"The Voices", directed Marjane Satrapi

Movie, 2014

An odd, grisly comedy which through its main sequence of events - principally the fates of the three main female characters in the drama and the use and portrayal of mental health - leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Yes, this is entertaining and well paced and, from a technical point of view, very well done, but it's not really good enough to rise above the gravity of the fates and illnesses which seem little more than plot devices. The talking pets are also a little naff - occasionally amusing, but mainly superfluous. As, indeed, is the whole movie.

"We Have Always Lived in the Castle", by Shirley Jackson

Novel, 1962

Terrific Gothic tale of two sisters and a deranged uncle living in an unfriendly village which marginalises them due to the belief the elder sister poisoned and killed the rest of the family. This is a story focusing on Merricat, the younger sister, a fiercely independent, disturbing narrator who brings a very focused view on unfolding events. There's a real tension in this short novel which propels the reader along into some quite disturbing, psychologically wrenching scenes.

"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.

"Chalcot Crescent", by Fay Weldon

Novel, 2009

A novel set in a crumbling London not so far in the future, in which political and counter political oppressions are played out against the backdrop of entangled family relationships. While the evocations of a ghoulish capital are strong, the complex inter-relationships and the hugely unreliable narrator make it difficult to follow what's going on and how characters related to each other. This may be intentional, but does lead to a frustrating read in what would otherwise be a belter.

"The Grand Budapest Hotel", directed Wes Anderson

Movie, 2014

A witty, colourful and fast paced character study and homage, perhaps, to a grander Europe in the early twentieth century, played for thrills, action and - occasionally - a palpable tenderness and poignancy. Within this star-studded chocolate box of a movie are some well-worked themes and devices, and yet there's also something refreshingly original  - the mixture of bathos and comedy sitting on top of the whirlwind of fun is quite remarkable and rewards attentive viewing.

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"Inherent Vice", directed Paul Thomas Anderson

Movie, 2014

Murky, muttering and suitably confused, confusing slow burn frenetic adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's LA private eye caper. The film's pace and its fairly hefty length draw those in who get hooked in the first place from opening scenes depicting a stoned PI, his returning lover, a massage parlour frequented by an Aryan Brotherhood gang, a nasty slick-cut nemesis policeman and some pretty sweaty interactions between and involving each of them. Possibly not destined for classic mainstream status, but a good adaptation all the same.

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"Voyage in the Dark", by Jean Rhys

Novel, 1934

Hugely evocative novel set in a modernising London and focusing on the challenges, loves and  friendships of Anna, a young Caribbean chorus girl. This is an account of despair, drunkenness, abortionists and questionable morality, but nonetheless, life's vitality shines through. Some really keen writing which descriptively tells its story and sets seedy, desperate scenes, with occasionally flights into more modernist streams of consciousness.