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A Celibate Season by Carol Shields |
with Blanche Howard
Chas and Jocelyn have financial problems and decide that she will take a prestigious job the other side of Canada, meaning a separation from him and from family life. The story of their 'celibate season' is told entirely through their increasingly poignant and revealing letters as their lives inevitably grow further apart and they discover new sides to themselves. Some great comic moments and insights into communication between couples also emerge via this format.
(bwl 18 April 2003) |
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A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh |
Re-reading this favourite, I found the 1930s a fascinating setting for the series of unfortunate events that take Tony Last from 'hideous' family seat in the English countryside to the Amazon jungle. Wife Brenda can't resist the lure of modernity and change; then personal tragedy ensures there's no going back. Despite London's feverish partying you can sense the changes and unease of the times, but it's deftly written: concise, humorous and a joy to read.
(bwl 98 Autumn 2020) |
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A Notable Woman: The Romantic Journals of Jean Lucey Pratt by edited by Simon Garfield |
712 pages (!) but worth dipping into at least. Jean (1909-1986) was shy, clever, endlessly self-questioning, yearning to be married, to be a writer, and to find lasting happiness. In the end she was content and had many triumphs along the way: publishing a biography, running a bookshop; many friends and lovers. The war years are the most fascinating - as merely a backdrop to her daily life we see how it really was for many people.
(bwl 82 Autumn 2016) |
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A Winter Book by Tove Jansson |
This follows A Summer Book (bwl 20) - can't wait to read that - a collection of writing for adults from the writer of the 'Moomin' books. A refreshing antidote to Christmas excess - atmosphere stripped to the basics in stories from her life with artist parents in Helsinki and sometimes solitary weeks on a remote island, relying on optimism, the boat, provisions or enough firewood. A wonderful retreat from crowded modern life and one to read again soon.
(bwl 38 February 2007) |
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After Me Comes the Flood by Sarah Perry |
An unsettling but intriguing first novel - this author had an unusual childhood and it feels that she never quite shares her intentions with the reader and is thus a little indulgent. The descriptions of the heatwave and uneasy atmosphere are expertly done and I'm glad I read it.
(bwl 83 Winter 2017) |
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Amy & Lan by Sadie Jones |
A group of townie families hope to make a go of semi-communal farming and the story is told by two children, Amy & Lan. Inevitably their ideals and best intentions prove hard to fulfill and real life, human nature, not to mention the neighbours all get in the way. I found Amy & Lan's level of emotional maturity hard to believe sometimes but it's charming, entertaining and full of recognisable traits of contemporary British life.
(bwl 110 Autumn 2023) |
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At Last by Edward St Aubyn |
A tyrannical father and an ineffectual, alcoholic mother have left Patrick Melrose coming to terms with drink, drugs and inheritance problems. Indeed it is sometimes grim, but also very intelligent and funny, and this final novel is a satisfying conclusion to the Melrose series. The writing is brilliant - always authentic and compelling. Particularly poignant and witty are the scenes with Patrick's own wife and two precocious young boys. Read at least 'Mother's Milk' before this.
(bwl 63 Winter 2011) |
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Blackwater by Kerstin Ekman |
Gripping, powerful and beautifully written thriller translated from Swedish. An exploration of people co-existing in very different lifestyles in the Swedish mountains and their reactions as a horrific event in the past is brought up again. Eerie descriptions of midge-infested lakes, brooding villagers and dark forests. I read it three years ago but remember it vividly.
(bwl 5 October 2000) |
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Christian Beginnings: From Nazareth to Nicaea (AD30 - 325) by Geza Vermes |
Vermes, Hungarian 'Jesus expert' and author of many other tomes about Judaism and Christianity, systematically explains the progression of ideas and debates leading to the Council of Nicaea and the birth of the Christian church. He uses contemporary writings (Apostles, Roman Emperors, Philosophers,) that show the humanity, intelligence and humour of these early thinkers. I found it quite slow and academic to read but extremely worthwhile - I wish I'd known all this years ago!
(bwl 67 Winter 2013) |
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Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell |
Fantastic in all senses of the word, this novel presents glimpses into the stories of six vaguely connected characters, each caught in history and struggling to escape something. The stories range from the eighteenth century (suspiciously like English Passengers - see bwl 20) to the distant future (most interesting) and back again, giving a worrying vision of how things could turn out... It's a bit of a show reel of genres and voices. Very skilful, entertaining and rather long!
(bwl 30 June 2005) |
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Days Without End by Sebastian Barry |
Two young boys fall in love in 19th century America and dodge poverty together via cross-dressing theatricals, fighting the Indians and in the civil war and settling to farming. The language amazed me from the first sentence and I loved the fact that the complexities and nuances of the politics of the time come through subtly, sometimes subliminally. I learned a great deal and even got through the battle scenes without skimming!
(bwl 109 Summer 2023) |
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Death by Drowning by Vincent Lardo |
Previously known as The Hampton Affair, this is a fast paced and extremely witty investigative romp through East Hampton (New York)'s glittering social scene as well as its seedier side. After Michael Reo stumbles upon a murder scene in the first chapter we know who did it (and you already know how!), but the untangling of the story is full of suspense and amusing subplots. Great entertainment.
(bwl 25 August 2004) |
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Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill |
Un-named characters in a sad but ultimately hopeful narrative presented in fragments so you have to work at it - some bits make more sense than others but it's full of wise and useful quotes and observations about how couples work. It's poetic, down to earth, sensitive, honest and well structured. Although we only see snippets of the family's life, we get a clear overview of their history. Short, but memorable, I was left wanting more.
(bwl 77 Summer 2015) |
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Did You Ever have a Family by Bill Clegg |
A tragic fire has killed a family on the eve of the daughter's wedding and everyone in the small American town is affected and somehow involved. As more and more characters are introduced (frustrating, but worth it) their past lives and - gradually - the cause of the fire is revealed. The writing is restrained and thoughtful and the sense of grief and confusion is vivid and believable - an impressive debut by this US literary agent.
Ed. note: Surprisingly there is no question mark in the novel's title
(bwl 78 Autumn 2015) |
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Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwartz |
A heart-rending story of sibling rivalry, deep family bonds and secrets on a lakeside farm in Wisconsin. Competently written in an understated style that gradually reveals the story of sisters Amanda and Mattie and the tragic results of their struggles to find love and success on their own terms. A gripping, sinister tone makes us fear for the outcome, but there is also great compassion and not as much gloom as the title suggests!
(bwl 14 July 2002) |
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Educated by Tara Westover |
The author grew up in rural Idaho in a Mormon family obsessed by their preparation for the imminent End of Days. Mind control, violence and manipulation, entangled with deep family love, hold the seven siblings in the grip of their charismatic parents and those who escape face huge costs. It's sometimes horrifying (awful scenarios repeat themselves depressingly often), but the determination shown as they strive to break away and learn to use their own minds and their considerable intellect are inspiring.
(bwl 90 Autumn 2018) |
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Flights of Love by Bernhard Schlink |
These unsentimental and haunting stories explore the search for love in a world where the past casts a dark shadow: the impossibility of being a German in love with an American Jew; the mistrust between East and West Berliners; a widower coming to terms with his dead wife's secret affair..... Schlink's characters debate, socialise, drink coffee, play chess and live in clean little towns, but nothing is that easy and the German perspective is fascinating.
(bwl 17 February 2003) |
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Hanna's Daughters by Marianne Fredriksson |
Another Swedish novel - this one follows the popular pattern of looking at the lives of three generations of women in a family, also tracing the self-discovery of the present-day character as she discovers her grandmother's story and finds familiar themes in their lives. A fascinating insight into the lives of mountain peasants at the turn of the twentieth century and their incredible (it seems now) self-reliance and resilience.
(bwl 5 October 2000) |
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Harbor by Lorraine Adams |
Aziz has escaped Algeria after horrific experiences in the army (we are offered some graphic flashbacks) and arrives illegally and in a terrible state in Boston harbour. Not always easy, the occasional strange syntax and surreal humour reflect the struggle of the immigrants, but there are deep friendships, sleazy glamour,and the FBI's excruciating and bungled involvement. Unusual, and gripping, it is already a prize winner and deservedly nominated for Guardian First Book Award.
(bwl 37 December 2006) |
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Higher Ed by Tessa McWatt |
Must mention this book; I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is by an author who teaches creative writing at a London university, and it's very much about modern London life complete with public transport, text messages and slang. Short snappy chapters feature a selection of interlinked characters, all faced with changes, both at the university and beyond. An interesting perspective on the daily life of both Londoners and newcomers - very sympathetic and uplifting.
(bwl 78 Autumn 2015) |
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How Proust Can Change Your Life by Alain de Botton |
A delightful book about the life and thoughts of Marcel Proust, who I now feel I know personally. De Botton presents him as an endearing genius with valuable insights into how we should manage our lives, read books, look at art, make friends etc., all gleaned from reading his huge works, which I am now tempted to take a look at! It's occasionally flippant but full of wisdom and interesting details about those times.
(bwl 14 July 2002) |
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Icefields by Thomas Wharton |
Another lucky find in Brixton Library, this novel has some of my favourite ingredients: sparse but elegant prose (sometimes bordering on the obscure), and a bleak but beautiful setting. A small cast of very individual and original characters, each one driven and obsessive in a different way, but as their stories are interwoven with the history of the area, all deeply affected by the power of the glacier and the icefields above.
(bwl 5 October 2000) |
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Lean Fall Stand by Jon MacGregor |
Starting in a vividly and beautifully described Antarctica where a sudden storm puts an end to a routine field operation, the novel moves to Cambridgeshire and a baffling new world of brain injury recovery. McGregor uses words brilliantly to convey the broken mind and also the effects on all involved in a moving and totally convincing way - and with humour. It's an intriguing exploration of communication and the power and importance of self-expression.
(bwl 105 Summer 2022) |
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Levels of Life by Julian Barnes |
Barnes writes about his grief for his wife by finding parallels with the first attempts at balloooning and the 'balloonatics' involved, particularly one who fell in love with Sarah Bernhardt. He also explores early photography and new perspectives on life as the world is viewed from above. The section dealing with his grief I found almost intoxicatingly poignant. His feelings are so raw and so honest you have to forgive him going on a bit.
(bwl 70 Autumn 2013) |
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London and the South East by David Szalay |
Paul Rainey commutes from Hove to his increasingly meaningless job in telesales, where he and his colleagues drink their way through the week and dream of success. A chance offer seems to be the answer to all his problems but in the end he is forced to confront himself. The almost farcical romp to the end of the book is exhilarating and entertaining as he tries to save his marriage and his dignity. Excellent.
(bwl 84 Spring 2017) |
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Lost for Words by Edward St Aubyn |
Although nothing like his more literary Patrick Melrose novels - and criticised by some as bitter - this witty satire on the world of literary awards is great fun and good light holiday reading. The characters (clichés of both literary nominees and award panel members) and naughty pastiches of literary genres are irresistible. Some sections are a bit indulgent and overdone but I think he can be forgiven for enjoying himself and trying something new.
(bwl 73 Summer 2014) |
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Love, Etc. by Julian Barnes |
Despite a rather inconclusive end, what a genius! I love 'the offstage close-harmony tinkle of forks cascading into their little stacking nooks.....' and Julian Barnes is as good with human emotions as he is on loading the dishwasher. I never persevered with 'Talking it Over', which introduced the three main characters in this 'love triangle', but found this one witty, entertaining and perceptive, though with (finally) quite a chilly outlook on life etc.
(bwl 11 October 2001) |
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My Dearest Enemy, My Dangerous Friend: Making and Breaking Sibling Bonds by Dorothy Rowe |
Rowe is a psychologist/author with great understanding and her interpretation is more anecdotal and qualitative than clinical - she admits that it's difficult to draw conclusions as sibling relationships are 'as various as snowflakes'. This book is fascinating and absorbing; full of examples from friends, patients, literature and even her own experience. It necessarily explores related areas of psychology and the chapter 'Loyalty and Brotherhood', particularly on the Middle East and Northern Ireland, is excellent.
(bwl 77 Summer 2015) |
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North Water by Ian McGuire |
Sumner, a ships' surgeon (who has reasons to keep quiet about his experiences in India) tries to make sure justice is done when abuse and murder are uncovered on an 1850s whaling ship. The Captain is deliberately aiming for the ice, and eventually the desperate crew have the weather to reckon with as well. A brutal novel - there is much swearing and violence, right from the start, but it is pacey, beautifully written and humane.
(bwl 84 Spring 2017) |
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On Consolation: Finding Solace in Dark Times by Michael Ignatieff |
Don’t be put off by the grim title! From the Book of Job to modern times we are introduced to a starry cast of thinkers who have shown, in very different ways, how we can find consolation and make sense of our lives. Philosophers, statesmen, authors, composers; all have something valuable to tell us. It’s fascinating, inspiring and full of history and I’m learning so much. Very worthwhile - even if you don’t need consoling right now!
(bwl 107 Winter 2023) |
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Other People's Money by Justin Cartwright |
Cartwright's well observed (though rather cartoonish) characters are all affected by the recent banking crisis as a struggling old family bank resorts to shady practices. It's an enjoyable chase around Antibes, London and Cornwall; sometimes funny and farcical, but it also looks thoughtfully at how all the family members try to maintain their integrity while seeking love and success in a changing world. I found it very entertaining, and more assured than his earlier novels.
(bwl 65 Summer 2012) |
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Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller |
Intriguing story of a young girl whose life is disrupted in 1976 for nine years thanks to her obsessive 'survivalist' father, a self-absorbed pianist mother and other misguided characters. The details of her new life are fascinating, and the pages turn quickly as you wonder how it will turn out. It's almost creepy and at one point verges on horrifying, but it is refreshingly original; concisely, but sensitively written and full of surprises.
(bwl 80 Spring 2016) |
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Pollard by Laura Beatty |
A young girl, alienated from her family, goes to live in the woods by herself. Although she identifies with the trees and wildlife around her she inevitably interacts with other users of the woods: the Ranger, café users etc. She even ventures outside to merge briefly with her old life,
giving the story more interest and drama. Beautifully written and thought provoking about the lives of trees and of those who try to live differently.
(bwl 55 Winter 2010) |
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Red Dust by Ma Jian |
Not simply 'the new Wild Swans', but a travel diary and portrait of China in the 1980s, with glimpses of the terrible legacies of its Cultural Revolution and its tentative changes towards modernity. Ma Jian is a painter, poet and pilgrim, and his haunting descriptions of the landscape are guaranteed to induce itchy feet. It also provides a fascinating insight into the everyday lives of people trying to make the best of things.
(bwl 16 December 2002) |
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Selected Short Stories by Alice Munro |
A stunning collection sketching Canadian lives from settlers to the mid 20th Century, many of them country folk: turkey farmers, muskrat trappers, salesmen, various oddballs, bookshop owners, refugees from marriages and extended families. We are drawn irresistibly into their worlds through Munro's sympathy and detail, and by her scarily acute insight into the emotional forces at work behind the social and financial constraints. Some surprising twists as well - should appeal to Margaret Atwood/Anne Tyler fans!
(bwl 14 July 2002) |
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Shrinking Violets: A Field Guide to Shyness by Joe Morton |
A fascinating, engaging and thorough investigation of shyness by a talented cultural historian. An impressive range of sources (history, literature, music, personal experience) present not only a 'shyness through the ages' with many amusing anecdotes, but a discussion of how we interact and the causes, attitudes and possible cures for being 'shy'. He concludes, happily, that shyness is part of being human; not alienating, but . . . 'a common thread that links me to them'.
(bwl 82 Autumn 2016) |
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Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny |
In this witty and perceptive look at the joys and challenges of married life, New York couple Audra and Graham worry about their 'definitely not autistic' son, explore friendship with Graham's ex-wife and grapple with the possibility of infidelity. The narrative never builds to any denouement and the final part loses steam, but it's an easy and fun read. As the blurb promised, I actually 'laughed out loud' once or twice - very rare!
(bwl 103 Winter 2022) |
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The 10th December by George Saunders |
The best book of short stories I have read. Brilliant writing, often sad but very funny too, showing an exaggerated near-future of US everyday life. Mostly desperate individuals try to support their families and relate to others in a ruthless and surreal world, but show how strong and selfless they can be. I'm baffled by some negative Amazon reviews - takes all sorts! (but it is maybe not for all). First story is difficult to get into, but persevere . . .
(bwl 82 Autumn 2016) |
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The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton |
Alain's tried and tested format works brilliantly here as he explores the experience of travel with help from among others Edward Hopper, John Ruskin, Van Gogh and Wordsworth. Each chapter deals with a travel theme and gives a fascinating introduction to the lives and work of the 'guides' as well as their insights into the art of travel. Full of clever observations as well as De Botton tries out the theories for himself.
(bwl 18 April 2003) |
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The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald |
After reading Hermione Lee's brilliant biography of Penelope Fitzgerald I've been discovering the novels. Based on the life of the young Fritz von Hardenburg (the German writer Novalis), living in Saxony at the end of the 18th century, this is both a love story and a fascinating account of local life at that time. The writing is economical, highly intelligent and amusing. The narrative rambles, but seems even more true to life for that.
(bwl 76 Spring 2015) |
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The Chemistry of Tears by Peter Carey |
A conservator in a rather prim London museum, grieving for her lover, is given the job of restoring a mystery automaton. She becomes fascinated by the diaries of Henry, the endearing eccentric who travelled to Germany two centuries ago to commission the 'duck'. He and the fairy-tale like Germans he has to grapple with are all over-the-top but brilliantly imagined. The writing is rich but economical and both past and present stories equally absorbing. Wonderful!
(bwl 65 Summer 2012) |
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The Crossing by Andrew Miller |
The story stems from Tim's love for enigmatic Maud, a fellow sailing enthusiast, but she is aloof even to us, and neither character seems sympathetic. Their relationship is precarious, and then a traumatic event drives her to set off alone in their yacht - for me the most enjoyable and rewarding section. Improbably, she is later washed up near an isolated community where she starts to heal. Interesting - it makes us question our own reactions and relationships.
(bwl 79 Winter 2016) |
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The End of Vandalism by Tom Drury |
A very funny, quietly told tale of daily lives in fictional 'Goose County' in the US mid-west. There's a nostalgic, almost cosy feel to the pre-internet small town/rural-farm setting, and an intimate and chatty style, but plenty of drama and a lot of sadness too. Drury zooms in on one couple in particular, but we meet many other characters in passing and he sums them up with great understanding and just the right turn of phrase.
(bwl 80 Spring 2016) |
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The English by Jeremy Paxman |
An extremely readable and fascinating exploration of what it means to be English. Using a wide variety of references, Paxman provides an objective and perceptive overview of the influences that shaped the English mind. Some of it is very funny. The section on the Church of England was a revelation and, as the book jacket says, 'a brilliant analysis'. You may not like everything in it, but overall the picture is 'affectionate' and, amazingly, optimistic
(bwl 5 October 2000) |
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The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews |
While her sister Min is in hospital, depressed, Hattie tries to save Min's children from foster care by driving them from Canada to California in search of their father. A good excuse for a fun road trip in a dodgy van, with the stereotypically monosyllabic fifteen year old boy and a suspiciously knowing and wise-cracking girl of eleven. However, they are highly charismatic and unconventional characters and the trip makes a refreshing and uplifting story.
(bwl 55 Winter 2011) |
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The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank |
Interesting format of a series of short stories providing snapshots, both poignant and very funny, of an east coast American girl growing up and trying to get her life right. It's refreshing and light with lots of snappy dialogue, and thoroughly real characters. Disappointing last sections, but well worth it.
(bwl 3 May 2000) |
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The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt |
A traumatic event catapults young Theo into a frenetic and nomadic life, often on the edge of self-destruction but motivated by the need for security and to protect the priceless painting he has acquired. A huge novel, well researched but over-long, with some very enjoyable and entertaining sections but too much waffle from the characters. The rambling ending required some skimming and by then it was hard to sympathise with Theo or his self-absorption.
(bwl 73 Summer 2014) |
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The Good Doctor by Damon Galgut |
An idealistic young man joins a team of doctors in an isolated and failing South African hospital. There are no patients to speak of, and the atmosphere amongst the staff reflects a sense of tension after Apartheid and menace from the surrounding wilderness. Frank, a reluctant friend and room mate, finds his priorities and morals questioned when the menace becomes real and his irritation with the new doctor changes to respect. Beautifully written and many layered.
(bwl 25 August 2004) |
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The Hampton Connection by Vincent Lardo |
Lardo's writing style has taken a nose-dive with this one. This time the criminal element involves a large drug ring that involves our hero Michael Reo (now a film producer) through his connection with 'the jock-strap murder'. Lardo seems obsessed by glamour and never fails to tell us what his characters are wearing, which would be more interesting if it was not always 'summer slacks and a polo shirt'. Diverting.
(bwl 25 August 2004) |
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The Heart Broke In by James Meek |
This very entertaining story covers issues about family life, London life, success, scientific ethics, loyalty and moral dilemmas and serves as a cautionary tale about betrayal. Richie is a once-famous rock star and family man who can't resist teenage girls. His sister Bec zealously researches a cure for malaria but is also looking for love and security. Her spurned lover Val provides the 'baddy' element and the plot thicken . . . I was sad to finish it.
(bwl 66 Autumn 2012) |
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The Hours by Michael Cunningham |
Cunningham's style so emulates Virginia Woolf's in Mrs Dalloway that it seemed almost distasteful at first. However The Hours is more than a homage to VW and he settles into his own very moving study of three women in three different decades, each undergoing a crisis and questioning whether they can carry on. Like Mrs Dalloway, it most effectively shows how the impressions of everyday life interact with our consciousness and motivation.
(bwl 18 April 2003) |
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The Knox Brothers by Penelope Fitzgerald |
More Penelope Fitzgerald - a biography of her four brilliantly clever uncles who lived during the Victorian and Edwardian eras and both world wars. It is a lovely exploration of four very different, eccentric and funny as well as very clever men who loved words and games, and had careers in the church (fascinating insights into the various Anglican factions and changes), journalism and military intelligence. Interesting on the schools and universities of the times too.
(bwl 77 Summer 2015) |
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The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst |
Nick Guest is a young gay PhD student staying in the house of an adored friend, whose father is a rich, rising Conservative MP. Through the family he is drawn into a dangerous world of ambition and indulgence. It is a vivid evocation of the 1980s: the politics, family life, cocaine-fuelled parties and the gay scene. Hollingshurst lingers rather too long at Hampstead Ponds for me, but the pace gathers towards a dramatic ending.
*Winner of the 2004 Man Booker prize.
(bwl 27 December 2004) |
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The Man Who Saw Everything by Deborah Levy |
In 1988 Saul Adler, 28, is hit by a car while crossing the road and this scene, reappearing later, shapes the novel's perspectives on key moments - his family, his research trip to Berlin, his love life. At first Saul seemed irritatingly self-obsessed but later you see how events are juxtaposed with emotions in his mind. Clever, thought provoking and slightly baffling, it's elegantly written with some very poignant final sections. I will re-read, despite Saul's pretensions.
(bwl 96 Spring 2020) |
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The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar |
Set in 18th century London this novel opens in Mr Hancock's Deptford household but soon we are immersed in the bawdy, perilous lives of Soho courtesans after an unlikely find at sea brings them together. The story moves quickly with wonderful, atmospheric language and witty dialogue and the hopes and insecurities of the times are made very real. There is a dark, uneasy element too. I wasn't convinced by the end but it kept me guessing, made me chuckle often and I raced through it.
(bwl 90 Autumn 2018) |
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The Paper Lovers by Gerard Woodward |
Arnold (academic) and Polly (paper-maker) seem happily married until he suddenly falls for her friend Vera. The obsession takes hold, causing awkward school-run moments and some anguish, but there's a twist when a vulnerable student appears at Polly's shop. Arnold tries to keep everyone happy but only makes things worse as poetry, paper-making and moral questions force him into a corner. We then get Polly's perspective. Interesting and clever; I'm glad I read it.
(bwl 89 Summer 2018) |
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The Places In Between by Rory Stewart |
Stewart walked across the middle of Afghanistan in 2002, over snow-covered mountains and desert, relying on letters of introduction to persuade poor and suspicious villagers to provide him with shelter and maybe a piece of naan bread. The distinct tribal areas he crossed are often involved in ancient vendettas and are now the focus of ill-conceived reforms from the West. A fascinating portrait of a country in continual change, thoughtful and very entertaining.
(bwl 47 September 2008) |
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The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith |
The skilfully built up web of intrigue and tense atmosphere of this brilliant thriller had me gripped until 2.00 a.m. Tom Ripley is paid to travel to Italy (gorgeous settings!) on a mission - it's a chance to escape his meaningless New York life and improve his lot. His desperation to be needed and admired and his skewed perception of others take their toll, and events reveal a tormented, destructive character - with charm and talent!
(bwl 14 July 2002) |
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The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney |
An excellent story set in 1867 in a remote Canadian settlement where the layer of civilisation is only ice thin. The murder of a local Frenchman exposes deep feelings and buried secrets in and beyond the small community. Everyone has their own reason for finding the killer, sparking off a series of desperate treks into the wilderness. The vast, bleak landscape provides a vivid backdrop. It starts to ramble near the end, but it's worth it.
(bwl 39 April 2007) |
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The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell |
Jacob tries to survive in the cut-throat atmosphere of Dejima, where the Dutch East India Company is trading with the suspicious, closed Japan of 1799. There are power struggles among both the Dutch and the Japanese and of course the love interest, which leads to a heroic mission and a rather messy ending, especially when the English turn up. It's beautifully written, moving, funny and very clever (and there's a cast list at the end!).
(bwl 79 Winter 2016) |
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The Way I Found Her by Rose Tremain |
Lewis, aged 13, is on the brink of adolescence and in Paris for the summer. He becomes both obsessed by his hostess and aware of the fragility of his parents marriage as he grapples with the complications that arise. It's a charming, perceptive, slowly addictive read, and Lewis's conflicting emotions as he leaves his childhood behind ring very true. I struggled to suspend my disbelief near the end but didn't want the end to come.
(bwl 4 July 2000) |
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The Wild by Esther Freud |
Francine and her children rent rooms from the hopelessly idealistic William and his girls, forming a sometimes idyllic but ultimately doomed ménage. Complicating matters are ex-spouses on both sides, unpredictable pets, seething adolescents and a shotgun. All the characters are interesting, there isn't a single cliché and no scene is overindulged. A gripping, very skilful, sometimes heart-rending warning of how confused and vulnerable (but ultimately resilient) children can be among all-too-human adults.
(bwl 28 February 2005) |
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Visible Worlds by Marilyn Bowering |
Fascinating story of a family of German immigrants in Canada jumping around from the 30s to the 60s, and the personal and international upheavals that they (mostly) live through.The story moves around Canada, Germany, Siberia, Korea and the Arctic, offering a refreshing perspective on world events of the time and their effects on the characters. Unusual, full of horrors, but also resilience, strong family bonds and some beautiful language - very worthwhile!
(bwl 11 October 2001) |
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Visitation Street by Ivy Pochoda |
A gritty, urban novel set in New York's Red Hook (old dock area of Brooklyn) full of slang, attitude and degenerate characters but also integrity and courage, family bonds, a beautiful sense of atmosphere and best of all an intriguing mystery that draws local characters and local issues together. Language is sparse and natural and nothing over-explained. There is a rather superfluous supernatural element, but minor and not intrusive. Satisfying and compulsive reading.
(bwl 77 Summer 2015) |
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Wake Up Happy Every Day by Stephen May |
A struggling English couple staying with a friend in San Francisco make the most of his sudden death and become hugely rich. The plot thickens and draws in a selection of characters (though the change from person to person does take some persistence) to create a rather implausible but irresistible thriller with many pithy and quite thoughtful comments on all sorts of things. It's a light and amusing read, though I skimmed some of the digressions.
(bwl 76 Spring 2015) |
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We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson |
Merricat is desperate to sustain the fragile little world she shares with her sister Constance and invalid Uncle Julian, hiding from hostile neighbours. Food, routine, family heirlooms and Jonas the Cat frame Merricat's life and, when grasping Cousin Charles intrudes, she is forced to 'make things happen'. The consequences bring more destruction; the real world comes crashing in, but still the sisters are determined to 'live on the moon'. Unsettling but fascinating too. I longed to know more about their early years!
(bwl 92 Spring 2019) |
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Welcome To My Planet by Shannon Olsen |
Along the same lines as 'The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing' (bwl 3) and with a recommendation from Melissa Bank on the cover - maybe not as unusual, but very entertaining, very funny and believable. 29 year old girl from Minnesota searches for the right occupation/boyfriend/meaning of life etc., exploring 'issues' with her counsellor and relationships with her family. I have read this twice already - a real 'comfort read'. Interesting from a parent's point of view too!
(bwl 12 January 2002) |
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When the Night Comes by Favel Parrett |
This introduced me to two completely new worlds - a young family newly settled in Tasmania and life on board an Antarctic research supply ship (based on a real ship). Descriptions of the weather in Hobart and of the Antarctic landscape are vivid, and the matter-of-fact yet poetic writing style fits well with the rugged way of life and the relationship that develops. If you liked 'The Shipping News' you should enjoy this.
(bwl 80 Spring 2016) |
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White Teeth by Zadie Smith |
Packed with colourful characters and history, this large book explores the experiences of West Indian and Asian families in London from every conceivable angle - particularly interesting on the young teenagers finding their identities. Reading this felt like walking down a busy main road in London and knowing the story of everyone you pass. Sometimes a rather bitter interpretation of British history, but a cleverly constructed narrative, very nicely and surprisingly rounded off at the end.
(bwl 12 January 2002) |
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