Wednesday, December 27, 2006
So Many Ways to Begin by Jon McGregor
Written in a gentle, understated style, McGregor's second novel tells the story of David Carter and his attempt to understand who he is, and what made him the person he is. McGregor ties each chapter to an artefact that David has collected - documents, photos, and mementos - and relates an episode in Carter's personal family history. The novel has an undercurrent of sadness and disappointment, telling of ordinary people living ordinary lives, but is also a love story that compensates for the failures that individuals inevitably suffer and cope with.
While this wasn't quite as captivating as 'If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things', which I thought was a wonderful book, I still very much enjoyed it and will look forward to more of McGregor's writing.
Written in a gentle, understated style, McGregor's second novel tells the story of David Carter and his attempt to understand who he is, and what made him the person he is. McGregor ties each chapter to an artefact that David has collected - documents, photos, and mementos - and relates an episode in Carter's personal family history. The novel has an undercurrent of sadness and disappointment, telling of ordinary people living ordinary lives, but is also a love story that compensates for the failures that individuals inevitably suffer and cope with.
While this wasn't quite as captivating as 'If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things', which I thought was a wonderful book, I still very much enjoyed it and will look forward to more of McGregor's writing.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Poppy 1991-2006
Poppy 1991-2006
Originally uploaded by northern green pixie.
We said goodbye to our loyal Poppy yesterday. She has gone to the big dog kennel in the sky after 15 years as a member of the family. We had many happy walks together over Otley Chevin and along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, and future trips won't be the same without her. She suffered the "friendship" of a generation of cats, and perfected the art of hoovering crumbs off the carpet almost before they landed. She will be remembered with a smile.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
I'm amazed that is's been nearly a month since my last post. I suppose that's what happens when work gets busy, and teenage offspring monopolise the home computer. Anyway, I've been reading so here are my latest reviews:
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt
Hustvedt's book is certainly one of my favourites this year. Emotionally intense, and intellectually challenging, this story of two families, examining memory, relationships, illness and the nature of 'seeing' is beautifully and intelligently written. Following the life of Leo Hertzberg from his German-Jewish roots through marriage and fatherhood, his career as an art historian, and his friendship with artist Bill Wechsler, Hustvedt intertwines meditations on the nature of morality with theories on the structure of meaning. References to Lacan, Freud and Baudrillard support discussions on art, health, love and trust, which together create an immensly satisfying novel. I'll be adding more of Siri Hustvedt's work to my wishlist!
Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
This book was great fun; rather a 'Boy's Own' kind of adventure, and quite different from my usual reading choices, but thoroughly enjoyable. It tells the story of Charles Carter, an American stage magician through the early part of the 20th century. It seems very well researched, based on the lives of theatrical performers of the time, and I liked the historical detail. Gold evokes the atmosphere and excitement of the theatre beautifully. The characters are engaging, and the twists and turns of the plot compelling. Both the story and the writing style are reminiscent of E.L Doctorow - I suppose Houdini's role in the book particularly brought to mind Doctorow's 'Ragtime', which I would recommend to anyone who enjoys 'Carter Beats the Devil'.
Good stuff!
As well as these two good ones, I started but didn't finish Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach, and The Colour of Heaven by James Runcie. Both appear to have got good reviews (on Amazon and on Bookcrossing) but I found them rather lightweight and superficial, and neither managed to hold my attention for very long. But they will both be passed on via Bookcrossing so hopefully other readers will enjoy them more than I did.
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt
Hustvedt's book is certainly one of my favourites this year. Emotionally intense, and intellectually challenging, this story of two families, examining memory, relationships, illness and the nature of 'seeing' is beautifully and intelligently written. Following the life of Leo Hertzberg from his German-Jewish roots through marriage and fatherhood, his career as an art historian, and his friendship with artist Bill Wechsler, Hustvedt intertwines meditations on the nature of morality with theories on the structure of meaning. References to Lacan, Freud and Baudrillard support discussions on art, health, love and trust, which together create an immensly satisfying novel. I'll be adding more of Siri Hustvedt's work to my wishlist!
Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
This book was great fun; rather a 'Boy's Own' kind of adventure, and quite different from my usual reading choices, but thoroughly enjoyable. It tells the story of Charles Carter, an American stage magician through the early part of the 20th century. It seems very well researched, based on the lives of theatrical performers of the time, and I liked the historical detail. Gold evokes the atmosphere and excitement of the theatre beautifully. The characters are engaging, and the twists and turns of the plot compelling. Both the story and the writing style are reminiscent of E.L Doctorow - I suppose Houdini's role in the book particularly brought to mind Doctorow's 'Ragtime', which I would recommend to anyone who enjoys 'Carter Beats the Devil'.
Good stuff!
As well as these two good ones, I started but didn't finish Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach, and The Colour of Heaven by James Runcie. Both appear to have got good reviews (on Amazon and on Bookcrossing) but I found them rather lightweight and superficial, and neither managed to hold my attention for very long. But they will both be passed on via Bookcrossing so hopefully other readers will enjoy them more than I did.
