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The Gargoyle

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, what a read. An author's debut book that goes straight into my top ten reads is pretty special. The early descriptions of a car crash and fire will have you driving extra safely for weeks, the descriptions of treatment and suffering in a hospital burns unit will leave you wary of ignition sources for a similar time. There is a friendship, unexplained at first, but when explained is inexplicable. What is going on? The narrator is as puzzled as yourself, fantastical explanations are revealed piece by piece until they seem commonplace. Finally an ending that brings it all together in a way that you just don't want it to. An epic read, not from the length of the book but the depth of the characters feelings and the most amazing storytelling. Couldn't put it down, want to read it again.


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Poppyland

Poppyland by Peter J.R. Stibbons

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was an interesting booklet covering the Victorian's discovery of the Norfolk coasts for rest and relaxation. More specifically it concentrates on the area around Overstrand, SideStrand and Cromer known as Poppyland. It is the giving of the name Poppyland that is covered most along with much history relating to the visiting characters of the late 1800s. A brief but very interesting read.


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I am British?

You Are 75% British

Are you British? Hell, you're more of a Brit than the Queen is! You're truly the dog's bollocks... and you know that's not an insult. So what if you're a slobbering drunk obsessed with football? At least you always remember your manners.

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Underfoot in Show Business

Underfoot in Show Business by Helene Hanff

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Excellent, I am truly captivated by dear Helene. These memoirs of her writing career were such a pleasure to read. I laughed, and laughed again, how did she do it? Well, this book highlights the genuine struggle she had in her chosen field, but she never seemed down. She saw humour in all situations and had the right response for any situation. Oh, how I wish she had written more books. There are some lovely anecdotes in here, and I will see Oklahoma! in a whole new light now. Thoroughly recommended to all.


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Cryptonomicon

Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was my first Neal Stephenson and certainly no disappointment. It was a massive read at over 900 pages but at no time did I stumble and move on to something else, I was very pleased to have it hold my full attention throughout.

Codes, computers, U-Boats, war, treasure and more, quite a boys novel. I loved following both present day characters and their ancestors in the interweaved stories and the ending didn't disappoint; in fact it was a definite, I can't wait to find out what on earth is going on feeling, that ended just right.

This was a very clever intermingling of historical events/people and modern day that must have been an awesome research effort. What was I being told about General Douglas MacArthur? I must read more about him... Oh wow, have just returned from the English Wikipedia having read this: "MacArthur's headquarters during the Philippines campaign of 1941-2 was on the island fortress of Corregidor." Sorry, that was just a little private indicator for me that the research was spot on.




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Stupid White Men

Stupid White Men by Michael Moore

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
This was a second-hand impulse buy based on enjoying the author's documentaries. I found it a little too US-centric even with this being the international edition. Then again, we all suffer similar problems with our politicians and political parties. It is of course very dated now with another election imminent but the humour carries on ok, would I recommend it? Probably not, a little too bitter for a humour book, and likely far too one-sided for a political book.


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Kluge

Kluge by Gary Marcus

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well, that was an interesting read. My first foray into this subject and I wasn't disappointed.

The flyleaf tells me the book is controversial, which I guess means it differs from the majority of current thinking. But to me the content made all too much sense, it is very interesting to have your lapses described in so much detail and reasons behind them given.

I wasn't sure at the end whether to be saddened by my oddly evolved brain or amused. I chose amused; yes, I screw up but I get along.

It's not a heavy read, I recommend to all.


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84 Charing Cross Road

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
A two book volume, a two part review.



84 Charing Cross Road

Well, it was quite a route to get to this book. Having read Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War, 1941-1945 I research the author, Leo Marks, and find that he wrote the screenplay for a movie about his fathers bookshop 84 Charing Cross Road. I am interested, the shop is mentioned in Leo's book. I rent the movie and find it to be a charming story, the DVD reveals that the movie is based on a book. Ok, I research the book... Wow, this is a true story. I had no idea, good grief, I must read the book.

So, I approach this book knowing the story, knowing the ending, knowing it is a true story (ok, others knew this and are suprised I hadn't twigged it). Well, it now less of a charming story for me but very captivating, happy and sad all at the same time. I loved the clash of cultures, the meeting of minds, the growing friendships. Helene was truly a special person, her thirst for knowledge, selfless charitable acts (I'm sure she didn't see it as charity), the ability to create friendships (not just with Frank, but all at 84). I wanted a fairytale ending but it wasn't to be, this is real life, and how could it have been a perfect ending? Far too many complications would have arisen from any alternative ending.

A superb book; I have read nothing like it before, I recommend to all, but maybe American anglophiles especially.



The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street

It just gets better doesn't it. Helene makes it to England and we are treated to a very personal view of London and its people in the early 70s. It is a treat to discover locations old and new and have them described in Helene's forthright American way.

For me, and of course Helene, any ghosts from 84 Charing Cross Road are laid to rest very nicely. Although, there was a tear in my eye when she first arrives. Books that can do that to me just have to go in to my top-ten, so in it goes.



Oh, dear Helene is taking me to New York the next time we get together, Apple of My Eye.


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The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead by Gerald Seymour

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A very topical storyline, with an interesting insight into both sides of the picture.

Not the best Seymour I have read though; at times I wondered if it had not been proofread, it may have been me but I found myself having to re-read some paragraphs that didn't seem to make grammatical sense. It has been a long time since I've puzzled over writing like this.

Good characterisation though, as always, and the typical headlong rush into the dramatic ending didn't disappoint.


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