"The Power", by Naomi Alderman

Novel, 2014

Science fiction vision of women taking over the world, but taking it in some fairly depressing and rather familiar directions. A book that kicks off at pace, although the jumpy narrative looking through to different characters' points of view and shifting in both time and geography make for what can be a disjointed read. Hugely powerful in places, mind, even if and when a few descriptions seem to gleefully slip into genre, perhaps too knowingly, and certain a little noticeably. A book that feels written for filming. 

"Gone Girl," directed by David Fincher

Movie, 2014

Genre inspired, slightly sprawling film which delivers plenty of solid entertainment and thrills despite its length and despite being a little stretched in places with regards the plot and a sprinkling of wooden acting, here and there. Credit, however, due to pulling something in that ultimately feels quite tight, even if some of the initial build up feels a little lethargic and could perhaps have been edited down, just a little. The twists and turns are reasonably effective, with a big message about appearance, truth and the media bought home with a bang.

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"Identity Thief", directed by Gordon Seth

Movie, 2013

Undemanding road comedy which follows many genre rules, including the happy ending and the goo around family, and yet does so successfully. This is an entertaining, funny film, with well worked set pieces and some interesting characters. The dark elements of the plot are neither shirked or taken with any sense of gravity, so there's a balance of sorts. The ending's never in doubt and film hardly shouts for a sequel or imitators, and yet it's a well-worked piece, played for laughs, with a good measure of slapstick thrown in.

"The Amateur Marriage," by Anne Tyler

Novel, 2004

Excellent novel following a Baltimore marriage's ups and downs and the intervening tales of the three children. The focus is on the couple itself and it both critical yet supportive of each side, with the narrative sympathetic to each. Similarly, the plot is eventful, yet has a pace and is written in a non-sensationalist way which moves the story along and pulls the reader into Tyler's world. A treat of a story which unfolds gently and comments plenty on the twentieth century as it does so, with the hang-ups shot through the Anton family narrative.