The boy in the striped pyjamas - John Boyne

What can I say about this book?  It's short, simply written (the narrator is a nine year old boy), and it totally brew me away.  I'd got to within 20 pages of the end, and even though it was very late and I'd worked out where the story was going, I couldn't put it down.

One of the things I loved most was the way it was written, the voice of Bruno.  Such as the description of his Dad's office, which was 'Out Of Bounds At All Times With No Exceptions' and of his sister, who although older than him was a 'Hopeless Case'.

Set in Germany and then Poland during the second world war the story is of Bruno's family move to a new house, and his friendship with a boy who wears striped pyjamas, even in the day.

I'm not going to tell you anymore, you'll have to read it.  There is a film adaptation, which I believe is very good - it's certainly on my list of films to see, I just hope they've done it justice.

Many of my friends have said that it made them cry, but strangely enough I didn't find it sad in that way.

Bought at the HARC bookstall in Nether Edge Market.

27th - 29th September 2010

The Moneyless Man - Mark Boyle

When I told a friend that I was reading a book about a man who lived for a year without money her reaction was a common one,

'oh, so he's freeloading off others then'

But he didn't, and as far as I know still doesn't.

I can't say I agree with all Mark Boyle's ideas about society and money, but a lot of what he writes certainly struck a cord with me.  He fully admits that moneyless living wouldn't work if everyone tried it, and that he has to be realistic and deal with the world he lives in now and not some idealised world where everything is freely given.

Nor does he survive much on bartering which he sees as close to being a form of money.

So he was given a caravan to live in on a piece of land given by a local organic farm where he volunteers.  He grows his own food, forages or bin raids, gets what little power he needs for charging his mobile phone (in coming calls only) and laptop (for publicising the project on a blog and running a freeconomy website) from solar panels, uses a wood burner made from old oil tins for cooking (or eats raw food - he's vegan), showers with water from the river, and cycles or hitches everywhere.

The only things he does barter for are food items that can't be grown or found - but that's rare.

The year obviously isn't easy, but it is interesting to read about, to understand his ideas and motives, and to see how he managed.

I finished the book determined to try to use less and recycle more (although I'm sure I do pretty well already).

The book style is very blog like, even though its not set out as such.  Informal and engaging to read but manages to inform at the same time.

At the end he pledges to continue, with all proceeds from the book going into a trust in order to purchase a piece of land to establish a freeconomy community.

I have my doubts it will work, we live in a world so ruled by money, rules and regulations, and I'm afraid I have a rather jaundiced view of the human race (we are probably beyond saving).

The book ends with a list of relevant web addresses, and I've already signed up on facebook to follow his journey onwards, and I really want to go on a foraging course.

Bought with leaving present Amazon gift voucher from Age Concern Stockport.

- 27th September 2010  

Her Fearful Summetry - Audrey Niffenegger

When Elspeth Dies she leaves the very nice flat over looking Highgate Cemetery to her twin nieces who she has never met.  But only on the understanding that their mother and father never visit the flat, and the twins must live in it for at least a year before they can sell it.

But when the twins arrive they find themselves having to deal with those left behind by their aunt, and it seems that their aunt might not have totally left the premises.

This ghost story was really enjoyable, the characters were interesting, even if many of them lacked the depth I'd have liked.

I have to say that it was refreshing to read a book which I knew little about (I didn't take any notice of the surrounding hype when it was released), and which I found unpredictable.

For some reason I'm finding this review hard to write, perhaps that's because this book was enjoyable, but I can't put my finger on why!

Lent to me by Liz
3rd - 15th Sept 2010

The Secret River - Kate Grenville

It's the early 19th century, and even a minor crime can see you sent to the gallows, or if you are lucky transported around the world to Australia - often as good as being dead.

Will and Sal Thornhill find themselves far from London struggling to come to terms with the strangeness of the land and the difficulties of dealing with their change in circumstances.

My neighbour mentioned in passing that he was reading this book, and when I next looked on my book shelves I found I already owned a copy; on Ian's recommendation I gave it a try, and I'm glad I did.

The descriptions of working on the Thames are fascinating, but the strangeness that Will and Sal encounter in Sydney is so well described.  Striking out on their own piece of land around the coast, the Thornhills must come to terms with the fact that they are surrounded by convicts (who have done much worse than Will ever did) and the 'blacks' (- remember when this is set).

I like the even-handedness of the book - neither the settlers or the aborigines are made out as the villains, both are as guilty or innocent as each other.  I found myself with a sympathies for both, both were victims of a situation not of their making.

I knew this would be a sad read, and to be honest knowing a little history of the way European's marched around the world taking whatever they pleased, I knew that there would be trouble - although this is obviously a novel, I'm sure that the story was played out many times across many continents, and it makes me ashamed of what our ancestors did (even if they perhaps didn't understand their actions).

Not a taxing read, but very 'enjoyable', well written and with engaging characters.  I'd like to say that it would make an interesting film, but to be honest I'd say the story lacks enough substance for that - but still a good read and one that I would recommend.  I might even go and have a look at the author's other books.

Picked up in ACS Pop In
21st August - 4th September 2010