This novel is heartrending in places, with a split time narrative by Carol, the main character, recounting her present and a significant time in her past. Little Monster is how her aunt describes her, and is a fitting description for the child in the present part of the narrative. The fact that this child has taken the name of a cartoon character didn't scape me from early on in the novel, although it took Carol a while to make the connection. The character the girl has called herself after is a fairly nasty character.
I agree with the comment from "Time Out" 'Lambert reads like a writer at the height of his game rather than one just starting out'.
This book had me hooked, and again, I didn't want to put it down.
Charles Lambert's blog is here
Labels: Charles Lambert, General fiction
A first person narrated novel. Mostly internal recollection, but when the main character talks to someone it is reported as first person narrative. It isn't until almost then end of the novel we learn the main character's name, and unless the name hadn't been used by the other character, in place of their own, it probably would never have been revealed. In that respect I found the novel rather like Rebecca, in that we are shown things through the eyes of a character who we don't know the name of.
The whole of the novel is the reminiscences of the narrator.
This novel is a lovely lyrical recollection of the narrator's youth, a particular fondly remembered episode.
To find out more about Meg Rosoff and her books, click here
Labels: General fiction, Meg Rosoff
After the previous abandoned book, this one was a pleasant surprise. It is Flynn's debut novel, but don't let that put you off. The plot is sufficiently complex to keep the reader busy. The timeline, is mostly straightforward, although there are times when the main character, Camille, remembers past events. I was completely hooked, and I know it's a cliche, but I really couldn't put it down. I look forward to seeing more from Gillian Flynn.
A link to Flynn's website is here, so you can find out more, and maybe read an extract for yourself. At the end of this book there was something that I have noticed appearing in many books these days, that is a section on points to consider if using this book with a book group/club.
Labels: fiction, Gillian Flynn, thriller
Am around a third of the way through this book. I don't normally blog about a book until I have finished it. This book is subtitled, "Notes for a Novel". I know it is a first novel, but after reading as far as I have, I would rather read the novel the notes are for than the book I am reading.
I hope I see this book through to the end, and may be able to add something more positive, but at the moment I keep looking how many more pages there are left .....until I can start something else.
I KNOW that no-one is looking over my shoulder, and I KNOW that I do not have to write an essay focused on this book, but I really just keep hoping it will improve, although 65 pages into a 164/5 page book...I think I might be reading in vain.
I hate giving up on a book, but think I just might with this one, despite it's brevity.
18/7/09
I've read to p 94 now, and am getting heartily fed up with this book. The series of incidents are driving me mad. I'm afraid this book is going to be abandonded, and quite possibly given away.
Labels: general/literary fiction, Patrick de Witt
This book won the Costa First Novel Award.
It drew me in, and just had to keep reading. I felt an empathy with Kate, and the other two main characters also evoke the sympathy of the reader.
Part ghost story, part observation of the tedium of the main characters lives "What was Lost" is engaging from the first to last page. For a little more about the book and author, click here. I would say that Catherine O'Flynn is an author to look out for.
I loved this book, but some may not do, as the book itself "talks" to the reader at intervals throughout the book. These passages are quite clearly the book talking, but I can appreciate it may un-nerve some.
The main character, Jennet Stearne is a very strong willed girl/woman, who has a grasp of many things that are usually the province of men at the time. I think the bumph probably tells it better than me.
Jennet's father and brother are merciless in their witchfinding quest, but Jennet withstands all her trials. James Morrow weaves a spell binding tale. Apologies for the lousy pun. :)
Labels: historical fiction, James Morrow
No, I'm not pulling your leg, neither was I pulling the assistant's leg in the bookshop when I ordered it.
I was looking to see what other books Walter Moers had written, and came across this one. It is thought that he might have written it, but to date no-one has claimed author-ship of this novel.
The book is fast paced, made up of short chapters, following the various characters as the plot lines converge. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I wish I knew who the author is. It could be Walter Moers, as it is a humourous as his books.
Labels: Anonymous, humour, Walter Moers
In the coldest winter in history, in a starving city under siege, two prisoners are thrown together on a desperate adventure.
Lev, a shy, chess-loving teenager and Kolya, a charismatic chancer.
They are given one week to complete an extraordinary mission: to scour the ravaged countryside and find a dozen eggs.
Or come back empty-handed and die.
The novel follows Lev and Kolya on their hunt for the eggs, which takes them behind enemy lines and into danger. If they manage to find eggs, they still need to negotiate their way back into Leningrad with them. Along the way they encounter difficulties, and manage to do something unexpected.
The novel has been very well researched but the author doesn't bludgeon you with the facts, as some are wont to do.
Labels: David Benioff, general/literary fiction, humour