Great Expectations

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Despite abandoning for six months after tiring a bit of the middle bit where its a bit slow and Londons a bit miserable, I returned to it in my Christmas cottage in the countryside. It seemed very fitting for a wintery read in a village. I really did enjoy it again by the end. Though the end itself is quite sad and a bit disappointing in some ways.

I love Joe Gargery, what a lovely bloke, love his dialogue. Theres lots of good character dialogue actually.

Im sure ill return to another Dickes at some point. This was an improvement on Tale of Two Cities



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Issues with Wolves

The Loop by Nicholas Evans

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


OK maybe Im feeling mean, its prob a high 3 - I did enjoy the book, in an easy non-confronting, woodsy shack in the mountains way. No complaints, just didnt grab me as much as for some others. I liked the wolfy bits best. It made me pine a bit for Prodigal Summer though, that felt much more real to me.



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Dark Doings amongst Tokyo housewives...

Out by Natsuo Kirino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was super-dark. Seedy underworld Japan. Creepy in the extreme and quite nauseating in parts. I did actually fly through the first half. It was so unusual and there was the element of whats going to happen next. How will everything become undone. It was really a portrayal of how people change through getting involved in some dark deeds, what it does to them, how they cope with it. How things that would have been unthinkable can become matter of fact. The last few chapters let it down for me, although I think I know where she was going with them.



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The Trial of Queen Caroline

Rebel Queen: The Trial of Queen Caroline by Jane Robins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Ah.. tis nice to slip back into some quality non - fictch. I love a bit of controversial history. This time - Regency England. Really had no idea of this drama. I knew that The Regent, later George IV (son of the mad one) wasnt too fond of his wife Caroline of Brunswick and was allready secretly married to a Catholic. I wasnt aware of the Queens story though. Shunned immediately - three people in the marriage scenario, he had countless mistresses, she was dismissed to her own court in Blackheath. This was only 20 years prior to Queen Victoria. She heads of round Europe being loud and vulgar but seemingly quite loveable, comes back to get charged with adultery so that the old sod can try and divorce her. Public outrage with Diana style peoples princess anti-monarch feeling. Brink of civil war as radicals support the Queen over the King. Poor luv cant get into the coronation to get crowned herself - goes hurtling round all the gates to the Abbey trying to get in and embarrassing herself. Real life Regency drama, cracking good read.



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Lonesome Dove

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This probably wouldnt have been a 5 if it was shorter, funnily enough. But I feel like Ive been reading it so dern long that it earns itself another stripe just by familiarity. Its so nice when you've been in the same territory with a big long book for a while and it feels comforting to pick up and slip back in with the characters and plot with ease. I think you really feel your on the journey with them across the wide open spaces and going through their trials and tribulations. I loved Gus and Clara. I loved being in a Western and enjoying the ride, I didn't think I would. There was a fair bit of humour and some nasty surprises. You do get to wonder if theres a female in the whole of the Southern states who Isnt or has'nt been a whore at some point or at least been abused by men and been involved in some carrott wetting of some description. I thought it might get a bit much being in such a male dominated environment for so long but the emotion beneath their cowboy exteriors was intriguing.



If you caint squirt yer squirt in 20 minutes you need a doctor not a whore.



wise words indeeed



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Brick Lane

Brick Lane by Monica Ali

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Reading the majority of reviews of this it does seem that the popular opinion is not great despite the critics praise. I think it had a particular resonance for me as I've recently moved into the area. I know these streets now and being predominantly Bangladeshi I found it an interesting fictional insight into these communities. Im generally not a fan of harsh grim gritty miserable novels. Although theres certainly no glamour in this, theres a lot of warmth of character and moments of humour in the dialogue. I loved the characters. In the movie the husband was not a sympathetic character at all really. In the book though my affection for him increased as Nanzeens did. His predictable lectures and commentary became quite endearing. Others have mentioned an unsatisactory ending. I have to say it did somehow fall a bit flat. There was so much build up of tension towards what would eventually happend that in the end it seemed like a little bit of an anticlimax tacked onto the end. I will always have a fondness for this book now as much for the novel itself as for the memories of this chapter of my London life it will stir up when i notice it on my shelves in the future.



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More Froth and Nonesense

Emma by Jane Austen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Wonderful thing about an Austen is that to be honest not a great deal actually happens, but yet it manages to remain entertaining. What I like to call frothy nonesense. Its all Bonnets at Dawn and Whos scheming to marry who to who, who fallen head over heels but has ideas above their station, who looks down on everyone but has the manners of a cart horse, who needs a good lie down or a turn around the garden etc etc.

Austens dialoge is superb and very entertaining.. Her hypochondriac father is a favourite :

"A man," said he, "must have a very good opinion of himself when he asks
people to leave their own fireside, and encounter such a day as
this, for the sake of coming to see him. He must think himself a most
agreeable fellow; I could not do such a thing. It is the greatest
absurdity--Actually snowing at this moment!--The folly of not allowing
people to be comfortable at home--and the folly of people's not staying
comfortably at home when they can!..."

And another example of her wit and way with words

"Some change of countenance was necessary for each gentleman as they walked into Mrs Westons drawing room - mr Elton must compose his joyous looks, and mr John Knightly disperse his ill humour. Mr Elton must smile les, and mr John Knightly more, to fit them for the place - Emma only might be as nature prompted, and shew herself just as happy as she was. "

And more entertaining nonesense :

"Emmas very good opinion of Frank Churchill was a little shaken the following day, by hearing that he was gone off to London, merely to have his hair cut. A sudden freak seemed to have seized him at breakfast, and he had sendf for a chaise and set off intending to return to dinner, but with no more important vie that appeared than having his hair cut. There was certainly no harm in his travelling sixteen miles twice over on such and errand; but there was an air of foppery and nonesense in it which she could not approve."

Mrs Bates never shuting up and finishing a scentece and Mrs Eltons stuck up mutton dressed as lamb were other favourites.

Emma herself is quite flawed - a total snob. But i find Austens books to be such a fascinating glimpse into another society. This really was how life was like amongst a certain set. It certainly has none of the gritty realism of Gaskell - -none of these folk have done a stroke of work in their lives, about as far as anyone will fall is to have to contemplate being a governess. But nonetheless its facinating to see the trials and tribulations of ladies in the country with nothing much better to do with themselves that visit each others houses and matchmake.

Its probably a four and a half - I wouldnt want any more of it, and you definately have to be in the mood for it, but i loved it none the less.



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A Polish bodice ripper

Push Not the River by James Conroyd Martin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I picked up a suitably bendy and well loved copy of this one at a good friends in Wales a little while book. Set amongts dramatic political changes in late 18th Century Poland at a similar time to the French Revolution, It is supposedly based on the real life diary of the main character which came into the hands of the author somehow via one of her descendants. A real life connection with Historical Fiction - asssuming the fiction is well researched is always a bit of a bonus. I went to Krakow a couple of months ago too so it was nice to have a Polish set read. Theres a suitably scandalous scheming second lead in the shape of Zofia, the cousin you love to hate. A great foil for the ever so slightly too goody two shoes Anna. All in all its a great period romp and quite an incredible life story even if only half of it were true.



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Millennium #3

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest by Stieg Larsson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Loved it - needless to say, after the first two, there wasnt much doubt this one would be a winner too. A friend wss saying to me the other day, she wasnt going to read these becuase everyone was and they they were books for people who didnt normally read. I say - beleive the hype, they really are great page turner reads, they are smart and clever and unusual. Great characterisation. I love the Swedish setting, with Swedish sensibilities and a very modern socially sound feeling to them. This ones very phychological - Lisbeth spends much of the book within one room but still manages to be a captivating central character. Blomqvist is the new James Bond - actually i was a little dissapointed with him copping off with yet another character in this one as it was a little too Bondy but i still like his no strings relationship with Berger. I must admit although it can never be the same - i think i would quite like someone to continue to write sequels to these -preferably a Swede



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Dumas

The Knight of Maison-Rouge by Alexandre Dumas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Classic French bodice-ripper based around various plots to free the captive Marie Antoinette in French Revolution Paris. Bit slow to start and in danger of being as deathly awful and grim as Dickens' Tale of 2, from the same era. Its not easy to sit through grim as grim can be Paris with heads rolling left right and centre, im very loathe to pick up the lengthy Les Mis now. In Dumas style though, there is humour and it does reach a swashbuckling page turner pace for the 2nd half. Really not a patch on Count of Monte Cristo or Queen Margot though unfortunately.



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Millennium #2

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Im still going with a 5 even though I'd peg it v slighlty below the first one, I think for me more because the concept was fresher for me the first time round. That said though, its just as much of a page turner and Salander is simply awesome as the lead character, really coming into her own. She's ruthless. Brilliant. Im tempted to drop a point for all the pointless name dropping - I really dont need to know the details of each bit of Ikea furnature she buys or be told shes having a cafe latte in italics each time she has one. Though being a coffee addict I do quite enjoy the endless coffee drinking in these books!. The extent of the computer hacking was quite disturbing - I presume the author new his stuff as he was evidently a computer nerd - so im guessing that all that went on was pretty much possible, you have to wonder how much of that really does go on. I like the anti-establishment stance of the books too. All in all another winner and like last time I'll probably struggle to find a suitable follow on book to read after something so fast paced.



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Travel Philosophy Number 6 - Your'e Never Alone with a book

Perfect Dinner for one in Santorini


If you want to travel alone and you dont want to feel like a muppet when you go out to dinner, take up reading!. Its amazing the difference it makes, you can disappear behind your book and surreptitiously people watch, enjoy your food, enjoy your book and feel comfortable sat there all alone, without feeling like you've got no friends. Who knows...maybe you will even make some new ones when they see what you are reading! I think I said in a much earlier post that I went to a Tango show in Buenos Aires early and didnt take my book. 45 mins of awkwardness sat at a table nursing a drink surrounded by couples eating, no book = feel like muppet! Have book = find cosy corner anywhere and feel at home.

Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Boy oh boy oh Boy. this one deserved all the hype for sure. Its been a while since i got through 500p that quickly. Its a completely addictive page turner, I was up half the night finishing off the last 200p and in fact prob most of the other half of the night as I was too hyped up to sleep. It has to be said, its pretty gruesome and graphic in parts. The rape scene made me feel physicaly sick but it was integral to the character developement. The characters were all completely absorbing and likeable - well the ones your supposed to like anyway. I loved the setting, on an island in Sweden. The only thing i struggled a little with was some questionable moral desicions made by our heros towards the conclusion of the book, although I did also quite like the fact that Lisbeth was always one to fly in the face of the conventional way of doing things.

I cant wait to see the film now, ive been holding off till I'd read the book, i do find it quite bizzarre that they are going to complete the trilogy of Swedish made films, but also do the whole lot again in English language starring Daniel Craig. Just shows you how good the material is i suppose.

My only problem now is what to follow it with.. being in the English coutryside i dipped into an Austen but it really does seem like not much more that frilly English nobility matchmaking right now, beatifuly written but withought a great deal of umphh. I think ill come back to it at a later date when ive finished book mourning.

Cleopatra's Daughter

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book has the distinction of being completed in a cafe in Buenos Aires and also of having been kindly sent to me personaly by the author, the charmingly unassuming Michelle Moran. I have to say she did warn me that it was the most Young Adult of her books, and I suppose that was my biggest challenge with it. That sounds disparaging of that very popular genre of books, but Ive never really identified too much with books from a childs point of view. I did find the dialogue at times a little bit Harry Potter in ancient Rome. Having said that, the book was clearly extremely well researched and the story of what happened to the children of Cleopatra and Marc Antony after their parents suicide totally fascinating. It was a brutal time. I havnt really read much other ancient Roman based fiction or non-fiction so it was actually quite educational for me. I really enjoyed the non-fiction afterward too and it did make me want to get back into non-fiction historical biographies.

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Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really did enjoy this, probably a notch under Pride and Predjudice, Im not sure if thats because it was my second Austen and P/P was such a surprise to find I enjoyed so much, or because it had slightly less to it that that one. I have discovered I get a real buzz from reading an historical classic. Its so much more that just the story, its an uncanny insight to another periods customs and morals, written right then and there by someone living in that environment, rather than something written in contemporary times set in the past. Historical fiction is often fascinating too if well researched but I do love picturing the author at work in Regency England. Such a different time. I mean, in all honesty the novel is all froth and bonnets, not a great deal happens apart from 2 sisters fretting In their own different ways over which man they many or may not end up marrying and whether they will be able to secure them a bit of future happiness and stability. Nobody works. Its all tea parties and calling cards. But the dialogue is exquisite and very clever. I loved Mrs Jenings matchmaking. There were several moments where I couldnt help thinking of French and Saunders, the one where Jen is trying to learn her lines for an upcoming Merchant Ivory production.

'Helena Bottom Carter.. Maggie Smith... Me'
'Oh Miss Honeyhives, Miss Honeyhives... ahem ahem, Reverend Bootle I Do Declare' etc etc etc..

I loved the conversations between Lucy and Elinor, both keeping up the pretnence of politeness and friendship, whilst busy weedling information out of each other, Lucy being spiteful and evil and Elinor being quietly superior. You cant help but smile at them all all having fainting fits and needing a lie down and the merest whiff of a gentleman with an income


Emma is next on the Austen list.

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Flesh and Blood

Flesh And Blood by Michael Cunningham


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the third Michael Cunningham I've read, Starting with the beautifully poetic 'The Hours'. This one, dragged just a tiny bit, I was ready to move onto something else. None the less, its full of uniquely Cunningham style depth, emotion and life observations as seen through the various points of view of different members and generations of an American family. I love how with Cunningham you know its always going to be a bit left of centre, he shows how what starts as your peachy clean 2.4 kids, white picket fence American dream family inst necessarily going to turn out just quite the way those parents had imagined it. I love how he takes inside the different characters and the way they think and see life seems unique to them, from children to grandparents. I have Specimen Days still on the shelf to read.

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The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh Margaret youve done it again! . Well I mean you did it years ago but this is now the third Atwood Ive read and the third to score the feted 5 stars. The woman is quite simply a genius, smart clever and touching writing. She makes us completely believe in her dystopic USA of rigid gender roles and a police state - and how easily it could happen. I will say I was glad it was a short one but I can completely see how this is seen as a masterwork from the Author. I will know happily read anything by Atwood regardless of genre.

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