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Normally to be found in South Wales or Ireland. An unhealthy obsession with literature & the musicals of Stephen Sondheim has led to a very happy 33 years on this planet.
Currently reading
I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan
Progress:
35 %
Pride and Prejudice
Bad Science
I'm happy to report that this is a beautiful piece of work but it didn't quite deliver the music I was hoping for.The prose are evocative enough to keep the reader interested and at times, even a little hypnotic but with such beautiful, lyrical writing, I was waiting for Martell to conjure up the dark, smoky, world of the 1960's jazz scene but it never came. Full review here
Charming and heartwarming are probably the two best words to describe this simple story of an elderly gentleman who decides to walk.Another side of the story is told from the point of view of Harold's wife. She is left behind and understands what he's doing no more than he does. It's an interesting addition to have this viewpoint and in fact a lot of the emotional weight this book has, comes from having this side of the story included.Full review here
This touched me deeply. The first part of this book is one of the most compelling and moving pieces of writing I've encountered. Viktor E, Frankl was a prominent pyschiatrist and holocaust survivor. Being a psychiatrist offered Frankl a unique insight into how people did (or didn't) survive in the most extreme of circumstances. While some of the pyschiatric thinking in the second part of the book, 'Logotherapy in Nutshell' may be slightly dated, the first part of this book is truly remarkable. I've a full review here but at just over a 150 pages, I would suggest you simply read the book. Surely, it's not too much time to dedicate to a man with Frankl's insight.
I have to admit this book was really very good. It is decidely readable and offers a believable insight into a world most of us can but guess at. Told from the point of view of a few characters, I felt each character had a distinct voice and that's not something you often get in a debut novel. Simple, open and surprisingly compelling. I'm looking forward to more from Christine. Full review here
The very first chapter is titled 'Elaine'. This made me happy. Thankfully, the fact that the leading character is called Elaine is not the only reason to like this novel. It's nicely written and Steinberg provides us with an interesting insight into life in America as a Jew after the war. All in all an interesting novel which also offers a fresh insight into life in Los Angeles past.Full review here .
An interesting little piece but not quite the mind trip I was anticipating. The book, as titled, is a thought experiment. It's intention is to get you thinking and talking but unfortunately I think it's a purpose it falls just short of. Some of the ideas put forward are interesting, some mildly amusing and others just stupid but none are really developed enough to spark any truly interesting debate. It's only a little book and available to download for free from the author, so if you have any interest in science, philosophy or religion, by all means give it a read. Just don't waste much serious thought on it. Full review here
This is one of my all time favourite novels and thanks to a friend, I had a glorious new edition for Christmas.I've read this novel countless times and it really is a masterpiece. It's been described as 'the perfect novel' and while that is definitely debatable, it remains a piece of fiction to be admired.Fitzgerald's writing is simplistic yet incredibly evocative. Every word in this, very brief, novel has been chosen to develop the story as succinctly as possible, yet it remains a beautiful and damning portrait of the American dream during the decadence of the 1920s. A masterpiece of storytelling, The Great Gatsby is not to be missed.
1
Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes
This is a book for die-hard Sondheim fans, budding lyricists or lyric aficionados only. With the lyrics to all his shows between 1954 - 1981 as well as many additional tidbits, this is a fascinating insight into the most talented man in musical theatre.Sondheim studies his own work and dissects his lyrics, as well as those of others in an open and rather frank manner. A simply superb insight into songwriting.
Really just couldn't get on with this at this time. Had absolutely no pull to continue reading. The characters are unlikable (which isn't normally a bad thing for me) and it simply didn't seem to be going anywhere. Wrong book wrong time for this one I feel.
This is a very interesting little novel let down a rather poor ending. It's beautifully written and remarkably focused. It could very easily have drifted off, like every other doomsday book out there, and focused on the terrors that face us, come our inevitable annihilation but you know what? This book didn't do that. It is not a novel about the big things. It's much quieter and more intimate than that. Full review here
So the million dollar question is was it worth it? Well, in a word, YES. This is not an easy read (and indeed in some sections, not even enjoyable) but it is undeniably a masterpiece. It's dirty, yes. Vulgar, yes. Completely perplexing in parts, yes. BUT it's also beautiful, lyrical, funny and human.Full review at Reading in Progress.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's smart, blackly humorous and completely riveting. Full review over at Reading in Progress
A very passionate defence of the humanity of Christ. Or to be more precise, how Jesus was both human and deity and how the current evangelical focus on the divinity is both limiting and alienating. Bruce A Ware is clearly very impassioned about this subject and that comes across completely in this book.Full review here
Brilliantly observed and written. This is only the second novel by Waugh I've read. He is quite possibly one of the sharpest writers I have ever read.
I assumed this was going to take the nursery rhymes of Mother Goose and expand them into short story form however these are mainly complete reinterpretations with elements of the original nursery rhyme. It was a little dissapointing if I'm honest. However, once I got over that, there are some good elements to this. Wee Willie Winkie was without doubt the best story of the collection and it's no coincidence it's one of the few that actually took the rhyme and created a short story from it (as I'd been hoping). All in all an interesting little collection of stories that, unfortunately, didn't quite deliver what I was hoping. Full review here
Oh how I loved this. Having (regrettably) listened to Wolf Hall on audiobook, I was determined to do the sequal, justice by holding it in my hands and savouring every word. It didn't let me down. There's something truly astonishing about Mantel's version of events. The narrative is just hypnotising. I've rarely (if ever) felt I know a fictional character the way I feel I know Mantel's Thomas Cromwell. Grab yourself a copy of Wolf Hall and next week you"ll be buying this, I assure you. Enjoy. I'm rather jealous I can't read it for the first time over & over again.