This is old fashioned storytelling at its finest. Reminiscent of the beloved (at least to me) Delderfield sagas of a previous generation, Alan HollingThis is old fashioned storytelling at its finest. Reminiscent of the beloved (at least to me) Delderfield sagas of a previous generation, Alan Hollinghurst examines British mores through the lens of a most interestingly flawed and attractive narrator, David Win. Biracial and gay, he is the recipient of kindness on the part of a wealthy family who are patrons of the arts, thus allowing Hollinghurst to do a deep dive into many areas that have shaped Britain's aesthetic and political history. Immersive and informative at the same time....more
This is an audio version of the 2021 edition of Transit of Venus, originally published by a master of English composition, Shirley Hazzard. Although IThis is an audio version of the 2021 edition of Transit of Venus, originally published by a master of English composition, Shirley Hazzard. Although I read it over 30 years ago, this edition read by Juliet Stephens adds depth and furthers my appreciation of Hazzard's craft. There is an enlightening forward by Lauren Groff, who counts it as one of her favorite novels, a perfect novel, and who has read it at least 4 times, adding her insights. Also, at the end, a real treat. Chapter 3 read by Ms. Hazzard herself. ...more
Ann Cleeves is one of those writers I drop everything to pick up. She is managing to create two series each intriguing in its own way in its approach Ann Cleeves is one of those writers I drop everything to pick up. She is managing to create two series each intriguing in its own way in its approach to the crimes perpetuated, the investigators cracking the code, and, most importantly, the role the UK landscape plays in the proceedings. We are back in Northumberland with Vera Stanhope, familiar to those addicted to the BBC series starring Brenda Blethyn who embodies her to perfection, her no nonsense style, filthy Land Rover, piercing intelligence. Cleeves makes use of news sources for inspiration, in this case the treatment of unwanted kids in a halfway house and the complications of their care. ...more
Thank heavens. When Kate Atkinson was asked if there were going to be any more novels featuring Jackson Brodie, she said that she was quitting at the Thank heavens. When Kate Atkinson was asked if there were going to be any more novels featuring Jackson Brodie, she said that she was quitting at the four she'd written to that point. Saying she'd followed his story as much as she felt necessary. Since then, she has written two more, this being the latest. Something about writing Brodie brings out the best in Atkinson including her wicked sense of humor that caused me to laugh out loud in places. Also, her character development. This one, with art theft as its theme, probes many of her favorite subjects....more
Well, the most dangerous place to settle appears to be, from cozies, Britbox and Acorn, a small picturesque village in the UK. Filled with quirky indiWell, the most dangerous place to settle appears to be, from cozies, Britbox and Acorn, a small picturesque village in the UK. Filled with quirky individuals many who have lived there all their lives and know one another's histories inside and out. Enter a person with ties to someone, and the plots tend to unravel. Here is the latest example of such a trope, and while great fun, I feel like I've been to Castle Knolls (and its twins) many times before. ...more
Another in the Vera Stanhope series, which I admit I'm reading out of sequence and find that I'm familiar enough with the Vera character that it doesnAnother in the Vera Stanhope series, which I admit I'm reading out of sequence and find that I'm familiar enough with the Vera character that it doesn't really make a difference. Ann Cleeves is such a deft writer and storyteller that the reader's interest is held from the first page straight through all the twists to the very end....more
I know that giving this a five star rating is a bit over the top, but I did so because I chose the audio version. Alex Jennings, narrator, delivers, aI know that giving this a five star rating is a bit over the top, but I did so because I chose the audio version. Alex Jennings, narrator, delivers, and how. Perhaps it wouldn't have held me as much had I read a print version, but the witty, bitchy audio version was just my cup of tea....more
Well done historical novel set after WWI, following the Spanish Flu epidemic, that breathes life into an era. During the war women provided services nWell done historical novel set after WWI, following the Spanish Flu epidemic, that breathes life into an era. During the war women provided services normally performed by the men who had been sent off, giving them their first experience of freedom and accomplishment in the workforce. Upon the men's return, they were expected to return happily to supportive roles. Here we have some renegades who refuse to fall under that category, and while the plot was a bit slow in getting started, I felt it was necessary to establish character. Some reviewers have found this imponderable, but I think a bit of patience was required to give the book its due....more
At an age when many people have been retired for years, Paul Theroux continues his career as a writer of immeasurable talent and seemingly limitless cAt an age when many people have been retired for years, Paul Theroux continues his career as a writer of immeasurable talent and seemingly limitless curiosity. This book could not be more different from the last two of his that I've read -- one about a legendary surfer and a novel woven out of his imagination. Here we learn of the early life of George Orwell, when he was still Eric Blair, newly hatched from Eton in 1921 and sent to Burma to join the police force. It is supposed to toughen him into manhood, which it does, but it also plants the seeds of the writer he is to become. It strengthens his values and opens his eyes in ways he had never thought possible.
Burma Sahib is also a picture of colonized Burma, complete with the plummy accents of the invaders and the inherent decency of their charges. Being Theroux, the author presents almost a travelogue of the country, transferring Blair from post to post in order to paint an in-depth picture. I was interested to note that in the acknowledgements credit was given to the late Jonathan Raban, another author as proficient in writing fiction as well as travel experience....more
David Gann turns his insatiable attention to a long forgotten incident in maritime history. HMS Wager, her crew and the circumstances leading to her bDavid Gann turns his insatiable attention to a long forgotten incident in maritime history. HMS Wager, her crew and the circumstances leading to her being wrecked off Patagonia and the subsequent events, are all brought to life through Gann's knack for making the past current. A real page turner filled with relatable people whose flaws and qualities are all too human. The audio version was enhanced by the narrator who brought a fine sense of drama....more
Peter Robinson, back in form, meaning Inspector Banks, with his eclectic musical taste and appreciation for fine food, is set to unravel a seemingly cPeter Robinson, back in form, meaning Inspector Banks, with his eclectic musical taste and appreciation for fine food, is set to unravel a seemingly cold case with nothing more than an unearthed skeleton to go by. Well done. As long as Robinson continues to plague Banks with seemingly unsolvable cases, I'll keep reading him....more
Third in a promising series that continues to add depth to the main detective's character and insight into the county of Devon. In the audio version, Third in a promising series that continues to add depth to the main detective's character and insight into the county of Devon. In the audio version, Ms. Cleeves adds a personal note on her decision to end her popular Vera Stanhope series and embark on a new one in a new location. As the backstory is essential for understanding of Venn, his history and current personal challenges, this should be read after the previous two, which is not a chore but a delight. ...more
The mystery itself is pretty cut and dried, but the setting is well done as are the included cryptic crossword clues, fun to solve if you're a puzzle The mystery itself is pretty cut and dried, but the setting is well done as are the included cryptic crossword clues, fun to solve if you're a puzzle fan particularly of cryptics. I may give this series another shot, but there seemed to be a sameness between Banks of the Peter Robinson series and Shadow of this one....more
Totally immersive experience entering the low life world of London in 1926. As with Peaky Blinders, this is a catchall of rascals, ne'er do wells, colTotally immersive experience entering the low life world of London in 1926. As with Peaky Blinders, this is a catchall of rascals, ne'er do wells, colorful characters that keep the pages flipping and the hours pleasantly going by safe in the knowledge that this represents a time gone by. A reminder that sin has a backstory. Still reeling from the aftereffects of the Great War, these many people also find themselves enjoying a release from the strictures of the Victorian and Edwardian eras in which young women make their way to the big city with varying results. Kate Atkinson has been compared to Dickens in her ability to keep so many plots and characters spinning, and the only reason I didn't award a full five stars is that I didn't feel this quite matched up to the Brodie quintet....more
The Beginning of Spring, written in the late 1980's, is surprising on so many levels. That it was written by Penelope Fitzgerald in an anachronistic sThe Beginning of Spring, written in the late 1980's, is surprising on so many levels. That it was written by Penelope Fitzgerald in an anachronistic style but with modern sensibilities, and contained such minute detail of life in Russia in the last era of the tsarist times, the spirituality and ambiguity of certain elements, made it intriguing on so many levels. There was an especially cruel scene, noted by others, that illuminated some of the characters, but it only underscored the interest incurred by the author....more
I had been wondering where Ali Smith would go after completion of her seasonal quartet, and here we have the answer. As with other examples of her worI had been wondering where Ali Smith would go after completion of her seasonal quartet, and here we have the answer. As with other examples of her work, she examines subjects against the background of the present day, in this case, the claustrophobic, paranoid setting created by the pandemic. Sandy Gray, an artist who creates "three dimensional works like club sandwiches" out of overlaying poems with layers of paint, visits her father in hospital as often as she can. Cares for his dog (referred to as "my father's dog" but does reveal her name, then returns to the generic). After a disturbing call from a college era acquaintance, she finds her home colonized by that person and her family. Or is she. There is so much to chew on in this that it seems as if Smith herself were parsing e. e. cummings and branched this out of her thoughts. ...more
Lawrence Osborne once again inhabits the mantle of Graham Greene. On Java Road has more than the usual infusion of historical interest against observaLawrence Osborne once again inhabits the mantle of Graham Greene. On Java Road has more than the usual infusion of historical interest against observance of the current condition, in this case, the state of Hong Kong on the 25th anniversary of the handover which has caused disruption and citywide unrest. Old hand journalist Adrian Gyle, who has covered HK for over 20 years, met Jimmy Tang while both were students in England. Jimmy, scion of a billionaire family insists on lavish lunches, rare wines, and furnishing Adrian with (unwanted) sartorial delights, and it is their "friendship" that fuels the narrative. Imbued with Osborne's trademark atmospheric pall, the reader gets more than bargained for thanks to an insider's knowledge of HK and how its elements clash and coalesce. I'll read anything he writes....more
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