I had illusions of heading to Cambodia earlier in the year - however these grand dreams were dashed with comments of "ele you would find it pretty difficult over there"... So I decided to armchair travel a bit instead. The first book I picked up is one I've had for a while gathering dust in the parents bookcase - "The Beach"
Classed as one of the defining novels of it's generation - I decided to read with an open mind to what ever imagery of South East Asia the book offered.
The sand, check. Blue Sea, check. Everything else? check. (Not for me I might add)...
The book is about a central character, who seems slightly unsatisfied with life. A chance meeting with a backpacker provides a map to a mysterious destination, with the person who gave the map committing suicide the next morning.
This book reminds me a little of Bret Easton Ellis in some of it's narcissistic tendencies, and some of the themes of the Vietnam war, and even the Super Mario brothers game.
Yes it's full of twists and turns, but it never really engaged with me - even the second time around. I felt that the commune-like lifestyle was a little much, and always felt a there was a strange disconnect between the major and minor characters. Maybe I'm looking for too much, as on face value the book is an ok read.
I should probably check out Alex Garland's other books before completely throwing it to there "wouldn't trade again" pile. As he also wrote "28 days later" and "Sunshine".
Perhaps next time I am looking for South East Asian inspiration I should try "The Quiet American"
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
John Barth, The End of the Road
I will read anything, as this book list attests. I really enjoy being lent books from friends, as it gives me a chance to read something I may not otherwise have picked up... Which is the state that "The end of the road" was handed to me.
An unusual book, involving a love triangle between 3 people, narrated by the anti-hero, Jacob Horner. It is not quite an emotional rollercoaster, but a novel that is filled with complex dialogue heading towards an interesting conclusion.
In a nutshell "In the novel Barth deftly explores important themes: the folly of taking philosophies to logical extremes, and the need to accept and embrace paradox as well as be able to combine, or at least try, various and flexible philosophies to survive in the larger world." (thanks wiki)
This book is complex. It's hard to get your head around the characters - there were places I just wanted to shut the book to shut them up. But I persevered, and I'm glad I did.
Being written in the 1950's it's easy to brush away some of the content as simple - but when put in it's place, the content deals with complex emotional issues, dealt with in an almost ludicrous way.
I should really read it again to understand it a little better - as I think I passed over a lot of it with the initial feeling "It's wordy and boring"...
An unusual book, involving a love triangle between 3 people, narrated by the anti-hero, Jacob Horner. It is not quite an emotional rollercoaster, but a novel that is filled with complex dialogue heading towards an interesting conclusion.
In a nutshell "In the novel Barth deftly explores important themes: the folly of taking philosophies to logical extremes, and the need to accept and embrace paradox as well as be able to combine, or at least try, various and flexible philosophies to survive in the larger world." (thanks wiki)
This book is complex. It's hard to get your head around the characters - there were places I just wanted to shut the book to shut them up. But I persevered, and I'm glad I did.
Being written in the 1950's it's easy to brush away some of the content as simple - but when put in it's place, the content deals with complex emotional issues, dealt with in an almost ludicrous way.
I should really read it again to understand it a little better - as I think I passed over a lot of it with the initial feeling "It's wordy and boring"...
Duncton Quest
I've been fan of the Duncton Moles since I was about 13. Someone bought me the first book for my birthday, and I was totally in love with the world of Duncton Wood, Bracken and Rebecca, Boswell, Scribemoles, Uffington in all SORTS of ways. It's strange, even though I adored this book - I never located the second one (there are 3) until now!
I was so excited to run home and start reading it, and after the first page all the memories of the duncton world cam flooding back.
Similar in style and theme to Watership down, these sentient moles live in a colourful, often dark, almost traumatic world.
A nice easy read, and as I'm such a huge animal fan, unputdownable - I loved this book. It's full if rich image imagery, the battle between good and evil, and almost tries to explain what makes evil the way it is. If you're a fan of any kind of fantasy, or even just a really well written story, this is definitely a book to read.
In fact, I loved it so much I'm considering calling my next pet (I'm thinking a nice chocolate brown labrador or golden retriever) Tryfran.
I was so excited to run home and start reading it, and after the first page all the memories of the duncton world cam flooding back.
Similar in style and theme to Watership down, these sentient moles live in a colourful, often dark, almost traumatic world.
A nice easy read, and as I'm such a huge animal fan, unputdownable - I loved this book. It's full if rich image imagery, the battle between good and evil, and almost tries to explain what makes evil the way it is. If you're a fan of any kind of fantasy, or even just a really well written story, this is definitely a book to read.
In fact, I loved it so much I'm considering calling my next pet (I'm thinking a nice chocolate brown labrador or golden retriever) Tryfran.
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