Close to the American-Mexican border, young game hunter Moss comes across the scene of a drug deal gone wrong and finds himself alone in the desert wiClose to the American-Mexican border, young game hunter Moss comes across the scene of a drug deal gone wrong and finds himself alone in the desert with a suitcase containing a life-changing amount of money, so he takes it; as he works his way back to his car he is shot at; thus begins the hunting of the hunter by multiple forces looking for the money, the drugs or just him. Local sheriff Tom Bell mostly turns up at each incident, once the corpses have cooled off, he sort of guesses what's going on and strives to get Moss to come in. Amongst the forces trying to get to Moss, there appears to be a lone wolf, who is more than happy to cause collateral murders in his hunt. [image]This neo-western crime thriller is a peerless piece of work, from the sparse, but well applicable to the story, writing style (it had origins as a screenplay) to the characterisation master-classes., through to every page being chock-full of suspense conveyed by all. With an unforgettable antagonist representing the irrepressible winds of change via a dispassion not seen since the likes of God knows when; an artfully created sheriff on the cusp of realising the end of the American Dream is already here; and a truly classic rendition of 'good Western cowboy' in Moss, whose seemingly pragmatic world view is slowly revealed as still being self idealised; we have a perfectly balanced view of this immense tale via these three viewpoints; a tale which for me was really not only about the impact of the illegal drug business on the American Dream, but also about the inevitability of the destruction of that Dream; and the questioning if it ever existed in the first place. I got fully immersed with this easily digestible great American novel, from the first sentence. This is a book that I strongly urge you to read, if you haven't done so already. 10 out of 12, Five Star read... ALL THE STARS! [image] 2024 read...more
This darkly comedic yet literary work follows a number of vile men, including a fictional King of the UK, in what appear to be disparate stories; one This darkly comedic yet literary work follows a number of vile men, including a fictional King of the UK, in what appear to be disparate stories; one set on a plane(!), another in the Palace, another in a Californian porn town(!) etc, as well as all over London. Google will tell you that Amis' intention was with this work, as it's probably something more high brow that what I determined was a satirical look at Neanderthal man's place in the 21st century ? I can see why the literary classes, the enfranchised, hated this book, and poured scathing all over it; because it takes risks, is innovative and also features a number of working class characters. I feel the disparity and jumping from story to story and lack of an overall cohesive plot dampened my enjoyment of this book, although I did read the entire second half on a Saturday afternoon. For me this is a 7 out of 12, conformity pushing Three Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
Marin Amis' debut novel which he himself has been critical of in later years tells the tale of literature obsessed 19 year old Charles Highway's last Marin Amis' debut novel which he himself has been critical of in later years tells the tale of literature obsessed 19 year old Charles Highway's last year before attending university in which he falls in love for the first time. For all the story not dating well it is a masterly and rarely seen very real feeling and sounding look at the world from the perspective of a typical Western youth obsessed with sex and how the world perceives them to a degree, but from their limited and eschewed view of the world. Even though I continually moaned about how badly dated the book was whilst reading it, I also acknowledged how well the book captured the lack of emotional intelligence of many young men at this age, as well as their almost complete lack of pertinent self awareness. An interesting debut novel that I rated 6 out of 12, Three Stars worth one-read. [image] ..and yes the film adaptation featured a very young James Spader! 2024 read...more
In an unnamed sprawling Indian city Jai (9 years old), life in the slums is consumed with watching the TV that is the centrepiece of his home, especiaIn an unnamed sprawling Indian city Jai (9 years old), life in the slums is consumed with watching the TV that is the centrepiece of his home, especially detective serials; fellow Muslim pal Faiz is a huge fan of the supernatural especially Djinns; and their female nerdy buddy Pari, is the one focussed on using her brains to escape the slums via education. The 'Djinn Patrol' comes into existence when led by Jai they seek to explore their city to try and investigate what becomes a series of missing children! [image] The beauty of this book is that it is character ked and seen through the eyes of Jai. The lack of any real care about the missing children by the police; the often knee-jerk and dangerous interpretations of the community; the general treatment of slum children; but as ever with good books about children, despite the sombre core theme of slum children disappearances, it is the power of Deepa to paint the world through the children's eyes with their focus and also capability to still find time to live their own lives. Dare I say possibly too character led for me, which made me feel very much on the periphery of the disappearances, just like Jai, which could be considered a good thing? Literary it is a good book, but not so much for keeping me interested. [image] 2023 read...more
A natural born player, that was Oliver Walzer, a natural born ping-pong / table tennis ball player from an early age where he used to use book covers A natural born player, that was Oliver Walzer, a natural born ping-pong / table tennis ball player from an early age where he used to use book covers for bats and still beat everyone! As Walzer grows up (in house dominated by women but also with an overbearing father in 195s Manchester), his balls drop, and pimples erupt and he finds out that he is anything but a natural born 'player' in the 21st Century use of the term, when it comes to the opposite sex he is shy, frightened, coarse and without any natural ability so why not take tuition and steers from his fellow ping pong players? [image] A somewhat at times meandering read that looks at the human condition narrated and from the view of Walzer as he follows his two biggest passions in life ping pong and women and ultimately gets limited satisfaction from either. Could be seen as a look at how we try to fill our lives with what we want and/or with what we're good at, and at how neither may necessarily be that fulfilling? I struggled to stay interested in this award winner read which is something I often find in big award winners, I either love then, or think 'how the hell did this win', this one if of the latter. An arduous 4 out of 12, Two Star read, that I really would have preferred more focus on the Manchester ping pong scene like the first fifth of the book did. [image] 2023 read...more
During the heights (or would that be lows) of counter culture in the 1960s Che was left py his radical, yet Harvard educated parents to be brought up During the heights (or would that be lows) of counter culture in the 1960s Che was left py his radical, yet Harvard educated parents to be brought up by his grandmother, until one day his mother swoops him and takes his 7 year old self with her; his happiness in being back with his parent slowly begins to falter the longer he begins to realise that they are on the run, and also, this woman who took him, might not even be his mother! [image] A book that uses the counter culture of the 60s as a backdrop for this not too overtly literary, look at loss of innocence, friendship, privilege, expectations and idealised wants and more. On the face of it I would think that this book is right up my street, but ultimately I just didn't care, even though the lead character was 7 years old! A writer has to make a reader care, right? 4 out of 12 [image] 2022 read...more
24 News channel reporter Patrick Wallingford has his hand bitten of on live news TV… by a Lion! Yes, you read that correctly. You still with me? A pio24 News channel reporter Patrick Wallingford has his hand bitten of on live news TV… by a Lion! Yes, you read that correctly. You still with me? A pioneering surgeon looks to a hand amputation from a newly dead person to Patrick, there's one issue… the newly dead man's wife what's visitation rights to her husband's transplanted hand! [image] This all sounds so good and is quite entertaining, but this well written literary dark comedy taking a left-field look at themes like sex, infidelity, self awareness, modern news reporting, the abuse of male power and more, just doesn't live up to the expectations set by the initial concepts. Ultimately a story of a very good looking, quite well off man in a position of power, who sleeps with lots of woman is just not for me, check my Profile spiel. Probably a great read for Irving fans? A mere 4 out of 12, Two Star read for me. [image] 2022 read...more
During the decades after the American Civil War St. Louis grew to become America's 4th largest city, by the 1980s it was the 27th! Jonathan Franzen's During the decades after the American Civil War St. Louis grew to become America's 4th largest city, by the 1980s it was the 27th! Jonathan Franzen's monster of a debut takes the appointment of one-time Bombay police chief, the American born S Jammu, as Chief of Police of the St. Louis County as the opening bow of a extremely detailed, darkly satirical and very well written county and city wide conspiracy that has huge ramifications for many of those involved especially the main protagonist, a mostly apolitical property magnate. Frantzen's use of a real American city but completely fictional characters and events is pretty daring and he pulls it off with aplomb. [image] The downside for me was that although a compelling narrative, it just didn't seem to mean anything or should I say, say anything? Critically it was seen as a fine literary work where Franzen creates a whirlwind political and wider conspiracy to ruin and debase the American Dream with darkly comedic satire; but their lies my problem with it, what American Dream, the city had been spiralling downward for decades! I'd just call it a very well written and conceived thriller, with a whole lot of scrumptious and innovative detail and characters, with a plot that just won't quit! Despite its length (small type, 500+ pages) it's absolutely worth a read, being such a well thought out and daring (to a degree) debut. 7 out of 12. [image] 2022 read...more
In 1893 London, Cora Seaborne is freed of her abusive husband on his death and forthrightly decides to un-hinder herself from compliance to gender norIn 1893 London, Cora Seaborne is freed of her abusive husband on his death and forthrightly decides to un-hinder herself from compliance to gender norms and other people in general; seeing herself as an amateur botanist/archaeologist she descends on Essex with her companion Martha and her likely high functioning autistic son. It's in Essex that Cora finds herself, her acquaintances and the entire village she settles in. caught up in rumours and stories of a monstrous Essex serpent! [image] This pretty well written literary work already felt like a great read to me, even before I realised that the overriding theme could be about the nature of real love and what we would do in the name of it; as in, so much love is one-sided and/or can't be reciprocated, but that might not necessarily be a bad thing! Within this Victorian setting, Perry beautifully portrays this with heart and passion, (view spoiler)[essentially putting forth that if you truly love someone you don't actually have to have them! (hide spoiler)] I should also mention that there is quite divine detail of Victorian (Essex) village life; and there's a magnificent multidimensional and multi-faceted cast, that came a live in these pages for me. One of those books I feel that we should all read. 8 out of 12. Also... TV adaptation coming soon: [image] 2022 read...more
Jack is the first person narrator of this tale, he's an unreliable narrator because he is an alcoholic and a journalist, both being mixers of the trutJack is the first person narrator of this tale, he's an unreliable narrator because he is an alcoholic and a journalist, both being mixers of the truth. Jack is also an unreliable narrator because he hasn't got a clue what is going on, and keeps on seeing a plume of smoke everywhere. [image] This is a clever and intriguing story set in 21st century London, with Jack having to complete two very important interviews, whilst trying to keep his alcoholism under wraps until.. well ...until he can't any longer. His interviews and professional relationships overlap as he starts becoming suspicious that there's more going on than meets the eye, in the world of literary writers, tech millionaires and the media's pen pushers... as he also tries to keep his job and maintain his addiction! [image] As someone who has recently passed the 150 days sober point after a heavy drinking decade, I had to applaud this take on alcoholism and how your entire day is fitted around it; I was never as deep in it as the main protagonist, but absolutely recognise the behaviours. This is such a thought provoking modern London (/urban) read, playing with and critiquing truth and fiction, the literati and the media; the tech moguls and their connections to the ruling status quo and more. An absorbing, accessible and important read on many levels. 8 out of 12. [image]...more
Elizabeth Costello, an Australian born writer, who found global renown for one of her earlier works is the story narrator, as we follow her around theElizabeth Costello, an Australian born writer, who found global renown for one of her earlier works is the story narrator, as we follow her around the world giving lectures, accepting prizes, and more. Coetzee uses Costello's framing story to share eight philosophical or metaphysical essays covering issues such as animal rights, the problems with writing about evil, and the globalisation of Western storytelling. Although well crafted and very accessible, the overall feel and aim is a bit more complex and asks the reader, me, to think. [image] It should be noted that some of the essays had been previously shared by Coetzee, as authored by himself. To a degree the overall book is a critique of the literary fame circuit; as well as encompassing the idea that a writer should not / cannot be defined by a single work; and that imagination is exactly that, and a writer, in this case a successful writer, should only be limited by their imagination, and not be anything else including social norms / constraint. This was my first Coetzee, and probably not the best starting point, but even so this book has made enough impact, especially the writing and characterisation (which technically is only there as an envelope for the essays!), that I will surely read much more of his work! 6 out of 12. [image]...more
This modern classic book overshadowed by the modern classic Jack Nicholson movie of the same name, still packs a punch at face value... the story of aThis modern classic book overshadowed by the modern classic Jack Nicholson movie of the same name, still packs a punch at face value... the story of a cocksure womanising drifter who feigns insanity to avoid imprisonment and finds himself compelled to fight against the regime of a mental hospital ward run by the 'dark' Nurse Ratched; he also strives for his fellow inmates to get more out of their lives. [image] So lovable anti-hero versus evil domineering nurse, who is allowed to abuse her power because of the way the state is complicit in its desertion of the mentally unwell - BUT WAIT A MINUTE - lead character McMurphy was convicted of statutory rape and justly sentenced, then FAKED insanity and got himself committed. Apparently despite women and Black people by far the worse abused by American mental health institutions over many decades - we have to side with and feel for all these poor White men, including the doctor on the ward at the mercy of this 'evil women' and her Black henchmen. What!!!!!! Even worse the White men are given somewhat fleshed out characterisations (including the doctor), while Nurse Ratched, her Black staff and all the supporting female cast are one-dimensional cut-outs. Big hoo hah, that the narrator is Native-American... I mean for Heavens sake they called him 'Chief'! [image] Oh but it was the sign of the times? STOP! A few other books written in 1962 - Travels with Charley: In Search of America, Another Country, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, The Death of Artemio Cruz, Island, Something Wicked This Way Comes etc. I give a 6 out of 12 for this debut novel, a study of the boundaries and similarities between insanity and sanity! A bit weird having a female nurse and Black Men as the bad guys, when this was written in 1960's America, where both had limited power! [image]...more
A modernist tour de force from the heart and mind of the insurmountable Virginia Woolf. Clarissa Dalloway, 52, a socialite, married well, and with theA modernist tour de force from the heart and mind of the insurmountable Virginia Woolf. Clarissa Dalloway, 52, a socialite, married well, and with the ear of the highly privileged, is preparing for her party in the evening. Septimus Warren Smith, shell shocked Great War veteran is on the brink of insanity. This is the story of a day in their lives. [image] Woolf takes you from character to character's point of view, with mostly streams of their thoughts, switching points of view when they cross paths, or are even just mentioned in passing. What starts of as confusing, steadily becomes a real nice flow; like you're watching a film where the camera's eye flicks from person to person as it changes focus... and this was written in the 1920s! [image] You read this book and you can see that their lives barely cross, and don't really get why these two people's stories are in the same book. Woolf uses this device to contrasts their class, their gender, their world views, the people around them, and even how the same individual treats them differently. Woolf implies that these differences can be bridged, but are yet to be. [image] Woolf also uses her own experiences with mental health decay and treatment, to illustrate Smith's condition, which must have been hard. She also has none to subtle digs at the way we treated our war veterans, how we treat women in general, attitudes to lesbianism and snobbery. She also deftly sets it all in post Great War London where the seeds of he end of Empire are growing, where the first Labour Government has been elected, and where most essentially of all the privileged have began to have real concerns of the impact of social equality on their own lives. All this is just under 200 pages! 8.5 out of 12. A book that goes straight on to my shelf, as one that I know I will love even more on rereading. [image] 2020 read...more
Did Not Finish. I got up to page 67, of this 600+ page book and thought, I can't take no more of this. Impenetrable and kind of pointless. I'm sure thDid Not Finish. I got up to page 67, of this 600+ page book and thought, I can't take no more of this. Impenetrable and kind of pointless. I'm sure there's probably more to it, and it might have something to do with me reading the last 26 pages during a 34 degree London heatwave, but I'm done with this! [image]...more
A superb book looking at the lies, cover-ups, stories and tragedies besetting a one-time rich family in Canada as their worth, status and influence diA superb book looking at the lies, cover-ups, stories and tragedies besetting a one-time rich family in Canada as their worth, status and influence diminishes over the years, as so do their numbers! Stories within stories within stories. Atwood captures each passing decade perfectly right down to the colloquialisms. Very nice work. 8 out of 12. [image] 2016 read...more
A well written, and clever novel centred around the life of a Mexican auctioneer and his teeth! Originally written in Spanish. An innovative piece of A well written, and clever novel centred around the life of a Mexican auctioneer and his teeth! Originally written in Spanish. An innovative piece of collaboration with real input from a Mexican factory workers' reading club, and the translator, gives this work its remarkable feel of authenticity! A 7 out of 12, Three Star jam. :) [image] 2016 read...more
Winner of 2012 Campiello Prize. An exquisite, and quirky little book essentially about fathers and sons, but also about a doctor with a strange job, hWinner of 2012 Campiello Prize. An exquisite, and quirky little book essentially about fathers and sons, but also about a doctor with a strange job, his family, an ageing lonely gay man, a man-child and his mother, a condominium, a priest and a witch, and the loving of elephants and dolphins! Some great prose is used to capture the tone and style of this story. Translated from Italian. 7 out of 12....more
World class interpretation of young romance from college through to post grad life, by a world class writer. Even a very overused theme like this, is World class interpretation of young romance from college through to post grad life, by a world class writer. Even a very overused theme like this, is given new life by Eugenides, as he weaves mental health, WASP families, jocks vs nerds, unrequited love, platonic friendships, searching for religion into this very well crafted drama. 8 out of 12. [image]...more
Sparse in style, yet deeply textured tale of an Indian family emigrating to the United States in the 1970s detailing their trials, joys and tribulatioSparse in style, yet deeply textured tale of an Indian family emigrating to the United States in the 1970s detailing their trials, joys and tribulations. At times sad, other times darkly comedic and overall all about family, good read! 7 out of 12....more
Subtitled 'When You Walk On Death Row, You Look For The Light' this is a truly enchanting magical realist read. A despicable mute killer, a lady who cSubtitled 'When You Walk On Death Row, You Look For The Light' this is a truly enchanting magical realist read. A despicable mute killer, a lady who campaigns for convicts, a failed priest, a governor with a wife dying of cancer, the white haired boy doing a two year stretch, the corrupt guard and the death row inmate that wants to die - their lives overlap in a maximum security, but decrepit prison. Great work, great read! 8 out of 12 [image]...more
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