Topic: What are you reading?

Can't wait for bedtime tonight. I'm finally embarking on Cormac McCarthy's Border triliogy. Looking forward to the next few weeks.

I have just started reading Solar by Ian McEwan. I bought it on the strength of the synopsis, and also 'cos the cover was pretty

But let me tell you, reading it is anything BUT a pretty experience. I'm 30 pages in. The language is very heavy, it's chock full of big words that don't really belong as far as I can see. I wonder if the author, who appears to be relatively successful having published a number of novels, isn't putting these words in just to try and give the impression that hes uber intelligent. I will let you know how I get on, but suddenly reading a Neil Gaiman novel doesn't seem like such a chore now…

I am reading Peter Temple's TRUTH, an Australian novel, crime fiction..a first for me, as this is not what I read usually…but this is a prize-winning book here in Oz and I want to see why. It's very unusual for a novel from this this genre to star like this outside of its own field..

The narrative started a bit slowly for me…all very male and tons of snappy, often brutal dialogue and insights, but the story is progressing and I am beginning to see insights and characterization, fresh takes on wider issues. Of course it also helps that there are local and therefore quite pleasing references to our city, Melbourne and some of its ways of thinking…

The main character is a disillusioned policeman/detective faced with high level corruption and the murderous cynicism of those in power. A family man, his personal life has gotten short shrift, and there are issues arising from that..But back to the scenes of the crimes…And so it goes..murder, mayhem, etc…

And while I read this "fiction", 3 murders happened in our fair city yesterday…2 in a busy city shopping strip, one at a man's home - a patriarch of a crime family. True gangland stuff erupting yet again in our troubled town…  Very real and brutal slayings, and out on the streets! Ordinary folk are shocked, bewildered.

So maybe I should read more crime novels, come down from my ivory tower, widen my literary horizons and not limit myself to dreamy, poetic and philosophical kinda stuff, which is what I am most drawn to…

Anyway, this book, TRUTH is turning into a very interesting read…

I am currently reading, "The Strange Death Of David Kelly" very topical and suspicious. It's very factual, and so far tries not to make obvious its assumptions, leaving you the reader to read between the lines or make your own assumptions. I have always felt Dr Kelly was murdered and well Lord Hutton does not really have a great record of fairness does he? He was chosen simply because he would lean on the side of the government.  He once publicly reprimanded the coroner presiding over the Bloody Sunday inquest when he had accused the British army of murder as this went against the findings of the widgery tribunal. So he was always going to be biased in my opinion.  I'm going on holiday on Saturday for 2 weeks (Sunny France) and this book is coming with me. I've been really busy with work of late so not been online much. Something I will improve upon on my return.

Right now I'm reading 'The Wilt Alternative' by Tome Sharpe. I've previously read 'Wilt' and 'The great Pursuit', which were both hillarious, so I am looking forward to getting into this one.

Just started "Love and Summer" by William Trevor and am loving it.  His prose is simple but beautiful and highly evocative.  He descriptons are incredible and his attention to detail vividly evokes small town/rural Ireland, a place where nothing happens but yet you are intrigued by the characters that inhabit it.  Trevor doesn't need secret agents, exlosions, demons, special effects to grab his reader.
His world is utterly real, utterly Irish and utterly compelling! (And that's only after the first four chapters!)

I am just finishing Five Quarters of an Orange by Joanne Harris, a delicious book, wonderful descriptions of food, nature. Really enjoyed the writing style.

"On Writing" by Stephen King.  I've had it on my shelf for over 12 years and am only getting around to reading it now.  Worth the wait!

I am reading 'Une Gourmandise' by Muriel Barbery , and doing my best with the help of my pocket Larousse Dictionary..My French is suffering from many years of neglect, and a lack of real "interface" with the country itself.  So here we go, and it is a slim volume.  Good for giving the brain a workout, as well as enjoying the journey, for it does take me back to France in a strange kind of way. I am happily transported!

@purplek: I'm a big fan of William Trevor, particularly his short fiction. You should try The Hill Bachelors by him.

Regards

John

Cheers John!

I have just finished 'Devil's Brood' by Sharon Penman. This is her third novel on the early Plantagenet kings of England. It is good, but not a patch on her Richard III novel 'The Sunne in Splendour' or her book about Simon De Montfort 'Falls the Shadow'. All class acts of medieval storytelling.