Friday 29 October 2010

Books 2010 - Jonathan Coe

When i said I was going to be stuck at home for a while recovering from foot surgery, a friend pressed two books on me by her favourite author, Jonathan Coe. She could not believe that I had never heard of or read any of his books. Well, now I have read two of his books - The Rotters Club and The Closed Circle.   I think you can safely assume I won't be reading any more books by Jonathan Coe.  Nor will I ever make it as a book critic - because I just cannot understand why these novels were so well received and critically acclaimed. Seriously - I found The Rotters Club really frustrating reading and it left the characters in limbo - so I am quite pleased I did persevere and read The Closed Circle, because it picked up where the first novel ended and gave me some closure on those damned characters!

Both novels were fine really, one story  across two novels about a group of very different individuals, their lives and the political climates that they have lived through.  The attitudes toward Thatcher and then Blair I think do well to describe the feelings of a generation that the Labour Party (or New Labour) has let down, shattering  everything they believed in.  BUT I think because both books are covered in acclaim and adoration from all sorts of newspapers (including the Times) and individuals (Nick Hornby, Jeremey Paxman, Paul Meron) I expected more. I expected a lot more.

Saturday 23 October 2010

books 2010 - more from two authors I like

I am currently recovering from some surgery so I have been able to read a bit, but am mostly feeling a bit lazy and enjoying easy reads, crosswords, magazines etc. I promise my next blogpost will be something unrelated to books.

Susanna Clarke: Ladies of Grace Adieu and other short stories.


(Don't you think this book has a gorgeous cover?)

A collection of short stories by the author of one of my favourite novels, this is a lovely collection of stories featuring some of the same characters that appear in Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell.  All of the stories are easy reads, fantastical and slightly sinister at times. Good escapism.


Sue Townsend: Adrian Mole - The Prostrate Years.
I haven't read an Adrian Mole diary for years and I got through this in two days - love his inane ramblings. I dont want to go on about Adrian Mole as everyone has heard of the diaries, suffice to say they always make me laugh out loud and I feel a special bond with the loser, mostly cos he is from Leicester. When I'd finished this, the most recent diary, I looked at the back and thought that I hadn't read 'the weapons of mass destruction' and promptly ordered it online.  A few hours later, looking at the bookshelves what do I see, with a 'happy birthday note' in it from mum...? you guessed it,  Whats wrong with me?! so unlike me not to remember a book! I am reading it now, and I'm currently in the throes of trying to cancel my amazon order. What an idiot.

Post script: just finished Sue Townsend - Adrian Mole and the weapons of mass destruction - I did enjoy it a lot, I couldn't remember much of it to begin with, but that explains why I tried to buy it again!


Sunday 17 October 2010

Books 2010 - from Malgudi to 221B Baker Street

A Malgudi Omnibus - RK Narayan
This consists of 3 novels, all set in the fictional town of Malgudi.
1 - Swami and Friends, 1935
I liked this story of a young boy getting into scrapes at school and with his friends. It's nice and easy to read, and quite funny at times.
2 - The Bachelor of Arts 1937
This was an interesting read, I always like stories about Indian university campuses, pupils and teachers seem much better read than they do at UK campuses, with classic literary references scattered throughout the dialogue. This story was captivating with an inconclusive ending.
3 - The English teacher 1945
This was my least favourite. depressing and a stupid ending. No idea why I bothered reading it to the end!



Arthur & George - Julian Barnes
Jigna left this book here at Christmas and I am so pleased she did, as I don't think its the kind of book I would ever pick up in a shop or order online. I loved this story of two very very different men and the way that it unfolds. It is written in such a way that every paragraph reveals a little more and makes you want to read on to find out about the characters and the outcome. This is based on actual fact. Brilliant, I'd recommend this to anyone.