Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Our Lady of the Forest by David Guterson
I got as far as page 75 then threw the book down. Dull. The book is split into a few big chunks, but apart from that there are no chapters, no changes in perspective, little in the way of paragraphs. Just page after page of text with no relief. Ann and her various companions make trips into the forest. The first description of the forest was ok. But the second and third were very samey. Dialogue isn't marked and is quite difficult to distinguish from the rest of the text. Stylistically that doesn't have to be a problem - but in Guterson's case it is. I haven't read his bestseller Snow Falling on Cedars, but I suspect that this novel is trying to ride on its coat-tails. If I were you I wouldn't bother.
I got as far as page 75 then threw the book down. Dull. The book is split into a few big chunks, but apart from that there are no chapters, no changes in perspective, little in the way of paragraphs. Just page after page of text with no relief. Ann and her various companions make trips into the forest. The first description of the forest was ok. But the second and third were very samey. Dialogue isn't marked and is quite difficult to distinguish from the rest of the text. Stylistically that doesn't have to be a problem - but in Guterson's case it is. I haven't read his bestseller Snow Falling on Cedars, but I suspect that this novel is trying to ride on its coat-tails. If I were you I wouldn't bother.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre
Written from the perspective of 15 year old Vernon Little, a boy living with his widowed mother in small-town Texas, this is a rites of passage novel that brilliantly lays bare a dirty, selfish society that exploits and degrades its youth.
DBC Pierre writes in a colloquial style which it took a few pages to get used to but which powerfully evokes the character of the confused teenage narrator. I was soon drawn into Vernon’s life and found the book difficult to put down.
Vernon inadvertently becomes central to a chain of events that turn his life upside down, send him fleeing to Mexico and ultimately sees him accused of mass murder. But amidst all the trauma and tragedy there are acts of kindness and compassion that allow for at least some redemption. We see Vernon develop and grow as the story progresses, and the effect of his experiences on him is believable, but the denouement is not without surprises.
The story is well told and irresistibly compelling. If you got any book tokens for Christmas, you could do worse than buy this.
Written from the perspective of 15 year old Vernon Little, a boy living with his widowed mother in small-town Texas, this is a rites of passage novel that brilliantly lays bare a dirty, selfish society that exploits and degrades its youth.
DBC Pierre writes in a colloquial style which it took a few pages to get used to but which powerfully evokes the character of the confused teenage narrator. I was soon drawn into Vernon’s life and found the book difficult to put down.
Vernon inadvertently becomes central to a chain of events that turn his life upside down, send him fleeing to Mexico and ultimately sees him accused of mass murder. But amidst all the trauma and tragedy there are acts of kindness and compassion that allow for at least some redemption. We see Vernon develop and grow as the story progresses, and the effect of his experiences on him is believable, but the denouement is not without surprises.
The story is well told and irresistibly compelling. If you got any book tokens for Christmas, you could do worse than buy this.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
I just found Bluebell's blog. He calls me "an eccentric old lady with lots of cats". I'd be offended if I wasn't laughing so much. Cheeky sod.
The Dark Heart of Italy by Tobias Jones
Tobias Jones, an Englishman who has been living in Italy since 1999, gives us his perpective on modern Italy, providing enough historical background to allow the reader to understand something of today's Italy.
He writes about football, politics, justice and death - but it's not as dry as it sounds. The Italy he describes is teeming with life and full of contradictions. I didn't have much of an idea of what Italy is like beyond the tourist attractions - of course I'd heard occasional news items about the Mafia and terrorism, but this book really opened my eyes.
Italy seems to be a complicated, intense country lurching from scandal to scandal, heavy with bureaucracy and rife with corruption. He made me appreciate the relative ease with which "the system" in England functions, and even though Blair's policies and actions sicken me, I'd rather put up with him than with Berlusconi. But Jones clearly loves the country and the people, and expresses his fascination articulately.
And I learned a few words of Italian.
A very readable and interesting book.
Tobias Jones, an Englishman who has been living in Italy since 1999, gives us his perpective on modern Italy, providing enough historical background to allow the reader to understand something of today's Italy.
He writes about football, politics, justice and death - but it's not as dry as it sounds. The Italy he describes is teeming with life and full of contradictions. I didn't have much of an idea of what Italy is like beyond the tourist attractions - of course I'd heard occasional news items about the Mafia and terrorism, but this book really opened my eyes.
Italy seems to be a complicated, intense country lurching from scandal to scandal, heavy with bureaucracy and rife with corruption. He made me appreciate the relative ease with which "the system" in England functions, and even though Blair's policies and actions sicken me, I'd rather put up with him than with Berlusconi. But Jones clearly loves the country and the people, and expresses his fascination articulately.
And I learned a few words of Italian.
A very readable and interesting book.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Happy solstice to you all.
Ah, 'tis the season of goodwill.
A colleague at the office had his wallet stolen yesterday. It was in his jacket on the back of his chair, and a passing opportunist thief helped himself to it. You need a swipe card to get into the office, but there are so many people coming and going I don't suppose it was very difficult to sneak in. A couple of people saw him, just after lunch, but thought he was from the IT department as he seemed to be writing down computer serial numbers. The theft wasn't discovered until 5pm, by which time the thief had taken over £2000 from my colleague's bank accounts. So now his accounts are frozen and he has no cards, and with the holidays coming up, he's really going to struggle. It'll probably be weeks before the banks reimburse him for the stolen money. We had a whip round for him so at least he can eat.
A colleague at the office had his wallet stolen yesterday. It was in his jacket on the back of his chair, and a passing opportunist thief helped himself to it. You need a swipe card to get into the office, but there are so many people coming and going I don't suppose it was very difficult to sneak in. A couple of people saw him, just after lunch, but thought he was from the IT department as he seemed to be writing down computer serial numbers. The theft wasn't discovered until 5pm, by which time the thief had taken over £2000 from my colleague's bank accounts. So now his accounts are frozen and he has no cards, and with the holidays coming up, he's really going to struggle. It'll probably be weeks before the banks reimburse him for the stolen money. We had a whip round for him so at least he can eat.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Tiny bit hungover today after a night out welcoming my friend Kerry back from a year travelling. She spent most of her time in New Zealand and I'm very jealous!
We went out and bought a router today so that I can blog while FK plays his X Box online. I had planned to go to the farmer's market this morning but the aforementioned hangover put paid to that idea. By the time we went to town most of the traders had packed up and gone home. There was a man there selling ostrich burgers, but coffee was about all I could manage.
We went out and bought a router today so that I can blog while FK plays his X Box online. I had planned to go to the farmer's market this morning but the aforementioned hangover put paid to that idea. By the time we went to town most of the traders had packed up and gone home. There was a man there selling ostrich burgers, but coffee was about all I could manage.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Went to see The Undertones at The Cockpit last night. It was just as good as last year's gig. Me and Diane and our endorphins spent a very enjoyable (but sweaty) hour jumping up and down at the front of the crowd with loads of other almost-middle-aged folk. Perfect therapy for those of a certain age feeling weighted down by the responsibilities of adulthood.
Aspire is on this weekend. Tomorrow afternoon they are showing films - local political creativity. So I will be wrapping up in my biggest jumper and heading for Woodhouse Street. Its "techno + dub + chill shenanigans" tonight, but I don't think I can be bothered. Too tired after last night. Just don't have the stamina anymore!
On the pensions front, local government workers aren't the only ones facing the prospect of unwanted changes to their pension scheme. The Guardian gives a useful overview of the public sector pension problem, including details of how MPs improved their own scheme before they turned round and started attacking everyone elses.
Aspire is on this weekend. Tomorrow afternoon they are showing films - local political creativity. So I will be wrapping up in my biggest jumper and heading for Woodhouse Street. Its "techno + dub + chill shenanigans" tonight, but I don't think I can be bothered. Too tired after last night. Just don't have the stamina anymore!
On the pensions front, local government workers aren't the only ones facing the prospect of unwanted changes to their pension scheme. The Guardian gives a useful overview of the public sector pension problem, including details of how MPs improved their own scheme before they turned round and started attacking everyone elses.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
I've been a bit absent from blogging, haven't I? Kind of got out of the habit. Been curled up on the sofa watching telly, or watching Fungus Kitten playing on the X Box. Oh, yes, and feeling miserable so not very chatty. Anyway, I just got an email from a trade union colleague from many many years ago (about 20) who stumbled across my blog and asked why I wasn't blogging anymore. So I thought I'd better sort myself out and put in an appearance.
So what's been going on? Going to work, trying not to get too stressed by what Tony's gang are trying to do to local government workers pensions - they want to change the rules of the local gov pension schemes, which will mean most of us will have to pay more and work til we are 100. Well, almost.
And we've had a couple of Northern Green Gathering meetings. We think we have found a new site for next year's camp, but are waiting to hear back from the farmer about costs and dates. Its a beautiful site on the side of a moor in the Yorkshire Dales. We're meeting again on Monday so hopefully there will be some news then.
I'm off work today cos FK has a sore throat. He's still asleep. I told work I might go in this afternoon if he's feeling a bit better, but I think it's unlikely really. Anyway, there's nothing urgent in my in-tray. They'll survive without me for a day or two.
So what's been going on? Going to work, trying not to get too stressed by what Tony's gang are trying to do to local government workers pensions - they want to change the rules of the local gov pension schemes, which will mean most of us will have to pay more and work til we are 100. Well, almost.
And we've had a couple of Northern Green Gathering meetings. We think we have found a new site for next year's camp, but are waiting to hear back from the farmer about costs and dates. Its a beautiful site on the side of a moor in the Yorkshire Dales. We're meeting again on Monday so hopefully there will be some news then.
I'm off work today cos FK has a sore throat. He's still asleep. I told work I might go in this afternoon if he's feeling a bit better, but I think it's unlikely really. Anyway, there's nothing urgent in my in-tray. They'll survive without me for a day or two.
