. Jacob, now called Victor Sheldon, is offering to make movies from Ben's scripts, offering him millions of dollars in salary, asking him to head his philanthropic enterprises and go live in Victor's country estate.
Ben is overwhelmed and loving it. But as the story develops, so do Ben's doubts. Is it all too good to be true? It seems so.
Intercalated with the men in their forties are chapters where they appear as children. They had a conflicted relationship as children which seems to spill out into their adult lives as the novel progresses.
Here is where it gets disappointing. As a reader you pick up on the fact that there is something amiss, but the tension is not tight enough to be a 'thriller', more like a mild annoyance. When all is revealed, it seems to fall flat.
I much preferred The Savage Garden and The Information Officer, which are more tightly woven and the story more controlled. I have Mill's next offering to read next, and I am keen to see which way it goes.
The story is essentially about two childhood friends, Jacob and Ben, who lose touch as adults. In their early forties, Ben is a less than successful screenwriter. He is coming to terms with his divorce and the shared custody of his son whom he dotes on and loves.
All of a sudden he is offered a 'too good to be true' option on a screenplay he is finishing and it transpires Jacob is back in his life. Jacob, now called Victor Sheldon, is offering to make movies from Ben's scripts, offering him millions of dollars in salary, asking him to head his philanthropic enterprises and go live in Victor's country estate.
Ben is overwhelmed and loving it. But as the story develops, so do Ben's doubts. Is it all too good to be true? It seems so.
Intercalated with the men in their forties are chapters where they appear as children. They had a conflicted relationship as children which seems to spill out into their adult lives as the novel progresses.
Here is where it gets disappointing. As a reader you pick up on the fact that there is something amiss, but the tension is not tight enough to be a 'thriller', more like a mild annoyance. When all is revealed, it seems to fall flat.
I much preferred The Savage Garden and The Information Officer, which are more tightly woven and the story more controlled. I have Mill's next offering to read next, and I am keen to see which way it goes.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Dark Horizons | Dan Smith
This novel has a great setting, Indonesia. It's well described and one enters into the landscape and feel for the place. The food, climate and vegetation all take centre stage in this thriller.
BUT. It's not really that thrilling. I feel this book couldn't make up it's mind whether it was a thriller or a mindful meditation on life. There is a lot of introspection from the main character Alex. After a while it becomes repetitive and slows the action down, and I lost interest in what he was thinking because I'd heard it all before.
I feel the story has merit, the setting is exotic and the storyline interesting, but enough, Alex, with all the over-thinking!!
I really enjoy Smith's books and writing, his Dry Season being one example. I will read anything he writes, but this one I feel could have benefited from stronger editing and a stronger mindset as to what kind of novel Smith wanted it to be.
BUT. It's not really that thrilling. I feel this book couldn't make up it's mind whether it was a thriller or a mindful meditation on life. There is a lot of introspection from the main character Alex. After a while it becomes repetitive and slows the action down, and I lost interest in what he was thinking because I'd heard it all before.
I feel the story has merit, the setting is exotic and the storyline interesting, but enough, Alex, with all the over-thinking!!
I really enjoy Smith's books and writing, his Dry Season being one example. I will read anything he writes, but this one I feel could have benefited from stronger editing and a stronger mindset as to what kind of novel Smith wanted it to be.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Paris | Edward Rutherford
I started this book last year while visiting Paris. I try and read books relevant to the places I visit but on this occasion it wasn't a good choice. I found it very hard to 'get into' the book, so I abandoned it until a month ago. I was then able to read the rest of it and enjoy it although not as much as his other books.
The history of Paris is fascinating and it is worth reading, maybe start before you arrive in Paris! The first third of the book is the hardest, after that it's ok.
The history of Paris is fascinating and it is worth reading, maybe start before you arrive in Paris! The first third of the book is the hardest, after that it's ok.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North | Richard Flanagan
Flanagan is one of my favourite authors. I find his stories interesting and the way he tells them is beautiful. He handles language exquisitely.
This book is no exception. It is the story of an Australian soldier who finds himself a POW on The LIne: the Burmese railway. The story is told in a series of recollections of the past melded with the present. He tells the story of his life and how it all relates, and is coloured by, his time as a POW.
I have read other books about this particular episode in history, such as Eric Lomax's book The Railway Man. There are a lot of similarities in the accounts, but a vastly different lives before and after for the characters.
This book has just been named the winner of the Mann Booker Award for 2014. It is well deserved, as Flanagan has proved time and time again he is one of Australia's most eminent authors.
Well worth reading.
This book is no exception. It is the story of an Australian soldier who finds himself a POW on The LIne: the Burmese railway. The story is told in a series of recollections of the past melded with the present. He tells the story of his life and how it all relates, and is coloured by, his time as a POW.
I have read other books about this particular episode in history, such as Eric Lomax's book The Railway Man. There are a lot of similarities in the accounts, but a vastly different lives before and after for the characters.
This book has just been named the winner of the Mann Booker Award for 2014. It is well deserved, as Flanagan has proved time and time again he is one of Australia's most eminent authors.
Well worth reading.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Apple Tree Yard | Louise Doughty
It's a bit hard to write about this book without giving away any of the plot twists. It's the first book I have read by this author, who is very skilled and tells a great story.
This is a courtroom drama, told in a series of flashbacks. It takes a while to understand what the charges are and how it all ties together. We have a woman narrator, who is one of the accused, and there is a co-accused. It is revealed eventually that it is a man. As the story knot unravels, we are drawn into a well told , tense courtroom drama set in London.
Well worth reading.
This is a courtroom drama, told in a series of flashbacks. It takes a while to understand what the charges are and how it all ties together. We have a woman narrator, who is one of the accused, and there is a co-accused. It is revealed eventually that it is a man. As the story knot unravels, we are drawn into a well told , tense courtroom drama set in London.
Well worth reading.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
All Saints' Rising | Madison Smartt Bell
I was a little daunted by the size of this book, it's 530 pages. But as I began to read this epic historical novel I was swept away by the well written account of the Haitian slave uprising in the late 1700's and early 1800's. The research involved would have been a huge undertaking in and of itself, but the author has done a seamless job of balancing historical detail and fictionalising characters to engage the reader.
I knew very little of what happened in Haiti before and during its bid for independence. Brutal and violent, savage and indiscriminate all parties involved were intent on massacres and torture to bring about their desired government.
The slaves rebelled against the white plantation owners who had oppressed them for centuries. The whites fought between themselves, the French against the English. Mixed up with all that were the Mulattos and other mixed race people. All in all a great knot of belief and histories and philosophies all trying to untangle themselves and gain the upper hand.
Well worth investing the time to read, and as it's so well crafted, it won't take very long. Interesting from a historical point of view and the characters are so well portrayed, the reader engages with them and cares deeply about their fate.
I knew very little of what happened in Haiti before and during its bid for independence. Brutal and violent, savage and indiscriminate all parties involved were intent on massacres and torture to bring about their desired government.
The slaves rebelled against the white plantation owners who had oppressed them for centuries. The whites fought between themselves, the French against the English. Mixed up with all that were the Mulattos and other mixed race people. All in all a great knot of belief and histories and philosophies all trying to untangle themselves and gain the upper hand.
Well worth investing the time to read, and as it's so well crafted, it won't take very long. Interesting from a historical point of view and the characters are so well portrayed, the reader engages with them and cares deeply about their fate.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Taking Pictures: Images and Messages Rescued from the Past | Ransom Riggs
Riggs is the author of two great books about Peculiar Children: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Hollow City. The third instalment in the series will be published soon.
The amazing thing about these books is that they are based on real photographs found by Riggs and friends in Op Shops, car boot sales and anywhere else where people dump old photographs.
The photos are unusual in that they portray children and adults in bizarre ways. It's based on old dark room tricks when printing the photos, which are included in the text of each story.
In this book, Riggs has published a collection of his own photographs and tells a bit of a story about them. He began collecting a s a young boy and continues today. He only collects photos that have writing or captions on them. It is a truly astonishing and moving book. Each photo tells a story and each caption is a slice of life. Well worth getting hold of this book.
Much enjoyed.
The amazing thing about these books is that they are based on real photographs found by Riggs and friends in Op Shops, car boot sales and anywhere else where people dump old photographs.
The photos are unusual in that they portray children and adults in bizarre ways. It's based on old dark room tricks when printing the photos, which are included in the text of each story.
In this book, Riggs has published a collection of his own photographs and tells a bit of a story about them. He began collecting a s a young boy and continues today. He only collects photos that have writing or captions on them. It is a truly astonishing and moving book. Each photo tells a story and each caption is a slice of life. Well worth getting hold of this book.
Much enjoyed.
The Sun is God | Adrian mcKinty
This writer is from Northern Ireland and this is the first of his novels that I have read. I'm not altogether convinced by this novel but he does write well so I may go on to read some of his other books.
This is the story of what happened on an island in the South Pacific, where a group of cocovores resides. They are a cult looking for eternal life based on their beliefs on the worship of the sun, extended use of heroin and eating only coconuts and bananas. Nearby in German New Guinea Will Prior is asked by the German authorities to help investigate the death of one of the cult members.
Prior and two others go to the remote island of Kabakon and spend a few days interviewing the remaining cult members.
From then on it reads like a gentle whodunnit, and a study on a social experiment which went badly wrong. In the afterword we discover that this is in fact a true story, which McKinty has adapted and retold. I wish I had known that at the begging, it would have made more sense.
Although I enjoyed the style, I didn't fully engage with the story. I thought it was a bit overwrought. But based on the writing I will read more by this author.
This is the story of what happened on an island in the South Pacific, where a group of cocovores resides. They are a cult looking for eternal life based on their beliefs on the worship of the sun, extended use of heroin and eating only coconuts and bananas. Nearby in German New Guinea Will Prior is asked by the German authorities to help investigate the death of one of the cult members.
Prior and two others go to the remote island of Kabakon and spend a few days interviewing the remaining cult members.
From then on it reads like a gentle whodunnit, and a study on a social experiment which went badly wrong. In the afterword we discover that this is in fact a true story, which McKinty has adapted and retold. I wish I had known that at the begging, it would have made more sense.
Although I enjoyed the style, I didn't fully engage with the story. I thought it was a bit overwrought. But based on the writing I will read more by this author.
Traces of Red | Paddy Richardson
Richardson is one of my favourite authors of crime fiction as her stories are believable and engaging.
This one centres around a t.v. journalist, Rebecca Thorn, whose career is waining, possibly about to be ended by the network. She has been working hard on investigating a triple-murder case, and believes Connor Bligh has been wrongly accused.
Mixed in with the investigation is her affair with Jo, a barrister, who also believes Bligh is innocent but suddenly casts off the case and Rebecca.
This psychological thriller is well written and is wroth reading as are all of Richardson's novels.
A great crime writer from New Zealand.
This one centres around a t.v. journalist, Rebecca Thorn, whose career is waining, possibly about to be ended by the network. She has been working hard on investigating a triple-murder case, and believes Connor Bligh has been wrongly accused.
Mixed in with the investigation is her affair with Jo, a barrister, who also believes Bligh is innocent but suddenly casts off the case and Rebecca.
This psychological thriller is well written and is wroth reading as are all of Richardson's novels.
A great crime writer from New Zealand.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
The Rosie Project | Graeme Simsion
When science meets...Rosie. What a lovely story this is. I shy away from 'romantic' fiction but this is quirky and lovely, not the usual take on love and life.
The main character, Don Tillman, has an ordered scientific mind and once he sets his sights on finding a life partner, he approaches the task in a very scientific way. Each candidate is given a long survey to fill out, the results analysed for suitability and then Don tried to get a second date.
This approach is not getting the results he wants, women seem to be a bit put off...
Rosie shows up, she's a powerhouse, random and vivacious woman who captivates Don with the sheer energy she has for life and spontaneity. She is looking for her biological father, a task Don helps her with. As they undergo the 'Father Project' they both discover that fate and love can be stronger than science and order.
A lovely read, gentle and funny.
The main character, Don Tillman, has an ordered scientific mind and once he sets his sights on finding a life partner, he approaches the task in a very scientific way. Each candidate is given a long survey to fill out, the results analysed for suitability and then Don tried to get a second date.
This approach is not getting the results he wants, women seem to be a bit put off...
Rosie shows up, she's a powerhouse, random and vivacious woman who captivates Don with the sheer energy she has for life and spontaneity. She is looking for her biological father, a task Don helps her with. As they undergo the 'Father Project' they both discover that fate and love can be stronger than science and order.
A lovely read, gentle and funny.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Orpheus Lost | Janette Turner Hospital
Yet another fantastic novel by Turner Hospital. Based on how much I enjoyed The Claimant, I read this book. She sure can tell a good story!
Orpheus Lost is a melting pot where music, maths, modern day terrorism, identity and love all melt into one wonderful narrative. It centres around Mishka and Leela, who find each other in New York and who are torn apart by music, math and their identities. Leela is from the Deep South of America, brought up on a strange mix of fervent Christian beliefs which centred around finding meaning and guidance in Biblical numerology. Her mother dies young, and her father clings to religious fervour so as not to lose his way.
Leela rebells agains all that and moves away to the Yankee North and is seen as a traitor to her family heritage. Her passion is numbers and especially the math of music. She is in postgrad work and loves the calmness she attains by enveloping herself in these two areas.
Mishka is a lost soul. He grew up in Australia, brought up by loving grandparents and a solo mum. Not much is known about his father, who was Lebanese. He is immersed into the Jewish traditions his family clings to so as to make sense of the devastation they suffered in the Holocaust. Mishka's mother is a botanical illustrator who came back to the Northern Queensland landscape to have Mishkah and live in the treetop house her parents built.
In New York, Mishka discovers his Lebanese self through the study of the oud. As he composes for the violin and oud, both parts of his heritage come together and recreate a sense of who he is. Then he is drawn into a group who meets at the local mosque...
Things start to unravel for all the characters. The narrative is gripping and draws the reader into the inevitable chaos and conclusion of the story.
Extremely well told, well crafter. I will seek out more of Turner Hospital's novels.
Orpheus Lost is a melting pot where music, maths, modern day terrorism, identity and love all melt into one wonderful narrative. It centres around Mishka and Leela, who find each other in New York and who are torn apart by music, math and their identities. Leela is from the Deep South of America, brought up on a strange mix of fervent Christian beliefs which centred around finding meaning and guidance in Biblical numerology. Her mother dies young, and her father clings to religious fervour so as not to lose his way.
Leela rebells agains all that and moves away to the Yankee North and is seen as a traitor to her family heritage. Her passion is numbers and especially the math of music. She is in postgrad work and loves the calmness she attains by enveloping herself in these two areas.
Mishka is a lost soul. He grew up in Australia, brought up by loving grandparents and a solo mum. Not much is known about his father, who was Lebanese. He is immersed into the Jewish traditions his family clings to so as to make sense of the devastation they suffered in the Holocaust. Mishka's mother is a botanical illustrator who came back to the Northern Queensland landscape to have Mishkah and live in the treetop house her parents built.
In New York, Mishka discovers his Lebanese self through the study of the oud. As he composes for the violin and oud, both parts of his heritage come together and recreate a sense of who he is. Then he is drawn into a group who meets at the local mosque...
Things start to unravel for all the characters. The narrative is gripping and draws the reader into the inevitable chaos and conclusion of the story.
Extremely well told, well crafter. I will seek out more of Turner Hospital's novels.
Monday, September 15, 2014
The Valley of Amazement | Amy Tan
Amy Tan is an all time favourite author of mine. This story does not disappoint. It touches on the lives of three women who are connected by two continents, China and America and it spans about fifty years.
Violet is a celebrated Shanghai courtesan who is half American and half Chinese. Although famous as a courtesan, underneath all the fame and glamour she struggles with her identity and her abandonment by her mother Lucia.
Lucia is a wild American woman who falls in love with a Chinese painter in San Francisco and follows him to Shanghai. There she gives up her daughter and struggles with that for the rest of her life. Eventually she searches for Violet's daughter Flora, and through her tries to gain healing and redemption.
Tan is masterful at exploring the relationship between mothers and daughters. She also touches on the mysteries of love and family secrets and how they can shape many generations.
Violet is a celebrated Shanghai courtesan who is half American and half Chinese. Although famous as a courtesan, underneath all the fame and glamour she struggles with her identity and her abandonment by her mother Lucia.
Lucia is a wild American woman who falls in love with a Chinese painter in San Francisco and follows him to Shanghai. There she gives up her daughter and struggles with that for the rest of her life. Eventually she searches for Violet's daughter Flora, and through her tries to gain healing and redemption.
Tan is masterful at exploring the relationship between mothers and daughters. She also touches on the mysteries of love and family secrets and how they can shape many generations.
Can it, bottle it, smoke it | Karen Solomon
Anyone who is interested in a bit of fun in the kitchen would do well to own this book. Full of great ideas and recipes to do with preserving bountiful seasonal ingredients to be enjoyed in leaner seasons.
It is comprehensive and very useful, nothing too complicated. Inspired me to get into the kitchen and be more involved in preserving what is available each season.
It is comprehensive and very useful, nothing too complicated. Inspired me to get into the kitchen and be more involved in preserving what is available each season.
Lost, Stolen or Shredded | Rick Gerkoski
The subtitle is "stories of missing works of Art and Literature".
This is a wonderful little book full of amazing and interesting stories about what has happened to major works of art and literature throughout the centuries. The Mona Lisa went missing for a few years, a book of incredible value was sent to America on the Titanic, because it was deemed the safest option for such a treasure.
Gerkoski maintains that art and literature reflect the society that creates them and by implication, the culture that destroys them. He has a lot of fun as amateur detective in searching out some of the myths regarding some works and where no evidence is forthcoming he has some great opinions and speculations as to what may have happened.
A very entertaining read.
This is a wonderful little book full of amazing and interesting stories about what has happened to major works of art and literature throughout the centuries. The Mona Lisa went missing for a few years, a book of incredible value was sent to America on the Titanic, because it was deemed the safest option for such a treasure.
Gerkoski maintains that art and literature reflect the society that creates them and by implication, the culture that destroys them. He has a lot of fun as amateur detective in searching out some of the myths regarding some works and where no evidence is forthcoming he has some great opinions and speculations as to what may have happened.
A very entertaining read.
The Goldfinch | Donna Tartt
A great brick of a book, so make time to read! I really enjoyed this story, it is well written and comes from a seasoned author.
This is the story of Theo Decker, who tells us his story looking back on his life. The story starts with scenes of Theo and his mother visiting a museum where an explosion rips through the gallery they are in. His mum is killed but he escapes through the rubble, clutching the picture of The Goldfinch which he rescues more out of impulse than anything else.
He has an unusual life and journeys through the USA living with his father and various people, always overshadowed by the painting and what happened in the gallery.
Well worth making the effort to read even though it is a hefty volume.
This is the story of Theo Decker, who tells us his story looking back on his life. The story starts with scenes of Theo and his mother visiting a museum where an explosion rips through the gallery they are in. His mum is killed but he escapes through the rubble, clutching the picture of The Goldfinch which he rescues more out of impulse than anything else.
He has an unusual life and journeys through the USA living with his father and various people, always overshadowed by the painting and what happened in the gallery.
Well worth making the effort to read even though it is a hefty volume.
The Luminaries | Eleanor Catton
A lot has been said about this Man Booker Prizewinning book by New Zealand author Eleanor Catton.
The story centres on Walter Moody who is travelling to the goldfields of Hokitika, in the South Island of New Zealand. There he meets with 12 men who are somehow entwined in the mystery surrounding a series of unsolved crimes. Each man is represented by a celestial symbol, which is drawn at the beginning of each chapter. Other characters also have associations to celestial bodies. The interaction of the characters with each other makes up the bulk of the narrative. I really loved reading this story, which has been written as a circle rather than a straight line.
Every element of an adventure story is included, gold-rush fever, romance, deceit, murder and a historical context.
There are a few technical things that Catton has deliberately included in the book. For instance, each chapter is half the size of the previous chapter, a challenge Catton set herself. It is well worth looking out for interviews with her and reading of other challenges she set herself.
I found this book well worth reading but I know some readers find it difficult to get into. I think it is well worth persevering with it as it's so well written.
The story centres on Walter Moody who is travelling to the goldfields of Hokitika, in the South Island of New Zealand. There he meets with 12 men who are somehow entwined in the mystery surrounding a series of unsolved crimes. Each man is represented by a celestial symbol, which is drawn at the beginning of each chapter. Other characters also have associations to celestial bodies. The interaction of the characters with each other makes up the bulk of the narrative. I really loved reading this story, which has been written as a circle rather than a straight line.
Every element of an adventure story is included, gold-rush fever, romance, deceit, murder and a historical context.
There are a few technical things that Catton has deliberately included in the book. For instance, each chapter is half the size of the previous chapter, a challenge Catton set herself. It is well worth looking out for interviews with her and reading of other challenges she set herself.
I found this book well worth reading but I know some readers find it difficult to get into. I think it is well worth persevering with it as it's so well written.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Carthage | Joyce Carol Oates
I have not read this author before, but based on the strength of this book, I will definitively read more of her work.
This is a story that took me by surprise because it tackles a girl's disappearance in a way I have not read about elsewhere. We are introduced to a seemingly 'normal 'family, in the town of Carthage. It comprises of two daughters and two parents. the older daughter is thought of as the nice, clever one, beautiful one and the younger daughter, as special and plain. As a reader I thought she has autistic traits or is on the spectrum at least. She is a gifted artist but her view of and interpretation of the world around her is somewhat off.
The older daughter is engaged to a soldier, who upon returning from Iraq, is damaged physically and emotionally. He is deeply changed and rejects the unconditional love shown him.
The family breaks apart when the younger daughter disappears. There is no trace of her after she is seen leave a local bar and the main suspect is the young soldier. So far, so much like any other novel. Read on. I won't tell you what happens next, but it is a novel full of surprises.
The author very skilfully explores issues of identity, family, veterans returning who are damaged in many ways, and whether it is possible to fully love and fully forgive. I highly recommend this novel and will seek out more by this talented author.
This is a story that took me by surprise because it tackles a girl's disappearance in a way I have not read about elsewhere. We are introduced to a seemingly 'normal 'family, in the town of Carthage. It comprises of two daughters and two parents. the older daughter is thought of as the nice, clever one, beautiful one and the younger daughter, as special and plain. As a reader I thought she has autistic traits or is on the spectrum at least. She is a gifted artist but her view of and interpretation of the world around her is somewhat off.
The older daughter is engaged to a soldier, who upon returning from Iraq, is damaged physically and emotionally. He is deeply changed and rejects the unconditional love shown him.
The family breaks apart when the younger daughter disappears. There is no trace of her after she is seen leave a local bar and the main suspect is the young soldier. So far, so much like any other novel. Read on. I won't tell you what happens next, but it is a novel full of surprises.
The author very skilfully explores issues of identity, family, veterans returning who are damaged in many ways, and whether it is possible to fully love and fully forgive. I highly recommend this novel and will seek out more by this talented author.
Daddy was a Rock Star | Adam Sharp
Most of us have fairly conventional childhoods. The way we know this is by reading books like this one, which describe what certainly was a very unconventional start to life. Sharp has tried to capture the essence of his childhood, how it shapes him and informs who he is today.
I suspect Sharp is new to writing, as the voice of the narrator is quite immature and the writing suffers because of this. Repetition is overused and the style is not all that engaging to read. I had a lot of empathy for Sharp as a child growing up with a mother who was a drug addict and a father who was, loosely speaking, a rock star. But somehow the book as a whole felt it needed a stronger editorial hand.
I hope Sharp continues to write. This book is not one I would recommend, but in a couple of years I will see if he has written more, I suspect his narrative voice will mature and become quite engaging.
I suspect Sharp is new to writing, as the voice of the narrator is quite immature and the writing suffers because of this. Repetition is overused and the style is not all that engaging to read. I had a lot of empathy for Sharp as a child growing up with a mother who was a drug addict and a father who was, loosely speaking, a rock star. But somehow the book as a whole felt it needed a stronger editorial hand.
I hope Sharp continues to write. This book is not one I would recommend, but in a couple of years I will see if he has written more, I suspect his narrative voice will mature and become quite engaging.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Hollow City | Ransom Riggs
This is the sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. It is fantastic. I love them both and I'm excited that the third instalment is in the making.
What I like the most is the way the book has emerged from authentic, vintage found photographs. Riggs has woven stories threading the oddities in the photographs into a fantastical world full of...peculiar children.
In Hollow City we pick up the story where Miss Peregrine broke off. The children are abandoning the island, trying to row to the safety of the mainland. They are being hunted by the hollows and must reach London while dodging their enemies.
As they adventure on, more of the background to their loops and history of the Peculiar is revealed. It well written and well put together, a great read. Although marketed a Young Adult fiction, this can be enjoyed by all.
What I like the most is the way the book has emerged from authentic, vintage found photographs. Riggs has woven stories threading the oddities in the photographs into a fantastical world full of...peculiar children.
In Hollow City we pick up the story where Miss Peregrine broke off. The children are abandoning the island, trying to row to the safety of the mainland. They are being hunted by the hollows and must reach London while dodging their enemies.
As they adventure on, more of the background to their loops and history of the Peculiar is revealed. It well written and well put together, a great read. Although marketed a Young Adult fiction, this can be enjoyed by all.
We are completely beside ourselves | Karen Joy Fowler
It's a bit hard to review this book without giving away any of the twists and turns. BUT I can highly recommend it! It is well written, inventive and intriguing. Not your usual run of the mill story.
We have a young woman narrator who says she is starting the story in the middle. This informs the structure of the book, we jump to different parts of the story as she narrates. It is not a chronological story, but it makes sense as she tells it.
She is telling us about her family, how it was a happy one, with her sister and brother. Then, something happens and they become dysfunctional and broken. She tells us she has lost her sister and her brother has disappeared. There is a central mystery, which she tries to uncover and understand as she makes sense of her childhood.
Enough said! Well worth reading. Well written, well told.
We have a young woman narrator who says she is starting the story in the middle. This informs the structure of the book, we jump to different parts of the story as she narrates. It is not a chronological story, but it makes sense as she tells it.
She is telling us about her family, how it was a happy one, with her sister and brother. Then, something happens and they become dysfunctional and broken. She tells us she has lost her sister and her brother has disappeared. There is a central mystery, which she tries to uncover and understand as she makes sense of her childhood.
Enough said! Well worth reading. Well written, well told.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
The Rise and Fall of Great Powers | Tom Rachman
I loved this book, it is a treat to read. It's not a linear story, but we have a faithful narrator who guides us through the three time periods that alternate in the chapters. Her name is Tooly and we follow her as she describes her childhood, the years of her early twenties, and the present when she is in her middle years.
Tooly seems to have a very weird and unfortunate childhood. She lives with her father Paul in various countries around the world, moving every year without knowing why. She is then taken by Sarah, who may or may not be her mother. Sarah has a vague relationship with Venn and a Russian older man called Humphrey. The trio seem to bring her up all over the world, ending in New York.
Tooly's life in the present is about trying to unravel and understand what happened to her as a child, and her search for the people from her past who could explain it to her.
Riveting, well written, inventive and thoroughly engrossing. Loved reading this book.
Tooly seems to have a very weird and unfortunate childhood. She lives with her father Paul in various countries around the world, moving every year without knowing why. She is then taken by Sarah, who may or may not be her mother. Sarah has a vague relationship with Venn and a Russian older man called Humphrey. The trio seem to bring her up all over the world, ending in New York.
Tooly's life in the present is about trying to unravel and understand what happened to her as a child, and her search for the people from her past who could explain it to her.
Riveting, well written, inventive and thoroughly engrossing. Loved reading this book.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
The Claimant | Janette Turmer Hospita;
This is the best book I have read all year. Although loosely based on the Tichborne affair, it is separate and a contemporary take on the role of identity, family, image and a moral riddle of inheritance, wealth ,power and privileged.
I have not read this author before but I will go and find all she has written, she's amazing. I was engrossed by the story and by the characters, taken in by her wealth of classical knowledge and the breadth of her story.
In this novel, a young boy is reclusively brought up in France by his devoutly Catholic mother. The gardener's daughter discovers him and is adopted by the Countess as a surrogate sibling to the cosseted young boy. Their lives converge and diverge as they grow older. He is sent off to America, to an Ivy league college due to his surname, his family privilege and wealth. The Vietnam war, the assassination of political figures and the growing-up of America all come into play.
The young man fights his heritage and his wealth, and is lost. His mother and young friend never loose hope of finding him, even when he does not want to be found.
The story is beautifully told, the author is a master storyteller. Well worth reading.
I have not read this author before but I will go and find all she has written, she's amazing. I was engrossed by the story and by the characters, taken in by her wealth of classical knowledge and the breadth of her story.
In this novel, a young boy is reclusively brought up in France by his devoutly Catholic mother. The gardener's daughter discovers him and is adopted by the Countess as a surrogate sibling to the cosseted young boy. Their lives converge and diverge as they grow older. He is sent off to America, to an Ivy league college due to his surname, his family privilege and wealth. The Vietnam war, the assassination of political figures and the growing-up of America all come into play.
The young man fights his heritage and his wealth, and is lost. His mother and young friend never loose hope of finding him, even when he does not want to be found.
The story is beautifully told, the author is a master storyteller. Well worth reading.
Monday, July 28, 2014
An Appetite for Violets | Martine Bailey
This is a delightful novel. Well worth reading as it has a good combination of story and suspense and adventure.
Set in 1772-3 it records the journey of a lowly assistant cook, Buddy Leigh, from northwest England to Florence. She travels with her Mistress Carinna, who is seeking to escape her marriage to an old man full of the pox to whom she was married so as to gain an inheritance.
The story is recorded by Biddy in the "The Cook's Jewel", an old recipe book she has inherited from the cook who apprenticed her. She records the behaviour of Lady Carinna and her maid, the journey to Italy and most enjoyable, the recipes of food she tastes along the way.
I love travel and food, so this was a lovely story to read. The history of food and eating is well researched, I particularly enjoyed the history of the 'notion' of restaurants. Each chapter begins with a recipe written out, from the UK fare right to Italian confections.
Mixed in with all that is a mystery of sorts, which is lightly handled and not too taxying.
A very enjoyable read. Makes you hungry though!!
Set in 1772-3 it records the journey of a lowly assistant cook, Buddy Leigh, from northwest England to Florence. She travels with her Mistress Carinna, who is seeking to escape her marriage to an old man full of the pox to whom she was married so as to gain an inheritance.
The story is recorded by Biddy in the "The Cook's Jewel", an old recipe book she has inherited from the cook who apprenticed her. She records the behaviour of Lady Carinna and her maid, the journey to Italy and most enjoyable, the recipes of food she tastes along the way.
I love travel and food, so this was a lovely story to read. The history of food and eating is well researched, I particularly enjoyed the history of the 'notion' of restaurants. Each chapter begins with a recipe written out, from the UK fare right to Italian confections.
Mixed in with all that is a mystery of sorts, which is lightly handled and not too taxying.
A very enjoyable read. Makes you hungry though!!
Friday, July 25, 2014
The Town that Drowned | Riel Nason
This is a great story, well crafted, with strong characters. A young teenager Ruby Carson falls through the ice while skating, and as she plummets she sees a vision of her town submerged in a lake, and a few of the town's people float past her. Ruby is not one of the popular kids, and is teased because of this vision, which she blurted out as she was being rescued.
We feel tension mount as Ruby struggles to find meaning in her vision, and as she tries to come to terms with being a teenager in a very small community.
As weeks go by, stakes are found in the ground, mysterious people show up measuring and marking things around the town. It transpires that a dam is going to be built upstream and they will all lose their homes and the town itself, as it will be submerged. People start dying, the same people Ruby saw in the vision.
The story is well worth reading, as Ruby and her younger brother are beautifully drawn, as are the many odd people who live in this community.
We feel tension mount as Ruby struggles to find meaning in her vision, and as she tries to come to terms with being a teenager in a very small community.
As weeks go by, stakes are found in the ground, mysterious people show up measuring and marking things around the town. It transpires that a dam is going to be built upstream and they will all lose their homes and the town itself, as it will be submerged. People start dying, the same people Ruby saw in the vision.
The story is well worth reading, as Ruby and her younger brother are beautifully drawn, as are the many odd people who live in this community.
The Boy who harnessed the wind | William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
Now here is an inspiring story. A young boy called William (born 1987), living in Malawi saw first hand the devastating effects of the famines that hit during his childhood. He was too poor to go to school so he read the books in the town's library. A series of science and engineering books had been donated from America. He studied there and learned about windmills, something he had never seen in Malawi.
He decided to build a windmill by his house so his family could have electricity and power a water-pump so that in the future their crops would not fail. The villagers around him thought he was crazy or practising witchcraft, opposing at every turn. But this is why this story is inspiring above all else. William had a dream, he worked towards it undeterred by his circumstances or by the negative response of his community. He knew he could do it, so he did.
There were no 'proper' parts for him to build it with, so he scavenged around, looking for metal parts, bulbs, wiring etc in the local dump and old cars left out to rust. He made his components out of junk left lying about the village. I would love children to read this book and be inspired by what William achieved. His family was the first to have electricity, he figured out a way to make a plug so all those in the village could charge their cellphones.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/William_Kamkwambas_old_windmill.jpg
Through a passing reporter's interest William became famous in Africa, attended the TED conference and has now travelled around the world inspiring other children to work on innovation enterprise.
He decided to build a windmill by his house so his family could have electricity and power a water-pump so that in the future their crops would not fail. The villagers around him thought he was crazy or practising witchcraft, opposing at every turn. But this is why this story is inspiring above all else. William had a dream, he worked towards it undeterred by his circumstances or by the negative response of his community. He knew he could do it, so he did.
There were no 'proper' parts for him to build it with, so he scavenged around, looking for metal parts, bulbs, wiring etc in the local dump and old cars left out to rust. He made his components out of junk left lying about the village. I would love children to read this book and be inspired by what William achieved. His family was the first to have electricity, he figured out a way to make a plug so all those in the village could charge their cellphones.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/William_Kamkwambas_old_windmill.jpg
Through a passing reporter's interest William became famous in Africa, attended the TED conference and has now travelled around the world inspiring other children to work on innovation enterprise.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
You're still hot to me | Jean Kittson
If you are over 40, regardless of gender, you should read this book!
Kittson was interviewed on Radio New Zealand National, and after hearing her I got her book. It is an easy, informative and very funny book, about ....menopause. Don't discard this review yet, keep reading.
When Kittson started looking into menopause, there was little information available and it was either totally frivolous or so convoluted, it meant nothing. She also found not many women or men were talking about this period (or lack thereof) in a woman's life.
This is NOT a 'poor me' book, it is a candid look at what women go through at a time in their lives when they are busy, effective and are integral to the lives of their families and work places. From one day to the next, they have physical and psychological symptoms which destabilise and impede their performance in many areas. So, let's get informed.
Read this for yourself and your partner, for all the women in your life. They are NOT going insane, their hormones are changing, they are going to be ok, eventually. Be the support crew, drink a glass of wine together and eat more chocolate....Read this book!
Kittson was interviewed on Radio New Zealand National, and after hearing her I got her book. It is an easy, informative and very funny book, about ....menopause. Don't discard this review yet, keep reading.
When Kittson started looking into menopause, there was little information available and it was either totally frivolous or so convoluted, it meant nothing. She also found not many women or men were talking about this period (or lack thereof) in a woman's life.
This is NOT a 'poor me' book, it is a candid look at what women go through at a time in their lives when they are busy, effective and are integral to the lives of their families and work places. From one day to the next, they have physical and psychological symptoms which destabilise and impede their performance in many areas. So, let's get informed.
Read this for yourself and your partner, for all the women in your life. They are NOT going insane, their hormones are changing, they are going to be ok, eventually. Be the support crew, drink a glass of wine together and eat more chocolate....Read this book!
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Ariel's Crossing | Bradford Morrow
This is the second novel of a trilogy, I read it as a stand alone and it held up.
The Ariel of the title is a young woman in New York who, as an adult, discovers the identity of her biological father. He is Kip Calder, a Vietnam vet who disappeared before her birth, leaving her mum to marry their mutual best friend, who posed as Ariel's father.
Turmoil, questions, identity crisis and a road trip ensues. Meanwhile Calder has returned to a small New Mexico town where he was born. He is dying and wants to make peace with his past and is trying to find his daughter. He works for a local family which is full of great characters and historical figures. The story is well told, well developed and gorgeously written.
Mainly character driven, with a bit of magical realism thrown in, well worth reading.
This is a book which reminded me a lot of Cormack McCarthy's writing. If you enjoy McCarthy, you will enjoy this one.
The Ranger's Apprentice | John Flanagan
My youngest son (11) insisted I read this book, the first in a series, which he discovered at school. As I am wont to recommend books to all and sundry, I figured I should return the favour. I also thought I could speed read and skim read and be done in an hour.
The surprising thing about this book and this author is that i didn't want to speed or skim, I read every word. It targets children about 10-12 I would think, but does not talk down to them or 'write down' to engage with them. It's thoroughly well written and engaging even for adults! A rare find.
As the title suggests, there is a Ranger (called Halt) and an apprentice (called Will) who live in a made up land of various kingdoms. It reads like a medieval story, with only a few made up creatures, making it more believable. There are battles, conflicts and relationships to navigate and good vs evil. All the elements of a great story. Flanagan initially wrote it as a short story to get his son into reading and it grew from there to 12 in the series thus far. He is also involved in writing the screenplay for the movie which is being developed at the moment.
My son has read five in the series of about 12, I am now starting number 2. Well worth it, we also take turns reading aloud to each other. It's a rare treat to find books that the kids love and are not tedious for parents to read.
The surprising thing about this book and this author is that i didn't want to speed or skim, I read every word. It targets children about 10-12 I would think, but does not talk down to them or 'write down' to engage with them. It's thoroughly well written and engaging even for adults! A rare find.
As the title suggests, there is a Ranger (called Halt) and an apprentice (called Will) who live in a made up land of various kingdoms. It reads like a medieval story, with only a few made up creatures, making it more believable. There are battles, conflicts and relationships to navigate and good vs evil. All the elements of a great story. Flanagan initially wrote it as a short story to get his son into reading and it grew from there to 12 in the series thus far. He is also involved in writing the screenplay for the movie which is being developed at the moment.
My son has read five in the series of about 12, I am now starting number 2. Well worth it, we also take turns reading aloud to each other. It's a rare treat to find books that the kids love and are not tedious for parents to read.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Forty days without shadow | Olivier Truc
I love the title of this novel and the fact it's supposed to be an "Arctic Thriller". I've always enjoyed stories set in Arctic regions. Everything about this book led me to believe it would be a good story, interesting setting, a mystery of sorts, the Sami culture, reindeer...And in a way it is, but oh so many words....
I would like to read Truc's 5th novel, whenever it is written (this is his first) I think he put too much of all he knows about the Arctic and the Sami and Lapland into this first story, and it's way too much detail. Less is more. It would have had way more sense of mystery and intrigue if he hadn't told me so much about everything!
Truc is a journalist and knows the region intimately. I hope he gets a good editorial team around him, continues to write and becomes more sparse, matching the endless sparseness of the Arctic landscape he so obviously loves.
Keep writing, I'll wait!
I would like to read Truc's 5th novel, whenever it is written (this is his first) I think he put too much of all he knows about the Arctic and the Sami and Lapland into this first story, and it's way too much detail. Less is more. It would have had way more sense of mystery and intrigue if he hadn't told me so much about everything!
Truc is a journalist and knows the region intimately. I hope he gets a good editorial team around him, continues to write and becomes more sparse, matching the endless sparseness of the Arctic landscape he so obviously loves.
Keep writing, I'll wait!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Crossing to Safety | Wallace Stegner
This is a some what hard review to write given I am still unsure of how I feel about this novel. It is written by one of America's most famous authors, the sort you study at University. Stegner started publishing in 1937 although this book is from 1987.
There is a slightly old fashioned air about it, but it becomes engaging in a slow-pot-boiling kind of way.
Not a lot happens really, although it spans the lives of two couples who meet as young wannabe University professors (and their wives) and ends in their latter years. Their lives are intertwined right from the start, with wives having huge aspirations for their husband's academic careers, their children and life as wives within a close circle of a University faculty.
The Langs are very rich, the Morgans not. This shapes the friendship, it enables the Morgans to achieve far more than they hoped for. With it comes the control and wilfulness of Charity Lang, who plans and dictates a lot of what happens to both families over the course of their lives. She's irritating.
The writing is first class, the characters engaging and yet it took me ages to finish the book, as there was little compulsion to find out what happened in the end. I am sure the steady pace of the narrative and the beauty of the language will suffice for may people to enjoy it and I regard Stegner's utmost skill, but found it not a wholly satisfying read.
There is a slightly old fashioned air about it, but it becomes engaging in a slow-pot-boiling kind of way.
Not a lot happens really, although it spans the lives of two couples who meet as young wannabe University professors (and their wives) and ends in their latter years. Their lives are intertwined right from the start, with wives having huge aspirations for their husband's academic careers, their children and life as wives within a close circle of a University faculty.
The Langs are very rich, the Morgans not. This shapes the friendship, it enables the Morgans to achieve far more than they hoped for. With it comes the control and wilfulness of Charity Lang, who plans and dictates a lot of what happens to both families over the course of their lives. She's irritating.
The writing is first class, the characters engaging and yet it took me ages to finish the book, as there was little compulsion to find out what happened in the end. I am sure the steady pace of the narrative and the beauty of the language will suffice for may people to enjoy it and I regard Stegner's utmost skill, but found it not a wholly satisfying read.
A Shared Confidence | William Topek
This is the second novel by Topek, and American writer. It's published as an e-book, easy to buy off Amazon.
It's a well crafted story set in the 1930's MidWest USA, among con-men, the mafia, and the main Private Investigator Devlin Caine. It's easy to envisage this novel as a movie, shot in sepia, involving well dressed men and smoky bars, opulence and the vestiges of a lifestyle about to end as America enters the war.
Caine receives an enigmatic call from his almost-estranged brother Nathan asking for his professional help. Something is amiss in the bank Nathan works in and he fears he will be blamed for money that is missing.
Caine arrives at his brother's place and over the next few weeks works tirelessly uncovering a devious ploy by a con man to fleece people of great wads of cash.
And so the story goes. The setting is well researched as is the era and time of the novel. Good solid work, this is the second of the Devlin Caine adventures. The first is Shadow of a distant Morning. I am hoping Topek will publish again soon.
It's a well crafted story set in the 1930's MidWest USA, among con-men, the mafia, and the main Private Investigator Devlin Caine. It's easy to envisage this novel as a movie, shot in sepia, involving well dressed men and smoky bars, opulence and the vestiges of a lifestyle about to end as America enters the war.
Caine receives an enigmatic call from his almost-estranged brother Nathan asking for his professional help. Something is amiss in the bank Nathan works in and he fears he will be blamed for money that is missing.
Caine arrives at his brother's place and over the next few weeks works tirelessly uncovering a devious ploy by a con man to fleece people of great wads of cash.
And so the story goes. The setting is well researched as is the era and time of the novel. Good solid work, this is the second of the Devlin Caine adventures. The first is Shadow of a distant Morning. I am hoping Topek will publish again soon.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Cathedral of the Wild | Boyd Varty
Boyd Varty is a very young man to live the life he has! In this book he sets down an autobiography full of insight and depth well beyond his thirty or so years.
Anyone who has travelled or lived in Africa will have an affinity with this book as Boyd grew up in the wildest parts and through historically significant times in South Africa's history.
His great grandfather bought a failed cattle farm bordering Kruger National Park, for his own hunting pleasure. Many exploits are told of his legendary lion hunts and other adventures in the bush.
The Varty family live life to the fullest, on the edge of fear and excitement at all times. Boyd's father and Uncle John set out when 15 and 18 to establish eco tourism and a conservation park on the family farm when their father died. In the 70's it was unheard of to let the land revert to natural state and watch animals rather than kill them.
Boyd tells of what it was like growing up in Londolozi Gamer Reserve with his parents, sister, uncle and many local workers. They were heavily criticised for employing and working with black people in the area, rather than impose the laws of apartheid. Once Mandela was released from prison, he spent some time at Londolozi to recover and acclimatise to freedom.
This is a remarkable story, well told. Leaves me wondering what Boyd will achieve in the next 30-50 years, and sure makes me want to go to the reserve and spend some time in a most remarkable place.
Anyone who has travelled or lived in Africa will have an affinity with this book as Boyd grew up in the wildest parts and through historically significant times in South Africa's history.
His great grandfather bought a failed cattle farm bordering Kruger National Park, for his own hunting pleasure. Many exploits are told of his legendary lion hunts and other adventures in the bush.
The Varty family live life to the fullest, on the edge of fear and excitement at all times. Boyd's father and Uncle John set out when 15 and 18 to establish eco tourism and a conservation park on the family farm when their father died. In the 70's it was unheard of to let the land revert to natural state and watch animals rather than kill them.
Boyd tells of what it was like growing up in Londolozi Gamer Reserve with his parents, sister, uncle and many local workers. They were heavily criticised for employing and working with black people in the area, rather than impose the laws of apartheid. Once Mandela was released from prison, he spent some time at Londolozi to recover and acclimatise to freedom.
This is a remarkable story, well told. Leaves me wondering what Boyd will achieve in the next 30-50 years, and sure makes me want to go to the reserve and spend some time in a most remarkable place.
Monday, May 19, 2014
The Town that Drowned | Riel Nason
As the title suggests, a town is drowned by the building of a dam. Set in rural Canada in 1960's this is a wonderful portrayal of the lives of people involved in resettling after the news is given to them that their town will be relocated.
The main narrator is Ruby, a teenager who is a misfit in her community but a very good observer of those around her. Her brother Percy, although never described as such, has Aspergers Syndrome and Ruby's narrative is ofter about how her family and community learn to live with Percy's unusualness. The action progresses over the months it takes for everyone to be relocated out of the flood zone.
This is a very good read, full of poignant moments, weird and wacky characters who populate the town and the ongoing challenge of accepting the dam which will drown all they know.
The main narrator is Ruby, a teenager who is a misfit in her community but a very good observer of those around her. Her brother Percy, although never described as such, has Aspergers Syndrome and Ruby's narrative is ofter about how her family and community learn to live with Percy's unusualness. The action progresses over the months it takes for everyone to be relocated out of the flood zone.
This is a very good read, full of poignant moments, weird and wacky characters who populate the town and the ongoing challenge of accepting the dam which will drown all they know.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
A Fort of Nine Towers | Qais Akbar Omar
I picked up this book no really knowing much about it, it's author or Kabul... Although the style was hard to get into, once I got used to the cadence of the language it was riveting.
This is the account of Qais' life growing up in Kabul through three decades of civil war, invasions and restitution.
Although Afghanistan has been in the news for time immemorial, this account brings home the day to day struggle of the everyday people trying to feed and house their families, educate their children and live 'normal' lives in the country they love. It's remarkable how passionate Afghanis are about their nation and how much suffering they have undergone in the last thirty years because of it.
This book is worth reading as it is a detailed account full of emotional insights into Qais family, humour and despair. It outlines the struggle they have gone through just to stay alive. I've learned a lot through reading it, and have grow in compassion towards them and other refugees who turn up at our doors, battered and weary form similar regions.
This is the account of Qais' life growing up in Kabul through three decades of civil war, invasions and restitution.
Although Afghanistan has been in the news for time immemorial, this account brings home the day to day struggle of the everyday people trying to feed and house their families, educate their children and live 'normal' lives in the country they love. It's remarkable how passionate Afghanis are about their nation and how much suffering they have undergone in the last thirty years because of it.
This book is worth reading as it is a detailed account full of emotional insights into Qais family, humour and despair. It outlines the struggle they have gone through just to stay alive. I've learned a lot through reading it, and have grow in compassion towards them and other refugees who turn up at our doors, battered and weary form similar regions.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Where the Rēkohu Bones Sing | Tina Makereti
This is a thoroughly New Zealand story. Told in various voices this story explores the difficulties of growing up part Maori, part Pakeha and part Moriori. These three cultures were all in conflict with each other in the 1880's which is where part of the story is set. Then it jumps a few generations to the present where descendants of mixed race, Lula and Bigs, are trying to come to terms with the actions of their violent forefathers.
Some of the story takes place in New Zealand and some on the Chatham Islands.
It was very interesting to read of this part of history, I was unfamiliar with the invasion by Maori of the Chathams and of the consequent enslavement of the Moriori and their transferal to the mainland.
Makereti knows her stuff, and has an interesting style, which took me a bit to get used to, but in the end proved a very good vehicle for telling this story.
Some of the story takes place in New Zealand and some on the Chatham Islands.
It was very interesting to read of this part of history, I was unfamiliar with the invasion by Maori of the Chathams and of the consequent enslavement of the Moriori and their transferal to the mainland.
Makereti knows her stuff, and has an interesting style, which took me a bit to get used to, but in the end proved a very good vehicle for telling this story.
Perfect | Rachel Joyce
What a delight! I thoroughly enjoyed Joyce's "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" and eagerly awaited her next story. "Perfect" is just as readable, with similar insights into characters and narrative.
This is a life-long story of two friends growing up in a semi rural setting in England. They are school friends but their families don't really mix. They seem to be wannabes, striving to reach a station in life slightly above what they can reach. Both families are cold towards their boys and this has a drastic effect on both Byron and James.
The story is told by Jim, as an adult, with flashbacks into their growing up years. There is quite a bit of tension in the narrative as we get the feeling that something tragic occurred which has separated these two friends.
Best not to say any more, it would spoil the plot! This story is well worth reading and I really enjoyed her ability to weave a credible, poignant story.
This is a life-long story of two friends growing up in a semi rural setting in England. They are school friends but their families don't really mix. They seem to be wannabes, striving to reach a station in life slightly above what they can reach. Both families are cold towards their boys and this has a drastic effect on both Byron and James.
The story is told by Jim, as an adult, with flashbacks into their growing up years. There is quite a bit of tension in the narrative as we get the feeling that something tragic occurred which has separated these two friends.
Best not to say any more, it would spoil the plot! This story is well worth reading and I really enjoyed her ability to weave a credible, poignant story.
The Day she Cradled me | Sacha de Bazin
This is the retelling of the events leading up to the hanging of Minnie Deans, the only woman in New Zealand history ever to be hanged.
It's the sort of story which is the thing of legend and lore in NZ but what do we really know about the events leading to her conviction? I was really intrigued by the research into the allegations of 'baby farming' in early New Zealand colonial life and after reading this book, based on Minnie's own writings, I'm not sure she was guilty of the alleged murders. Food for thought.
Well worth reading, and pondering on all the issues surrounding unwanted pregnancies, the death penalty and colonial life.
It's the sort of story which is the thing of legend and lore in NZ but what do we really know about the events leading to her conviction? I was really intrigued by the research into the allegations of 'baby farming' in early New Zealand colonial life and after reading this book, based on Minnie's own writings, I'm not sure she was guilty of the alleged murders. Food for thought.
Well worth reading, and pondering on all the issues surrounding unwanted pregnancies, the death penalty and colonial life.
Monday, March 10, 2014
The Son | Philipp Meyer
There is nothing I enjoy more than a good Western. The cover itself sold me this book (totally judging a book by it's cover!), a flatland desert with scrubby bushes, a dirt track and a lone horse and rider moving to wards a vast horizon. I couldn't wait to start this 500+ page book.
The story is of the McCullough family through the generations told in alternate chapters rather than chronologically. I really liked this structure as it was easy to see the family as a whole over centuries of their settlement in Texas.
It begins with Eli, who was kidnapped by Comanche indians when they attacked his family's homestead and massacred the rest of his family. He was thirteen years old and learned the ways of the Comanche and was accepted into their tribe. This was in the 1840's and 50's. We then read extracts from Peter McCullough's diary which span 1870's through to 1940's. He is Eli's son. And these two stories intercalate with Jeanne Anne (Peter's daughter) which spans from 1926 through to the 1980's.
It spans a great amount of frontier history, from the colonisation of Mexico into Texas, the Indians and their way of life which was destroyed by the white settlers, the Pioneers, the cattle-ranchers and the oil men. All leave their mark on the landscape and have made Texas what it is today.
This is a novel akin to Legends of the Fall, a great movie more or less set in the same time in history. If you enjoy family sagas, well written, with plenty of good research and well drawn characters, you will really enjoy this novel. Meyer has also written American Rust, which i will read now based on the strength of this book.
If you enjoy this kind of story you must read Cormack McCarthy and Thomas Eidson, two fantastic writers of fiction set in the West.
The story is of the McCullough family through the generations told in alternate chapters rather than chronologically. I really liked this structure as it was easy to see the family as a whole over centuries of their settlement in Texas.
It begins with Eli, who was kidnapped by Comanche indians when they attacked his family's homestead and massacred the rest of his family. He was thirteen years old and learned the ways of the Comanche and was accepted into their tribe. This was in the 1840's and 50's. We then read extracts from Peter McCullough's diary which span 1870's through to 1940's. He is Eli's son. And these two stories intercalate with Jeanne Anne (Peter's daughter) which spans from 1926 through to the 1980's.
It spans a great amount of frontier history, from the colonisation of Mexico into Texas, the Indians and their way of life which was destroyed by the white settlers, the Pioneers, the cattle-ranchers and the oil men. All leave their mark on the landscape and have made Texas what it is today.
This is a novel akin to Legends of the Fall, a great movie more or less set in the same time in history. If you enjoy family sagas, well written, with plenty of good research and well drawn characters, you will really enjoy this novel. Meyer has also written American Rust, which i will read now based on the strength of this book.
If you enjoy this kind of story you must read Cormack McCarthy and Thomas Eidson, two fantastic writers of fiction set in the West.
Burial Rites | Hannah Kent
I really enjoy reading first novels, and this one was a great find. Kent is Australian, born in 1985, and has wasted no time in developing her talent.
This novel is the story of the last two people executed in Iceland. Kent has done a huge amount of research and has rendered both the characters and the landscape in a believable and engaging way.
Agnes is to be executed for her involvement in the murder of a leading citizen. She is sent to wait her execution at the home of the District Office and his family for lack of government facilities to house her. The family is horrified at the prospect and unwelcoming.
Agnes is put to work on the small holding and we enter into the lives of this small community through the eyes of the mother, the daughters, Agnes and the priest she is made to talk to. As the story develops we learn of what took place in Agnes' life to lead her to the night of the murder.
In the end, she is executed alongside her accomplice. Was it the right decision?
A worthwhile read, well crafted and very engaging.
This novel is the story of the last two people executed in Iceland. Kent has done a huge amount of research and has rendered both the characters and the landscape in a believable and engaging way.
Agnes is to be executed for her involvement in the murder of a leading citizen. She is sent to wait her execution at the home of the District Office and his family for lack of government facilities to house her. The family is horrified at the prospect and unwelcoming.
Agnes is put to work on the small holding and we enter into the lives of this small community through the eyes of the mother, the daughters, Agnes and the priest she is made to talk to. As the story develops we learn of what took place in Agnes' life to lead her to the night of the murder.
In the end, she is executed alongside her accomplice. Was it the right decision?
A worthwhile read, well crafted and very engaging.
Friday, February 28, 2014
The Poisoner's Handbook | Deborah Blum
"Murder and the birth of forensic medicine in Jazz age New York" says the cover. It's all that and more.
This is a wonderful non-fiction account of the science of toxicology, pathology, forensics and the art of poisons. The setting is a mix of wild west and an emerging city trying to deal with thousands of deaths a year, corrupt city officials and two amazing men who challenged the system.
Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler were the two key men who standardised the procedures in crime scene forensic examination of bodies, the retrieval of cadavers and autopsies. Norris redefined the job of Medical Examiner and the science of toxicology. Previous to his time, Medical Examiners were politically appointed, included plumbers, realtors, and drunks. Cause of death were either made up or exaggerated. Norris trained Gettler, the best chemist he ever worked with, to design tests for all kinds of poison and noxious substances and they pioneered systems to prove victims were murdered.
What I loved about this book is the very readable style, the amount of research done and the stories of people who were killed or were killing others with seemingly innocent substances.
Many died of radiation poisoning when using cosmetics that included Radon. Gas leaks decimated many innocent people in their homes, arsenic and lead and cyanide were included in anything and everything. It's remarkable how many children died from poisoning in this era.
Once these new compounds were discovered, they were used in many common substances, with no regulations or labelling. Fascinating to see how Norris and Gettler were so forward thinking, astute and resilient in the face of ridicule. When they began in the department, science was laughed out of court and was not thought of as reliable material in criminal cases. By the end, they were providing the only proof needed to convict murderer's of their crimes.
At the the time of Gettler's retirement he estimated he had done 100 000 autopsies.
Fantastic read.
This is a wonderful non-fiction account of the science of toxicology, pathology, forensics and the art of poisons. The setting is a mix of wild west and an emerging city trying to deal with thousands of deaths a year, corrupt city officials and two amazing men who challenged the system.
Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler were the two key men who standardised the procedures in crime scene forensic examination of bodies, the retrieval of cadavers and autopsies. Norris redefined the job of Medical Examiner and the science of toxicology. Previous to his time, Medical Examiners were politically appointed, included plumbers, realtors, and drunks. Cause of death were either made up or exaggerated. Norris trained Gettler, the best chemist he ever worked with, to design tests for all kinds of poison and noxious substances and they pioneered systems to prove victims were murdered.
What I loved about this book is the very readable style, the amount of research done and the stories of people who were killed or were killing others with seemingly innocent substances.
Many died of radiation poisoning when using cosmetics that included Radon. Gas leaks decimated many innocent people in their homes, arsenic and lead and cyanide were included in anything and everything. It's remarkable how many children died from poisoning in this era.
Once these new compounds were discovered, they were used in many common substances, with no regulations or labelling. Fascinating to see how Norris and Gettler were so forward thinking, astute and resilient in the face of ridicule. When they began in the department, science was laughed out of court and was not thought of as reliable material in criminal cases. By the end, they were providing the only proof needed to convict murderer's of their crimes.
At the the time of Gettler's retirement he estimated he had done 100 000 autopsies.
Fantastic read.
Monday, February 10, 2014
I am Pilgrim | Terry Hayes
This is a fabulous read. It's Hayes' first novel but he is no amateur. He is a screenwriter of renown and a very experienced story teller.
It's a door stop of a book, 700+ pages but it is a quick read. Well pace, the characters leap off the page and in the end, you are busting to read another. I don't know if a series or a sequel is in the offing but I hope there is.
The main character is a secret agent in the USA, from a secret agency so secret it doesn't exist. He is the best agent and is involved in trying to hunt down a new breed of terrorist, one who has manufactured a deadly virus which is to be released into the USA through the health system.
There's not much point re-telling the story, it would spoil the read. But it is very worth while recommending the book, the author and the time spent reading will be well rewarded.
It's a door stop of a book, 700+ pages but it is a quick read. Well pace, the characters leap off the page and in the end, you are busting to read another. I don't know if a series or a sequel is in the offing but I hope there is.
The main character is a secret agent in the USA, from a secret agency so secret it doesn't exist. He is the best agent and is involved in trying to hunt down a new breed of terrorist, one who has manufactured a deadly virus which is to be released into the USA through the health system.
There's not much point re-telling the story, it would spoil the read. But it is very worth while recommending the book, the author and the time spent reading will be well rewarded.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Wake | Elizabeth Knox
Knox has been a favourite of mine for a long time so I eagerly read this new book. She is amazing, what a great author we have. Her imagination is something else.
Wake starts by describing a strange fire seen in a valley. A police officer drives there as the first responder and on the way starts seeing horrible and unexplainable things. People dead and dying from gruesome injuries, cars crashed and abandoned.
Things are spinning out of control in this small community. Fourteen survivors emerge, but they don't know what they have survived from. There appears to be an impenetrable, invisible barrier surrounding the small town and many dead citizens inside the area.
As they come to terms with their isolation they have to start managing the situation and the way this is portrayed and the characters developed is masterful. Half way through the book you start wondering if this really did happen or could be happening right now. And this is why I think she is such an amazing author, she transports the reader into her world.
Really worth reading, highly recommended.
Wake starts by describing a strange fire seen in a valley. A police officer drives there as the first responder and on the way starts seeing horrible and unexplainable things. People dead and dying from gruesome injuries, cars crashed and abandoned.
Things are spinning out of control in this small community. Fourteen survivors emerge, but they don't know what they have survived from. There appears to be an impenetrable, invisible barrier surrounding the small town and many dead citizens inside the area.
As they come to terms with their isolation they have to start managing the situation and the way this is portrayed and the characters developed is masterful. Half way through the book you start wondering if this really did happen or could be happening right now. And this is why I think she is such an amazing author, she transports the reader into her world.
Really worth reading, highly recommended.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children | Ransom Riggs
It has to be said, a peculiar story! This is supposedly written for young adults, but it shouldn't be restricted to that audience.
The book is illustrated with bizarre old photographs the author has found in second hand shops and boot sales. They are 'trick' photos showing peculiar situations: a child standing by a pond, with two children reflected in the surface of the water. A small girl levitating...
The characters in the story are these children, who live on an island, in a home which accommodates all their peculiarities. A boy and his father arrive on the island to look into some family history and the boy stumbles across these children, and a portal through which he enters and discovers the secret his grandfather was trying to pass on to him.
Very engaging, worth reading. Quirky.
The book is illustrated with bizarre old photographs the author has found in second hand shops and boot sales. They are 'trick' photos showing peculiar situations: a child standing by a pond, with two children reflected in the surface of the water. A small girl levitating...
The characters in the story are these children, who live on an island, in a home which accommodates all their peculiarities. A boy and his father arrive on the island to look into some family history and the boy stumbles across these children, and a portal through which he enters and discovers the secret his grandfather was trying to pass on to him.
Very engaging, worth reading. Quirky.
A Summer of Reading
Is has proven to be a cold summer holiday period for us here in New Zealand. The upside, plenty of time for reading.
I have had some great reads and I will try and post the reviews as soon as I can.
Here is the list of my summer reads:
Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs
Wake by Elizabeth Knox
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
A Girl is a Half formed thing by Eimear McBride
Lost, Stolen or Shredded by Rick Gerkosky
The Hired Man by Aminatta Forna
An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris
Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin
I have had some great reads and I will try and post the reviews as soon as I can.
Here is the list of my summer reads:
Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs
Wake by Elizabeth Knox
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
A Girl is a Half formed thing by Eimear McBride
Lost, Stolen or Shredded by Rick Gerkosky
The Hired Man by Aminatta Forna
An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris
Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin
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