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鈥檚 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):
鈥業鈥檓 not afraid of death. What I think is horrific is the fact I shall have be dead for so long.鈥�
鈥楤efore I die, I must know why I鈥檝e lived.鈥�
I remembered her once saying that life was like your shoes. You couldn鈥檛 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鈥檝e 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.
鈥楧og, bone, sorrow.鈥�
Mankell is an absolute master. I have two more books in my stash to read. Including鈥ait for it鈥� 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鈥ut 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 鈥榳ere鈥� to 鈥榳as.鈥�...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鈥檚 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鈥檚 strong moral and romantic values are to be commended. Yes there is violence, but it鈥檚 a McCarthy. I have the next two books in this 鈥楤orders鈥� trilogy and look forward to reading them after a Henning Mankell....more
鈥業 began my life as I shall no doubt end it: among books. In my grandfather鈥檚 study, they were everywhere; it was forbidden to dust them except once a
鈥業 began my life as I shall no doubt end it: among books. In my grandfather鈥檚 study, they were everywhere; it was forbidden to dust them except once a year鈥︹€�
Bought many moons ago at University but I don鈥檛 remember reading it鈥oesn鈥檛 mean I didn鈥檛 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 (鈥榦thers鈥�). 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鈥檚 ( Kafka type) angst well. The twist before the end was gripping. ...more
鈥楲ife is now, this minute, it鈥檚 all we have. It鈥檚 all we need.鈥�
鈥業鈥檒l tell her about you. Old people, just walking and sleeping in a tent, that鈥檚 an in鈥楲ife is now, this minute, it鈥檚 all we have. It鈥檚 all we need.鈥�
鈥業鈥檒l tell her about you. Old people, just walking and sleeping in a tent, that鈥檚 an inspiration.鈥� 鈥楴ot so old.鈥�
鈥楳y friend phoned me. She said run out and see the old people with big rucksacks. Are you really sleeping in a tent?鈥�
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鈥檚 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 鈥榳alk with a tortoise.鈥� 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 鈥榣ike the eye of a vulture.鈥� Nothing more than his appearance. He smothers the man. DismeA man kills another simply for the reason that he has an eye 鈥榣ike the eye of a vulture.鈥� 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鈥檚 stash of books. Written by the Abbot Christopher Jamison from the Benedictine monastery of Worth Abbey in Sussex. The book folloAnother from my dad鈥檚 stash of books. Written by the Abbot Christopher Jamison from the Benedictine monastery of Worth Abbey in Sussex. The book follows the TV series 鈥楾he Monastery鈥� where 5 modern men spent 40 days and nights in a retreat here.
An overview of St Benedict鈥檚 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 鈥榬etreat鈥� 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鈥檛 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鈥檛 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.
鈥樷€opulist-nationalist equals pro-Russian.鈥�
鈥楥rimea is Russian. Always was, always will be. And if we鈥檙e really being honest. Ukraine isn鈥檛 a thing.鈥� They鈥檙e just Russians with a soft spot for the Nazi鈥檚鈥�
鈥楤ut the yanks find it easy to have a go at one of the world鈥檚 smallest countries.鈥� 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鈥檚 collection. Not a 60鈥檚 Penguin series this time but from Everyman.
Two Celtic short stories from the 11th centurAnother short story book from my Dad鈥檚 collection. Not a 60鈥檚 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
Another of my dad鈥檚 stash of Penguin 1960鈥檚 short works. This has four essays by Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) the great essayist. To be fair I was Another of my dad鈥檚 stash of Penguin 1960鈥檚 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鈥referred 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鈥� ...more
My 4th book by this Author. Probably for me the most complicated to read as many characters. Set in Berlin in July and August of 1945. The Nazi鈥檚 defeMy 4th book by this Author. Probably for me the most complicated to read as many characters. Set in Berlin in July and August of 1945. The Nazi鈥檚 defeated. Japan still fighting. Jake Geismar an American journalist returns to the city to find the woman he used to live with.
He also comes across the body of a US officer whose clothes are full of money. Investigating this he stumbles on a story. Nazis being given whitewashing (鈥榩erselschein鈥� of their past to further Allied benefits eg. (rocket scientists). Spies and Russians upto no good.
Book is slow initially but perks up later. There is a film made of it and I will dig it out eventually. Yes it is commented by the Guardian that there is a resemblance to the Third Man. But also I saw in Geismar the Humphrey Bogart from 鈥楥asablanca.鈥�
I will stay in the espionage genre for my next read. ...more
The worst smell in the world is dead Badger and so opens the story.
Finishing the Slow Horses series have taken Berengaria鈥檚 advice to hunt out more boThe worst smell in the world is dead Badger and so opens the story.
Finishing the Slow Horses series have taken Berengaria鈥檚 advice to hunt out more books by Mick Herron. This one I found in my local library and immediately joined again to take it out.
This standalone work starts with a great opening chapter of an ex spook being hunted in Devon. A current day Inquiry into the Secret Service - Monochrome. Initiated by an unhappy PM (Boris Johnson). Then takes us back to Berlin in the 鈥�90鈥檚. With Jackson Lamb with a different name hunting for the Stasi agent responsible for the death of one his Joes. We even find out how Molly Doran lost her legs.
The story didn鈥檛 have same impact without the Slow Horses characters and quick wit and repartee. But it was a cracker anyway. With First Desk continuing to be a dangerous character.
More books to find until a new Slow Horses comes out.
Another great Grisham read. Just don鈥檛 read enough of them. This focusses on a KKK member whose bomb killed the two young children of a Jewish lawyer Another great Grisham read. Just don鈥檛 read enough of them. This focusses on a KKK member whose bomb killed the two young children of a Jewish lawyer back in the 鈥�60鈥檚. He is on death row awaiting execution by gas.
The story covers the last four weeks and his defence by a young attorney who is in fact the man鈥檚 grandson.
Grisham is able to make you feel sorry for Sam Kayhall and his racist attitudes and certainly to reject the death penalty as a means of 鈥榓nnulling the crime.鈥�
I remembered the opening chapters as must have seen the original film. But that was all I remembered as I was on tenterhooks to the end....more
Herron continues to poke fun at Brexit, Boris and Farage. Even Putin - 鈥楾he Kremlin鈥檚 Gay Hussar. And with Jackson Lamb having no redeeming features eHerron continues to poke fun at Brexit, Boris and Farage. Even Putin - 鈥楾he Kremlin鈥檚 Gay Hussar. And with Jackson Lamb having no redeeming features except perhaps his support for his team鈥is Joes.
The story is based around the Salisbury Novichok poisoning. With retribution for one of the perpetrators being hit in Russia ostensibly sanctioned by MI6. However, Diana Taverners support of this unsanctioned act backfires badly. Some Slow Horses from the past are being killed. One from the past returns. I will say no more.
Lamb鈥檚 non pc banter with a vertically challenged gay American whose boyfriend he believes has been murdered in Russia is sublime.
鈥榊ou鈥檙e a spy.鈥� 鈥業f you are one of those 007 nerds, hoping the glamour rubs off, you鈥檙e in for a disappointment.鈥� He farted, and produced another cigarette. 鈥楥lass takes practice.鈥� 鈥楶lease don鈥檛 light that.鈥� 鈥榊our growth鈥檚 already been stunted. Where鈥檚 the harm.鈥�
We are left hanging on the fate of one of the team at the end but am hoping they perk up. Even if it was Roddy Ho I would want him back鈥nnoying as he is.
After reading the first book in the series - 鈥楾he Family Upstairs鈥� I had to finish the second. Although it could be read as a standalone I was glad I After reading the first book in the series - 鈥楾he Family Upstairs鈥� I had to finish the second. Although it could be read as a standalone I was glad I had read the books in order (surprisingly for me).
The stories are again recounted from different characters perspectives and timelines. I have to say at times I found it difficult to follow the search for Phinn. My favourite chapters were of Samuel the detective. Tracking the suitcase of bones found in the Thames to conclusion.
It looks like the author is a Harlem Coben type ( not necessarily a criticism) having quite an output of work. I will give them a rest for a while.
![[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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