Dylan Palmer
A finely crafted novel. It tells a tale of how corruption once set can rot even what seems the hardiest of places that leads to grave consequences. Or does it? Although I enjoyed reading this novel about a third of the way through I thought to my self, what is the pay off here? It felt like I had ascended the peak of the story and was carefully making my way back to base camp for the finale, only to be left wanting when I got there. What was it I wanted? I'm not even sure, but no matter how well written or put together I still felt like I was wanting more from this book. Not in a read on give me a few more pages can't believe this has ended but a oh, is that it?
Nonetheless, I still flew through it and enjoyed it for what it was, even if I was left wanting.
A unforgiving, unrelenting punch-drunk hurricane of a book. It does not treat the readers as if they were born yesterday because why should it? It grips a hold of you and if you don't like the vulgarness then it will happily show you the door. A harsh realisation for sure, but akin to other great American writers who have trodden similar paths, it sets you up for a fantastical experience of the inner and real workings on the underbelly of the USA.
Quite startling. I had never read any Javier Marias to this point but the recommendation from somewhere seemed perfect. Not being hugely into what I pre-determined the 'espionage' world my expectations were not fully set so I leapt into the novel excited for a somewhat blank slate. Marias however, was not writing anything to be expected from the genre and the reflective and mediative nature and tone stirred a curiosity that would tumble up and down throughout the novel.
It wasn't all easy. At times, I wondered 'where is all of this going?' and struggled through large portions of reflection on literal past lives and destructive past decisions. However, I slowly shrugged this idea off as Marias' guided a weary Nevinson to the story's conclusion and ultimately his own also. Why do we make the choices we do? What is the impact of guilt in our lives and our thoughts? Do consequences have meaning? These are a fraction of the questions that occured to myself throughout the tumbling experience of the novel and I'm unsure if they were answered, if they even require a necessity to be answered that is
An interesting end note though that came up while readying the translators note. How Marias' had 'impeccable English' and while Margaret Jull Costa reflects on this she uses a couple of passages from the novel to illuminate the point of how Marias' delights on using the flexibility of the English language to expand on his inner thoughts and feelings to the fullest. Throughout the reading of the translators note I couldn't help but thinking I was reading a note about a work of Borges, who's mastery of English was blatant and well-known and how he commandeered the language to suit his wonderful needs. What is the point in this comparison? When brilliance in prose obvious, comparison becomes obvious too, but does that demean Marias' work? Not at all, it shows that wonder is wonder and skill of this level comes rarely.
A tale that hits to the heart of so many poignant issues that we still struggle with even to this day, however, what Roberts has done here is pinpointed a certain uniqueness in it's time and place to create a story that is rich and relevant.
Roberts uses her native surroundings to give a story that is entirely Welsh. As I was reading it I could hear and feel the textures and layers that she added and the time stretched story structure shows the Welsh world changing and warping to the brave new world that the 20th century would become.
That feeling of being utterly and uniquely Welsh shares many a common trait with 'One Moonlit Night' by Caradog Prichard in terms of it's placing and it's narrative but also with other writers such as Dylan Thomas for it's lyrical bounce.
If you've never read any Welsh literature before give it a go, there'll be plenty of names and words you might see for the first time but you're eyes will be opened up to a whole new part of our old world.
A great read that can I feel is a good supplement to Bolano's other major works, and works well in conjunction with them. It doesn't pack the punch that maybe 2666 or the Savage Detectives does but that's not necessarily the point.
In classic Bolano fashion, it rewards you for staying with the story or stories for this matter. It therefore picks up momentum as you slide further into it and you can slowly grasp your own personal readings.
Bolaño is truly one of the most gifted, unique writers of his generation. What a journey through life, twisted, agonising, refreshing and truly special. This was not the read I thought it was going to be, the three part structure holds a very different tale to the one you would first except but as the tale unravels you are slowly awarded for your patience.
This is hardcore, and it warms you up for 2666 perfectly, another Bolano perfect misdirect.
Decent little book that doesn't compare to Marquez' other works. Controversial yes and taxing to read at times but if you have read any Marquez and other South American literature then you can hardly be surprised by what happens here. Nonetheless, still difficult read no matter how well put together.
Page turning brilliance. Garland has achieved something quite remarkable here, putting his finger on a feeling, or the search of one and has conjured up quite a fine book. I have never seen the film so all my imagination was my own, and I could feel each page and each character and each scene come to life. Definitely recommend.
Trollope was not on my list of things to read but on a visit to a relative who is quite the fan, I thought I may as well. However, it is hard to give this book a rating as my thoughts on it slid so drastically from the first page to the last. Funnily enough a different review said the first 50 pages were great, I could not stray further from that opinion. I found the first 50 to truly drag as I could not care for any of the characters or their problems (apart from Dr Bold) . However, as the tale progressed I could understand what Trollope was slowly achieving and the characters grew as with the story. Hence, although only given three and a half stars it could have changed at any time.
Thank you to the relative for the chance, but I am unsure when I'll be revisiting Trollope if I'm honest!
Poetic brilliance from a wonderful mind. Every line simmers with an enchanting joy and reels you in time after time.
It feels absolutely Welsh, and it is more beautiful for it. As a welsh person my self you could feel the locations and the smells and the people all folding into one to make this mad town feel real. Da iawn Dylan Thomas.
It felt like reading about open secrets, the things we know are true but refuse to either believe them or acknowledge.
Turgenev writes so eloquently here and his talent for bringing each character through the story is a great stand out. Thoroughly good reflection on the roles of relationships of all kinds, of being young and old, of thinking differently. I struggled with some of the aloofness of aristocratic life at times but the rest of the story worked well to adjust with it
Note- I listened to through an audiobook.
Brilliant analysis of Pantani and his life. At times it felt quite overwhelming with statistics and details of great scientific magnitude but Rendell does a good job of bringing you along year by year.
For those looking for Pantani to be absolved will sadly not find it, but that does not mean the figure of him is no less mystical but albeit, tragic.
By no means my favourite book of the year let alone favorite sci-fi book of the year, but a good reading experience. The themes were interesting and it did feel like a fresh spin on the genre, but I was longing for the book to finish towards the end. Maybe on reflection my opinion of this book will change, not necessarily for the better but alas, still interesting.
Something about this book that I can't put my finger on...
I, as I think many others probably realised, was lulled into a false sense of security when it came to the 'horror' aspect of this story. However,as the story furthered and progressed and the lines emerged you could feel this hidden pressure slowly emerging. It is not what anyone would expect but once it has come full circle the whole story shifts entirely onto a new track.
Tokarczuk is a master. My faith in her after 'drive your plow' and 'flights' was paid off here, even if it at times I was longing for a classic twist or a sudden fright. They didn't necessarily come as you'd expect, but to read this story and to expect a thing would be foolish now I look back.
Also, what a comment on pre-war Europe and it's slithering division, pride and isolation.
Great read.
Part- Adam Curtis documentary, part- critique of western liberal democracy and part- enchanting dream, The Years is a riding adventure of a book through the mid to late 20th century. Each sentence flows into the next and begs the reader to continue to the next. It poses many questions but how we got to where we are and how we should look back at those things while never forcing you an answer. At times, it offers hidden confessions that make you feel slightly uncomfortable, is this what Ernaux feels or has she taken the temperature of a whole data point?
It's a beautiful piece of work that feels inspired from the first sentence to the heartbreaking last.
Mishima's writing here is the stalwart. He seems to write effortlessly as each page blends into the next and leads you further and further down a deeping chasm. At times uncomfortable, particularly in the second part but a reflection of Japan post-war and the changing state of society but most importantly, it seems Mishima himself.
I had great trouble thinking about what to say for this book. It is one of the most absurd, nonsensical, enjoyable and challenging novels I have yet read. However, it can easily be split up due to its parts. Part 1, I was at times at a complete loss for what on earth was going on and did think about giving up the battle. Part 2 however turned into this attack on the senses that turned into a coherent and wonderful tale that entirely changed my view of the whole story.
A book not for the faint hearted or for someone looking for an easy read. It will reward you however, if you keep invested in its rich story.
