Another re-read of a book read years ago at University after re-reading the Magus. The Ebony Tower is a novella consisting of 5 short stories and a peAnother re-read of a book read years ago at University after re-reading the Magus. The Ebony Tower is a novella consisting of 5 short stories and a personal reflection by the author. The first story - The Ebony Tower - is very Magus like. A young Abstract painter visits an older Master at his house in France to interview him. He meets two young muse like girls - the Mouse and the Freak who have a strange relationship with the older man. I remember the film version of this story also. The second story Eliduc starts with a personal statement from the author followed by his translation of a Celtic story of again a man or Knight and two women.
‘Poor Koko� is a great story of a writer whose home is broken into by a young thug who burns the writers accumulated manuscripts in front of him.
‘The Enigma� is a story of a Tory MP’s disappearance and a Policeman’s investigation - it is never solved.
The final story - ‘The Cloud� - is very mysterious. What appears to be a simple picnic is very much more than this.
I do enjoy reading this author and even re-reading him after all these years. A rich and deeply profound writing style. I find his style and connection to France reminds me of Sebastian Faulks. Another great writer....more
One of the books I like to re-read often. Able to see new slants at each read. Malcolm McDowell as Alex in the film version is the image that dominateOne of the books I like to re-read often. Able to see new slants at each read. Malcolm McDowell as Alex in the film version is the image that dominates the read. Clever, ultra violent dystopian novel. Put away on the shelf for another year....more
Death in Venice a quick re-read. The story of Aschenbach and the young boy Tadzio he spies on holiday in Venice. Mann writes in a rich prose and the sDeath in Venice a quick re-read. The story of Aschenbach and the young boy Tadzio he spies on holiday in Venice. Mann writes in a rich prose and the sad story unfolds well. Rich imagery and the depiction of a Venice hiding a plague outbreak....more
Even more poignant re-reading during Covid times. The story of the rats in Oran coming out of their holes to die before the plague hits is told superbEven more poignant re-reading during Covid times. The story of the rats in Oran coming out of their holes to die before the plague hits is told superbly by the narrator ( who we come to know in last part of the book). Read it as an Absurdist or Existential treatise, or just how in the face of life changing events people pull together....more
This book was published the year before I went to Uni. There I read this during my Philosophy course. It was an interesting and thought provoking readThis book was published the year before I went to Uni. There I read this during my Philosophy course. It was an interesting and thought provoking read. Now in my re-read years later it remains the same. Memories of Hume, Kant and Hegel linger from lectures. But what now strikes me is the brilliant interweaving of the simple story of a dad and his son on a motorcycle journey. And the immense sadness of the authors mental breakdown and ECT treatments. Together with the murder of his son a few months before his 23rd birthday. I couldn’t remain unfocused from this real sadness.
A very powerful novel now handing over to my Dad who started but didn’t finish this years ago....more
A ripping yarn. One of my dad’s favourite books. Although I had seen the old film a few times this was another book unread. I found the film followingA ripping yarn. One of my dad’s favourite books. Although I had seen the old film a few times this was another book unread. I found the film following the storyline fairly well albeit that Errol Flynn ( Mahbub Ali) had less of a role in the book. The relationship between Kim and the lama is so well written. The book ending is better than the films. The story of a young Indian boy with an English soldier father working as a spy in the 1890’s is real Boys Own material. Loved it...more
Quickly re-read. Great book focussing on improving health by running and cutting out sugar, using low heart rate training. Based on another of my favoQuickly re-read. Great book focussing on improving health by running and cutting out sugar, using low heart rate training. Based on another of my favourites Phil Maffetone. Remember my sports chiropractor using muscle testing some years ago as used in the book. Recommend to anyone wanting to improve their health and get their mojo back....more
Decided to have a quick re-read of a Jack Reacher early work #4 after re-reading the first ‘Killing Floor� recently. Interesting to note how the serieDecided to have a quick re-read of a Jack Reacher early work #4 after re-reading the first ‘Killing Floor� recently. Interesting to note how the series has evolved over the years and the joint works with his brother.
This one centres on a number of women being murdered. Ending up in bath tubs of green US Army camouflage paint. Clever plot line and end twist. Reacher at his ascerbic witted best but little joint busting action.
Have the new Reacher on order but it will be the new John Connolly that arrives first...more
After the excellent Amazon Jack Reacher series I had to re-read the book it was based on. The first of the Jack Reachers - Killing Floor. Probably my After the excellent Amazon Jack Reacher series I had to re-read the book it was based on. The first of the Jack Reachers - Killing Floor. Probably my favourite. The violence is visceral. We start to understand who Reacher is. But there are many more books to develop the character. Cracker of a re-read...more
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