A gripping and disturbing novel about isolation and childhood cruelty, in the same league as Golding’s Lord of the Flies and McEwan’s The Cement GardeA gripping and disturbing novel about isolation and childhood cruelty, in the same league as Golding’s Lord of the Flies and McEwan’s The Cement Garden. Magnificently skilled at managing an atmosphere of mortal dread and fear. ...more
A ruddy, grinding slog to read but profoundly rewarding. In one way, a critique of a corrupt educational system that spawns nothing but a mechanical, A ruddy, grinding slog to read but profoundly rewarding. In one way, a critique of a corrupt educational system that spawns nothing but a mechanical, dreamless race. In another, a bleak, unflinching exploration of the human heart and its importance over the Head. All this told in a dense yet sardonic tone, with a cast of vivid personalities - some detestable, others hopelessly endearing. Alas, it should be said that Dickens is not an easy read and I admit to struggling in parts. It was only Mrs. Sparsit and her Coriolanian nose that kept me going....more
Spectacularly macabre and gloriously gory. An unforgettable supervillain in Mr Pudd. Totally satisfying as a thriller, but equally brilliant as a noveSpectacularly macabre and gloriously gory. An unforgettable supervillain in Mr Pudd. Totally satisfying as a thriller, but equally brilliant as a novel in its own right. ...more
A very quiet, gentle, profoundly religious coming-of-age Welsh novel about a boy and his burgeoning faith in God as his family unit deteriorates. It iA very quiet, gentle, profoundly religious coming-of-age Welsh novel about a boy and his burgeoning faith in God as his family unit deteriorates. It is only 200 pages, so I’m not sure why it took me over a month to finish it. Much like life in its small-town setting, the pace of this book is very slow and not a lot happens in the story, but Taliesin’s rich inner life undergoes major changes. Interesting and very beautifully written. ...more
A gorgeously written, intoxicating novel about a world-class pianist who embarks, somewhat reluctantly, on a concert tour after a five-year hiatus folA gorgeously written, intoxicating novel about a world-class pianist who embarks, somewhat reluctantly, on a concert tour after a five-year hiatus following the mysterious death of his wife. This book is as atmospheric and emotionally resonant as the music that obsesses the protagonist. ...more
The aptly named Ms Slaughter serves up another stomach-churning stew of sexual depravity and abuse in the Deep South. Not as well structured as the fiThe aptly named Ms Slaughter serves up another stomach-churning stew of sexual depravity and abuse in the Deep South. Not as well structured as the first in the series, but no less harrowing. ...more
More entertaining and honest than most music memoirs; every page had something interesting. JAMC are special to me because it’s the first band I saw wMore entertaining and honest than most music memoirs; every page had something interesting. JAMC are special to me because it’s the first band I saw with my partner of ten years, as a kind of “first date� gig-wise. Now I am happy to have a signed copy of their book addressed to the both of us. ...more
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