The archetypal page-turner. I feel this was less sensationalist than your average spy book and as a result more of genuine historical interest. The twThe archetypal page-turner. I feel this was less sensationalist than your average spy book and as a result more of genuine historical interest. The twin perspectives through time is a very straightforward device but used excellently. I found myself devouring the chapters and being invested in the characters and what had transpired. A great entertaining read. ...more
I didn’t find this clever, interesting, or entertaining. I didn’t care for the wordplay, which was tedious. Overall I think this is a book that is betI didn’t find this clever, interesting, or entertaining. I didn’t care for the wordplay, which was tedious. Overall I think this is a book that is better to discuss than to read. The plot is alright but is obscured in any number of ways by dense and pointless passages. One of the few things I took from it was that the controversy is justified as the main character is genuinely disgusting. It’s just not a very enjoyable or enlightening read. ...more
I didn’t quite get the acclaim for this book. It’s very short but I still found it a bit of a chore. Seems to be a bit of a wasted opportunity - a gooI didn’t quite get the acclaim for this book. It’s very short but I still found it a bit of a chore. Seems to be a bit of a wasted opportunity - a good setting and some interesting messages that nevertheless seemed a bit half-formed to me. Overall the book didn’t feel very cohesive to me - there is no plot to speak of and overall it feels very ‘loose�. It is certainly quite well written with some lovely passages describing Earth from orbit. Worth reading for anyone interested in space but I wouldn’t expect it to change your life. ...more
My first dip into Tolstoy and whilst hard to properly rate such short pieces of work, I enjoyed this. They read like parables rather than stories but My first dip into Tolstoy and whilst hard to properly rate such short pieces of work, I enjoyed this. They read like parables rather than stories but the simplicity is part of the attraction. I feel this could be read by young adults upon whom it might have more impact. ...more
Not quite sure I understand the praise for this book. On the one hand it’s very easy to read and the prose is warm and subtly endearing. On the other,Not quite sure I understand the praise for this book. On the one hand it’s very easy to read and the prose is warm and subtly endearing. On the other, I don’t think this book says very much about anything. Yes the relationships between the characters reveal some generally wholesome themes but in my opinion there is too much left unsaid. I think it’s fine (good even, artistically) to let the reader infer but when the narrative is deliberately focussed on ordinary lives and so little happens in the plot, there are some big gaps to fill, thematically. It’s a nice enough book. Just not for me I don’t think. ...more
Hard to rate something so short but this is pretty good. Sally Rooney’s hallmarks are there and it’s impressive to convey so much about characters oveHard to rate something so short but this is pretty good. Sally Rooney’s hallmarks are there and it’s impressive to convey so much about characters over what is basically a 15 minute read. Interesting. ...more
A brilliant book. Yes it probably could be a bit shorter and in the final third I was thinking it’s a solid but ultimately not-that-remarkable 4-star A brilliant book. Yes it probably could be a bit shorter and in the final third I was thinking it’s a solid but ultimately not-that-remarkable 4-star offering, but the ending soars (perhaps deliberately, given the subject matter?) to a higher level. One of the story’s biggest successes for me is the way peripheral cast members are treated. You get just enough of everyone to sense the wider stories and personalities at play. The narrative is pleasing and the ‘twist� towards the end was a gleeful moment. Perhaps a little meandering at times, both philosophically and narratively, but for a book about journeying, so what? I’m a big fan of Greenwood by Michael Christie and this felt similar in a lot of ways. Both brilliant multi-generational tales with worthwhile insights into human life, planet Earth, and how each crossover....more
I enjoyed this far more than A Farewell To Arms, which was my only other experience of Hemingway. Perhaps the lack of dialogue in this made it more reI enjoyed this far more than A Farewell To Arms, which was my only other experience of Hemingway. Perhaps the lack of dialogue in this made it more readable but overall it’s exactly that; a readable and captivating account of a man catching a fish, with a bit of a parable-esque twist. I don’t buy into the need for extensive critical analysis of what is a very short book; all I know is that I enjoyed it and think it’s a unique and well-written story. ...more
This book was actually a little less philosophical than I was expecting (it’s essentially ‘just� a book about geology) but I still very much enjoyed iThis book was actually a little less philosophical than I was expecting (it’s essentially ‘just� a book about geology) but I still very much enjoyed it. There were several concepts that were eye-opening for me (e.g. urban geology, how the fossil record and division of geological time works, and how to communicate the dangers of nuclear waste far into the future) and even the sections that meandered slightly off-topic (e.g. why kids lose interest in dinosaurs) were interesting. Recommended for anyone remotely interested in history beyond human experience. ...more
Another great ‘whole-life� novel from William Boyd that I think is all the better for covering the 19th rather than 20th century. This stops some of tAnother great ‘whole-life� novel from William Boyd that I think is all the better for covering the 19th rather than 20th century. This stops some of the repetition I felt was evident in the New Confessions and Any Human Heart although the trade-off here is that the phases and exploits of the main character’s life are significantly less believable and grandiose. Obviously travel and opportunity were opening up during that time but I found it hard to believe in the sheer geographic and thematic diversity that Cashel’s life revolves through. The African section in particular seemed over the top. It’s entertaining though and reflective stuff. Well-worth reading, either as a standalone book or in comparison with other Boyd works. ...more
A classic for a reason. Perfect to whiz through in a day or two around this time of year. What I like about Dickens is the relative ease of reading thA classic for a reason. Perfect to whiz through in a day or two around this time of year. What I like about Dickens is the relative ease of reading the prose, unlike other authors of the time. That is definitely the case with A Christmas Carol, all the more so given its familiar themes. ...more
A very readable book about a bleak state of affairs all round. My impressions are that the story is simultaneously original yet recognisable in many oA very readable book about a bleak state of affairs all round. My impressions are that the story is simultaneously original yet recognisable in many others with a doomed anti-hero. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it holds up despite its age. A good insight into England on the cusp of war, even aside from the main story. ...more
I don’t really know why I liked this book but I did. A lot of surreal content but equally very readable. Presumably a combination of the original whimI don’t really know why I liked this book but I did. A lot of surreal content but equally very readable. Presumably a combination of the original whimsy and exceptional translation. It didn’t seem to matter to me that the ‘narrative� was so loose as the overall picture of a late-night Tokyo was there. The afterword in particular was a nice touch in explaining how the author envisages it all working together. An interesting and original read. ...more
My first Hemingway novel and I was not impressed. I’d heard about his distinctive style and, whilst it’s certainly that, very often it is just inane. My first Hemingway novel and I was not impressed. I’d heard about his distinctive style and, whilst it’s certainly that, very often it is just inane. Characters just repeating the same pointless sentiments to one another. I suppose there is a decent representation of the atmosphere of the Italian front in WWI but, plot-wise, I found very little to care about. The ending is moderately shocking and memorable but for me that was too little too late. I’ll think twice before reading any other Hemingway, as if it’s like this then it’s not for me. ...more
I’m a big fan of Pierre and have seen his recent shows where he discusses his autism diagnosis. I found this book to be heavier on the informative andI’m a big fan of Pierre and have seen his recent shows where he discusses his autism diagnosis. I found this book to be heavier on the informative and lighter on the funny than I was expecting but that’s no bad thing. It certainly covers all the angles and my overall understanding of the complexities of autism was certainly improved by reading this. Probably actively recommended more for those interested in or associated in some way with autism (although everyone ought to read at least a precis, of course) rather than comedy fans. ...more
Poor again from my one-time favourite author. That’s two books in a row that I really didn’t enjoy and it’s the same issues all over - rushed plot witPoor again from my one-time favourite author. That’s two books in a row that I really didn’t enjoy and it’s the same issues all over - rushed plot with characters and ‘twists� flying around all over the place. GCSE-level cringe-worthy action scenes that add nothing, and pointless introspection on the part of the main character. Perhaps it’s just the Lennox series that’s generally weaker but I’ll certainly think twice about reading any future offerings, unless they return to the legendary Trainspotting cast or similar. ...more
Very nearly a superb book. It certainly got in my head and made me think, but there are too many rambling passages that don’t make much sense. I was gVery nearly a superb book. It certainly got in my head and made me think, but there are too many rambling passages that don’t make much sense. I was glad that the plot, such as it was, was satisfactorily resolved in the final few pages otherwise I would have been left very disappointed. As it stands I’m torn between giving it 4 stars but there were several sections that I just had to push through. ...more
Rob MacFarlane’s first book albeit one I’ve delayed reading despite loving his other offerings. This one too is excellent and I feel had it been the fRob MacFarlane’s first book albeit one I’ve delayed reading despite loving his other offerings. This one too is excellent and I feel had it been the first of his I’d read I’d be given it a full 5 stars, such is the uniqueness and character of all his writing. This is a lot more focussed than some of his other books but at the same time has a more academic feel with what seems like more liberal use of quotations rather than individual thoughts. There is still ample of the latter though and I note in the acknowledgments that this was the main advice of his editor. It’s a great read overall for anyone who has any interest at all in landscape or nature. A particular highlight is the semi-dramatised account of George Mallory’s Everest expeditions, which I read through voraciously it was that compelling. A superb book. ...more
This was a really interesting dive into the subject matter. My only criticism would be it didn’t seem to have a central argument or point - it’s more This was a really interesting dive into the subject matter. My only criticism would be it didn’t seem to have a central argument or point - it’s more of a dive around all the key salient factors with reference to specific cases. It’s the latter that make the book interesting though - this is the first non-fiction book I’ve read in a while where pretty much every chapter I would recount some interesting fact or event to my other half. Well worth reading for anyone interested in physical performance. ...more
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