by Nick Hornby
To describe a novel as ‘sparkling with irony’ may seem a little oxymoronic, because one doesn’t think of irony of something which sparkles. Irony droops; irony is lethargic and sometimes mocking; irony is often funny but it is not sparkly. And yet, ‘How to be Good’ positively twinkles with satire. In an utterly plausible twist of real meets surreal, Hornby tells the story of Katie Carr & her family as they strive and struggle to be, as the title suggests, Good People. To label the book as ‘thought provoking’ would actually be an insult: because its charm lies in the honest way in which it depicts the thoughts and feelings common to so many people of a certain background and generation. While it is about how to treat other people, it seems that the ultimate (and bittersweet) moral of the story is to be kind to oneself. However, the main reason I urge you (even if you don’t like reading) to read 'How to be Good' is that its profoundness and poignancy is punctuated on every page with dry and hilarious, laugh-out-loud(-on-the-tube) witticisms, insights and humour.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Thursday, 3 June 2010
The Brightest Star in the Sky
by Marian Keyes
In celebration of Marian Keyes' partial return, I have decided to post an old Facebook book review I wrote. I shall have to re - read the others before I can do them justice. Bummer ;-)
In a surreal and optimistic blend of fantasy and realism, Marian (I feel I can call her Marian, I know I should write 'Keyes') tells the story of the residents of 66 Star Street, Dublin. As ever with her novels, I was very sad to finish it: she writes with such warmth and humour, not to mention the most enviable word - power. Just like 'This Charming Man' (another must - read) it is a book which deals with heartbreaking issues with both sensitivity and wit: no mean feat.
'The Brightest Star in the Sky' is a real page turner which contains charmingly drawn characters, and I really cared about what happened to all of them. Thank you Marian Keyes for brightening my Christmas.
In celebration of Marian Keyes' partial return, I have decided to post an old Facebook book review I wrote. I shall have to re - read the others before I can do them justice. Bummer ;-)
In a surreal and optimistic blend of fantasy and realism, Marian (I feel I can call her Marian, I know I should write 'Keyes') tells the story of the residents of 66 Star Street, Dublin. As ever with her novels, I was very sad to finish it: she writes with such warmth and humour, not to mention the most enviable word - power. Just like 'This Charming Man' (another must - read) it is a book which deals with heartbreaking issues with both sensitivity and wit: no mean feat.
'The Brightest Star in the Sky' is a real page turner which contains charmingly drawn characters, and I really cared about what happened to all of them. Thank you Marian Keyes for brightening my Christmas.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
A Partisan's Daughter
by Louis de Bernieres
Lyrical and gorgeous. After Captain Corelli's Mandolin and Birds Without Wings, this novel had a lot to live up to. Yet de Bernieres never ceases to stun me with his command of language and his sad and unusual love stories. He takes nuances of human behaviour and offers insights into the human psyche to make unbelievable characters seem believable and challenge ideas of love, politics, history and society.
Lyrical and gorgeous. After Captain Corelli's Mandolin and Birds Without Wings, this novel had a lot to live up to. Yet de Bernieres never ceases to stun me with his command of language and his sad and unusual love stories. He takes nuances of human behaviour and offers insights into the human psyche to make unbelievable characters seem believable and challenge ideas of love, politics, history and society.
Monday, 12 April 2010
Whatever Love Means
by David Baddiel
"Whatever Love Means" is a hilarious tragicomedy of a novel. Exploring the concept of shame, and explicitly the relationship between sex and death, Baddiel's novel is intelligently written and engaging to the end.
The story is set against the backdrop of a recent time in history: the death of Princess Diana. Baddiel writes refreshingly about this time, without being sentimental or lachrymose. Instead his observational and ironic style examines how tragedy and catastrophe can be exploited, romanticised and obfuscated.
The characters are masterfully drawn: real, interesting, and engaging. Vic in particular is a modern tragic hero whose fatal flaw drives the plot to its conclusion, which is as sad as it is shocking.
Finally, it is a book to be recommended to people everywhere. Its final social message is crucial, and comes so unexpectedly that I've never known it to be made more effectively.
"Whatever Love Means" is a hilarious tragicomedy of a novel. Exploring the concept of shame, and explicitly the relationship between sex and death, Baddiel's novel is intelligently written and engaging to the end.
The story is set against the backdrop of a recent time in history: the death of Princess Diana. Baddiel writes refreshingly about this time, without being sentimental or lachrymose. Instead his observational and ironic style examines how tragedy and catastrophe can be exploited, romanticised and obfuscated.
The characters are masterfully drawn: real, interesting, and engaging. Vic in particular is a modern tragic hero whose fatal flaw drives the plot to its conclusion, which is as sad as it is shocking.
Finally, it is a book to be recommended to people everywhere. Its final social message is crucial, and comes so unexpectedly that I've never known it to be made more effectively.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Addition
by Toni Jordan
I thoroughly enjoyed this little novel. It gave a unique and refreshing insight into living with an anxiety disorder, and later the effect of anti-depressants, without ever becoming too heavy or depressingly entrenched in the issue. The protagonist who narrates the story is charming, funny, self aware and completely believable and likeable. Her ironic way of describing her problems had me giggling throughout.
Though told light - heartedly, 'Addition' is a bittersweet story of the human condition, which questions throughout the notion of 'normal'. If I felt I had the gravitas to give such labels, I would call this 'a triumph of a novel!' Instead, I shall stick with, 'it was a brilliant read and I loved it.'
I thoroughly enjoyed this little novel. It gave a unique and refreshing insight into living with an anxiety disorder, and later the effect of anti-depressants, without ever becoming too heavy or depressingly entrenched in the issue. The protagonist who narrates the story is charming, funny, self aware and completely believable and likeable. Her ironic way of describing her problems had me giggling throughout.
Though told light - heartedly, 'Addition' is a bittersweet story of the human condition, which questions throughout the notion of 'normal'. If I felt I had the gravitas to give such labels, I would call this 'a triumph of a novel!' Instead, I shall stick with, 'it was a brilliant read and I loved it.'
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
It goes against the proverb to judge a book by its cover, but with such a title as 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' I was in no doubt that I would love this epistolary novel, which takes as its subject matter the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands.
There really are not enough adjectives to do justice to this book which sparkles with charm and erudition. It had me laughing from the offset and also caused a lump to rise in my throat on more than one occasion. It combines fact with sensitivity, is simultaneously tragic and hilarious, and I cannot think of a booklover I would not recommend it to. The setting was vividly drawn and captivating, the characters became my imaginary friends, and from start to finish I wanted to meet its authors so that I could thank them for writing it.
It goes against the proverb to judge a book by its cover, but with such a title as 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' I was in no doubt that I would love this epistolary novel, which takes as its subject matter the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands.
There really are not enough adjectives to do justice to this book which sparkles with charm and erudition. It had me laughing from the offset and also caused a lump to rise in my throat on more than one occasion. It combines fact with sensitivity, is simultaneously tragic and hilarious, and I cannot think of a booklover I would not recommend it to. The setting was vividly drawn and captivating, the characters became my imaginary friends, and from start to finish I wanted to meet its authors so that I could thank them for writing it.
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