A well written book, great characters, and the poignant John Thomas droopingly saying good night to his Lady Jane was a lovely way to end the novel. IA well written book, great characters, and the poignant John Thomas droopingly saying good night to his Lady Jane was a lovely way to end the novel. I can imagine some people rushing through the book searching out the erotic bits, but having it as an ebook means this can't happen. What it does mean is that a leisurely walk through the book happens. As Oliver says in his final letter, it's the chaste bit that is peaceful between the couplings. And whilst, yes there is some sex (this is Lady Chatterly's 'lover', rather than 'penpal' after all...) actually the book roams around what it men's to be human: are we just money boys, or should we wear red trousers and dance the old dances? Some philosophical meandering around Buddhism (of course, since Oliver Mellors spent some time in India), and paganism (the protector of the crocus flower, the one who keeps the flame of passion alive) without being preachy adds some intellectual depth to this book. There are some sharply observed conversations between folk (Duncan the painter comes out badly), and some lovely monologues (Mrs Bolton's relating of village gossip is beautifully characterised) as well as a feeling of DH Lawrence 'sticking it to the man' in that he appears very against the dehumanising aspects of modern industry and its focus on money making at the expense of life. Loads here to think about, and one to go back to later on. Worth reading.
Merged review:
A well written book, great characters, and the poignant John Thomas droopingly saying good night to his Lady Jane was a lovely way to end the novel. I can imagine some people rushing through the book searching out the erotic bits, but having it as an ebook means this can't happen. What it does mean is that a leisurely walk through the book happens. As Oliver says in his final letter, it's the chaste bit that is peaceful between the couplings. And whilst, yes there is some sex (this is Lady Chatterly's 'lover', rather than 'penpal' after all...) actually the book roams around what it men's to be human: are we just money boys, or should we wear red trousers and dance the old dances? Some philosophical meandering around Buddhism (of course, since Oliver Mellors spent some time in India), and paganism (the protector of the crocus flower, the one who keeps the flame of passion alive) without being preachy adds some intellectual depth to this book. There are some sharply observed conversations between folk (Duncan the painter comes out badly), and some lovely monologues (Mrs Bolton's relating of village gossip is beautifully characterised) as well as a feeling of DH Lawrence 'sticking it to the man' in that he appears very against the dehumanising aspects of modern industry and its focus on money making at the expense of life. Loads here to think about, and one to go back to later on. Worth reading....more
This is a long book and the only reason I wanted to read it was because it forms a bridge between the excellent Saga of the Exiles series and the nextThis is a long book and the only reason I wanted to read it was because it forms a bridge between the excellent Saga of the Exiles series and the next Galactic Milieu trilogy. If the idea of a super race of psychics that struggle to find a way to BE without causing global catastrophe is your thing then this is the book for you. A variety of writing styles aids the story: telepathic communication, news story, tv script, bickering of alien races, thoughtful research and an insight into what happens at scifi conventions..... As a 'how to write a novel using a variety of styles' it's good. It's also interesting how, writing in 1987, Julian May's version of events in her world are quite similar to the events we see now (although clearly we have no telepathy, but then you knew I was going to say that....) So, would normally just read and give back to charity shop, but won't as part of a bigger set. It's also nice to have the book as one book rather than as volumes....more
Oh, I am so pleased I didn't chuck these books out. The Marc Remillard - Elizabeth - Aiken - Creyn relationships were written fantastically, the tensiOh, I am so pleased I didn't chuck these books out. The Marc Remillard - Elizabeth - Aiken - Creyn relationships were written fantastically, the tension between Marc and Cloud and Hagan provided an interesting backdrop to the rebuilding of the Guderian device, the urbane calmness of Basil, the anachronistic Native American charm of Burke, the tragic love story of Tony Wayland and Rowane (well, I say tragic....), magic, science, language (where did Julian May get Anatoly's phrases from) A rollicking good read with a variety of writing styles, fantastic creations, and a plot that has been crafted, researched, thought about. Great fun. ...more
Am enjoying this series of books again. This third book has the political intrigue, 'magic', big monsters, bad guys, good guys, a dragon, Abaddon, golAm enjoying this series of books again. This third book has the political intrigue, 'magic', big monsters, bad guys, good guys, a dragon, Abaddon, gold, more gold, betrayal, love turning to ashes, intelligence, Wagner, Celtic myths, ancient geology, and fishing. Oh, and aliens. Such a lot of fun. So glad these didn't go into the 'charity shop' pile....more
Exotic aliens with mind numbing and creative psychic powers enslave humans who have time travelled six million years into the past. And this book (2/4Exotic aliens with mind numbing and creative psychic powers enslave humans who have time travelled six million years into the past. And this book (2/4) describes the buildup to the great combat that takes place on silver plains between effectively elves and goblins. Shape shifting, fireballs, betrayal, love, prophecy, challenge, score sheets and pesky humans combine with a great inundation that washes many characters clean away. Pulling on Celtic myths, playing fast and loose with geology, and generating Machiavellian plots means that this book is a lot of fun to read, and sets things up nicely for book three of the series....more
First read these ages ago, and then refound them in the roof. A weave of sci fi, Celtic mythology, paleontology, mysticism and fantasy, this first oneFirst read these ages ago, and then refound them in the roof. A weave of sci fi, Celtic mythology, paleontology, mysticism and fantasy, this first one kicks off a set of eight books that detail the events surrounding the human race attaining inclusion in a galaxy-wide group of psychic beings in, weirdly enough, 2013. Yes really. So, if you can swallow that one, the rest falls nicely in place. Folk who don't fit it to the new world order have the chance to go to a small inn near Lyons that has a time tunnel to the Pliocene era, where they have a chance at making a new life six million years in the past. Keep swallowing... What they meet when they get there is, yes, the prehistoric animals and small apes you expect, but also another group of aliens (tsk, you can run but you can't hide from aliens eh?) that through the use of torcs have amplified their own psychic abilities to rule the Earth. We might call them 'elves', they call themselves Tanu. And their foes are the Firvulag, who we might call goblins, trolls, etc. Toss in a few disaffected humans who also have cool powers, some Jungian archetypes, and a well-researched grasp of geology, French, Welsh, Irish, and myths and you have a set of books that are great fun to read....more
My, what a book. It is soooo nice to have a book written by someone who is intelligent and erudite. What starts out as a lugubrious introspective accoMy, what a book. It is soooo nice to have a book written by someone who is intelligent and erudite. What starts out as a lugubrious introspective account of a man who has survived that which killed his own father suddenly turns into a history of ideas linked with family, love, accident, history and along the way takes in clockmaking, bees and the Tamar bridge. The story covers not just human death, but death of families and relationships, and to some extent the death of the pervasive idea of God in everyday life. In that case 'one thing leads to another and another and another' and eventually we get to the narrator himself. Recommended....more
Wow. "Work of the eyes is done, now go do the heart work" (p309, from Rainer Maria Rilke) Sister Helen Prejean must be one of the bravest people in theWow. "Work of the eyes is done, now go do the heart work" (p309, from Rainer Maria Rilke) Sister Helen Prejean must be one of the bravest people in the world. Not only does she support men convicted of murder on death row, and be with them in hyper final hours, and be with them in the death chamber itself, but she makes time for the victims, attends and raises money for victim support groups and does all this in the name of Jesus, bringing hope and comfort, steel and velvet, challenge and compassion. I'm in awe. I thought the book was going to be challenging, but not like this: people, dates, times, corruption of legal process, withholding evidence, common brutality to the families of both those convicted and those victimised. And well researched, humane and thoughtful too. She does not shirk from hard questions, nor does she go for pro hominem arguments. She tells of one family who, after the man who murdered their daughter is executed, lose their focus: p188 'with Robert Willie dead, he doesn't have an object for his rage'. Isn't that the saddest sentence in the whole book? Compare with p312-3: " Lloyd...went to the execution....not for revenge, but hoping for an apology. Patrick....had not disappointed him...'....I want to ask for you forgiveness...' and Lloyd had nodded his head, signalling a forgiveness he had already given.... But he acknowledges that it's a struggle...as he remembers David's birthday year by year and loses him all over again... Forgiveness is never going to be easy. Each day it must be prayed for and struggled for and won."
Questions of justice, revenge, 'paying for crime', punishment, acknowledgement, restitution, acceptance, restoration all come up here. Whilst society perhaps still needs to come up with a way of adequately dealing with people who commit terrible crimes it is clear that the death penalty is not that way....more
Um. The first few of this series were great. But the novelty is wearing off now. Dare I say that this kind of science factoid is somewhat tedious? HmmUm. The first few of this series were great. But the novelty is wearing off now. Dare I say that this kind of science factoid is somewhat tedious? Hmm. Shame. Could have been made more interesting by linking to relevant research / TED talk. ...more
I sing of heroes and the making of heroes. This book though is the making of an unsung heroine. Ursula leGuin has always been one of my favourite storI sing of heroes and the making of heroes. This book though is the making of an unsung heroine. Ursula leGuin has always been one of my favourite story tellers: her lyrical and well researched method brings life to her characters and when I saw this book in a second hand bookshop I wanted to read it. This is a lovely book, and one that should have sung. But..., and this is why it's only a four not five star book, I couldn't hear the voices. Whilst there was description of battles, sacrifice, love, honour - all the ingredients that should have conjured life - it lacked a certain spark. Even at the end, at a time when I was expecting to go a little misty eyed, actually there was a fade, a diminuendo, a greying out of what was there. Nevertheless, this has some great moments: Lavinia tussling with Ascanius, the majesty of Latinus in the face of the betrayal by Turnus and Amata, the quiet faithfulness of Maruna, the piety around treaties, the liminal space that was the sacred space of Alburnea. Perhaps I need to read the Aeneid myself, to get a sense of what Vergil was on about; perhaps it is I, not the book, that has lost a star....more
Love Nesbo. The way he leads you up garden paths, tosses plot twists in like a ski run, makes you care about people, even the baddies, makes you reassLove Nesbo. The way he leads you up garden paths, tosses plot twists in like a ski run, makes you care about people, even the baddies, makes you reassess your feelings about people, makes your heart beat, makes you laugh, makes you go 'oh no'!.... So why read this book? It's a Nesbo. Nuff said. Seriously? Ok, a roller coaster of a book that starts grimly on a camp, takes in heroine addicts, Salvation Army, money, crooked deals, housing, refugees, a hitman who is surprised to have hit the wrong person, and a denouement that satisfies the sense of ancient justice that lies within us all. Dear Harry Hole has to combat his demons of drink and loneliness to find his man...and to right old wrongs....more
More tense than a scout jamboree, this book uses a tried and tested short chapters that cut between now and 'then' so the story unfolds bit by bit. ThMore tense than a scout jamboree, this book uses a tried and tested short chapters that cut between now and 'then' so the story unfolds bit by bit. The sense of a race against time, false leads, WWII history, friendship and treachery mingle into a powerful concoction that left my heart racing as the end approached. Not any books do that! Superb....more
Not as good as the O'Brian Aubrey and Maturin series, but it'll do. You still get the sense of the god like powers of the navy captain, but it' sty liNot as good as the O'Brian Aubrey and Maturin series, but it'll do. You still get the sense of the god like powers of the navy captain, but it' sty little people that have the characters. We are told of seamen with ragged scars, small portraits of life before the pressgang, foibles of midshipmen...but the captain is aloof. The book needs a map so that the voyage can be visualised: it's only the last 50 or so pages when the writing comes alive. Up to that point the writing is quite ponderous, without those little flashes of wit and humour that O'Brian conjures up. Kent is much more serious..even when Bolitho falls in love (lust?) this is just hinted at and we have none of the passion that was Jack Aubrey's strength and weakness. ...more
It's not five stars but certainly a high four. You really can't go wrong with an Everyman story, but this one is a gem: how an ordinary man in a driedIt's not five stars but certainly a high four. You really can't go wrong with an Everyman story, but this one is a gem: how an ordinary man in a dried up marriage goes to post a letter and ends up going full circle, a series of cathartic events, relives memories and ends up cleansed, shriven, redeemed and surprised by joy. It's an easy two day read, totally plausible. Very 21st century in its language, but also ancient in its decency. And I think decency is at the heart of the story...a decent man doing a decent thing for a decent woman. What more heartwarming do you need?...more
Snippets of laugh out loud silliness, snatches of real writing, but mostly a collection of anecdotes from the far side of the world and what it's likeSnippets of laugh out loud silliness, snatches of real writing, but mostly a collection of anecdotes from the far side of the world and what it's like to be working with 1st world aid organisations in a 4th world country. Fascinating ethnographically, interesting from a 'going native' point of view, and thought provoking contrasting the huge choice of western consumerism with the fatalistic community based survival focused making do of Tarawa. ...more
I'm going to come across as a philistine but although this book gave a sense of place and time I found it quite lugubrious. There is little story as sI'm going to come across as a philistine but although this book gave a sense of place and time I found it quite lugubrious. There is little story as such, but events flow like olive oil meandering across a marble floor. Read alongside the Montelbano books, it appears that Sicily has changed very little in a hundred or so years; the only difference being the families in whose hands the power lies. The overarching theme of this is loss of prestige, power, art, beauty... And all returns to dust and ashes... There is a sense of outrage at the loss of frescoes and architecture as a result of the 1943 Allied invasion (bombs destroy ancestral homes); the 'places of my infancy' has been written with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. The 'If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change' is said by Tancredi, the impetuous and impecunious nephew of Don Fabrizio who lands on his feet by marrying the beautiful daughter of a nouveau riche. The shaft of light in what would otherwise be a source book for those who want to experience life a couple of centuries ago is the short story 'the professor and the siren', which was captivating ( again probably says more about me...), enthralling but still had that sense of something lost and never to be reclaimed. And all returns to the sea. ...more
Handle this book carefully. You will get annoyed with it up to page 135 and want to hit Isobel, but thereafter you'll be on an emotional roller coasteHandle this book carefully. You will get annoyed with it up to page 135 and want to hit Isobel, but thereafter you'll be on an emotional roller coaster that tracks her life over a couple of decades as she deals with love, lust, loss and life. This is a brave book, and enables its characters to do things and take control; it never takes the easy option, and makes sure they confront their fears rather than brushing them away in easy pat answers....more
Eventually you realise that this follows on from the previous angels and men. More sex, more plot twists, but genuine humanity and grace shines througEventually you realise that this follows on from the previous angels and men. More sex, more plot twists, but genuine humanity and grace shines through. What's nice about the books is that the easy way out is never taken and actions always have consequences, and the consequences can be responded to positively. Worth reading: you will laugh and cry almost from page to page. And the idea of a book within a book is grand....more
I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh so much in the first part that my wife asked me to leave the room as she as concentrating hard on somethiI really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh so much in the first part that my wife asked me to leave the room as she as concentrating hard on something else. T characters are real, in real situations, with real outcomes. They develop as the book progresses as choices are made, and consequences happen. The are dual odours of humanity and spirituality combining to give a snapshot in the life of an individual, but a word of warning... You will be wanting a second book to find out what happened to Mara at the end.
In more detail: I loved the way quotes seasoned the writing, and the allusions to Latin plainsong, the Lady of Shallot, the Bible etc were lovely. Watch out for the angels and the ghosts that appear suddenly.
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