"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. 

"Primer", directed by Shane Carruth

Movie, 2004

Perplexing film in which a group of nerds spend a load of time building stuff in one of their garages. The most notable piece of stuff is a time machine, which is kept in a storage facility, where things go a bit wrong with doubles inadvertently created and all manner of gloomy consequences ensue. The problem with the film is that the whole thing seems to have been improvised on no budget and all the action carried out with one hand over the mouth; nothing, ever, is clear or straightforward. Some lovely atmosphere and a stark authenticity, but a devil to try and follow.

"Four Souls" by Louise Erdrich

Novel, 2004

Family story of native American Indians and the dispossession and dissolution of their land and fortune. While this is a story which deals with gambling and drink, there's a sense of legends in the making, awe and power, often magical, in the rituals and activities of the women and the savage buffoonery of the men. If the switching of the narrative between characters occasionally stymies the overall flow, there's a wonderful atmosphere of loss, hope and retribution built and sustained throughout.

"Sideways", directed by Alexander Payne

Movie, 2004

Effective buddy and road type movie, in which old friends at very different stages of their personal journeys seek out wine and women. This is an effective, gentle film which prods away at some pretty hefty themes around infidelity and loneliness, while fitting in a decent number of laughs and capers along the way. The warmth towards all the characters shines through, however, as middle age is approached through different perspectives. The film isn't especially novel, with most viewers probably feeling they're covering some relatively well trodden ground, but this is, nonetheless, a generous, funny and watchable film.

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"Chronicles: Volume One", by Bob Dylan

Non-fiction, 2004

Dylan picks a few key points in his career in producing this hybrid of memoir and autobiography in what, ultimately, is an engaging, entertaining and occasionally laugh-out-loud account. In telling his tale, the lyricism and atmosphere of his song writing is retained, although the detail is nonetheless present in hugely convincing observations and memories. And contained within are some interesting tidbits - the protest singer famously battling his spokesman for the generation status, with a hankering for his family and life on the high seas in his yacht.