A classic written in 1961. Jean is a forty something spinster teacher in 1936 Edinburgh. She has a pose of 6 eleven years old girls and sees them throA classic written in 1961. Jean is a forty something spinster teacher in 1936 Edinburgh. She has a pose of 6 eleven years old girls and sees them through to teenagers. Jean is a progressive romantic who falls for a married teacher. The head teacher sneaks around trying to dismiss her.
A dynamic is the narrator retrospectively gives insights of future events. The repeat reference to Jean and her "prime" started to wear a bit thin and I wondered if is was intended ironically?
A speedy read, not bad overall and well written for dialogue. My sensibilities of 16 years old sleeping with teacher seemingly acceptably (by Jean) for the time was a little dated & forward both at the same time.
This is a Dutch literary novel from 1983 about Flanders/Belgium between the years 1939 - 1947.
It is ostensibly a novel about a kid Louis Seynaeue growThis is a Dutch literary novel from 1983 about Flanders/Belgium between the years 1939 - 1947.
It is ostensibly a novel about a kid Louis Seynaeue growing up amongst a wealth of aunts and uncles with mother Constance, gran Meerke and father Staf. It is a family anticipating and then living with Nazi invasion and being Flanders and not pro-French working with invaders.
So I did lose count of the people in it - but Holst and his and other's liaison with a madame Laura, Louis incestuous time with Aunt Nora, Uncle Leon and prostitutes, Uncle Florent being pro-England, Uncle Fermin not being a jew but treated as such.
So what's the problem? the novel is clearly a translation of an 'odd style writing' novel -I'm guessing something like Finnegans Wake. Its endless scenes which admittedly pass the years and develop the story somewhat in linear fashion but are so non-sequiturs, muddled, endless names I lost any ability to enjoy or really follow events. The events aren't ostensibly engaging of the war nor dramatic; that's all rather in the background.
So regrettably though it started ok and I managed for about 1/2 the book with some enthusiasm, the interest curve declined and the last 1/4 was a slog. I was tempted for 1 star but there is history hidden in it and a glossary of terms, and it wasn't completely unreadable.
If only it had been 1/2 the length, 602 pages of dense, small font was just too much and a recall little of the narrative.
This 1957 novel of a New England white community on the years 1937-1943. At the time it was a sensational, eye opening story because it included, thouThis 1957 novel of a New England white community on the years 1937-1943. At the time it was a sensational, eye opening story because it included, though not graphically presented, rape, incest of a minor, voyeurism and illegal abortion. The dynamic is really around the white trash tar-roof shack families and the upright community and rich families; all wrapped around alcoholism and the abuse of women. The story arc of abuse and skeleton's (a murder) coming out of cupboards linking it all is quite well executed.
I found this a fair novel and read it at face value. It is in many respects not that sensational compared to contemporaries Henry Miller, Hubert Selby or Jean Genet....more
This is a famous novel written in 1969 set in Victorian 1867 Lyme Regis viewed from the author's fictional writing perspective. In the mode of literarThis is a famous novel written in 1969 set in Victorian 1867 Lyme Regis viewed from the author's fictional writing perspective. In the mode of literary fiction of the time the basic story could be summarised in but a sentence:-. Fianc茅ed well-to-do Charles (32) is tempted by youthful young woman scorned Sarah (22), usual angst; it could end well or not?
The novel is appreciated for the several dynamics of a modernish perspective, deep understanding and detail of Victorian era, ideas of story development, inclusion of poem extracts, parallel lives and literary style. It could at once be modern feminist, well written and sympathetic but also annoyingly trite and shallow for it's attempt at depth though multiple ending device and reminder it's 'fiction'.
It is definitely a good novel and worth a read. I liked it and did want to know what happened(s) in the end by which I mean how the author was going to conclude. But throughout ultimately I didn't have much sympathy for Sarah which I think the story really needed and at the conclusion are options for endings any different from "the author leaves the next two pages blank for the reader to write their own parallel universe ending...." and hence no conclusion at all?
So in conclusion it loses a star for being too clever. ...more
This is a very autobiographical narrative of what life was like a young woman/wife in 1900 Italy was like Written in 1906 by this renown feminist authThis is a very autobiographical narrative of what life was like a young woman/wife in 1900 Italy was like Written in 1906 by this renown feminist author. Suffice to tell raped at 15 the nameless narrator ends up marrying her abuser. She is a clever, rounded, open, modern woman reflecting all the typical loveless marriage issues like forced marriage sex, unfaithfulness, husbands STI, men with all the rights, use of kids as hostages etc etc, reflections of her own mother -timelessness/cycles of entrapment. She manages to get a job as a writer and a get a glimmer of what true independence might be.
It is all well written and actually manages a sense of pace and where will this end?. It is very modern and very forthright for the time I'm sure.
"Between the two phases of female existence, between the virgin and the mother, there is a grotesquely unnatural being, the creation of bestial male egotism: and she takes her revenge, unknowingly"
A melting pot of very travelled people around the 1950s leading up to Malaya independence. Malayan farmers, Indian professionals, Chinese traders, Br A melting pot of very travelled people around the 1950s leading up to Malaya independence. Malayan farmers, Indian professionals, Chinese traders, British colonialists, Tamil staff. Although a lot happens, characters come and go, affairs, youth, communist terrorists, alcohol, religious tolerances, an emerging country tied to its history, authentic biography, humour and rivalry, I lost a sense of caring about it all, lacked a finale poignancy as it were.
well written, an engaging real history, fun but just didn't quite work for me. May be for me it needed to be either funnier or darker....more
Written in 1957 this is a well known dystopian sci-fi novel. I gather it has been reflected on, and re-interpreted by successive generations in light Written in 1957 this is a well known dystopian sci-fi novel. I gather it has been reflected on, and re-interpreted by successive generations in light of the times.
Montag is a fireman burning books (along with home owners). He questions. He meets his local and world/international future consequence. The novel has some rather, I'm sure, innovative ideas like the drone seeker and the multi-walled interactive TV system. It is a well written and paced novel.
There are holes to be found if one looks too deeply into the narrative: if this is a metaphor for censorship or technological warnings etc. For me the headline is really the clear unstated backstory of How does a society get into this ridiculous premise of removing all books and then where does that lead? So I think this is all about testing and proving loyalty and submission and to whom. What for example are or will be the 'loyalty and submission' tests in Russian, EU, China or USA politics in the future (even excluding any religious aspects)? Guaranteed the four will be different and if you want to know where it leads read the story (you can probably guess to be fair!).
So for all its depth, the one thing that did really irritate me was the absence of women (intellectuals or otherwise) in drive for book retention and/or even procreation of the renewed society etc.
written in 1891 this is a Brazilian story about single Rubiao (41) and his infatuation with married Sophia. She might be interested but her husband's written in 1891 this is a Brazilian story about single Rubiao (41) and his infatuation with married Sophia. She might be interested but her husband's ties to advancing investments of behalf of Rubio recent inheritance keeps the relationship alive. In parallel other matchmaking and confusion entails raising Rubiao's jealousy. In the philosophical background is Rubiao's friend, now dead Quincas could be living in the body of his dog - to be fair this is not an idea that is exploited much by Assis.
"But philosophy is one thing and dying is another"
This is a worthy novel of the other written in the 1980s. It is a entertaining read for the magical/freak realism of a circus family of mutant kids ofThis is a worthy novel of the other written in the 1980s. It is a entertaining read for the magical/freak realism of a circus family of mutant kids of Lil and Al. It is not the sort of tale you're likely to come across, unique as a serious novel.
I'm sure you'd already know the characters: domineering Arturo, the teen boy flipper limbed water tank act later cult leader including limb removal on it's members, Oly the albino dwarf sister, conjoined twins Electra and Iphigena who sing and become a prostitute, Chick the telekinetic surgeon. The tale intertwines the freak show of the past with Lil and Oly in the present looking back, grand daughter Miranda (with tail) is preyed upon my Prof Lick who wants to body modifier her.
It's rather sad, odd, dynamic, eventful, challenging, family jealousy tale. The characters are at once unreal yet all too human.
quote of Arty's cult "I want those you have a choice of tortures and pick me"
I did wonder if it was going to pointedly conclude with the people turning out fundamentally normal (perhaps like Life of Pi?) but it didn't; so I guess it's up to you to see the people as representing by today's standards just being themselves.
For me the telekinetic Chick was the stretch too far for a plausibility/metaphor of a novel so dropped a star.
For my own note I had started this novel originally in 1990, took too long to get into it, moved on to less 'contempory fiction' literature and for various reasons never finished it. It was because it always stuck in my mind for the 1/3 or so I did read, that I decided to go back. 35 years on well I've righted a wrong.
This is ostensibly a tale about an anguished composer (Adrian Leverkuhn) who has made a pact with the devil in the period 1880 to 1940 (covering ww1 aThis is ostensibly a tale about an anguished composer (Adrian Leverkuhn) who has made a pact with the devil in the period 1880 to 1940 (covering ww1 and ww2). It is also ostensibly in biography form told by friend Zeitblom.
This is however, for me, another Glass Bead Game novel so gets one star. It is really a novel for novel sake, far too complex with over motif of music composition, long passages, archaic language style - perhaps a poor translation?. Deep to the point of a narrow, dark, opaque, tedious void. I think it's trying to create social groups and characters interacting within a Faustian pact being the German nation but it is soooo slow, lacks any emotive dynamic or action - I really couldn't have cared less about anything that (didn't) happen which wasn't really much. WW1 is almost non-existent but surely set in Germany, death, loss, religion, folly or even how Adrian's music was received in such an environment - none. Adrian wasn't even much in the story at all -he does not rise to much stardom or angst of his pact; also the narrator is too much in evidence he doesn't emote either.
For me this could have been a marvelous idea for a novel but falls in the life's too short to both to wade through this. Imagine any story idea around a Faustian pact within WW1 imminent WW2 Germany and I guarantee your good ideas are NOT in this novel.
If you loved Glass Bead Game this is the novel for you....more
Mr Ma Tse-sen (50) and son Ma Wei (22) are Chinese with aspirations to be in a civic job; they are unusually ChristThis novel was written by Lao 1929.
Mr Ma Tse-sen (50) and son Ma Wei (22) are Chinese with aspirations to be in a civic job; they are unusually Christians for the time/area and have missionary Rev Ely as a friend. The uncle owns an antique shop in London and encourages them to join me, on his death and inheritance, the pair take weeks to travel to England to take on the shop. Rev Ely sets the pair up in rooms to rent widow Mrs Webberburn (late 30s). The relational dynamic comes from daughter Mary Webberburn (early 20s) and daughter Catherine Ely (26) and their potential love interests. The recurrent backdrop is the cultural prejudices of mainly the British due to the stereotypes of the 1920s considering the Chinese (contrasted with Japanese) as murderous, uncivil etc due to films and novels - impacting on the relationships and potential marriages.
I found the novel had a less humourous outlook than I expected, and so does in many respects have a more serious outlook and darkside for hopes, struggles and prejudices to/from immigrants- perhaps this comes from the original audience for the book being presumably Chinese of 1929s to now a 2020s Brit.
The novel has aged well, is an interesting historical narrative, and is a light open, engaging style. And points to how far China has come....
"The Chinese haven't got industry apart from cuisine and clothes-washing'.
".. in this present day and age, guns and aeroplanes are a sign of civilisation. The average English person sneers at us because our military's no good. If we're ever going to lift our heads, we're going to have to fight"
This is a 1969 innovatively styled novel in the form of a prose, poem, split sentences, diary come ancient Greek mythology annotation. Its evocative oThis is a 1969 innovatively styled novel in the form of a prose, poem, split sentences, diary come ancient Greek mythology annotation. Its evocative of a period of revolution (Greece itself?) as the unnamed woman seeks her brother (presumed a dissident of some sort) and her sexual partner (Jewish?) also unnamed joins in. It's all a bit existential and surreal and fragmentary but works. Usually odd style works lose momentum in keeping it up but Ann manages to the end....more
This is the long novel of 4 students to men to oldish men They are a clever avant-garde, arty, actor group Malcolm architect, actor bisexual Willem, lThis is the long novel of 4 students to men to oldish men They are a clever avant-garde, arty, actor group Malcolm architect, actor bisexual Willem, legal disabled Jude and gay JB an artist. The narrative centres on Jude who we learn has been sexually abused by a trail of men from his early days in a monastery to his escape with Brother Juke and then another and then another etc. The story starts of dark and ends in pitch black.
I started the read thinking this has an Iris Murdoch feel and sure enough I learn later this author did have some influence on Hanya. It departed in as much as being very long, brutal and unforgiving. I struggled with a number of things a) Andy Jude's surgeon - I can't believe in such a litigious country he would have risked being such a medical jack-of-all-trades. b) I understand there's more to gay love (i.e. between Willem and Jude) than hurting someone with an*l. c) for all the sadness of this little life I was expecting an ultimate tragedy e.g. whose son Jude turned out to be, or a well meant action which causes a misunderstanding, and ultimate betrayal.
It is overly long but nonetheless a worthy read.
As an aside - this was my 16 year old daughters 'must read' in our book exchange. Zola's Germinal being my recommendation.
Typical Dickens from 1843-1844. All there as usual. Many characters. Normal long length due to originally serialized in magazine. Usual pen & ink scenTypical Dickens from 1843-1844. All there as usual. Many characters. Normal long length due to originally serialized in magazine. Usual pen & ink scenes from the story.
Martin is disenfranchised from his wealthy grandfather and father Jonas. He loves Mary the grand father's daughter-like personal assistant. Pecksniff is an architect with staff 'everyone loves' Tom Pinch and 2 daughter; he connives to: marry off his daughters, control the grandfather, marry Mary and invest in what is (unknown to him) a fraudulent company. Martin with mate Mark Tapley try out their options in USA.
The story is rather slow paced but many interesting scenes and action overall, before it rapidly advances to murder, intrigue and resolution. The characters as usual are the essence of this Dicken's novel. Some might anticipate sources of secret funds or jobs granted etc.
written in 1980 this is a fictionalization of a 1600s era in Japan/Spain interaction. It is a about a missionary priest, come-translator Velasco and twritten in 1980 this is a fictionalization of a 1600s era in Japan/Spain interaction. It is a about a missionary priest, come-translator Velasco and the Hasekura clan being set off ostensibly to improve trade. In the pot mix Franciscan/Jesuit, Christian/Buddhist, warrior/priest, family/loner, European/Japan cultures, seafaring/city, pride/love, honor/insincerity leaders/followers and set a journey which ultimately returns to the start - will the goals be achieved?
A good, pacey noir novel about a serial killer meeting up with his WW2 buddy now police detective. Killings etc.
I have to re-watched the film to remiA good, pacey noir novel about a serial killer meeting up with his WW2 buddy now police detective. Killings etc.
I have to re-watched the film to remind me; the film isn't nearly so dark nor serial-killer. Bogart is an angry, violent (without obvious good cause) screenplay writer who early on is the last to see a young woman before she's murdered. The endings are different and the film in some ways concludes in a less predictable way but more satisfying cinematic love lost angst....more
A "classic" adulteress novel from 1885 set in 1870.
I estimate 350,00o words. I can save you reading about 349,934.
Young Ana Ozores married to fatherlA "classic" adulteress novel from 1885 set in 1870.
I estimate 350,00o words. I can save you reading about 349,934.
Young Ana Ozores married to fatherly Victor Quitanar is torn between Don Fermin de Pas the cannon and a cad Alvaro Mesia. Massive introduction (by introduction I mean 4/5 of the book) of all things religious sensibilities and its people in a cathedral town; After completely unemotive, wasted, passionless text, some mental 'illness' and lots of toing and froing she sort of settles for one. Dual.
So purporting to be realist novel but take all the boring tedious bits of Middlemarch, Karenina and The Maiias merge into a dirge, and you have this 'when will it ever end' novel.
Novella written in 1968 about a deserter settling in with a country wife whose husband is a prisoner of war around 1942. The hook is the deserter endsNovella written in 1968 about a deserter settling in with a country wife whose husband is a prisoner of war around 1942. The hook is the deserter ends up disguising as a her sister Cath. Along comes army sergeant who takes a fancy to Cath.
A fine enough short story but it didn't really work for me. Allegory, comedy, serious? perhaps. I couldn't quite work out how such an isolated farm could at once receive a nearby army soldier (before overstaying to be a deserter) and then later a whole tank division on training. And not raise suspicions for months of the local town only a bike ride away.
a sci-fi novel of 1969 later the film of the same name.
this really isn't a well constructed novel - full of holes. The film takes the fundamentals ofa sci-fi novel of 1969 later the film of the same name.
this really isn't a well constructed novel - full of holes. The film takes the fundamentals of the story applies a reasonable narrative flow and works to a worthy adventure.
The one fundamental of the novel that didn't work was that an over-populated world would have the youngsters revolt and elect to die at 21 - clearly the only way a dystopian world would end up killing everyone over 21 is obviously old, rich, powerful men wanting to keep same.
Another psychological drama by this Belgium author of the 1960s. Betty Etamble (24) is alcoholic, damaged and 'dirty', a marriage has failed and she fAnother psychological drama by this Belgium author of the 1960s. Betty Etamble (24) is alcoholic, damaged and 'dirty', a marriage has failed and she finds herself drunk in 'Le Trou' bar. She is saved by forty something Laure Lavander and her partner & bar owner Mario. Guy her husband had discovered her affair, and insisted on a divorce and the two daughters, but maybe knew more of her past and regrets things.
The question is how 'dirty' and damaged was Betty before her marriage and will she be redeemed?...more
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