In the long time between blogs I have actually read 4 books - all very different but only one I really loved.
First cab off the rank was Edmund de Waal's The Hare with Amber Eyes
264 wood and ivory carvings, none of them larger than a matchbox: potter Edmund de Waal was entranced when he first encountered the collection in the Tokyo apartment of his great uncle Iggie. Later, when Edmund inherited the 'netsuke', they unlocked a story far larger than he could ever have imagined.
The book took ages to grow on me and it was a complicated family saga, but provided a fascinating insight into various periods and locations (Odessa, Paris, Vienna and Tokyo) around the world. Beautifully written but certainly not a book I cruised through.
Next book was The Weekend by Bernhard Schlink.
Old friends and lovers reunite for a weekend in a secluded country home after spending decades apart. They plumb their memories of each other and pass quiet judgments on the life decisions each has made since their youth. This isn't, however, just any old reunion, and their conversations of the old days aren't typical reminiscences. After 24 years, Joerg - a convicted murderer and terrorist, is released from prison on a pardon. A former member of the Red Army Faction (or Baader-Meinhof Group), the announcement of Joerg's release is sure to send shock waves throughout Germany. But before this happens, his group of friends - most of whom were RAF sympathizers - gather for his first weekend of freedom.
I had been hoping for a lighter read after the saga of the Hare with Amber Eyes - although this book was an easy enough read, the topic was dreadfully depressing and the characters didn't resonate with me. Bernhard Schlink is the same author who wrote 'The Reader' so it is a beautifully written book but I found it oppressive.
So the next book was purchased in the airport bookshop and was definitely chosen to be a very light, easy read that would not distract from my holiday fun. The book A Long Way Down by Nick Hornsby did not disappoint.
'For disgraced TV presenter MArtin Sharp the answer's pretty simple: he has, in his own words, 'pissed his life away'. And on New Year's Eve he's going to end it all...But not, as it happens, alone. Because first single-mum Maureen, then eighteen-year-old Jess and lastly American rock-god JJ turn up and crash Martin's private party. They've stolen his idea - but brought their own reasons.'
The book was such a great ride even though it touched on some very sad topics and situations - I couldn't put it down and wanted to keep reading till the end. Good trashy novel.
My FINAL book was fantastic and if you've managed to read this far - well done, because this is the best book I've read for a while. When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman was so different and beautiful that I read it in the space of two (quite long!) nights.
WHEN GOD WAS A RABBIT is an incredibly exciting debut from an extraordinary new voice in fiction. Spanning four decades, from 1968 onwards, this is the story of a fabulous but flawed family and the slew of ordinary and extraordinary incidents that shape their everyday lives. It is a story about childhood and growing up, loss of innocence, eccentricity, familial ties and friendships, love and life. Stripped down to its bare bones, it's about the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.
Just when you think you know where the book is going and what will happen to each of the (really likable, complex and interesting) characters, the book veers off into an unexpected, yet perfect way. I really recommend this book as something quite unique and lovely.
Happy reading all.
Posts
