bwl 81 - Summer 2016
Fiction
| Sam Angus - The House on Hummingbird Island
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| With its Caribbean setting and a plot that must owe something to The Wide Sargasso Sea this is a book that I think adults as well as a younger readership would enjoy. The author's style is reminiscent of such writers as Hodgson Burnett or more recently Eve Ibbotson and draws the reader in. This story of a young girl growing up in strange circumstances is beguiling. (Ferelith Hordon)
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| Agatha Christie - Crooked House
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| Old-fashioned she may be, and over-read perhaps, but good old Agatha never really fails. Normal, ordinary, even predictable, one thinks, and then is led by subtle touches up the garden path. One could read her alone for the 'feel' of life in (mostly county) upper class England, gone never to return. Easy on the brain but still very much worthwhile when one is fed up with heavier stuff. (Kathie Somerwil Ayrton)
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| Jenny Downham - Unbecoming
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| Jenny Downham has already made her name with her bold choice of subjects. Her third novel continues the tradition. Katie is confused about her sexuality. Willing to conform, she feels hemmed in by her mother's attempts to guide and control. Then Mary arrives, the grandmother she does not know, suffering from old age and memory. Told from the point of view of both Katy and Mary this is a powerful young adult novel. (Ferelith Hordon)
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| Helen Dunmore - Exposure
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| A must read for fans of this writer and for anyone who enjoys the intricacies, betrayals and subterfuges of the spy thriller. It is the height of the Cold War, at the end of a suburban garden ,a woman buries a briefcase, it's to protect her family but results in consequences she could not foresee . . . A perfect page-turner for the chaise-longue on a sun-drenched beach or in an English garden between the showers. (Jenny Baker)
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| Anne Enright - The Green Road
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| Rosaleen summons her four adult children to a final Christmas in their old home on Ireland's west coast. Reluctantly they arrive, Dan who is gay from NY, aid-worker Emmet from Mali, Hanna a resting actress with her baby from Dublin and Constance mother-of-three who stayed behind. Almost immediately they revert to their sibling roles, each vying for attention from a mother who never quite knew how to love. It's funny, sad, gossipy and painfully true. (Jenny Baker)
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| Jane Gardam - The Stories
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| Twenty eight surprisingly diverse short stories, many with a twist in the tail, told with her usual vivid and economic prose. The introduction describing how Jane Gardam became a writer is a fascinating tale in its own right. In two stories the characters from the Old Filth trilogy make a welcome return. (Sue Pratt)
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| Henry James - What Maisie Knew
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| As usual with James I often had to read twice his sentences of elegant obfuscation and outdated idiom, but it was worth the effort. It's the chilling story of a little girl negotiating the cynicism, selfishness and hypocrisy of the adults around her who use her when she's useful as a weapon against each other and then discard her without a qualm. Published in 1897, the content seems horribly prophetic of today's split marriages. Compelling! (Annabel Bedini)
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| Vaseem Khan - The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
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| Welcome to a new hero for lovers of detective novels. Inspector Chopra is retiring - a great day. But made surreal by the gift of a baby elephant. There are family complications and a crime to solve. Chopra is a man of principle - and I thoroughly enjoyed making his acquaintance. Traditional format laced with gentle humour against the exotic bustle of Mumbai - and a baby elephant. (Ferelith Hordon)
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| Marina Lewycka - We are Made of Glue
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| For those who have read Two Caravans (bwl 48) and A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian (bwl 31), it won't come as a surprise that this title is misleadingly frivolous. A clever, touching story, extremely funny, extremely dark, so humane, with great understanding of madly human quirks, with as usual a marvellous ear and subtle pen for the different foreign accents, this author, born in Germany but bred in England and writing superb English, deserves all her fame and more. (Kathie Somerwil Ayrton)
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| David Lodge - A Man of Parts
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| A (barely) fictionalised biography of H G Wells, ardent and prolific writer and enthusiastic womaniser. I found his early life and struggle against difficult odds to exploit his exceptional intelligence and writing talents more interesting than his string of affairs with most of the avant-garde women of literary society. It must be said that H.G. is, despite Lodge's persuasive and erudite efforts, still slightly out-of–date. Very enjoyable, if a bit longwinded. (Kathie Somerwil Ayrton)
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| Edna O'Brien - The Little Red Chairs
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| A small Irish town is enthralled by a mysterious foreigner with his white beard, topknot ponytail, potions and healing hands. But Dr. Vlad is a lie, the fictional doppelgänger of the Butcher of Bosnia. This highly praised novel, written in that lyrical prose that is so peculiarly Irish, kept me turning the pages, hungry for more but perhaps because it is based on such recent history, I found it's Irish and London settings a distraction. Just too literal-minded, I suppose. (Jenny Baker)
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| Albert Sanchez Pinol - Cold Skin
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| A weather official is landed on a remote antarctic island for a year's tour of duty, his only companion a lighthouse keeper who is a) naked and b) unwelcoming. And where is the weather man's predecessor? Rapidly the official finds himself dealing with a wholly unexpected and very menacing situation. He needs the lighthouse keeper as an ally. This gripping story raises issues about man's range of sympathies and capacity for violence. A Spanish novel that is miles shorter than Don Quixote! (Tony Pratt)
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| Marilynne Robinson - Lila
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Lila is left out on the stoop, crying, alone when the intrepid Doll snatches her; they are on the run, her childhood spent with other itinerants; until one life changing day she wanders into Gilead's church where Reverend Ames, twice her age, is conducting the service. Theirs is a deceptively simple story, told in haunting, elegant prose which poses age-old complexities: does life have meaning? what is love? is another person ever knowable and God - can He really be there?
Ed's note: Lila is the third book in a trilogy. The other two are Gilead (bwl 53) and Home (bwl 52)
(Jenny Baker)
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| Hannah Rothschild - The Improbability of Love
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| The novelist is steeped in the art world and her knowledge shines in this 'satirical' book about it. Part love story, part research adventure to discover the creator of a painting (the painting has a voice) and part cooking spree, it is filled (too much?) with exuberant characters. Ultimately Rothschild makes a strong case for the power and beauty of art to provide solace and joy but the novel was not totally satisfying for me. (Christine Miller)
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| Gillian Slovo - 10 Days
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Like her play* the novel is based on the London riots - the ripple effect of the police's mishandling of a black boy's behaviour on families, a soon to be demolished housing estate, and further afield. Plus an undercover cop gone AWOL. The tension is exaggerated by an unbearable heat wave. The power play between politicians and police about public order is interesting but those involved are too much like caricatures and perhaps thus detract from the essential tragedy.
*The Riots - produced at the Tricycle Theatre, London, in November 2011. (Christine Miller)
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| John Steinbeck - East of Eden
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| No need to re-read any of Steinbeck's sentences! Inspired by the story of Cain and Abel, this book - set in California in the early 1900s - is big in every sense, interleaving plots, wide canvas, multiple characters - what American novelists were into in the 1950s. I found it rather refreshing to get away from fashionable 'spareness' and, firmly suppressing cynical reservations, romped through it with appreciation for Steinbeck's undoubted mastery of plot and character. (Annabel Bedini)
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| Sue Townsend - The Queen and I
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| It takes courage, detachment, understanding and humour to portray so well this fictional dismantling of the British Monarchy in such personal terms. A Republican government wins the election in 1992, and overnight the royal family is dispatched to live on a poor and backward council estate. Brilliant handling of famous personalities, cutting social and political criticism, this is also terribly funny. (Kathie Somerwil Ayrton)
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| Penny Vincenzi - Love in the Afternoon
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| An unexpected departure from all her blockbusters, this recent small book includes ten short stories and ten articles and interviews. Short these tales might be but they are finely-wrought, very clever and original, whilst her journalism is up there with the best. Not least, Vincenzi's outlook on life is realistic, understanding and refreshing. (Kathie Somerwil Ayrton)
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| Patricia Wentworth - The Case is Closed
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| This came out in 1937 but hasn't dated much and is a very good holiday read, or for a long train ride. Interesting to compare with contemporary Agatha Christie, which one came first, Miss Silver or Miss Marple? No question, Christie is streets ahead in every way, but Wentworth comes a good second, although Silver doesn't get the details she should and one guesses the plot quite soon. Still, good when one is at a loss. (Kathie Somerwil Ayrton)
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Non-Fiction
| Hermione Countess of Ranfurly - To War with Whitaker: The wartime diaries of the Countess of Ranfurly 1939-1945
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| To be close to her husband, Hermione outwits the authorities, jumps ship, and ends up as much appreciated PA to General 'Jumbo' Wilson, running his life in Palestine, Cairo, Algiers and Caserta. Tireless, intelligent, socially adroit (wining and dining every VIP in the book), her diary is an insider's heart-in-mouth account of what went on behind the scenes in the North Africa and Mediterranean campaigns. Historically fascinating, humanly heart-warming and she writes beautifully!
(Annabel Bedini)
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| Gerald Durrell - My Family and Other Animals
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| I read this having enjoyed the recent TV adaptation. Completely delightful, it evokes an idyllic childhood on Corfu with Durrell's warm and loving family, an assortment of Greeks and of course his ever growing menagerie of animals, birds and reptiles. The descriptions of the island are beautiful and reminiscent of a lost era but told with great humour and affection. A gem. (Sue Pratt)
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| Charles Glass - Americans in Paris: Life and Death under Nazi occupation 1940-1944
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| When Germany invaded Paris a large number of Americans - a disparate group, many famous in the arts and entertainment world as well as in society and finance - chose to stay thinking that as neutrals they would be unharmed. They were sadly mistaken, especially when America entered the war. This book brings their little-known stories vividly to life, disclosing treachery and cowardice by some, unparalleled bravery by a few, brilliantly depicting Paris life under the occupation. Very moving and thought-provoking. (Kathie Somerwil Ayrton)
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| Rosie Goodwin - Home Front Girls
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| A very interesting book about the different relationships, hardships, ties of family during WW II in Coventry; also the joys of love and friendships that were formed between so many different classes of people and changed so many lives for ever. It was a reminder of how lucky I was as an evacuee in safety in Oxford. Most enjoyable despite the awful destruction of many parts of the city. Well researched. I shall definitely try another of her books. (Shirley Williams)
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| Frederick Kempe - Berlin 1961: Kennedy, Khruschev, and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth
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| The confrontation of an inexperienced JFK and the rough and wily Kruschev. At stake the future of Europe, nuclear war and world domination. Drawing on all that has become known since, this book follows the unfolding crisis almost day to day. An extraordinary cast of characters - from Adenauer to a young Kissinger - act out a drama which culminated in the Berlin wall. Gripping reading which makes you feel Kennedy's dilemmas in particular and throws new light on the period. (Tony Pratt)
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| John Lydon - Anger is an Energy: My Life Uncensored
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| Every bit as shocking, confrontational and in-your-face as the Sex Pistols themselves! Meningitis at seven years old wiped his memory clean and medical advice was to make him angry to stimulate recovery. With this anger, an insistence on unwavering personal integrity and a laser-like stare Johnny was off and running. Uncomfortable to work with and probably on the arrogant side, his is a life spent upsetting apple-carts. A compelling book and an utterly fascinating individual. (Clive Yelf)
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| Dorian Lynskey - 33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History of Protest Songs
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| From 'Strange Fruit' to 'American Idiot' this tome (843 pages in total) covers the rise and fall of the protest song through 33 examples spanning both the world and the object of protest, be it Vietnam, Black Power, Thatcher, apartheid or dictatorial repression. Each chapter takes the time and space to look at the perceived injustice, the historical context and the range of musical responses becoming as much a social history as a musical one. (Clive Yelf)
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| Srinath Raghavan - India's War: The Making of Modern South Asia 1939-1945
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| This is history from a completely different perspective. Through recounting India's reaction to, and action in, WWII, the author suggests these have been fundamental to the development of the modern Indian economy. He helps us to understand the tensions that led to the end of colonial rule throughout South Asia and concludes by proposing that a democratic India should revert to its former role as a pivot of security in Asia and the Middle East. (Jeremy Miller)
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| Kate Summerscale - The Wicked Boy
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| 1895, a blistering summer, Robert, 13, (addicted to penny-dreadfuls like today's young to their phones) and Nattie, 12, treat themselves to days at Lord's, trips to the seaside and to the theatre; father is at sea, mother in Liverpool - or is she? Suspicions are aroused, there's a strange smell - step-by-step with immense skill Summerscale unfurls the crime, the trial and the redemption beginning in Broadmoor's enlightened regime, continuing through WW I and ending in Australia. Fascinating. (Jenny Baker)
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| Marina Warner - From The Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers
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| How do you talk about Fairytales? Marina Warner starts with the tellers and looks at how fairytales have been transmitted. She then turns to examine a few of our most familiar tales identifying themes and preoccupations which run through them. She is particularly interested in the often hidden presence of women in the process. Fascinating, erudite, readable...this is a book to reread.
(Ferelith Hordon)
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| Feedback |
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| I couldn't agree more with what Jenny Baker said about Niall Williams's History of the Rain (bwl 79) but I suggest that readers give themselves time to settle into the book - do not snatch a couple of pages before sleep because you may feel like giving up, as some in our book club did and I nearly did. Very glad I didn't. (Christine Miller)
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| All the Light we Cannot See (bwl 78 and bwl 79 Feedback) was a completely absorbing and delightful book. My 'book-club daughter-in-law' loved it so much she has taken it away on holiday! so I can't refer to it. Do google it, it says a lot more interesting things than I can. Just a short lead-in: it is set in WWII and goes backwards and forwards between a young blind girl in Saint-Malo in Brittany whose locksmith father makes models of the town she is in so that she can find her way around, and a German orphan boy, brilliant with radio, who is sucked into the Hitler youth. The connection begins with the receiver he manages to make from scrap which picks up a transmission from somewhere in France . . . read it and see! (Margaret Knott)
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