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Acts of Faith by Phillip Caputo |
This is an eye opener as well as a good read. Set in the Sudan, it depicts military offensives, romances, smuggling, corruption and the lives led by aid workers. "God and the Devil are one and the same" in this land of extreme hardship and bitterness where slave trading still exists. The characters, a mixed bunch of do-gooders and not so goodies, are convincing, as is the end of this fiction, non-fiction novel.
(bwl 55 Winter 2010) |
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An Estate of Memory by Ilona Karmel |
Not yet another holocaust story, this book is searched for by investigators on this subject. Not morbid, though powerful, it tells the story of four very different women, their reliance on each other in a work camp, their selfishness, their unselfishness. It's utterly gripping, so differently written and absorbing due to the altering relationships of the four women that I can't begin to summarise its fascination.
(bwl 5 October 2000) |
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City of Thieves by David Benioff |
This novel fell into my hands quite by chance, and I could not put it down . . . it is the story of two quite different people, set in the time of the siege of Leningrad. A slim book which tells of loyalty and courage, cowardice and friendship and although it was a set book for my teenage grand-daughter, it is perhaps a far more gripping read for adults.
(bwl 58 Autumn 2010) |
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Daughter of Earth by Agnes Smedley |
This novel, first published in l929 - written by a courageous woman who stood out for women's rights as far back as the late l800s - is practically autobiographical. She suffered extreme poverty and hardship in the States but managed to get herself educated despite opposition from every side and finally became relatively famous through her political friendships and for writing and publishing several non-fiction books. This book is gripping and harrowing at the same time.
(bwl 48 November 2008) |
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Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami |
Kafka on the Shore is a magical story about Kafka, a fifteen year old boy, who has the most extraordinary experiences - and it is also about ageing Nakata and his communion with cats. The book is enthralling and utterly different from others but it would be a pity to give the plot away . . . it just has to be read.
(bwl 51 May 2009) |
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Kennedy's Brain by Henning Mankell |
If you're a fan of Henning Mankell, this novel will be a complete surprise though not a disappointment in the least. Completely different from his previous books, this is still full of suspense and mystery and concerned with far deeper matters that obviously involve Hankell's life. It was a relief not to read about the constant snow and mist in his other books but harrowing to read about the suffering of Aids victims in Africa.
(bwl 50 March 2009) |
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Panther in the Basement by Amos Oz |
Panther in the Basement is a small book by a great writer - Amos Oz. What is dramatic is told in the simplest terms by a twelve year old boy and gives us an insight into what it must have been like to be a Jew in occupied Jerusalem in l947. We also get an insight into the adolescent problems of an intelligent and sensitive person faced with the accusation of being called a traitor.
(bwl 52 July 2009) |
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Portobello by Ruth Rendell |
Ruth Rendell's Portobello reaffirmed my faith in her as giving us a good light read, because some of her latest books were disappointing. Portobello is quite different from her others and only other fans will appreciate this, in fact it almost seems a "Barbara Vine" book of hers. Get it at once and curl up by the fire and see what it's all about . . . in Portobello.
(bwl 49 January 2009) |
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Soledad's Sister by Jose Dalisay |
This novel, set in the Philippines, gives a disturbing picture of one part of the country and one part of its very mixed society. Sometimes shocking, sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, but always surprising - to readers in the West - this is a simple, yet very complicated story beginning when the body of a woman turns up at Manila airport, with the wrong identification . . . after which anything can happen - and does.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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Still Life by Louise Penny |
I haven't enjoyed a mystery novel so much for a long time. I agree with all the reviews on the cover: "clever and carefully constructed plot"; "filled with unexpected insights"; "a first-rate creator of memorable characters" . . . yes, all this and much more makes Still Life, set in rural Canada, a book that leaves you in a happy state of mind - despite the fact that the well loved and main character has been found dead.
(bwl 67 Winter 2013) |
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Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi |
Trudy, being a dwarf, is different and as anyone who is not 'normal', she has a difficult time, especially in a small German town in the years from l9l5 to l952. Characters are brilliantly described and one of the most interesting books in a long time.
(bwl 5 October 2000) |
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The Chinaman by Henning Mankell |
Half fascinating and half an utter bore . . . possibly the opposite to some readers. Fascinating plot concerning murders and the exodus of thousands of Chinese forced to work on the west coast of America; but utterly boring to anyone like me who loathes politics; entire chapters are dedicated to just that - and in this case, Chinese politics. Slight relief from hearing about the foul weather which occurs in most of Mankell's books.
(bwl 54 November 2009) |
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The Deptford Triology by Robertson Davies |
The Deptford Triology interlaces the story of three extremely different characters in a gripping book that moves from continent to continent with imagination,intrigue and continual surprise. This is a good, fat book that gives hours of extremely satisfying reading.
(bwl 54 November 2009) |
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The Other Hand by Chris Cleave |
This is the story of two very different women: one a successful, white business-woman, the other a Nigerian immigrant. The two meet, part, meet . . . well, read what happens after that and stay thinking about such situations for a long time after finishing this very powerfully written book.
(bwl 50 March 2009) |
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The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty by Sebastian Barry |
Born at the wrong time, in the wrong place - Sligo - during the Irish/British conflict, Eneas McNulty (the fugitive father of Roseanne's child in The Secret Scripture* - bwl 53) wanders through the narrative, lost and in mourning for his home, his family and his love. Written in an ornate style that bewitches the reader like the impact of a recitation of Irish folk songs or poetry, it is a both a fascinating read and an eye-opener.
*Editor's Note: Interestingly, this novel was written 10 years earlier than The Secret Scripture
(bwl 57 Summer 2010) |
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Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Journey to Change the World... One Child at a Time by Greg Mortenson |
Three Cups of Tea is the amazing story of how a unique man, a mountaineer at one time, promised to build a school in one of the bleakest parts of the world - in the Karakoram mountains. Greg Mortenson not only fulfilled that promise but went on to build fifty more schools, always with the main idea of educating girls - and with Moslem men backing him up.
(bwl 51 May 2009) |
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To Know a Woman by Amos Oz |
Set in Israel. Yoel, an ex-secret agent, has just retired but the theme is not about spies or agents, rather about his relationships with his daughter, mother, mother-in-law and neighbours. Is there a plot? No. Yes. Intriguing and different. A strange and unsettling read.
(bwl 34 April 2006) |
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True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey |
Another eye opener, this time set in New South Wales towards the end of the 19th C. Hounded by police, hardships and without a chance to lead anything approaching a normal and lawful life, Ned Kelly writes his story, using a unique piercing style that is heart breaking though far from sentimental.
(bwl 16 December 2002) |
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Turn of Mind by Alice La Plante |
Gripping, sad and not to be recommended to anyone with a family member or friend suffering from Alzheimer's, as does the ex-surgeon, protagonist of this book - who is also accused of murder. Written mainly in the first person, the style is intriguing and the characters are subtly portrayed.
(bwl 76 Spring 2015) |
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Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand |
Not one to like or enjoy. It's impossible to like reading about the indescribable suffering the main character, a famous athlete, experienced as a Japanese P.O.W. and impossible to enjoy reading about his crashing into the Pacific and what he and two other airmen underwent, constantly attacked by sharks, half-starving, drifting thousands of miles. However, this story of an extraordinary man, who not only survived but was capable of forgiveness, needed to be told and read.
(bwl 76 Spring 2015) |
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