en-US Sun, 11 May 2025 09:50:45 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg ReadStatus9412437342 Sun, 11 May 2025 09:50:45 -0700 /review/show/7560472799 David is currently reading Patriot: A Memoir by Alexei Navalny
]]> Review7493415151 Sun, 11 May 2025 09:29:52 -0700 /review/show/7493415151 David gave 3 stars to Burma Sahib (Hardcover) by Paul Theroux
I was extremely excited about this book, given my affection for George Orwell's work. I had hoped that this would give me an accurate insight into the young man Eric Blair and how his life was forged and influenced by his time and experiences in Burma. Sadly, this is not an historical novel which has been carefully researched in detail through public records, real life historical events and characters, letters, diaries or witness accounts. It is indeed fiction, very loosely based on Eric Blair, with heavy on assumptions of events and characters that may have occurred to influence him and nurture his character and values as a 'protest' writer, standing up for the oppressed. There is of course significant truth within the novel in relation to Imperial rule, power, oppression and the terrible cruelty and racism shown towards the Burmese and Indian natives. There also may be some accuracy based on Orwell's own book Burmese Days, 'A Hanging' and 'Shooting an Elephant'.
That said Theroux seems to have taken many liberties with Blair's personal life, feelings and behaviour. What is frustrating is the difficulty in separating fact from fiction, leaving one feeling that this is simply a creative interpretation of Blair's possible life by Theroux. As a novel the book has merits and is interesting, but as an accurate depiction of Eric Blair it disappoints. On balance I think one would learn more about Blair's early years through reading Burmese Days, which whilst not a biography, clearly draws on his observations and experiences as a Colonial Policeman in Burma, inspired by real people and events he witnessed. ]]> Review7431266645 Wed, 16 Apr 2025 08:37:45 -0700 /review/show/7431266645 David gave 3 stars to Intermezzo (Hardcover) by Sally Rooney
Whilst Rooney is incredibly frustrating to read with her refusal to punctuate her writing, this is her best book so far and significantly better than her last one. She creates intriguing characters who play out in a exquisite narrative on the complexity of relationships. It demonstrates that life, events and people are never just black and white, but extremely nuanced. The full breadth of feelings, emotions and behavioural dynamics come out within the dysfunctional families of the main characters. The situations and personalities involved are complex and complicated and provoke thoughts on freedom, responsibility, choices, conformity, principles, grief, guilt and happiness. The overarching message is that 'Life is not Simple' and that all too often it is too easy to be 'judgemental' of others, without really knowing their 'life background'. A very good book by Rooney, her best by far- but I still hate the style of writing!! ]]> ReadStatus9315811831 Wed, 16 Apr 2025 08:33:14 -0700 /review/show/7493415151 David is currently reading Burma Sahib by Paul Theroux
]]> Review7431266645 Wed, 16 Apr 2025 08:14:32 -0700 /review/show/7431266645 David gave 3 stars to Intermezzo (Hardcover) by Sally Rooney
Whilst Rooney is incredibly frustrating to read with her refusal to punctuate her writing, this is her best book so far and significantly better than her last one. She creates intriguing characters who play out in a exquisite narrative on the complexity of relationships. It demonstrates that life, events and people are never just black and white, but extremely nuanced. The full breadth of feelings, emotions and behavioural dynamics come out within the dysfunctional families of the main characters. The situations and personalities involved are complex and complicated and provoke thoughts on freedom, responsibility, choices, conformity, principles, grief, guilt and happiness. The overarching message is that 'Life is not Simple' and that all too often it is too easy to be 'judgemental' of others, without really knowing their 'life background'. A very good book by Rooney, her best by far- but I still hate the style of writing!! ]]> Review7419463494 Mon, 24 Mar 2025 11:13:45 -0700 /review/show/7419463494 David gave 3 stars to The Safekeep (Hardcover) by Yael van der Wouden
I was inspired to read this book (my wife's) by it's setting in post war Holland, enabling me to reminisce about a period I had experienced as a young boy growing up in the 60's and 70's when visiting my Oma, Opa, aunties and uncles and Dutch cousins. My mother was indeed Dutch, born in 1924, who had told me stories about living under Nazi occupation during the war, the plight of her Jewish friends, and the 'extreme hunger' before she came to Britain and married my father in 1948.

The book started well, with an interesting plot, engaging characters, and an easy going style which draws one in. It surrounds a family of relative youngsters in their late 20's finding their way in life, as the 60's take off and prosperity grows. Isabel, a young woman, the middle child is the central figure, who comes across as slightly autistic, introverted, lonely and rather obsessive.

Sadly after the encouraging start it descends into what is seemingly a predictable love story of repressed sex, as Isabel suddenly realises that she does not like men and is attracted to women. Her brother is also gay.

The sex i.m.o is overdone and becomes tedious and I began to regret reading the book, until it bursts back into life.

It exposes the frauds enacted upon Jews who 'left their homes' during the war, which has had a significant impact on the characters involved.

History tells us that homes were repossessed / confiscated and often sold on the cheap to Dutch families, for the benefit of the Nazi's and their collaborators. The book however fails to speak of the process of restitution, which was seemingly often fraught with bureaucratic hurdles, and is still the subject of legal and moral reflection in Holland.

The book comes to an understandable climax of guilt and hurt, as the historical truths unfold and the treachery is exposed, only to disappoint once again by ending implausibly with a 'sweet romantic ending'.

At times the book is excellent, but it doesn't seem to know what it really wants to say, and whether it is a love story, a drama, or a thriller, and as such seems to 'lose the plot' literally. Such a shame, it could have been much more serious and thought provoking, and stronger in exposing 'wrongs'. ]]> Review7419467152 Sat, 22 Mar 2025 07:19:38 -0700 /review/show/7419467152 David gave 4 stars to The Language of War (Kindle Edition) by Oleksandr Mykhed
This is tragic book about ordinary people, mothers, fathers, grandparents, children (and pets) living ordinary lives in a modern progressive state on our doorstep, thrown into chaos and destructi0n by putin's SMO on 24th February 2022. It is of people, citizens and soldiers, traumatised, injured, tortured, maimed, kidnapped, displaced, missing and killed because of the meg0lomaniacal ambitions of a man, his entourage and the complicit actions of many Russian people.
I worked extensively in Russia and had many colleagues and friends, yet like many Germans in WWII, scores of ordinary Russians have turned into soldiers, 'out of control' and willing to perpetrate gross atrocities, against innocent people, and supported back home by the majority. Many have no doubt been overcome by the system, the lies, the propaganda, and fear of speaking out, in similar ways that Germans also 'looked the other way' in the 20th Century. And yet, did the German Wehrmacht actually commit so many terrible and shocking acts against women and children? The Russian soldiers sadly have 'form' when it comes to killing, looting, torturing and rape, whilst high ranking officers 'cast their eyes away' or even worse, see it as legitimate 'spoils of war'!
Trump, Vance, Rubio, Waltz, et al.....read this book, empathise and understand fully the plight of the victims, and the sovereign country, which was invaded for 'no reason', and reflect on the actions and behaviours of the Russian military, guided by the man you want to 'do business with'!
In doing so , you may just be able to understand and maybe even respect the other man who came to your Oval Office, tired, exhausted, angry, irritable and nervous, who did not display sufficient temerity, gratitude or subordination to the large ego's in the room, ad was castigated so unreasonably.
Yes, I feel very angry, sad, shocked, and helpless, but also humbled, respectful, and guilty when I read this book and learn of the plight of innocent Europeans. As one contributor said " we were so happy and we didn't know it", just as we are, in our comfortable homes, are easy lifestyles and our security - well anyway at the moment....But Ukraine shows that it all could so easily and so quickly change, for people in The Baltics, Poland, the ex Soviet countries and then why not Germany, France, the UK?
A moving and well written book, from a courageous people, who are still fighting for their existence, whilst we fret and stress over small inconveniences and challenges, and some politicians feel it ok to 'appease' the 'aggressor' - 'p'
]]> ReadStatus9209712162 Thu, 20 Mar 2025 07:53:23 -0700 /review/show/7419463494 David is currently reading The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
]]> Review7419400298 Thu, 20 Mar 2025 07:26:35 -0700 /review/show/7419400298 David gave 4 stars to Brighton Rock (Paperback) by Graham Greene
Fundamentally this excellent novel by Greene, is about Good and Evil, and two key opposing characters.
The book follows 'Pinkie' a young delinquent, who has effectively taken over an organised crime gang in Brighton following the death of his boss / mentor. His viciousness is equalled only by his naivety, inexperience and volatility. Deeply insecure, lacking emotional intelligence, the 'boy' displays psychopathic traits, bullying and threatening those around him, whilst extorting others. I suppose nowadays, we would look for reasons; his family background, poverty, being 'left behind', and Catholicism for his driven, violent, ambitious behaviour. Freud would no doubt have a 'field day'.
Yet he is to be undone, by his opposite character, Ida; fun loving, extrovert, principled, strong, and confident. And a 'woman', much to the chagrin of Pinkie who is an extreme misogynist and could even be considered an INCEL in today's world. This 'larger than life' character is determined to 'do the right thing' and fight against injustice, not without personal risk.
Greene as in his previous books creates a wonderful plot, fantastic characters and a high degree of suspense, pitting these two adversaries against one another. He exposes the influence of the Catholic Church and it's manipulation and control of individuals - not least in terms of faith 'heaven and hell' damnation and 'guilt'! A great book for it's time, you are almost transported back to the 1930's! ]]> Review7362493398 Sat, 15 Mar 2025 04:33:31 -0700 /review/show/7362493398 David gave 3 stars to I Will Show You How It Was: The Story of Wartime Kyiv (Hardcover) by Illia Ponomarenko
It's 15th March 2025, 3 years after putins 'special military operation'. More than 200,000 Russian soldiers, 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers and thousands of civilians have been killed. Russia has strengthened NATO with the additions of Sweden and Finland, has brought the EU into a state of unfamiliar solidarity, ruined it's own economy and weakened respect for its leadership. In military terms Russia has displayed it's weakness, and has gained very little territory. It is in fact a 'big loser' and if putin was democratically elected and responsible, he would have been voted out years ago.
We now face the prospect of a ceasefire, which putin is doing everything to stall through Russia's normal deceptions and prevarication.
This book illustrates the wrong headedness of putin and his small circle, and history will show that it was an extremely costly mistake, for everyone, Russia, Ukraine, Europe and the rest of the world - for nothing!!
We can only hope for a fair and everlasting peace, but that is not at all certain when dealing with a rabid fox!
Importantly we could hope that the envoys and negotiators, not least Trump, Vance, Witkopf and Rubio, make themselves familiar with the truth in relation to the history of the sovereign country of Ukraine, the lies and deceptions of putin in the run up to the war, and the atrocities committed since it started.
The book is not written by an historian, but it is written by a courageous, patriotic young Ukrainian reporter.
Having followed the war since it started , I didn't learn much new, but to get the perspective from Pomomarenko, written 'from the heart' was worth the recap.
I only wish that there was a happy ending for the Ukrainian people, but that is still far from certain, and never will be as long as Russia is run by true 'dictators', who can ignore the will of ordinary Russians! ]]>