Friday 16 July 2010

Look back in hunger - Jo Brand

The cover of this book has a quote from a newspaper I've always had my doubts about - and that should have been a warning, but I like the author and so bought it anyway.

'Moving and very funny' - The Times

I found myself wondering if the reviewer had read a different book, or if the publishers had cherry picked the words and what the critic had actually said was something along the lines of;

'Give Brand's comic talents this book could have been moving and very funny, but instead it was neither'
Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy reading this, but at the end I was left feeling I wanted to know so much more, in fact I'm left feeling cheated and as if either Brand wrote the book just to make money, or because she was asked - certainly I felt not because she wanted to!

Very little is said about her family, nothing about her husband and/or children, and nothing at all about her friends and/or relationships except those long in the past.  The title seems just to play on the fact that Brand is what is known as a 'big girl' - but no discussion of this either really.

At one point Brand points out that she's actually very shy - and it certainly shows in this book; I feel cheated and left wondering how someone so obviously comically talented can write such a dull book - what a missed opportunity and a shame.

16th July 2010
Bought on Green Metropolis (and left in Cyprus!)

Thursday 15 July 2010

Burning Bright - Tracy Chevalier

It's a long time since I read a whole book in a day, but being on holiday with little else to do I guess I shouldn't be surprised!

As with the last book I read, I'd picked this one up at the resort and having enjoyed her book 'The girl with the pearl earring' thought I'd give this a try and I'm glad I did.

Although a totally fictional story, the way Chevalier writes of the past you know that historically it's accurate - and therefore they are interesting from a historical perspective as well as as a story.

This book is mainly set in Lambert, London in 1792/3.  Telling the story of a family who move from rural Dorset and struggle to fit in with their new surroundings and the differences between town and country and the people who enhabit both.

It tells of the troubles, enemies and friends (including the writer William Blake and his wife), and their involvement with a local circus.

I'm pretty sure that I have some of Chevalier's other novels, and I'm certainly going to read them- I'd forgotten how enjoyable and easy to read her writing style is.

Very quickly I cared about the characters, wanting to know what happens to them - and the description of the other periods in history are fascinating.  Certainly a good holiday read.

'borrowed' from the activity room of the Hylatio Tourist Village, Pissouri, Cyprus.
15th July 2010

The suspicions of Mr Whicher, or the Murder at Road Hill House - Kate Summerscale

As is often the case on holiday, I'd not taken enough books with me, so was looking around for something intelligent to read (eg. not a chick lit or detective pulp novel); when I noticed in the communal area of the resort this book.

I'd picked it up in bookshops in the past and it was on my Green Metropolis wishlist.  But it's certainly not what I'd expected it to be.  I'd thought it was a crime novel set in a country house in the 19th century a bit like Agatha Christie novels - and so it was, but not a novel.

The book is a true account of the murder of Saville Kent, a four year old boy in his family home; Summerscale uses court records, newspaper articles, police statements and other documents to tell the story of first the family, then the murder, the subsequent investigation, and then the after affect of the events on all those involved.

The Mr Whicher of the title was a celebrated detective who worked on the case (and many other famouse ones).

The book is fascinating in it's detail of 1860s life in rural Somerset, in police procedures of the time, and as a window on the lives of the middle classes - in particular the deferance and misguided respect afforded to them by the authorities (police and government).

Contemporary writers and other celebrated case are mentioned throughout - I will certainly be following up some of the leads!

'borrowed' from the activity room at Hylatio Tourist Village, Pissouri, Cyprus.
14-15 July 2010

Tuesday 13 July 2010

The Devil in Amber - Mark Gatiss

It's hard not to like Lucifer Box, Secret Agent.

The second story of his daring-dos is set twenty years after the events of The Vesuvius Club, but lack none of the humour, shocks and scandal.

With devil worship, death and buggery throughout the book is certainly not for the faint hearted. 

Betrayed from within the service, and struggling to keep up with events, Box must stop evil facists from summoning the devil himself; and at the same time deal with his wayward sister.

I enjoyed this easy to read engaging sstory - the main character is so likeable, even if that does seem wrong!

I'm looking forward to the third book and hope that if they ever make a film or television adaptation out of them that they do them justice (and that the author plays Box!).

Bought in a charity shop in Stockport
12-13th July 2010

Sunday 11 July 2010

Don't Panic, Douglas Adams and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Neil Gaiman

The late Douglas Adams (DNA) was a genius - famous for missing deadlines (hence the 'late'), famous for his wonderful Hitchhikers trilogy (not a trilogy), and now famous for having died young and at the height of his talents (also hence the 'late').

I was introduced to his writing by my parents, but not as you'd expect with HHGTG, but with the little black book with 'this book will change your life' on the front cover - The meaning of Lif.  If you haven't read it stop reading this review now and go and find it immediately!

This review isn't of a Douglas Adams book - it's a of a book about him, but not a biography as such.

Neil Gaiman (another genius and fav author of mine), was obviously a friend and admirer of DNA.  This book by Gaiman tells the stories of how DNA came to write; mainly HHGTG, but also his lesser known novels (Dirk Gently), the travel/environmental collaboration with Mark Carwardine, Lif (with John Lloyd) and all the numourous Hitchhikers spin offs (the books, game, tv programme, radio sequels etc).

If you are a DNA fan this is a must read; if you aren't a fan I'd say don't bother - a working knowledge of his writing is essential.  Gaiman tells stories, quotes others involved and also collects together scenes and episodes not published before or cut from the original radio series.

Obviously written before DNAs untimely death, I wonder how Gaiman would finish it now?

Bought on Green Metropolis
7th - 11th July 2010