Lilian's Story - Kate Grenville

I came to this book after reading The Secret River, and I wasn't sure when I first starting reading, or even two thirds of the way through. But it was certainly worth persevering with.

The Lilian of the title comes from a moneyed, but obviously damaged family early in the last century. It tells of her life, the rejection of her role as a debutant, her decision to go to university, and her eventual life on the streets living in a storm drain, reciting Shakespeare to anyone who will listen.

I found myself caring for 'fat Lil', and hoping that she would find the happiness she so longed for.

Although slow to get going, this is a fascinating story told by Lil herself. It made me wonder if it was based on a true character or story?  I'm certainly going to be looking at other Kate Grenville books.

April - May 2011

True Grit - Charles Portis

If you've seen either the recent Coen Brothers film (and you should as it's excellent) or the original John Wayne film you'll know the story.

Fourteen year old Mattie hires a US Marshall, Roster Cogburn, to help her avenge the murder of her father.

In a time (mid 1800s) when women were very much homemakers, its interesting to read the story of how she sets of with Cogburn and a Texas ranger to catch (or kill) her man.

Written as if told by an older Mattie (in the 1920s) the voice is perfect and engaging, and despite knowing the story I was gripped from the beginning.

I read this book in one day (on holiday), it's a short read and the story is simple - the beauty is in the telling and the characters.

As the foreword by Donna Tartt indicates, it's a favourite of many (including Roahl Dahl), and I'd certainly agree.

Bought at Watford Gap Services

7th April 2011

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

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 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

Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen

One of my old work colleagues, a contact on Facebook, wrote a very short review of this book, and I realised that I already owned it!  I also realised that when I'd bought it, it was because I'd read an excellent review in The Guardian – so I thought I'd give it a go.

Jacob is now 90, or possibly 93, and living in a 'old people's home' somewhere in America; he's certainly got all his faculties even if his body is crumbling around him, and he can remember like yesterday his life after jumping aboard a traveling circus during the prohibition period (1920s).

Sara Gruen skillfully mixes the experiences and memories of Jacob, whilst telling the story of his life after both his parents are killed and he is left with no option but to try his luck with the circus.

At points during the book I found myself wondering if it was a true story (it's not, although many elements are taken from real circus history in the United States).  The love story between Jacob and one of the performers is wonderful, and dangerous all at the same time and the uncertainty of the outcome is kept up until very near the end.

As Jim said, this book is the type that you think about afterwards, that you wonder about going back to and reading your favourite sections – I'm looking forward to seeing what Gruen writes next (I know she's written some other books, but none like this I don't think).

I should just mentioned that if you are thinking of reading this you do so soon, as it is currently being made into a film (when I say 'currently', I do actually mean that filming has started).  It will be massive, as it stars one of the main actors from the Twilight series, but despite that I think they'll probably do a good job (not that I think that Robert Pattinson is a bad actor, just that I think that he will overshadow the film) – the book certainly lends itself to the visual.

June 2010
Bought on Green Metropolis.

The Book Thief - Mark Zuzack

I've learnt some wonderful German words - none of which I'll repeat here! I had tried a couple of times to read The Book Thief by Mark Zuzack, but just hadn't got on with it.

Loving books about books I was drawn to this one, but the subject seemed a little depressing.

The story follows the life of Liesel during the difficult years of the Third Reich in a small suburb of Munich. Narrated by Death himself, the story told is that of Liesel's book thieving, starting at the funeral of her brother (The gravedigger's handbook) despite the fact that at the time she is unable to read.

Living in Himmel Street with her strict, but kind, foster mother and her loving foster father; she experiences the trauma of everyday life for the average German family (not Nazis) in Germany during the war.

Her friendship with the boy down the road, her reoccuring nightmares, her fathers attempts to keep food on the table (not just the terrible pea soup her Mama makes), the Jew who lives in their basement for a time and the library in the mayors house on the hill; Death watches all this and tells her story.

I listened to this as an audio book and not to put to finer point on it - it was spellbinding!

Listening meant that I could hear the use of the German language, the sharp tone of Mama when she was angry, and the softness of Papa when he spoke to Liesel after one of her nightmares.

Despite the grim narrator, this is not a morbid book; it's actually uplifting and life affirming. I won't go so far as to suggest that everyone should read it, but it wouldn't be a bad thing if they did.
5th - 15th March