Interesting to read a book with a Raskolnikov type character. As a reader you want to support them and understand their reasoning. Cleverly written asInteresting to read a book with a Raskolnikov type character. As a reader you want to support them and understand their reasoning. Cleverly written as it explores a variety of themes....more
Very cleverly composed piece of writing because there are stories within and between stories. I enjoyed listening to Phillip Henry's sparse folk bluesVery cleverly composed piece of writing because there are stories within and between stories. I enjoyed listening to Phillip Henry's sparse folk blues "True North" which echoes the dark and broody feeling from the book....more
Erudite discussion of Auster's work. IBS is a sensitive and probing questioner. Although I read these many moons ago and missed the details, I still fErudite discussion of Auster's work. IBS is a sensitive and probing questioner. Although I read these many moons ago and missed the details, I still found the discussions worthwhile....more
I was hoping to learn about pachinko. I went into a pachinko parlour in Japan and just found it a strange experience. It does play a central role in tI was hoping to learn about pachinko. I went into a pachinko parlour in Japan and just found it a strange experience. It does play a central role in this historical novel, but its inner appeal is not explained. Instead it focuses on the Koreans in Japan before and after WW2. I didn't know much about the discrimination against and animosity between the 2 countries/cultures. It is a thick book and I found hard going at times, but rewarding....more
A great book about something horrible. The author uses clear imagery and great characterisations to concisely allow the reader to experience somethingA great book about something horrible. The author uses clear imagery and great characterisations to concisely allow the reader to experience something about slavery in the south of the US in the 1830s. ...more
The present King of Anomie comes out with a new set, but it's a mixed set, tapping some of his key riffs from previous classics. In amongst it all he The present King of Anomie comes out with a new set, but it's a mixed set, tapping some of his key riffs from previous classics. In amongst it all he finds time to rework an old Kafka number showing the old magic is still there....more
Very very apt. Her position is pretty clear, yet the imagery she manages to imbue is quite something. Also, the number of targets skewered is surprisiVery very apt. Her position is pretty clear, yet the imagery she manages to imbue is quite something. Also, the number of targets skewered is surprising (NHS, Care, immigration, Higher education, sexism etc.) This book encapsulates and distils post-Brexit Britain in a razor sharp way. It makes me feel a bit saner....more
A new incarnation of the Great American Novel. It is Thomas Wolf with alcohol and drugs. In some ways you have to pinch yourself that this a modern noA new incarnation of the Great American Novel. It is Thomas Wolf with alcohol and drugs. In some ways you have to pinch yourself that this a modern novel. The iphone references remind you that this is set in the world of today. I enjoyed parts of it immensely with some great writing, but especially the last part was too introspective and mawkishly claustrophobic....more
An arresting read. The antics of the main character are so distasteful, even though we get some illumination as to why he is behaving in this way, thaAn arresting read. The antics of the main character are so distasteful, even though we get some illumination as to why he is behaving in this way, that I was forever trying to get to grips with the real objective. You learn more about him in his deliberate ignoring of what the other characters say. There is a fine line to be drawn here and the writer just about manages it. Darkly comic at times and completely different to the circle. This is to his credit as a writer....more
This is a very delicate hors d'oeuvre which needs the absolute correct disposition and ambience to enjoy blissfully.This is a very delicate hors d'oeuvre which needs the absolute correct disposition and ambience to enjoy blissfully....more
This is the real deal. A sort of Homage to Catalonia deluxe, with extra letters, reviews and essays connected to Spain. It emphasises the importance oThis is the real deal. A sort of Homage to Catalonia deluxe, with extra letters, reviews and essays connected to Spain. It emphasises the importance of the these experiences- at the sharp end - on 1984 and Animal Farm. This experience of the Spanish civil war can help us in the present looking at modern civil wars like Syria, underlining the difficulty of making sense of the conflict and understanding the ideology behind the actions of the major players on the ground and in foreign capitals. We need more of his ilk now....more
I found it intersting to read. When you think about the modern life, despite all its narcissism, fragility and lack of structure, isn't it so much betI found it intersting to read. When you think about the modern life, despite all its narcissism, fragility and lack of structure, isn't it so much better than this? Wouldn't William Stoner have been able to improve his life today with better second choices enabling him to have a more rewarding life. ...more
I enjoyed parts of this. I suppose I wouldn't have read it if It wasn't by Auster. I hope he is Ok because I don't think it is healthy to look so inteI enjoyed parts of this. I suppose I wouldn't have read it if It wasn't by Auster. I hope he is Ok because I don't think it is healthy to look so intently at your younger self....more
You sense a real master at work here. Based on a few facts about an elephant being transported from Lisbon to Vienna in the 1550s the writer concocts You sense a real master at work here. Based on a few facts about an elephant being transported from Lisbon to Vienna in the 1550s the writer concocts a clever tale mainly hingeing on the thoughts of the mahout and the knowing author. A nice diversion....more
It is the well-crafted crispy dialogue, internal and external, which gives the story the the edge. I would say that this is due for a remake as the enIt is the well-crafted crispy dialogue, internal and external, which gives the story the the edge. I would say that this is due for a remake as the ending, and the crux of the tale, is much more plausible in the current climate. Still a touchstone of this genre. I was interested in rereading after reading a new crime book. How was Chandler different? I think Chandler generates more tension, we the reader don't know how things are going to work. Also, there is more understanding charcters through his main protagonist....more
A really good book. A literary thriller - a kind of more human Dan Brown story. Uplifting stuff and a great mix of the ancient and the modern. Some goA really good book. A literary thriller - a kind of more human Dan Brown story. Uplifting stuff and a great mix of the ancient and the modern. Some good red herrings and well brought together in the end. Is San Francisco really like this?...more
Come on Paul you are only 64. You have got loads more years to write some more classics - look at Roth. Nicely written journey through the author's lifCome on Paul you are only 64. You have got loads more years to write some more classics - look at Roth. Nicely written journey through the author's life. He carefully and poitedly examines family, sex and relationships as seen by an older person looking through the telescope of his life. If you are like me his musings strike a chord and you muse along in your own way, but New York just sounds moe romantic than Leicester. Ho hum....more
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