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
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
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
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
Watchmen - Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
The Watchmen - Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
I know that this book if supposed to be the one that defines the genre but I have to admit to not being as impressed with it as I had hoped. Certainly I don't think it lives up to the hype.
I bought the book a couple of years ago as I really like graphic novels and had heard so much about this one. But therein lies the problem perhaps?
Having loved 'From Hell' and 'League of extrodinary gentlemen' by Alan Moore, and very much enjoyed 'Maus', perhaps I've left it too later in my graphic novel reading to go back to the one that started it all?
I can't begin to explain the multiple storylines, but the basic story involves a bunch of retired masked crime fighters slowly being killed off, and the race to discover who is behind it. Obviously that is a terrible over simplication and the story also covers nuclear accidents, shipwrecks, millionaire geniuses and hairbrained plans to end all wars.
Anyway, if you enjoy graphic novels and haven't yet read this one, you must.
Now I've done so I feel I can go and see the film version.
Bought on Green Metropolis (some time ago!)
13-17th March
I know that this book if supposed to be the one that defines the genre but I have to admit to not being as impressed with it as I had hoped. Certainly I don't think it lives up to the hype.
I bought the book a couple of years ago as I really like graphic novels and had heard so much about this one. But therein lies the problem perhaps?
Having loved 'From Hell' and 'League of extrodinary gentlemen' by Alan Moore, and very much enjoyed 'Maus', perhaps I've left it too later in my graphic novel reading to go back to the one that started it all?
I can't begin to explain the multiple storylines, but the basic story involves a bunch of retired masked crime fighters slowly being killed off, and the race to discover who is behind it. Obviously that is a terrible over simplication and the story also covers nuclear accidents, shipwrecks, millionaire geniuses and hairbrained plans to end all wars.
Anyway, if you enjoy graphic novels and haven't yet read this one, you must.
Now I've done so I feel I can go and see the film version.
Bought on Green Metropolis (some time ago!)
13-17th March
Friday, 13 February 2009
The testament of Gideon Mack - James Robertson
You'd think that not believing in God would hinder someone wishing to become a Minister of the Church of Scotland - but it never stopped Gideon Mack. This book, supposedly written by Mack, tells the story of his life, from his early years, his marriage, disappearance, his meeting with the Devil and the events following this meeting.
I guess the story is about believe, or non-believe - and about people's ideas about the truth. Mack is ostracised but the village, the church and his friends, when he decides that it is important for him to 'tell the truth' about is disappearance and subsequent meeting with the Devil.
This is one of the most wonderful, folk/fairy tales that i've read for sometime - a modern folk tale with engaging characters and a storyline that you just can't help being dragged along by. Told mainly by Mack (his 'testament') the story starts with a prologue from the publisher setting out how the book came to be published, and then ends with an epilogue including 'interviews' with the key people of Monimaskit.
I heard a tiny snippet of this book on Radio 4 a couple of years ago, as it was book of the week - and it tweaked my curiosity - although it's taken me a while to get round to reading it, it was well worth the wait. Although slow to get started, it's a satisfying yarn, well worth the effort.
I guess the story is about believe, or non-believe - and about people's ideas about the truth. Mack is ostracised but the village, the church and his friends, when he decides that it is important for him to 'tell the truth' about is disappearance and subsequent meeting with the Devil.
This is one of the most wonderful, folk/fairy tales that i've read for sometime - a modern folk tale with engaging characters and a storyline that you just can't help being dragged along by. Told mainly by Mack (his 'testament') the story starts with a prologue from the publisher setting out how the book came to be published, and then ends with an epilogue including 'interviews' with the key people of Monimaskit.
I heard a tiny snippet of this book on Radio 4 a couple of years ago, as it was book of the week - and it tweaked my curiosity - although it's taken me a while to get round to reading it, it was well worth the wait. Although slow to get started, it's a satisfying yarn, well worth the effort.
Bought on Green Metropolis.
5th - 13th February 2009
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
The Dogs of Riga - Henning Mankell
Having read the first Wallander book and very much enjoyed the descriptions of Sweden and the characters, I was looking forward to the second book.
However, it wasn't as good as I'd hoped - and maybe that's because much of it is actually set in Latvia.
When two well dressed dead bodies wash up in a life raft on the Swedish shore, Wallander becomes involved in a confusing Eastern Block/Russian mafia world - one that he's not at all comfortable in and certainly doesn't understand.
The characters are interesting and I'm certainly warming to Wallander himself, the story kept me interested and reading, but it just didn't have the same feel as the first.
I won't be put off, and will return to the series - but I'm glad this wasn't the first otherwise I might not have continued. There are only nine available so I will pace myself and spread them out.
Bought on Green Metropolis.
25th January - 4th February 2009
However, it wasn't as good as I'd hoped - and maybe that's because much of it is actually set in Latvia.
When two well dressed dead bodies wash up in a life raft on the Swedish shore, Wallander becomes involved in a confusing Eastern Block/Russian mafia world - one that he's not at all comfortable in and certainly doesn't understand.
The characters are interesting and I'm certainly warming to Wallander himself, the story kept me interested and reading, but it just didn't have the same feel as the first.
I won't be put off, and will return to the series - but I'm glad this wasn't the first otherwise I might not have continued. There are only nine available so I will pace myself and spread them out.
Bought on Green Metropolis.
25th January - 4th February 2009
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Affluenza - Oliver James
I've been meaning to read this for a while, and now that I have I'm really impressed. Perhaps the fact that I don't think I suffer too badly from Affluenza helps! Affluenza, James suggests, is an epidemic sweeping the English speaking world. It consists of an obsession with 'keeping-up-with-the-Joneses', excessive consumerism (buying stuff because you 'want' it instead of because you 'need' it), the need for increased wealth (beyond what you need), property fever - all leading to depression, anxiety and addictions.
Travelling the world's affluent cities (London, New York, Singapore etc) James interviews people who do and don't suffer from Affluenza, and tries to discover what makes some people more or less prone to the virus. He then goes on to suggest remedies, such as paying parents to look after their children (instead of forcing them back to work), teaching the it is not necessary to be rich and beautiful to be happy and how being playful, vivacious and authentic helps.
As someone he interview suggests, society is becoming populated by Tin Men from the Wizard of Oz - hollow inside.
I would have liked to have seen more interviews with normal citizens, instead of the stream of millionaires that he visited; and I'm not sure the very vicious attack on the Blairite government was completely necessary - I'd imagine that most governments (of all flavours and in all times) would have mucked it up just as they did (and do).
A fascinating read, certainly made me think about materiality, and asking myself do I 'need' or 'want' that?
11th - 25th January 2009
Travelling the world's affluent cities (London, New York, Singapore etc) James interviews people who do and don't suffer from Affluenza, and tries to discover what makes some people more or less prone to the virus. He then goes on to suggest remedies, such as paying parents to look after their children (instead of forcing them back to work), teaching the it is not necessary to be rich and beautiful to be happy and how being playful, vivacious and authentic helps.
As someone he interview suggests, society is becoming populated by Tin Men from the Wizard of Oz - hollow inside.
I would have liked to have seen more interviews with normal citizens, instead of the stream of millionaires that he visited; and I'm not sure the very vicious attack on the Blairite government was completely necessary - I'd imagine that most governments (of all flavours and in all times) would have mucked it up just as they did (and do).
A fascinating read, certainly made me think about materiality, and asking myself do I 'need' or 'want' that?
11th - 25th January 2009
Sunday, 11 January 2009
The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson
The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson
When I started this book I really wasn't sure, I liked the writing style (in the first person) but I was sure that a wasn't going to like the main character - a drug addict, pornstar idiot. Very early on in the book (and I'm not giving anything away here), he is horribly burned in an accident and winds up in hospital. I think this was also part of my reservations about the book - the graphic descriptions of the burns and the methods of treatment were too detailed even for me (and I have read many forensic thrillers and love watching CSI).
I also worried that it was beginning much like the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson (although I've only so far read the first I thought it was fantastic), and contained perhaps a little too much 'god bothering' for my liking.
But, I'm glad I stuck with it. Essentially it's a love story - but don't let that put you off. The characters and the timescales are not like anything I've read before, and it wasn't long before I had warmed to the characters - wanting to hear their stories. On a time scale of 700 years, it's fascinating - taking you from Iceland to the USA and back through the years. The vivid stories within the story are wonderful in themselves and actually deserve to be published alone.
I thing that amazed me most about the book was that it's Andrew Davidson's first novel - unfortunately for him he now how a lot to live up to! It's been wildly successful, I just hope someone doesn't try to ruin it by attempting to make a film of it.
Lent to me Liz.
5th - 11th January 2009
When I started this book I really wasn't sure, I liked the writing style (in the first person) but I was sure that a wasn't going to like the main character - a drug addict, pornstar idiot. Very early on in the book (and I'm not giving anything away here), he is horribly burned in an accident and winds up in hospital. I think this was also part of my reservations about the book - the graphic descriptions of the burns and the methods of treatment were too detailed even for me (and I have read many forensic thrillers and love watching CSI).
I also worried that it was beginning much like the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson (although I've only so far read the first I thought it was fantastic), and contained perhaps a little too much 'god bothering' for my liking.
But, I'm glad I stuck with it. Essentially it's a love story - but don't let that put you off. The characters and the timescales are not like anything I've read before, and it wasn't long before I had warmed to the characters - wanting to hear their stories. On a time scale of 700 years, it's fascinating - taking you from Iceland to the USA and back through the years. The vivid stories within the story are wonderful in themselves and actually deserve to be published alone.
I thing that amazed me most about the book was that it's Andrew Davidson's first novel - unfortunately for him he now how a lot to live up to! It's been wildly successful, I just hope someone doesn't try to ruin it by attempting to make a film of it.
Lent to me Liz.
5th - 11th January 2009
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