When Death met the Philosopher, the Philosopher said rather excitedly: ‘At this point you realise I ‘m both dead and not dead.� ( re Schrodinger’s catWhen Death met the Philosopher, the Philosopher said rather excitedly: ‘At this point you realise I ‘m both dead and not dead.� ( re Schrodinger’s cat).
Witty and short. Another filed on my phone and now read. Never read any Terry Pratchett before. Which is a damn shame....more
Lovely short story by O. Henry. Had saved it on my phone but not read until this Easter when I found myself having finished two books and not brought Lovely short story by O. Henry. Had saved it on my phone but not read until this Easter when I found myself having finished two books and not brought another along.
A young couple with very little money sacrifice what they have already as gifts in order to buy each other new Christmas gifts. Della and Jim are compared to the Magi as they give the most valuable of gifts…love.
After reading Lee’s previous book ‘As I walked out one midsummer morning� last year from my dad’s stash. I actually bought this online. The final workAfter reading Lee’s previous book ‘As I walked out one midsummer morning� last year from my dad’s stash. I actually bought this online. The final work in his autobiographical trilogy after the first - ‘Cider with Rosie.� Whilst I remember Spain in the last work as painted with boiling sun, this one is unrelenting cold and snow.
Lee wrote this book many years after his time in the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War. It’s a snapshot. Little of the visceral battles described in Beevor’s ‘The Battle for Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939. It’s a sad and short book. But I feel better for having read it and recognised the bravery of those that went to fight against Franco.
‘We were outnumbered. We were betrayed. We were punished. God froze us.�
‘God what?�
‘He froze us with his mighty breath.�
To keep me occupied he asked me to sort out his filing cards…the names and addresses of British and Irish volunteers…There must have been five or six hundred of them…more than half marked ‘killed in action� or ‘missing…� Public schoolboys, undergraduates, men from coal mines and mills, they were the ill-armed advance scouts in the , as yet, unsanctified Second World War.
Second of three books by this great Author bought from charity shop. This one even being a signed copy. Starts with a massacre in a remote Swedish hamSecond of three books by this great Author bought from charity shop. This one even being a signed copy. Starts with a massacre in a remote Swedish hamlet. Recounts a story of Chinese brothers forced to go to America in the latter part of the nineteenth century to work on the construction of the railways. Traverses into China and the communist plans to relocate millions of peasants to farm in Africa.
All this interlaced with a Swedish judge related to one of the dead in the massacre investigating the atrocity. Great writing and pace. Mankell is more than Wallender for sure. Have my third purchase lined up - a Wallender prequel. But with the new and final series of Bosch Legacy now on it’s time for a …Harry Bosch...more
Watching the final series of Bosch Legacy I was lucky to find this book at the local Charity shop. I remembered the interrelated stories from one of tWatching the final series of Bosch Legacy I was lucky to find this book at the local Charity shop. I remembered the interrelated stories from one of the series in the Bosch tv programs. The introduction of Titus Welliver as the tattooed craggy actor portraying Harry Bosch solidified the character in my mind reading Michael Connell’s books. Unlike seeing Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher. But I digress.
A number of stories in this book have Harry still working cold cases as a retired cop now returned to work. From the double murder of a father and son in a chemists store to the potential release of a lifer for a murder where Harry is blamed for setting him up.
Maddie his daughter is at College and in one of the stories Harry’s half brother Mickey Haller takes a prominent role. Great story writing. Police procedural at its finest. And in Harry Bosch, the ex Vietnam War tunnel rat, we have one of my favourite detectives. His mantra ‘everybody counts or no one counts� is not mentioned in this book.
But I like the quote:
‘He knew there were two kinds of truth in this world. The truth that was the unalterable bedrock of one’s life and mission. And the other, malleable truth of politicians, charlatans, corrupt lawyers, and their clients, bent and moulded to serve whatever purpose was at hand.�
For Harry it was always the former of the truths...more
Last book I read by the author was the end-of his character Wallender. I had dust smotes in my eyes at the end (note - must vacuum and dust more). ThoLast book I read by the author was the end-of his character Wallender. I had dust smotes in my eyes at the end (note - must vacuum and dust more). Thought this may have been the author’s very last work as it portends death in a visceral way. But no he lived longer. Now managed to pick up three works from the author at local charity shop.
Frederik Welen lives on a remote Island after making a mistake as a Surgeon, with an old cat and dog as company. Oh and of course a growing anthill in his lounge that is rising up the table side and consuming the table cloth.
An old girlfriend arrives and things take off. Whilst the landscape and story are bleak there comes a form of redemption.
The descriptions of impending doom are superb. One reminds me of lying in bed as a nine or ten year old and thinking about death and grappling with the concept of eternity as you do at that age (not):
‘I’m not afraid of death. What I think is horrific is the fact I shall have be dead for so long.�
‘Before I die, I must know why I’ve lived.�
I remembered her once saying that life was like your shoes. You couldn’t simply expect or imagine that your shoes would fit perfectly. Shoes that pinched your feet were a fact of life.
I recall thinking: This person who is now dead is someone who in reality has never existed. Death wipes out everything that has lived. Death leaves no trace, apart from the things I’ve always found so difficult to cope with. Love, emotions.
I experienced an increasing fear that I myself was approaching the end. I was afraid of the humiliations in store for me, and hoped I would be granted a gentle death, one which spared me from having to lie in bed for a long time before I reached the shore.
‘Dog, bone, sorrow.�
Mankell is an absolute master. I have two more books in my stash to read. Including…wait for it� a Wallender prequel....more
Reading a review by Julie on a book on Power my mind, if not my body, was transported back to reading Politics at Uni. I believe this work had been puReading a review by Julie on a book on Power my mind, if not my body, was transported back to reading Politics at Uni. I believe this work had been published the year before I started.
Looks like he is a now a Professor in the US. So I wonder what he would be thinking of his concept of Ideological Power - his third dimension. Being able to influence people even against their self-interest.
Spooky. Especially my being able to pull that out of the bag…but not remember what my wife asked me to do 10 minutes ago...more
Lovely little book read to 3 year old grandson at breakfast today. Simple story of a tiny bear wishing he was big but finally settling on his own exisLovely little book read to 3 year old grandson at breakfast today. Simple story of a tiny bear wishing he was big but finally settling on his own existence as a small bear. Super illustrations as well.
I am sure Sartre would have something to say about it. But all I could do was change ‘were� to ‘was.�...more
Had only read two books by Cormac McCarthy before this - The Road and No Country for Old Men. Both shorter in length but also both having a central heHad only read two books by Cormac McCarthy before this - The Road and No Country for Old Men. Both shorter in length but also both having a central hero battling the odds in a grim landscape.
This story of a young cowboy in the late 1940/50’s is as bleak as the previous two. Fantastic descriptions of the scenery, the elements, the people, horses and hardships. The writing is powerful. You soon get used to the lack of any punctuation marks and liberal splashing of Spanish.
John Grady Cole’s strong moral and romantic values are to be commended. Yes there is violence, but it’s a McCarthy. I have the next two books in this ‘Borders� trilogy and look forward to reading them after a Henning Mankell....more
‘I began my life as I shall no doubt end it: among books. In my grandfather’s study, they were everywhere; it was forbidden to dust them except once a
‘I began my life as I shall no doubt end it: among books. In my grandfather’s study, they were everywhere; it was forbidden to dust them except once a year…�
Bought many moons ago at University but I don’t remember reading it…doesn’t mean I didn’t however...more
I like dystopian novels and I liked this one. Initially I thought the Wall was like the Westeros one in Game of Thrones. Protection from the White WalI like dystopian novels and I liked this one. Initially I thought the Wall was like the Westeros one in Game of Thrones. Protection from the White Walkers.
But climate change has caused waters to rise and precipitated the mass movement of refugees (‘others�). The UK have built a more than metaphorical wall around the coast and Defenders spend 2 years as part of the Border Defence Force. But if they fail and the Wall is crossed the defenders are exiled on boats in the sea. Tasked with killing others who try to cross the wall is Joseph Kavanagh a young man who is introduced on day 1 of his wall stint.
I read the book easily in a day. I thought the writer captured Joseph K’s ( Kafka type) angst well. The twist before the end was gripping. ...more
‘Life is now, this minute, it’s all we have. It’s all we need.�
‘I’ll tell her about you. Old people, just walking and sleeping in a tent, that’s an in‘Life is now, this minute, it’s all we have. It’s all we need.�
‘I’ll tell her about you. Old people, just walking and sleeping in a tent, that’s an inspiration.� ‘Not so old.�
‘My friend phoned me. She said run out and see the old people with big rucksacks. Are you really sleeping in a tent?�
Always wanted to do a long hike with my wife. West Highland Way or Coast to Coast. But the description of the 630 mile South West Coast Path puts this on the list.
Raynor Winn and her husband Moth lose their home and Moth has a life limiting condition CBD. In their 50’s they decide that with their children at University they can invest in a tent from eBay and other low value camping items and walk the Path.
Beautiful recounting of their trials and tribulations wild camping the route. Moth becomes stronger as they progress but still pitifully ill. They live on a pittance. Becoming filthy, emaciated and hungry tramps - as some people call them.
They are given a palm reading early in the book that they will ‘walk with a tortoise.� This becomes true at the end.
It is a lovely story of love and endurance and I will look out other books by the author and the recent film....more
Sitting waiting for an appointment reading short stories. This one was a right cracker of a read. Wife is told her husband has died in a rail crash. WSitting waiting for an appointment reading short stories. This one was a right cracker of a read. Wife is told her husband has died in a rail crash. Whilst starting to grieve she realises she is now free. Brilliant prose and brilliant ending. Loved it....more
A man kills another simply for the reason that he has an eye ‘like the eye of a vulture.� Nothing more than his appearance. He smothers the man. DismeA man kills another simply for the reason that he has an eye ‘like the eye of a vulture.� Nothing more than his appearance. He smothers the man. Dismembers him and hides the bits under the floorboards. Unfortunately, he imagines he continues to hear the victims heart which proves his undoing.
Only a few pages but Poe paints an eerie picture....more
Another from my dad’s stash of books. Written by the Abbot Christopher Jamison from the Benedictine monastery of Worth Abbey in Sussex. The book folloAnother from my dad’s stash of books. Written by the Abbot Christopher Jamison from the Benedictine monastery of Worth Abbey in Sussex. The book follows the TV series ‘The Monastery� where 5 modern men spent 40 days and nights in a retreat here.
An overview of St Benedict’s teaching. Focussing on the Monastic steps of: Silence. Contemplation. Obedience, Humility, Community, Spiritualty and Hope. There are references to the men in the tv series as well as other religious examples.
I enjoyed the read. But was reminded that I was not able to deliver the ‘retreat� my dad would have loved. I will look out the tv series....more
Cracker of a read. Unfortunately the last part lining us up for the next book was a tad disappointing. But don’t get me wrong I enjoyed it overall. BiCracker of a read. Unfortunately the last part lining us up for the next book was a tad disappointing. But don’t get me wrong I enjoyed it overall. Bit of a John Buchan Thirty-Nine Steps feel at times.
Simon Sharman a former spy is now freelancing in the private sector. He uncovers a conspiracy going back to his days as an Oxford undergraduate similar to the one at Cambridge.
There is plenty of action, love interest and references to Brexit and the Ukraine. In fact quite apt reading at this time.
References also to Pret A Manger, a food chain I like. But my favourite duck wraps not mentioned- I digress.
‘…populist-nationalist equals pro-Russian.�
‘Crimea is Russian. Always was, always will be. And if we’re really being honest. Ukraine isn’t a thing.� They’re just Russians with a soft spot for the Nazi’s�
‘But the yanks find it easy to have a go at one of the world’s smallest countries.� Reminded me of recent JD Vance comments.
Yes a good read and I will hunt out the next book.
Another short story book from my Dad’s collection. Not a 60’s Penguin series this time but from Everyman.
Two Celtic short stories from the 11th centurAnother short story book from my Dad’s collection. Not a 60’s Penguin series this time but from Everyman.
Two Celtic short stories from the 11th century or earlier. The first The Lady of the Fountain starts in Caerleon. I visited here some years ago to see the Roman ruins - amphitheatre and barracks. This is an Arthurian tale with the hero Owain carrying out his knightly exploits with a Lion at his side.
The Dream of Macsen is about a Roman Emperor who sets out to find the lady in his dream.
Two short extracts from the works. Suffice to say neither spurred me on to read the full Mabinogion....more
One of my dad’s books. A short collection of wonderful quotes for and about fathers. It made me feel good reading iShame that not many have read this.
One of my dad’s books. A short collection of wonderful quotes for and about fathers. It made me feel good reading it.
‘What do I owe my father? Everything.� Henry Van Dyke
‘A dad is a person that thinks he knows everything but doesn’t even understand simple new math.� Melissa Wellington, age 10
‘I like my dad, because when I was five he would play football. But now he can’t play football, because he’s thirty.� Theron Cornell, age 9...more
Another of my dad’s stash of Penguin 1960’s short works. This has four essays by Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) the great essayist. To be fair I was Another of my dad’s stash of Penguin 1960’s short works. This has four essays by Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) the great essayist. To be fair I was glad not to have to read the longer versions…Preferred the one on conversation. Everyone should read methinks.
On the Cannibals
Bravery does not consist in firm arms and legs but in firm minds and souls.
On Smells
When choosing where to stay, my principal concern is to avoid air which is oppressive and stinking.
On the Art of Conversation
It is impossible to argue in good faith with a fool. Not only my judgement is corrupted at the hands of so violent a master, so is my sense of right and wrong.
On Thumbs
Doctors say that our thumb is our master-finger� ...more
![[For My Father] (By: Helen Exley) [published: September, 1997]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1699032992l/129040777._SX50_.jpg)
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