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Book Reviews
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An Expert in Murder (Josephine Tey Mystery 1)
Joanne Leddington30 December 2009
Josephine Tey was the author of the Inspector Alan Grant mystery novels that were particularly popular in the 1930s and 1940s. For her debut novel, 'An Expert in Murder', Nicola Upson has chosen to use a fictionalised version of Josephine Tey as the heroine of her own mystery story. Upson's version of Tey is still a popular author and a pseudonym employing playwright and, as 'An Expert in Murder' begins, Tey is travelling by rail from Scotland to London to attend the final West End performances of her hit play, Richard of Bordeaux. During the journey Tey makes the acquaintance of Elspeth Simmons, a fellow passenger and long-term fan of Tey's work. Simmons is on her way to London to see Tey's play for the second time. Once at the station in London, Tey and Simmons separate as Simmons realises that she has left her bag on the train and goes back to get it. When Simmons is later found murdered, Tey teams up with Detective Inspector Archie Penrose, an old friend of Tey's lover who Penrose watched die at the Somme, to solve the crime. Simmons had been stabbed with a hat pin and, as it is assumed that Tey herself was the intended target, the detective duo soon become embroiled in the intrigue, excitement and backstabbing of the London theatre scene. I enjoyed 'An Expert in Murder' a great deal and am pleased to hear that there is going to be a whole series of books featuring Josephine Tey and Archie Penrose. Overall I found the solution to Elspeth Simmons' murder to be convincing but I do hope that in future books Upson relies a little less on coincidence to help the detectives solve the crime. That's only a minor point really though as the plot of 'An Expert in Murder' and the historical detail that Upson captures are great. Since many of the characters are based on real people (for example, John Terry was based on John Gielgud) given slight protection through the use of pseudonyms, it's interesting to guess at who they might actually be. People will more knowledge of London's West End during the 1930s will probably find guessing to be a lot easier than I did!
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Angus spawton-Rice04 December 2009
This is the first insight that many of us have had into life in Afghanistan, the effect of the events so often covered in the news shown from the perspective of those living amongst these difficult changes.
The tale is of two young boys who are separated in every way by the society they live in despite growing up as the closest of friends. Political turmoil in their homeland finally divides them permanently as Amir, the main protagonist flees for refuge in California. Running away becomes a major part of Amir's character, causing him to build up unbearable guilt throughout his life.
After finally making a comfortable and safe life for himself in America, Amir receives a call, which reminds him of his troubled life. An almost forgotten voice gives him the chance to "be good again". Embarking on a journey which began as a favour soon transforms into a meaningful adventure into the carnage that is modern Kabul as well as into Amir's memories, where he finally finds absolution only after entering the darkest realms of guilt.
The Kite Runner shows the true prejudices that exist in Afghanistan, which ultimately lead to terrible conflicts which exist. It is an emotionally gripping tale of sacrifice, personal gain and the cost of both of these things on others and ourselves. -
The Jeeves Omnibus: No. 3 (P.G. Wodehouse trade paperback series)
Mrs Helen Britton30 November 2009
The third Jeeves Omnibus is another gem in the Wodehouse crown. Readers who have previously revelled in the exploits of Bertram Wilberforce Wooster and his butler-cum-problem-solver-extraordinaire, Jeeves, are in for another treat. There is no problem too big for Jeeves to solve, so long as his brain cells are adequately boosted by a diet rich in fish. There is also no difficulty that Bertie cannot exacerbate as he tries to avoid the pitfalls of a man beset by various wealthy and controlling Aunts and a string of strong-minded fiancees, past, prsent and future.
We're also given an opportunity to renew our acquaintance with Bertie's many pals, some of whom are wealthy and slightly potty and others who are down on their uppers and even more potty. One thing they all have in common is their belief in true love, which flies in the face of their experiences with girls who, whilst pretty and often charming, have a stong desire to mould their amiable and luckless suitors into men of steel and captains of industry.
With two novels and a collection of short stories in one volume, this is a terrific collection. Existing Wodehouse fans will eat it up, Those who have yet to make the acquaintance of Jeeves and Wooster are luckier still - I wish I were at the beginning of my love affair with these wonderful characters. -
Dashiell Feneon30 November 2009
Although the novels of Roberto Bolano have been hugely popular in the Spanish speaking world for well over a decade now, until around 2009 his work had been sadly overlooked by both the English media and the reading public. However, once Bolano's wonderful prose was finally recognised, the establishment and readers embraced him wholeheartedly. Both of Bolano's novels that have appeared in English language paperback editions this year, The Savage Detectives and 2666, have been bestsellers and both have had awards and critical praise heaped upon them. Both are sure to feature prominently in the inevitable "Best Books of 2009" lists that will be making their appearances shortly. It is tragically unfortunate that Bolano himself didn't live to see the massive impact that he has had on the worldwide literary scene. While 2666 is certainly a massively monstrous work of genius, The Savage Detectives could justifiably be held up as the 'better' novel. Narrated in its entirety by numerous individuals, The Savage Detectives begins with the life of 17-year-old aspiring poet Juan Garcia Madero as he struggles to gain admittance to the Visceral Realists, a gang of roving Mexican radical poets. Madero eventually drops out of University and rampages around the streets of Mexico City with the Visceral Realists despite never being fully convinced of the merits of Visceral Realism as a revolutionary poetic movement. The novel then switches focus to present a series of interviews with various people based in diverse locations in North America, Europe and the Middle East who all claim to have come into contact with Ulises Lima and Arturo Belano, the founders of the Visceral Realists. Although each of the interviewees has their own opinion of Lima and Bolano, the general consensus is that they are a pair of literary elitists whose behaviour infuriates and alienates all those whom they meet. It becomes clear that Lima and Belano spent time in Europe where they frequented bars and camp sites and generally lived a debauched, bohemian lifestyle. While Lima ends up serving a short sentence in an Israeli prison, Belano challenges one of the many scornful literary critics to an absurd swordfight on a Spanish beach. The narrative is then taken up again by Juan Garcia Madero, now living in the Sonora Desert with Lima, Belano and a prostitute named Lupe. The group are closing in on locating an elusive poet named Cesarea Tinajero and are being pursued by a pimp named Alberto and a corrupt Mexican police officer. The Savage Detectives was described by Bolano as "a love letter to my generation" and it is a brutally beautiful tale told by a master of language who showed no fear in breaking literary conventions and scorning the mundane patterns of prose. For a darkly satirical tale of poets, pimps and prostitutes, The Savage Detectives is a surprising tender tribute to the literary underdogs, to those who run from acclaim rather than pursue it. Bolano was not reticent in mixing up his own mythologized life story with that of his characters and it is here with the characters that he clearly loved that the heart of the story lies. The Savage Detectives may not have such an epic and intricate storyline as 2666 but it is the far better developed and nuanced novel. It is impossible not to care about the Visceral Realists, however pretentious and irritating they may be. The Savage Detectives is Bolano's triumph as a novelist and is rightly to be acclaimed.
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A Touch of Dead (Sookie Stackhouse Vampire Myst)
Janet Ives30 November 2009
Although I am now quite a fan of the paranormal romance genre that seems to have blossomed due to the popularity of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series, I was quite late in discovering the excellent Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris. I have been following the television series True Blood on Channel 4 and thought it was absolutely terrific and so rushed out and bought all of the books in the series. A Touch of Dead is the most recent book in the series and so is still in hardback but it is worth paying the slightly higher price to avoid having to wait until next year for the paperback.
Unlike the rest of the books in the series, A Touch of Dead is actually a collection of short stories, all featuring Sookie Stackhouse, that have been published in compilations previously. I had never read any of the stories before but it is possible that long term fans of the series might have and so it is probably worth checking that you don't already have them before you buy this book. The stories collected in A Touch of Dead are Fairy Dust, One Word Answer, Dracula Night, Lucky and Gift Wrap. All of the five stories fit into the gaps between the other books and so help to fill out the characters and explain some plot issues that were otherwise unmentioned. For example, we discover how Sookie found out about Claudette's death. I really enjoy the Southern Vampire series, Sookie Stackhouse is a wonderful narrator and the combination of the paranormal, the romance and the mysteries involved in her live really keep me hooked. I would recommend this series to all fans of vampire fiction and paranormal romance but would suggest that you start with the first book Dead Until Dark and then read the series in order. -
The Best of Pippi Longstocking: Three Books in One
Kelly Roberts30 November 2009
I got this book for my birthday from my auntie and at first I thought that I wouldn't like it but it is actually very good even though it is old. There are 3 stories in this book Pippi Longstocking, Pippi Goes Abroad and Pippi in the South Seas. Pippi always wins against the baddies but she is always happy and kind. I think my favourite story is Pippi Goes Abroad.
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Moominland Midwinter (Puffin Books)
Kelly Roberts30 November 2009
This is my favourite Moomin story. I love that it is set in winter as it makes me think of Christmas. The Moomins usually sleep during winter but this year they wake up and have adventures.
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anon27 November 2009
The first chapter was a bit droning, but after that it was brilliant. I would recommend it as 19 people have read my book and all liked it.
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Churchill 1940-1945: Under Friendly Fire
gilbert michaud24 November 2009
Walter Reid is harsh on the allies of Britain and their wartime leaders. According to him they were there to make his job more difficult.
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Lindsey McCallister24 November 2009
As a child I read and reread this book for years. It is a gentle yet accurate book of information and advice about looking after your pony. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I loved it and will be getting it for my daughter.
