Very funny but also quite moving and perceptive. Short chapters and easy to read, kind of compulsive - several late nights as I surged through the booVery funny but also quite moving and perceptive. Short chapters and easy to read, kind of compulsive - several late nights as I surged through the book. The story centres around George who has just retired, 'an amusing portrait of a dignified man trying to go insane politely'. Very English....more
Unsettling but also excellent storytelling from talented Helen Dunmore. Forbidden love, unspoken secrets and dark truths are layered through the narraUnsettling but also excellent storytelling from talented Helen Dunmore. Forbidden love, unspoken secrets and dark truths are layered through the narrative, you can almost feel the chill of the winter landscape and that of the decaying house and its inhabitants....more
Definitely a favourite author and this book did not disappoint. A story about Nigeria, the characters' experiences when they emigrate to the USA and EDefinitely a favourite author and this book did not disappoint. A story about Nigeria, the characters' experiences when they emigrate to the USA and England and their subsequent return to Nigeria. The love story between Ifemelu and Obinze threads through the book whilst the intricacies of race, especially in the USA, and issues of immigration/emigration - and hair - are thoroughly examined. I learnt a lot from reading this book....more
A second read of this book for me and just as good the second time around. Beautiful storytelling as Stephen revisits his WWII suburban childhood, expA second read of this book for me and just as good the second time around. Beautiful storytelling as Stephen revisits his WWII suburban childhood, expertly capturing the curiosity, imagination and blurred boundaries of knowing and not knowing, as the characters try to understand the adult world around them. ...more
Helen Dunmore is skilled at weaving together historical events and fiction. Set in Cornwall, World War I haunts the tiny rural community of Zennor, U Helen Dunmore is skilled at weaving together historical events and fiction. Set in Cornwall, World War I haunts the tiny rural community of Zennor, U Boats lurk beneath the waves and the young men are progressively picked off for conscription. DH Lawrence and his wife Frieda are characters in the story and the descriptions of the Cornish coast are beautiful and evocative....more
As always, a thought provoking read from Alice Walker. Interesting, harrowing and also timely to remember the courage demonstrated, the violence infliAs always, a thought provoking read from Alice Walker. Interesting, harrowing and also timely to remember the courage demonstrated, the violence inflicted and the personal stories of women involved in civil rights activism in America in the 1960s....more
A case of mistaken identity, maybe ok for a holiday read, but I found it a bit weak. I enjoyed reading Frayn's 'Spies' many years ago and still remembeA case of mistaken identity, maybe ok for a holiday read, but I found it a bit weak. I enjoyed reading Frayn's 'Spies' many years ago and still remember it, this book however will be soon forgotten....more
Donna Tartt is a star, brilliant book, though The Goldfinch still tops it for me. It highlighted my lack of Classics knowledge - inspired me to researcDonna Tartt is a star, brilliant book, though The Goldfinch still tops it for me. It highlighted my lack of Classics knowledge - inspired me to research and learn more. I like this dense kind of book which demands commitment, great read.
I absolutely love Maggie O'Farrell's This Must be the Place, hard to believe this is really the same author? Full of stereotypes, predictable, basic cI absolutely love Maggie O'Farrell's This Must be the Place, hard to believe this is really the same author? Full of stereotypes, predictable, basic chick lit, skipped to through to the end to see if anything interesting happened, it didn't....more
I wanted to like this book but did not, I wasn't convinced by the characters or plots lines at all. The violence which bursts in at unexpected times seI wanted to like this book but did not, I wasn't convinced by the characters or plots lines at all. The violence which bursts in at unexpected times seems to be a blunt tool for shock value without much understanding gained. I read the Cellist of Sarajevo several years ago which made a lasting impression on me, this book seemed a jumble of things and was disappointing....more
I am captivated by Gabriel Garcia Marquez's writing, though this probably isn't his strongest book there is still a magic pull that winds me in to hisI am captivated by Gabriel Garcia Marquez's writing, though this probably isn't his strongest book there is still a magic pull that winds me in to his world....more
There were interesting things about this book, I learnt about leprosy in the 20th century and how Greek sufferers were exiled to a small island off thThere were interesting things about this book, I learnt about leprosy in the 20th century and how Greek sufferers were exiled to a small island off the coast of Crete where they established their own community. However I didn't feel totally convinced by the story line or characters....more
I really like Maggie O'Farrell's writing, but unfortunately this book didn't do much for me. I really like Maggie O'Farrell's writing, but unfortunately this book didn't do much for me. ...more
I was a bit reluctant to start this book as I was expecting it to be predictable and cliched. Actually it is a lot better than the cover suggests. SomI was a bit reluctant to start this book as I was expecting it to be predictable and cliched. Actually it is a lot better than the cover suggests. Some of the structure and characters are a bit obvious and I wasn't 100% convinced throughout, but it kept up pace, had me hooked in and was an entertaining read. ...more
Doris Lessing is a great writer, testament to this is a book I read 20 years ago but still comes to mind as it made a really big impression on me at tDoris Lessing is a great writer, testament to this is a book I read 20 years ago but still comes to mind as it made a really big impression on me at the time (Mara and Dann). This book is uncomfortable, brutal, unsettling and chillingly bleak. Starting with a murder scene, the tone is established from the outset and then it goes back in time to explore the narrative. ...more
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