A short, face-paced book based on a reality that
affects every living creature, including us.
‘Losing Earth’ documents and brings to life the discoveries, monitoring of and attempts by US scientists on carbon emissions during the period 1979 to 1989. Scientists such as US Nasa man—JAMES HANSEN—who sometimes felt compelled to bypass Whitehouse censorship during climate change hearings so that he could TELL THE TRUTH. Ultimately, this Nasa man was prepared to be arrested.
As Editor Jake Silverstein writes: “It will come as a revelation to many readers—an agonizing revelation— to understand how thoroughly (US scientists) grasped the problem and how close they came to solving it.”
It seems nothing was done because of the politicians and now we’re talking about damage limitation . . . playing with people’s lives and habitats . . . while the politicians play catch-up.
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert at Durning Library, Lambeth Libraries
It was a delight to read this 1856 shocking novel, which returned me to my childhood fascination of French painters and authors. I quickly understood why Flaubert found himself on trial for obscenity as he sets out to breach the accepted publishing norm re: sexual encounters. He is also unrelenting in his darkly comic and acerbic refusal to offer any moral message.
It was just brilliant to read the descriptive prose of town and countryside, clothing and customs. The question for me is: Flaubert or Dickens? For me the latter is supreme but perhaps only immoral behind closed doors ...
Some interesting links:
https://daily.jstor.org/what-madame-bovary-revealed-about-the-freedom-of-the-press/
And regarding translators:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R2K7D36QA9F8GU/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1853260789
____________________________________________________
Charting the Vast Pacific by John Gilbert, published by The Reader’s Digest Association Ltd, 1971
Around page 105, the memoir picks up as Reeves describes the various assassination attempts upon his life. Reeves wrote with dry humour and in long sentences. He was understated and lacking in detail due to Foreign Office restrictions. Sadly, the F.O. refused publication of ‘The Lone Flag’; it was only after his natural death that a friend put the book together and invited editors to add notes and fill in some blanks. I did regret the lack of detail on espionage! I did regret the lack of detail about Portuguese and Macanese contributions to the war effort.
However, I was glad to have confirmation of the following—in 1942 during a particularly cold spell, 10,000 people died and were buried in mass graves in Taipa. There was a further 27,000 deaths due to starvation, and, cannibalism did exist. Reeves writes about bypassing a rare meal of roast pork, because it came from the same market where human flesh was apparently sold. I was glad to have this confirmed, because we should never forget, never forget the horrors of war. Thank God, for those who are willing to stick their necks out! We can only hope that today’s Powers remember the past.
..............................................
Reef by Romesh Gunesekera
In the following quotation, Triton observes his surroundings:
‘The haberdasher had a little handbell which he rang as he criss-crossed his way down the lane. Each time he rang the bell the crows on the road scrambled into the air. The whole place echoed with their cawing, his tinkling and the cooing of our neighbour’s brainless doves.’
The next quotation sums up my own preoccupation:
‘I was learning that human history is always a story of somebody’s diaspora: a struggle between those who expel, repel or curtail—possess, divide and rule—and those who keep the flame alive from night to night, mouth to mouth, enlarging the world with each flick of a tongue.’
James Salter [1925—2015]
Originally an officer and pilot in the US Air Force, Salter flew F-86 Sabre jets in the Korean war and was in line to become a squadron leader, but left to pursue a career as a writer. [His life story is really worth a read as well as his writings.] He went on to become known as a “writer’s writer”, and also “the greatest living American novelist” by Guernica magazine.
Light Years is about the highly civilized Nedra and Viri, who live in a lovely farmhouse by the Hudson River with their happy children, rabbits, a donkey, a horse, and lots of books and toys. It’s a good marriage, full of good parties, and then it’s no marriage at all. They separate and have adventures, which leaves one of them dead and the other lost in a new and strange marriage.
The prose is exquisite, solemn, original in choice of word—the canter brings Proust to mind. In fact, Salter refers to Proust several times.
Not wanting to sound outrageous, I was disturbed by analogies and adjectives that often referred to the writing profession or jargon of a writer, and in the novel, the daughter even gets a job in publishing. I found it odd that Salter could not stray from his own profession during the task of building up his novel. It just didn’t feel right to me. Why not provide detail about Viri’s job as an architect?
I was amazed to learn that he took the characters and plot from his close friends in real life, the Rosenthals. They were shocked to read Light Years and the amount of detail that came from their lives, including their infidelities, which then led to their divorce and of course an end to their friendship with Salter.
I disliked the racial sterotyping---Nedra and Viri’s childminder is black and one of their buddies is attacked by a couple of black guys.
Don’t get me wrong, Light years is a thoroughly absorbing read and extends your knowledge of ways of writing, but is the content more cynical or more satirical? It left me feeling impressed, but morose.
|
Paul McVeigh
Mickey Donnelly, a young Belfast lad, is getting ready for a posh grammar school education during the ‘Troubles’ of Northern Ireland. Life evolves around an absent alcoholic father, what Da might do to Ma, his macho brother Paddy, his nice sister Measles, and Wee Maggie, who he adores. Money is scarce and the neighbourhood is divided between the Prods and the Catholics.
My first misconception was to expect the bleakness and dark humour of Roddy Doyle as in Doyle’s trilogy about Henry Smart. [Henry senior goes around killing people with his wooden leg, and then Henry junior becomes an assassin too, and then he loses his leg.]
Once I got past that, I was quickly taken into Mickey’s world, shrouded in a bright light, the kind of light a young person brings to the adult world—like Scout in ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’, and of course, that was achieved by the author’s talent and his endeavours to stay on target and make Mickey real.
Mickey is different from the other boys and girls, and attracts derision and bullying, however the local women really enjoy his good manners and sense of humour.
A real delight is the way the author allows prepubescent Mickey’s sexuality to develop . . . He wants to ‘lumber’ Martine, he can get a hard on with a dirty magazine but can’t ejaculate, everyone calls him ‘gay’, and then one day another young lad, much like himself, causes the tinniest of stirring in his pants. And so the issues about a young lad’s growing awareness are portrayed. It really is sweet, engaging, important, and written in a robust vernacular voice. A dab of magic on top plus irreverent prose, which always goes down well with me.
However, I’m one of those people who can’t help but nitpick . . . I’d have liked to read about Ma working in the chippy and then she’d bring some chips back home wrapped in paper. I cringed at the reference to The Black and White Minstrel Show.
As I understand it, ‘The Good Son’ is to be given out for World Book Day. I can completely understand this, because the book goes beyond a good read and lets younger people know that they are OK, they are normal, and what’s more they can carve out a life for themselves no matter what. And as an adult, I was left with a smile on my face.
|
My Christmas stocking read, 2016:
ALFIE, The Doorstep Cat by Rachel Wells
Alfie, the cat, is homeless following the death of his elderly and beloved Margaret. Another cat advises him to become a ‘doorstep’ cat and to follow his instincts and find the ‘right’ place to carry out this plan of action. This takes Alfie to Edgar Road, where he sets about cultivating 4 loving homes—just in case he ever gets left in the lurch again. However, Alfie isn’t the selfish type; he doles out affection and keeps a watchful eye on all of his 'owners', and even risks his life for Claire, a thirty-something divorcee, who hits the bottle after work.
Initially, I was irritated by the writing style and felt that more editing would have benefitted the book, especially the crucial first chapter. However, as I had the joy of a clever loving puss at my side for 16.5 years, I made myself read on and was rewarded by a lovely read, which I’d recommend to anyone, who wants to see below the surface and appreciate the world of animals.
I have a couple of gripes though--the author has always had pets in real life but sets a bad example by not introducing or speculating on the right diet for a cat, thus influencing many readers and pet owners to give their cats sardines, tuna, smoked salmon--too rich and not good for them in the long run. The best diet for a cat is raw fresh meat, water and cat milk.
Camberwell Book Club meets up to discuss Small Island by Andrea Levy, and then we're out for a Christmas pizza! Stunning book--has to be one of my favourites for 2016. This is what I thought of it.
Small Island by Andrea Levy
[Camberwell Library book club, second Tuesday of the month]
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
[Camberwell Library book club, second Tuesday of the month]
Maya presents her experiences with a warm voice. It's a great read. A must read for all.
What I noticed at our book club was that we all wanted to refer to our own [unpleasant] experiences. I know that as I read it, I felt mean for spending time thinking about my own past hurts when I should have been concentrating on Maya's.
I envied her early years with "Momma", a strong grandma, and a good Uncle Willie. Momma must have been incredible and she gave Maya and her brother Bailey those early building blocks in life, which are essential. She gave them a secure home in a grocery store, and because of her ingenuity, they were in a unique position to enjoy regular food and clothing, while their satisfied customers trudged off to pick cotton in the knowledge that they would never make any profit to improve their lifestyle, but could maybe owe Momma later. Meanwhile, the white folk had the luxuries and nice homes.
There is a well-described surreal incident in that 3 girls come to taunt Momma. One white girl suddenly does a handstand and as her dress falls over her head, a triangle of public hair is revealed. A bloated dead black man is pulled from the river. Young Bailey is forced to help drag the body to the Sheriff's office, leaving him distressed beyond reason.
Now disaster strikes for Maya and Bailey. They are sent to their separated parents at various times. With Mother, Mr Freeman [Mother's lover] cannot resist his urge to impregnate / rape the 8-year girl. Brother Bailey is again distraught. Then it's Maya's father's turn. He takes her off to Mexico, offers to marry her off to the Tollgate man, leaves her alone with a bunch of celebrating adult Mexicans, while he's getting his end away . . .
Disaster again. Or is it a blessing? Maya decides to lose her virginity as part of a self-exploration. She has asked herself: am I a lesbian? She becomes pregnant instantaneously. Her free-spirited non-judgemental mother embraces the new circumstances. Maya delights in motherhood.
Throughout the book, we're introduced to other racist incidents: the dentist, lack of parity in educational terms, lack of job opportunity etc. Thankfully, Maya is smart and clever, has received a good education, and goes on in life to become a shining beacon.
[Since moving to Camberwell and now in this very year 2016, I have experienced more discrimination from both sides of the fence [black & white] than I never thought possible. Why? ]
July 2016, The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton [Picador]
[Camberwell Library reading group, second Tuesday of the month]
Set in 1686, Amsterdam, Nella Oortman arrives at the house of wealthy merchant Johannes Brandt. They are newly-weds. My initial responses were:
- Oh, the house is on the bank of Herengracht's canal, where I once stayed in a squat!
- Oh, will the book measure up to Girl with Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier?
- What can I learn from this author and her internationally-successful debut novel?
- There's Cornelia, who doesn't behave like a typically obedient maid, [but still does all of the chores].
- There's Otto, the manservant from Porto-Novo, who attracts derisory attention from the white population, and who defies convention by not being a slave or behaving like one.
- Marin is the hawk-eyed sister of Johannes, who never married and never relinquishes her tight-hold on the household.
- Johannes is the debonair, mature, virile, successful seafarer with a salty tan.
- As in 'May we be forgiven' by A. M. Homes, various pets add another dimension to the family---a green parrot called Peebo and two whippet dogs.
I won't spoil the shock that surrounds Johannes' demise, or refer to the power of his voice in and among the oppressive society in which he lives, and while his genius benefitted the coffers of Amsterdam.
By the end of the novel, the most impressive picture I'm left with is that Burton has brought together free-thinking mavericks under the roof of the Herengracht house, and it is 18 year-old Nella, who will steer the ship to calmer waters.
............................................
Oh, I wept! Some intriguing quotes from this famous book:
............................................
June 2016, may we be forgiven by A.M. Homes [Granta]
[Camberwell Library reading group, second Tuesday of the month]
This is essentially a substantial and humorous read that will entertain the reader. I found myself agreeing with Vogue: “A humane, comic story of a good man”, except Harry doesn’t show his ‘good’ qualities until after his sister-in-law [who seduced him] gets coshed to death by her jealous husband, Henry’s brother, George. This triggers events that change all of the characters, including the pet dog, Tessie, and the cat.
Not wanting to detract from what was a good read, at times, it did feel slightly contrived in terms of sex [lunchtime sex with strangers and the nude social event], while a variety of politically correct boxes were ticked off. However, this could have been a double irony.
The female author gave us an unquestionably convincing male protagonist in Harry, and left fond memories of the children, Nate and Ashley, and the pets. Sub-plots were intriguing: Nixon’s life story, cut-throat lawyers, George being left in an open-air prison, the trip to Africa, the ageing parents [grandparents to Ashley and Nate] and their no-nonsense approach.
A few questions were raised---no white American knows the meaning of financial distress, the murdered sister-in-law remains faceless, the betrayed wife of Harry remains faceless. These women either don’t matter, because we live in a misogynistic world and it’s intended to be ironic, or it’s an unconscious act by the author. There's an endorsement at the end of the book by Zadie Smith, implying that the first option is the correct one. The problem is though, the majority of the world does not afford respect / basic safety to the female gender, so this a dangerous path to tread.
.......................................................
May 2016, A Star called Henry by Roddy Doyle
[Camberwell Library reading group, second Tuesday of the month]
The novel is set in Ireland in the era of political upheaval between the 1916 Easter Rising and the eventual truce signed with the UK in 1921, and is seen through the eyes of young Henry Smart.
Page 2, his mammy inexplicably has copies of Shakespeare and Tolstoy under her shawl and although the reader learns that Granny Nash is a vociferous reader of stolen books, the author never connects the granny and the mother. Initially, there might be a disbelief in the widespread poverty, which reminded me of the film version of ‘Angela’s Ashes’.
Henry’s father has a wooden leg and an overcoat impregnated with the countless murder contracts he’s carried out . . .
. . . any reader willing to stick with the narrative and the lingo, will be rewarded with a powerful and stirring novel. If it was on the school menu in Ireland, there would be riots.
Here are some references:Daddy Henry is carrying his two young boys through an underground tunnel that leads to the Swan River. As he holds open the manhole, he says, “Bye bye now, boys. Be good for your mammy” and disappears forever with his wooden leg. The author has created a beautiful scene, has invited sympathy for the assassin, and you feel really sad for the very young boys.
Pg 66. Later, Henry junior thinks:
When Henry junior reaches the grand age of 14, he’s a fully fledged uniformed rebel soldier holding fort while bullets around over him. That doesn’t stop him from a loin-slapping seduction scene thanks to Miss O’Shea, nor does it stop him from eating a chicken dinner standing up. Henry’s subsequent marriage provides some hope and there is subtle humour to find in within the bleakness.
I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy,and being further educated about Irish history.
.........................................................
May 2016, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Capote grew up in Monroeville, Alabama in the 1920s and was the childhood buddy of Harper Lee. He is reputed to have provided companionable feedback to Harper for her memorable novel, ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’, and was the basis of the character, Dill. As the years ticked by, Harper returned the compliment by accompanying Capote during his interviews and investigations for ‘In Cold Blood’, a true crime, which took place in Holcomb, Kansas, USA.
Referred to as true crime genre and a “non-fiction novel”, Capote merges face-to-face investigation with his interpretation of the actual victims—four members of the Clutter family—and the same regarding the murderers, Perry Smith and Dick Hickman. The true crime ends with the men being hung, and while Garden City is still reeling from shock and adding bolts and locks to front and back doors.
Pg 146 [Alwin Dewey, the main detective]
Capote continually gets inside the heads of the dead victims, the murderers and the local community. And slowly but surely, Capote brings the murderers to life, both hampered from youth, either from the effects of a severely dysfunctional and unjust upbringing, or a head injury following car accident. The implication is that this has contributed to them becoming psychopaths.
Dick, who has a predilection for rape and youngsters, accepts the hangman’s noose with bravado. Percy is contrite, a lonely figure, and he’s afraid.
‘In Cold Blood’ brought Capote fame but he appears to have made himself unpopular at some point, and when he died, Vidal Gore is reputed to have remarked: “Good career move.”
This is an electrifying read. The reader cannot know exactly where Capote has manipulated events.
...........................................................
12 April 2016, The Murder of Richard Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
16 October 2015, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
15 June 2015, Monkey by Wu Ch'eng-en. Translated by Arthur Waley
Very sad to reach the last page as I enjoyed the 350 pages of Old Monkey's antics very much. The author appears to have lived between A.D. 1505 and 1580, and Tripitaka, whose pilgrimage to India is the subject of the story, was a real person.
This opinion is too good not to repeat: The British poet, Edith Sitwell, characterised the translation of Monkey as “a masterpiece of right sound” and that it had an “absence of shadow” like the clearness and directness of Monkey’s mind.