Mr Toppitt - Charles Eldon

I can't say that this is a good book, in fact I'd go so far as to say that it's a let down. The story begins with the writer of the 'Hayseed Chronicles' being hit by a bus in London, and taken to hospital by a passing American tourist. Told from the perspective of the son of the writer, the story centres around the fall out of the author's death, and what happens to the family. But the answer is 'not much', and I was left wanting so much more. I'm sure that it's ripe for being made into a film, in fact that's what it read like in many sections - a film treatment. Shame, it won't be staying on my bookshelves (in fact it's already gone!) Bought on Green Metropolis

Alice's adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

Unusually for me, I've actually read this book before - many years ago.  It's a short but enjoyable read, so I thought I'd sneak it into my reading before going to see the new Tim Burton film.

Despite the fact that this book was written in 1865 it really does stand the test of time - Wonderland is a place for any era.  I don't think I need to recount the story here - if you don't know it, you've been living in a hole for some time!  So many of the motifs and themes from the book have found their way into everyday life - the Cheshire Cat, Curiouser and Curiouser, Drink Me and of course the Red Queen.

I'll just to leave with one of my favourite poem/songs from the book -

Twinkle twinkle, little bat!
How I wonder what you're at!
Up above the world you fly,
Like a tea-tray in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle.....

If you've seen the film now read the book, if you haven't seen the film yet, read the book first (and yes I know that the film is a 'sequel' to the book, but it's always good to go back to the original).

If you are a fan of the tales of Alice I can also highly recommend, 'Automated Alice' by Jeff Noon, or 'The Looking Glass Wars' by Frank Beddor.  One book I'm very keen to get is 'Alice in Sunderland'.

10th - 13th March 2010

Bought secondhand in the National Trust Head Office Building (Heelis), Swindon!

The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman

Nobody lives in the graveyard........except someone does, and his name is Nobody (Bod for short).  

After his parents are murdered, Bod finds himself growing up within the confines of the graveyard, protected by those who come to love him - even if they've been dead for many years.  Bod is raised by the ghosts who enhabit the graveyard, and watched over by a guardian, Silas (neither dead nor alive he is able to leave the graveyard to get food and clothing for young Bod).

The story tells of Bod's childhood, his friends and family within the graveyard, and the slow dawning that there is a world outside the gates that one day he (as living person) will have to re-enter.

I really enjoyed this book, which wasn't much of a surprise as I've enjoyed other Neil Gaiman books (particularly American Gods).  However this was the first of his children's books that I've read.  We gave it to my step-daughter for christmas, and after she'd read it she insisted that we did too!

The story is original and imaginative, and despite the obvious potential for gloom (Bod's parents murdered in the first few pages, and 90% of the story set in a graveyard!), the book is uplifting and fun.

As a quick and enjoyable read I'd certainly recommend it, I have Coraline to read at some point too, but think that will actually be even darker!

March 2010

Lent to me by Caitlin.

Danny the Champion of the World - Roald Dahl

You won't be surprised to hear that this is not the first time I've read this book, I don't know how old I was when I first devoured the Roald Dahl books, but I'd reckon it was when I was about 9 or 10 years old.

I've always enjoyed reading, and therefore it was only natural that I'd read all of his books, Danny was first published in 1975, my copy is a Penguin edition and therefore published in 1977 - so it wasn't long afterwards that I came to it.

The story of a boy and his father, their simple life together in an old gypsy caravan, and their amazing adventure on the wrong side of the law!! Simple days when poaching was fun and everyone from the local doctor to the village bobby was in on the act!

Roald Dahl books are timeless, and although the story is simple - no sub-plots or even much back story - it's compelling and so well written that the book is difficult to put down (and that's when I already knew the story!). Danny and his father come up with a wonderful plan to get their own back on the local nasty landowner - and get some scrummy dinner at the same time!

I'd recommend this book to anyone, of any age. Great for children, but still wonderful for anyone who likes a nice simple engaging story.

The other nice thing is that something that I remember with such fondness from my childhood has completely stood the test of time, it's as good as I remember it being - and how often does that happen?

17th - 21st July 2009

Nation - Terry Pratchett

The kids gave Nation to John for his birthday, it's a children's book - but don't be put off.

As many will know Pratchett is a master of words and storytelling. I've read, and enjoyed, a few of the Discworld novels; but this is not one of those.

Mau lives on an island, the 'Nation', part of the 'Mothering Sunday Islands' in the Great Southern Pelagic Ocean; he's just returned from the Boy's Island - he'd been expecting a welcome on the beach - he is now a Man.

But when he returns he finds everything, and everyone, gone. A HUGE wave has destroyed everything, and brought a large ship, the Sweet Judy with a one survivor.

Now Mau is the only member of the 'Nation', he must defend the island, keep the customs, make the beer and please the gods - even if he isn't sure that he believes in them.

The new inhabitant of the island is a 'trouserman' girl, she has been brought up properly - being that she is 139 in line for the crown of the Empire - but this isn't the empire, and things are done differently in the middle of nowhere (not that her grandmother would ever believe that).

Don't be fooled by the cover text, this is not a funny book (well certainly not like Pratchett's others), but it is a wonderfully crafted story of friendship, tradition, theology and science. I found myself growing to love the idea of the Nation, to care for the strange Mrs Gurgle, for the Pantaloon (or Grandfather) birds who throw up their dinner straight after eating it, and especially for Mau and the trousergirl, Daphne.

My only hope for this book is that they don't ruin it by trying to make it into a film.

29th (ish) March - 13th April 2009