February 21, 2013 
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A brilliant idea for a book. The parents of twins rob a bank. They are ordinary folk who have fallen on hard times. The impact on their children when their caught is profound.
And yet this book to me, although very well written, seems just a little drawn out. It is a little too long.
February 16, 2013 0 Comments
Sainte therese de lisieux
Her life was simple. She devoted it solely to God.
A biographical work that is a bit over-lavish in its praise and yet perhaps it is a depiction of a reality. Can someone really be so good, so holy and so devoted? If it is true, then she deserves sainthood.
This book is well written and does make what seem to be a simple dreary life come alive for the reader. Maybe I am too cynical of such devotion.
February 16, 2013 0 Comments
Illustration of Idries Shah
Short stories, myths, poems from the land of the Mystical Middle East.
Inspiring and informative texts and some that are positively enlightening.
Great read and good for bookshelf for future browsing.
February 16, 2013 1 Comment
An historical account of the origin of our modern medical ethics.
An examination of the prehistory morals and the ancient ideas that provided the seed for medical practices to develop.
Then fast forwarded to the ancient Greeks and Romans developed the ideas the formed the basis of our contemporary ethical principles.
The book delves into Hippocrates and his impact. The mystery surrounding the man is a fascinating read. Was he just a mythical character or did he truly exist. The impact of Hippocrates oath has been most profound in medicine.
Finally the books looks at our modern day medical ethical dilemmas and where we are now.
A great book to have on the bookshelf.
A 12th-century Byzantine manuscript of the Oath, rendered in the form of a cross. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
February 4, 2013 0 Comments
The Poisonwood Bible (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A tale of misplaced evangelicalism deep in Africa.
The setting is the Belgian Congo and an American family is stranded in the early 1960s at a time of independence.
This historical novel is a fascinating read and captures the uncertainty of the time and the threat and danger of violence.
The Baptist belief at that time had no place on this African soil. A good read.
February 4, 2013 0 Comments
A good yarn.
Historians are still not sure if there was ever a female pope or not.
But if there ever was then this would be a good story for her.
It is so likely that she would have to had to reign incognito given the male opposition to any sort of interference in what has always been a male dominion.
August 20, 2012 0 Comments
This is highly stylised writing from Ishiguro as you would expect. A great plot, it is easy to empathise with the main character, and it is written with impeccable style.
And yet I struggled. I dont know why. It is probably a personal thing. I need to try again with him. I wonder if the ending was unsatisfactory…
July 17, 2012 0 Comments
Two characters are linked through work. Bennie the record producer and his PA Sasha. The plot follows their adventures.
This book was recommended to me and yet it failed to achieve its promise in my view. I found it confusing enough and then it changed format suddenly for a reason I found difficult to fathom.
Perhaps I should another book of this author’s a go.
July 17, 2012 0 Comments
Linguist Prof Bates is going deaf. He makes embarrassing mistakes when people are talking to him.
Is his deafness the source of his bad luck or is it just exacerbating the effects of his own inadequacy at his wife’s success, his own aging and the inevitability of our mortality and his dwindling career.
One thing is sure – if we wasnt deaf then he would have completely avoided potential disaster by involvement with an unstable young student with a bizarre choice of project of study.
David Lodge writes with skill, knowledge and insight. This is a good read.
June 28, 2012 0 Comments
Freedom (Franzen novel)
A truly great contemporary American novel. The Berglunds become the all-American family. We live their life together and despite the ups and downs there is hope or at least a semblance of it.
Despite the foundering of idealism that is more than often not misguided, the family survive, albeit just about. It is all about the survival.
Franzen writes with care and passion and, of course, in this novel there is love. I wouldn’t dare promise you a happy ending…that would give away too much. Great stuff.
The Corrections is way up on my to read list. I am a big fan.
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