Thursday, 27 September 2018

"White is for Witching", by Helen Oyeyemi

Novel, 2009

A novel which pulls on a load of shapes and guises, from coming of age, to a twins' psychodrama, to haunted house thriller. This is a book in which too much goes on without much seeming to actually happen. The result is a confusing hodge-podge, which may be an intentional device reflecting the struggles of Miranda, the main protagonist. There's some really outstanding images, but the different voices and narrative layers don't really fully knit together where they feel like they should. Some great ideas and difficult subjects explored, but too fragmented for my liking. 

Wednesday, 26 September 2018

"The Shadow of the Crescent Moon", by Fatima Bhutto

Novel, 2013

Riveting story of three brothers in Pakistan and, more strikingly, two of the women in the family. Everyday life is shown, from three different perspectives and responses to a harsh environment. While the bombs and terror give a very visceral backdrop, it's really the domestic strains which give the book its real tension. A really well constructed and well told narrative which skillfully explores characters' past lives in adding weight to the main thrust of the story. As such, this is a refreshing look at beliefs and ideologies and how they work and are mediated through communities trying their best to get along and survive. 

Tuesday, 25 September 2018

"Doctor Sally", by PG Wodehouse

Novel, 1932

Slight, even for Wodehouse, making this unusually non-diverging story feel more like a television drama or a short story. As a result, there's not quite the levels of intrigue and incident, though despite this, and despite the writing feeling a little restrained, this is still glorious, whimsical satire of the highest order. A precious thing indeed for the Wodehouse devotee, though those new to the great man's oeuvre might want to start with a Jeeves and Wooster. But still, some interesting takes on male and female roles and social class.

Sunday, 23 September 2018

"It Can't Happen Here," by Sinclair Lewis

Novel, 1935

A novel which is quite shocking and almost demands being read, not through intrinsic merit, but through the astounding reminder of how far and - since Trump - how very little we've from the Fascist blighted 1930s. The resistible rise rise of Buzz Windrip is incredible, both for the obvious and sometimes seeming too obvious parallels with the then contemporaneous goings on in Italy and Germany, but also for the terrifying examples where this is happening in America and elsewhere in Western democracies. A jaw dropper, which hides the fact the writing feels dated and a little stodgy at times.

Thursday, 13 September 2018

"Flowers for Algernon," by Daniel Keyes

Novel, 1966

Touching, messy and wonderful story of Charlie Gordon, whose experimented upon as a subject for a process which massively improves IQ. The novel, which is in the form of a first personal journal, is a rich, emotional journey reflecting in love, cruelty and the pains of existence, together with the suffering of people taken out of their familiar surroundings. The book cracks along and is thrilling throughout, with tender scenes along the way, either bang on cue or out of the blue. Certainly worth a read by everyone, not just sci-fi geeks.

Wednesday, 12 September 2018

"The Monuments Men," directed by George Clooney

Movie, 2014

A strange throwback film featuring a crack cast playing a crack gang of allies foiling Nazis in a covert mission. In this version, it's not a breakout or assassination, but the recovery of artwork. In a way, this is an easy film to like, though with the Germans stereo-typically mean and some of the cliches of camaraderie and character pumped to bursting, it's a wonder how the film was ever made. Entertaining and modern, but also archaic and unnecessary. Some nice touches and great production, but nowhere near enough to pull this out of barely passable pulp.






    Sunday, 2 September 2018

    "The Story of My Teeth," by Valeria Luiselli

    Novel, 2015

    A novel about an auctioneer who loses his teeth when he's robbed of everything he has, and the lives of those around him. This is a book whose narrative and conception are acutely self-referential, which cuts the flow, though doesn't entirely bring things to a halt. A bold work which only half comes off - there's much to admire, but the book has a fairly cold feel, as if the reader's being led a little too far, then pushed back. Experimental and worthy; not always the most entertaining.

    Saturday, 1 September 2018

    "Le Peau Douce," directed by François Truffaut

    Movie, 1964

    A slight, well-trodden story of infidelity and the consequences arising for the three protagonists involved. A fairly conventional film, all told, although there's a subversion at the end which makes quite a mark and a clear statement. Otherwise, everything in the film looks cool, with a decent smattering of Citroens, Gauloises and jet planes and some pretty archaic looking, talented people gaining social points over younger looking talented people. A film where gender and class are examined, while the story's focus remains deeply personal.