"The Tiger's Wife" by Téa Obreht

Novel, 2010

Sprawling story mixing a savage mythical series of characters and events in telling the story of a doctor's grandfather, a bombed out zoo and the tiger and wife of the book's title. This is a book of appetites, people who can't die and flashbacks, all of which give the narrative and the reader some hard work to do. Threads can unravel quite easily, in a book which can be powerful and poignant, but at times, a little frustrating too. All in all, a satisfying read and a fresh, brave debut novel.

"Submarine," directed by Richard Ayoade

Movie, 2010

Charming, compassionate coming of age film on the one hand, though thankfully, and despite an appropriately juvenile cast, not at all gloopy. Some fairly major themes are tackled in an off-kilter way at times, though the effect is to appreciate the resilience and decency of the teenagers in the film rather then either pity or rail against them. Some funny set pieces, again looking at serious themes (bullying, family breakdown) as well as some oddball humour which never entirely alienates. Overall, pretty decent.

"You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger", directed by Woody Allen

Movie, 2010

Even what feels like a slightly underwritten Woody Allen film hits home harder than most social comedies, which is certainly the case in this story of a set of couples teetering between, in and out of relationships.
Allen's films usually end with loose ends addressed if not always neatly tied and characters often getting what's coming to them. This isn't wholly the case here, which isn't to the film's detriment. But still, the plot development is easy for the most of the film, with an endearing, warm set of character. An enjoyable watch.

"India" by John Keay

Non fiction, revised 2010

After shopping round to avoid a big, mighty tome listing generals, battles, dates, politicians and treaties, I ended up buying a big, mighty tome listing generals, battles, dates, politicians and treaties. All of which, over 600 pages of quite dense reading, makes for a reading slog and the likelihood of information and having been far from fully and properly absorbed. Still, a worthy book it's hard to criticise even if it wasn't the one I wanted and should have looked harder for. Never mind; I'll know in the future.