This is a wonderful book; full of pathos, plot and pace.
Joel sets out to see if his father is still alive in Brazil where he grew up. The story moves back and forth between Rio and Brighton and moves back in time to the '60's and '70's.
It is beautifully layered with themes of loss, identity and the past. It grips the reader and you are guided ever forward on Joel's journey.
Brazil acts as a metaphor for Joel's life and all our lives; full of contrasts, excitement, disappointment, death and celebration; the agony and ecstasy.
It is has captivating and fully formed characters and the writing is both accessible and accomplished.
Will certainly read more novels when they come out. Loved it.
Joel sets out to see if his father is still alive in Brazil where he grew up. The story moves back and forth between Rio and Brighton and moves back in time to the '60's and '70's.
It is beautifully layered with themes of loss, identity and the past. It grips the reader and you are guided ever forward on Joel's journey.
Brazil acts as a metaphor for Joel's life and all our lives; full of contrasts, excitement, disappointment, death and celebration; the agony and ecstasy.
It is has captivating and fully formed characters and the writing is both accessible and accomplished.
Will certainly read more novels when they come out. Loved it.
New Tales of the City books have a lot to live up to. If I was pushed this book is not as good as the original series but its still wonderful, like slipping into old slippers.
The characters are clear, loveable and human and I devoured the book in a couple of days wallowing in the familiarity and enjoying the updates to the characters lives.
The characters are clear, loveable and human and I devoured the book in a couple of days wallowing in the familiarity and enjoying the updates to the characters lives.
There are some sentences in this book that are truly stunning; description and metaphors that are completely original and heart stopping.
I loved the book, you know that there is going to be melancholy in his books which there certainly is, but there is also a beauty and humanity that is apparent from the start.
Yes, there is a twist that is perhaps not wholly realised, the same with Secret Scripture but with writing like this Sebastian Barry is putting other authors in the shade.
I loved the book, you know that there is going to be melancholy in his books which there certainly is, but there is also a beauty and humanity that is apparent from the start.
Yes, there is a twist that is perhaps not wholly realised, the same with Secret Scripture but with writing like this Sebastian Barry is putting other authors in the shade.
I love Little Children and Abstinence Teacher but I am afraid this is not a great book. I found it difficult suspend disbelief and ultimately I didnt like the main character. The other characters are not drawn out enough to make them clear and relatable and I kept getting confused about who was who. Like other people have said I loved it at the start but it went down hill. Shame, but I still like his other books.
Thoughtful, sexy, hedonistic, life challenging and full of the slacker style that is very Geoff Dyer. I liked it.
Haunting, full of unforseen twists and turns Borough comes alive in the 19th century and the lives of villians is seen as complex and human.
Waters 'The night watch' is still her best novel but I loved this
Waters 'The night watch' is still her best novel but I loved this
Stunning read. My first try at Sarah Waters and I wasnt disappointed. Clever structure and plot but very accessible, moving thought provoking and full of humanity. I loved it.
Its VERY Nick Hornby or is Tom Perotta like him? Not sure either way its very similar. A story of growing up in your '30s and making sacrifices, music and mates. This isnt high fiction but thats OK its confessional, easy reading and it guides you through with humour and pathos despite Dave not necessarily being the nice guy.
I dont think this is a patch on some of his other books Little Children and The Abstinence Teacher are far better but it would make good holiday reading, undemanding but with a plot that moves you forward.
I dont think this is a patch on some of his other books Little Children and The Abstinence Teacher are far better but it would make good holiday reading, undemanding but with a plot that moves you forward.
Beautiful, moving, fantastic at the layering of history and the struggles of relationships. I loved 'If no one speaks of remarkable things' but this is in another league.
Breath by Tim Winton
An extraordinary read, the pace of the book is like the waves it describes; huge moments of power and excitement followed by calm and the come down.
Its full of energy, imerses the reader in the water and into the world of Pikelet the teenage boy.
Full of rich description of the sea and characters that are fully formed and fully flawed.
My first Tim Winton book and I am amazed by the writing.
Its full of energy, imerses the reader in the water and into the world of Pikelet the teenage boy.
Full of rich description of the sea and characters that are fully formed and fully flawed.
My first Tim Winton book and I am amazed by the writing.
Engaging, real, relatable characters, beautifully written I love it.
An extraordinary read. Cunningham takes a reader, a writer and a character and weaves the plot of Mrs Dalloway through them all.
The writing is delicate, beautifully poised, thoughtful and rich. It feels like three spiders all approaching the centre of a web from different directions.
I am a huge fan of 'A home at the end of the world' and was not let down by this. Strangley I had seen the film and usually this spoils the book but not in this case which I think is a testament to the film but more importantly to the strength of the writing here.
The more I think about the book, the more connections, links and themes emerge. Amazing.
The writing is delicate, beautifully poised, thoughtful and rich. It feels like three spiders all approaching the centre of a web from different directions.
I am a huge fan of 'A home at the end of the world' and was not let down by this. Strangley I had seen the film and usually this spoils the book but not in this case which I think is a testament to the film but more importantly to the strength of the writing here.
The more I think about the book, the more connections, links and themes emerge. Amazing.
Moving, evocative and rewarding. A great read, beautifully crafted reminisence of a older woman looking back at her life complete with her loves and struggles. One of Coe's best.
This book is superb. Loosely based on Laura Bush's life Alice the narrator takes the reader through her life from childhood to first lady.
I found the writing compelling, moving and absorbing.
Loved it and would happily read all over again.
I found the writing compelling, moving and absorbing.
Loved it and would happily read all over again.
Undoubtedly, this is David Nicholls's best book to date. I got completelty lost in the plot and the characters. It is frighteningly honest about life's twists and turns, hopes, joy and disapointments.
The two characters are real, realtable and you route for them no matter if you don't always like what they do.
There is a definite melancholy that surrounds the book but at the same time it's funny, refreshing and I just adored it.
The two characters are real, realtable and you route for them no matter if you don't always like what they do.
There is a definite melancholy that surrounds the book but at the same time it's funny, refreshing and I just adored it.
I think this new book by Elinor Lipman is well below her best. Her best book is 'The Inn at Lake Devine' and unfortunately this does not get anywhere near. It feels a bit like she has compromised her social commentary for 'chick litness' and I am afraid the book suffers for this.
Henry the gay male character just doesn't really work, he isn't clear or sympathetic enough to relate to (and I'm a gay man) and I think this along with the weak plot are the main problems. Now, there are some great characters Todd, (Henry's boyfriend) and his mother are well written and Thalia his daughter, work well.
The plot centres around his reunion with Thalia after a divorce from Thalia's mother Denise twenty years later and her involvement with a famous actor and her striving to be an actress. The story just isn't strong enough, it lacks tension, and all the time I was thinking, 'but I'm not sure I really care about this'.
Shame as I love Lipman's earlier books, these are the ones to start with folks and lets hope she manages to get her edge back into her work.
Henry the gay male character just doesn't really work, he isn't clear or sympathetic enough to relate to (and I'm a gay man) and I think this along with the weak plot are the main problems. Now, there are some great characters Todd, (Henry's boyfriend) and his mother are well written and Thalia his daughter, work well.
The plot centres around his reunion with Thalia after a divorce from Thalia's mother Denise twenty years later and her involvement with a famous actor and her striving to be an actress. The story just isn't strong enough, it lacks tension, and all the time I was thinking, 'but I'm not sure I really care about this'.
Shame as I love Lipman's earlier books, these are the ones to start with folks and lets hope she manages to get her edge back into her work.
I thought this book would be more about bookshops than publishing but I think it has a general mix of both. It is a mixture of history, memoir and commentary about the book selling business.
Great to read a book with someone with so much passion for books but I think overall I wanted more memoir and story and much less history and commentary,
His memories of working in book stores and in publishing are very interesting and I think (perhaps oddly) what I want from my non-ficton is a taste of a story which I think some of the best non-fiction does have-like Bobbie Ann Mason's superb 'Clear Springs'.
Great to read a book with someone with so much passion for books but I think overall I wanted more memoir and story and much less history and commentary,
His memories of working in book stores and in publishing are very interesting and I think (perhaps oddly) what I want from my non-ficton is a taste of a story which I think some of the best non-fiction does have-like Bobbie Ann Mason's superb 'Clear Springs'.
Now this is an amazing book. Superbly crafted, achingly poignant, beautiful and ozzing with sophisticated simplicity.
Ishiguro guides you into this world with Kathy the narrator who reminisces about her time at Hailsham, her school, her friendships with Tommy and Ruth and the hauntingly realisation of her purpose in the world.
The book is divided into thirds. Her time at Hailsham, the immediate years after they leave and then probably 12 years after that.
It's a version of contemporary England but this isn't science fiction, it feels deeply real and engaging with the themes of loss of innocence and the fragility of life.
I couldn't put it down, mourned when I finished it and will be recommending it to lots of people.
Read it and love it.
Ishiguro guides you into this world with Kathy the narrator who reminisces about her time at Hailsham, her school, her friendships with Tommy and Ruth and the hauntingly realisation of her purpose in the world.
The book is divided into thirds. Her time at Hailsham, the immediate years after they leave and then probably 12 years after that.
It's a version of contemporary England but this isn't science fiction, it feels deeply real and engaging with the themes of loss of innocence and the fragility of life.
I couldn't put it down, mourned when I finished it and will be recommending it to lots of people.
Read it and love it.
I'm just not too sure about this latest book by Lodge. I love his earlier novels, the campus novels, Thinks and Paradise news.
I dont think I liked Desmond the narrator at least until the end of the book nor really any of the other characters who all seem to different degrees-selfish.
He writes a journal of his deafness, his retirement, his family, the realtionship with his second wife, his father and problematic encounters with a post-grad student.
Only towards the end did I feel that Desmond came alive, and I was able to invest emotionally in this man, but then maybe that the point. If it is the problem is that as a reader I dont care enough at the start.
All in all a bit disapoiniting but Lodge is still a master of contemporary fiction.
I dont think I liked Desmond the narrator at least until the end of the book nor really any of the other characters who all seem to different degrees-selfish.
He writes a journal of his deafness, his retirement, his family, the realtionship with his second wife, his father and problematic encounters with a post-grad student.
Only towards the end did I feel that Desmond came alive, and I was able to invest emotionally in this man, but then maybe that the point. If it is the problem is that as a reader I dont care enough at the start.
All in all a bit disapoiniting but Lodge is still a master of contemporary fiction.
Edward, the central character is all about his friends.
The book is great at knowing the importance of friendships and the closeness that can come when your 17, a shared insecurity, fear and excitement of the future when life is all ahead.
Now, the books has faults, the last few pages are a bit silly and the book is not entirely realistic bit this didn't really bother me. Overall what I loved is that its very very funny. I made me laugh out loud and that is pretty rare I think in a book.
The secondary characters are fantastic, in particular Paula, Natie and Ziba mixing sophistication and innocence-great fun.
The book is great at knowing the importance of friendships and the closeness that can come when your 17, a shared insecurity, fear and excitement of the future when life is all ahead.
Now, the books has faults, the last few pages are a bit silly and the book is not entirely realistic bit this didn't really bother me. Overall what I loved is that its very very funny. I made me laugh out loud and that is pretty rare I think in a book.
The secondary characters are fantastic, in particular Paula, Natie and Ziba mixing sophistication and innocence-great fun.
Now, I am a huge Anne Tyler fan. She is without a shadow of a doubt my favourite author so I was overjoyed at her writing another book. Shes one of a very few authors that i buy in hardback....
I read it quite quickly but I'm just not sure that I engaged with it, which is not an experience I have really had with her books, apart from 'Dinner at the homesick restaurant' that I couldn't get into at all for some reason.
Liam is made redundant from his job as a teacher and moves into a new apartment. The first night he is there he is attacked by an intruder and wakes up in hospital. The rest of the book examines memory, loss, growing older and broken families.
Very little happens but I dont think that's the problem as that can be a common theme in Tyler's work. Part of it might be that the secondary characters are not very well drawn, or at least I didn't really like any of them. Perhaps Liam himself is not strong enough as a character.
I can't quite believe I am going to say I was disappointed but (hidding behind my hand) I think I was...
If you're new to Anne Tyler dont start here, many many other wonderful books to choose from.
I read it quite quickly but I'm just not sure that I engaged with it, which is not an experience I have really had with her books, apart from 'Dinner at the homesick restaurant' that I couldn't get into at all for some reason.
Liam is made redundant from his job as a teacher and moves into a new apartment. The first night he is there he is attacked by an intruder and wakes up in hospital. The rest of the book examines memory, loss, growing older and broken families.
Very little happens but I dont think that's the problem as that can be a common theme in Tyler's work. Part of it might be that the secondary characters are not very well drawn, or at least I didn't really like any of them. Perhaps Liam himself is not strong enough as a character.
I can't quite believe I am going to say I was disappointed but (hidding behind my hand) I think I was...
If you're new to Anne Tyler dont start here, many many other wonderful books to choose from.
A post 9/11 novel about sex and real estate. The usual mix of McCauley humour pathos and human frustrations.
William, an estate agent and single gay man is struggling to stop having anonymous sex. He meets a couple who make him reflect on his own situations and the realtionships in his life.
A funny and interesting book where nothing much happens yet you travel with William on his thoughts and frailities.
I enjoyed it as with other of his books, you can bank on a main character that it relatable and realisitic and some wonderful secondary characters.
William, an estate agent and single gay man is struggling to stop having anonymous sex. He meets a couple who make him reflect on his own situations and the realtionships in his life.
A funny and interesting book where nothing much happens yet you travel with William on his thoughts and frailities.
I enjoyed it as with other of his books, you can bank on a main character that it relatable and realisitic and some wonderful secondary characters.
Another read for my book group and a good one. I wasn't keen on reading Notes on a Scandal, but i may now having read this. Strange that although the main characters are not on the surface very likeable, I came to like them a lot. Audrey the mother may be the exception but if you liked all the characters in novels it would start to get pretty dull. I think the skill here is presenting some unlikeable characters that you genuinely care about and care what happens to them even though you may not like what they do-good lessons for us all! I especially liked the children who were flawed and fabulous at the same time.
Some interesting questions arise here about belief, religion and politics-some useful insights about the radicalisation of some beliefs that can start to be as extreme as the religions they may criticize. It made me think about my left leaning views, I dont think it meant to or did change my views but a useful mirror.
Totally agrree about some of the awful covers for this book, way too chick lit and it really isnt.
Some interesting questions arise here about belief, religion and politics-some useful insights about the radicalisation of some beliefs that can start to be as extreme as the religions they may criticize. It made me think about my left leaning views, I dont think it meant to or did change my views but a useful mirror.
Totally agrree about some of the awful covers for this book, way too chick lit and it really isnt.
I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Pewsey's Mountjoy novels; these books are up there for me in terms of enjoyment with Anne Tyler. I love them and it's shameful they aren't in print any more!
Finding Philippe is not part of the series; with Loosing Larry they are the books she wrote after the Mountjoy Series.
I really wished I had loved this book but sadly I was quite disappoionted. I don't think the characters were described well enough, the plot got very confusing, at least for me and I found that although I liked the characters I wasn't really rooting for them. I didn't care enough. At times the writing seems to skip too quickly and it made it a bit disjointed.
Vicky heads to France to discover what happened to her French wartime lover Philippe and to escape from her overbearing father and a family she doesn't get on with. Julius, a reluctant lawyer is sent by Vicky's father to find her and together they try and unravel the mystery of Philippe's disappearance. Julius, a lawyer also escaping from bleak England in the late 1940's becomes embroiled in the story.
Now, there are still some nice passages, but it is a bit predicatble in parts and confusing in others parts.
I really wish Elizabeth Pewsey would write more as I am in general a very big fan.
Finding Philippe is not part of the series; with Loosing Larry they are the books she wrote after the Mountjoy Series.
I really wished I had loved this book but sadly I was quite disappoionted. I don't think the characters were described well enough, the plot got very confusing, at least for me and I found that although I liked the characters I wasn't really rooting for them. I didn't care enough. At times the writing seems to skip too quickly and it made it a bit disjointed.
Vicky heads to France to discover what happened to her French wartime lover Philippe and to escape from her overbearing father and a family she doesn't get on with. Julius, a reluctant lawyer is sent by Vicky's father to find her and together they try and unravel the mystery of Philippe's disappearance. Julius, a lawyer also escaping from bleak England in the late 1940's becomes embroiled in the story.
Now, there are still some nice passages, but it is a bit predicatble in parts and confusing in others parts.
I really wish Elizabeth Pewsey would write more as I am in general a very big fan.
Now, I think this is a book for fans of Mayes work, you may be a bit frustrated otherwise. Its definately more autobiography than travelogue despite the amount of travelling she does. You read the books to get to know her and her friends the travelling is an additional bonus-see it as an extension of the other books not a serious travel book.
No, it's not in the whole world but a quick look at the inside of the map will tell you that it covers Spain, Portugal, Italy (where she partly lives), Morocco, England, Scotland, France,Greece and Turkey. She travels with her husband Ed and sometimes with friends.
I liked the book, a great bit of escapsim and some good insights into some amazing places. She does travel in style, in expensive hotels and rented houses but that's really part of the fantasy. It isn't reality for most people but it is for her and I liked the leap into that world, a bit of dreaming for relaxation never hurt.
The book falls down with its description of museums which was quite difficult to wade through, I am a huge museum goer but somehow this just didn't work-too hard to imagine the places I think. However I liked the references to other writers which help attach her to a place, in particular Lorca in Spain.
Basically if you liked Mayes previous books and the dip into her world I think you will like this othersise you may want to consider other travelogue books.
No, it's not in the whole world but a quick look at the inside of the map will tell you that it covers Spain, Portugal, Italy (where she partly lives), Morocco, England, Scotland, France,Greece and Turkey. She travels with her husband Ed and sometimes with friends.
I liked the book, a great bit of escapsim and some good insights into some amazing places. She does travel in style, in expensive hotels and rented houses but that's really part of the fantasy. It isn't reality for most people but it is for her and I liked the leap into that world, a bit of dreaming for relaxation never hurt.
The book falls down with its description of museums which was quite difficult to wade through, I am a huge museum goer but somehow this just didn't work-too hard to imagine the places I think. However I liked the references to other writers which help attach her to a place, in particular Lorca in Spain.
Basically if you liked Mayes previous books and the dip into her world I think you will like this othersise you may want to consider other travelogue books.
A victorian pastiche, O'Connor writes as an American journalist writing his memories of a journey to America from Ireland in the 1840's on board the ship 'Star if the Sea'. Through flashbacks we see the lives of a Lord and his family, a housemaid, Grantley the journalist and Mulvey the murderer. However, it is the captain who writes his journal that we get closest too and is the most sympathetic character.
I liked the book, its not the kind of book I would normally read at all and it felt a bit over researched, as if O'Connor was trying to demonstrate how much he knew and this put me off a bit as well as the references to Dickens which just felt a bit silly.
There are some great ideas, turns of phrases and some well crafted description but I think the problem is that despite it being billed as a thriller the murder is secondary and its the female characters that you wont to get to know more but who we see the least of especially Laura and Mary the maid. It is no doubt a comment of womens place in society but all the men, apart from the Captain maybe are flawed and despite being interesting they are hard to connect to.
I dont regret reading it but I'm not sure I would read another of O'Connors books.
I liked the book, its not the kind of book I would normally read at all and it felt a bit over researched, as if O'Connor was trying to demonstrate how much he knew and this put me off a bit as well as the references to Dickens which just felt a bit silly.
There are some great ideas, turns of phrases and some well crafted description but I think the problem is that despite it being billed as a thriller the murder is secondary and its the female characters that you wont to get to know more but who we see the least of especially Laura and Mary the maid. It is no doubt a comment of womens place in society but all the men, apart from the Captain maybe are flawed and despite being interesting they are hard to connect to.
I dont regret reading it but I'm not sure I would read another of O'Connors books.
The story follows Jane and Desomond. Jane is a middle aged mother stuck in a steady, maybe dull marriage that contrasts with her passionate first marriage. She is the producer of a late night programme at risk of being axed.
Desmond, a writer moves to Boston for a few months to lecture in non-fiction writing at a college away from his relationship with his partner Russell in New York; again he is unsure about the relationship and feels that a break might be a good thing.
The two meet to try and make a programme about a singer-Pauline Anderton and it follows their struggles with the programme and each of their relationships.
A good read and in a smiliar vain to his earlier books and the same themes occur, infedeility, monogamy, career woes, sexuality and manners. It's funny and sad and I think the most hopeful than the other books which was a nice change. However, I think the ending lacked credibility and a bit 'stuck on' to finish the book.
I did enjoy it and you always feel in safe hands with Stephen McCauley, you know the writitng will be good, you know there will be some laughs, some great characters, the ability to chime in with the main characters feelings and you know ultimately you won't be dissapointed that you read it.
Desmond, a writer moves to Boston for a few months to lecture in non-fiction writing at a college away from his relationship with his partner Russell in New York; again he is unsure about the relationship and feels that a break might be a good thing.
The two meet to try and make a programme about a singer-Pauline Anderton and it follows their struggles with the programme and each of their relationships.
A good read and in a smiliar vain to his earlier books and the same themes occur, infedeility, monogamy, career woes, sexuality and manners. It's funny and sad and I think the most hopeful than the other books which was a nice change. However, I think the ending lacked credibility and a bit 'stuck on' to finish the book.
I did enjoy it and you always feel in safe hands with Stephen McCauley, you know the writitng will be good, you know there will be some laughs, some great characters, the ability to chime in with the main characters feelings and you know ultimately you won't be dissapointed that you read it.
This is one of my favourite books. Cassandra lives in poverty in a run down castle with her brother, sister, father and stepmother when an American family from the large house nearby come to stay...
The characters are wonderful, interestingly it is the children that are more together than the adults. Cassandra has such a strong voice as the narrator guiding you through her familiy, their history and the realtionships with the American men that come into their lives. I loved Cassandra's values, love of books, view of life and sense of humour.
It is the feeling of the novel that stays with you, the humour, compassion and struggles. It's never patronising, preachy nor sentimental, just wonderful combinations of plot, character and description. It's one of the few books that I can still recall clearly after having read it years ago. Please read the book first before the film!
I couldn't put it down, felt huge loss when I had finished it and recommended it to countless people who have all loved it too.
Read it, you'll love it.
The characters are wonderful, interestingly it is the children that are more together than the adults. Cassandra has such a strong voice as the narrator guiding you through her familiy, their history and the realtionships with the American men that come into their lives. I loved Cassandra's values, love of books, view of life and sense of humour.
It is the feeling of the novel that stays with you, the humour, compassion and struggles. It's never patronising, preachy nor sentimental, just wonderful combinations of plot, character and description. It's one of the few books that I can still recall clearly after having read it years ago. Please read the book first before the film!
I couldn't put it down, felt huge loss when I had finished it and recommended it to countless people who have all loved it too.
Read it, you'll love it.
The story of Wyn after the break up with her husband. She heads to stay with her friend CM in Seattle and works in a bakers at night.
The good stuff about this story is the baking and food, as a bread maker lover it was great to intertwine the main story with Wyn's trip to France working in a bakers.
Wyn is a rounded character, flawed and funny, fiesty and vulnerable. Some good secondary characters especially those that work with her. I think her mother and Linda are particularly well written.
It is a romance and a bit predicatble I have to say; but as a man I am maybe not the target audience anyway-a bit obvious and I could have done with some more twists in the plot. Without the romance it would have been better, with the romance I think it verged on the wrong side of chick lit for me.
However, it would make a good undemanding holiday read or a break between other books.
I enjoyed it, I don't think it will stay with me, nor remember the name of the main character (my test to see how much the book has impacted on me), but a perfectly fine read and great if you love bread.
The good stuff about this story is the baking and food, as a bread maker lover it was great to intertwine the main story with Wyn's trip to France working in a bakers.
Wyn is a rounded character, flawed and funny, fiesty and vulnerable. Some good secondary characters especially those that work with her. I think her mother and Linda are particularly well written.
It is a romance and a bit predicatble I have to say; but as a man I am maybe not the target audience anyway-a bit obvious and I could have done with some more twists in the plot. Without the romance it would have been better, with the romance I think it verged on the wrong side of chick lit for me.
However, it would make a good undemanding holiday read or a break between other books.
I enjoyed it, I don't think it will stay with me, nor remember the name of the main character (my test to see how much the book has impacted on me), but a perfectly fine read and great if you love bread.