Books
by Paul Torday
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Salmon Fishing in the Yemen |
Yemeni Sheikh Muhammad wants to bring salmon-fishing to his country and employs retiring and initially sceptical fisheries scientist Fred Jones for the project. But then the Foreign Office, the relevant Ministry and No.10 get involved. . . . This is a bitter-sweet and very funny book about politics, spin and bureaucracy but as Fred is drawn into the Sheikh's philosophy of belief in the impossible, there's much more to it than that. . . . A delicious and totally original book.
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 43 December 2007) |
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The Girl on the Landing |
After Torday's wonderfully original first two novels, I had high hopes for this . . . Michael stops taking his anti-schizophrenia medication and, with terrifying consequences, reverts to what he believes is the original human condition, guided by an enigmatic female presence - hallucination or genuine manifestation? It's satisfactorily creepy and scary and the device of husband and wife telling their extra-ordinary and ordinary versions alternately works to build up considerable tension. So why was I slightly disappointed?
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 54 November 2009) |
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The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce |
Like with Lewycka*, could we expect a second mini-masterpiece from the author of Salmon Fishing in the Yeman (bwl 43)? Well, though utterly different, Wilberforce too is truly original. Told back-to-front (and for once it works) we trace the downfall of a self-deluding alcoholic whose obsession with wine starts when his grey, solitary, life is overturned by meeting a charismatic wine merchant and his glittering friends. Lots of brain-teasing morals but above all, a profoundly touching and poignant read.
*see review for Two Caravans
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 48 November 2008) |
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