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Quickie Book Reviews

I'll quickly whip through a few here.


 

Vendela Vida, Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name

The story is interesting enough, but an annoying central character and clumsy dialogue spoil it for mine. Avoid.


 

W.G. Sebald, Austerlitz

I really expected to enjoy this more than I did. A remarkable main character, fascinating story and it covers a topic that interests me greatly. Yet it left me cold. Maybe it is Sebald's narrative approach, but I just found it a bit of a grind. Not for the faint hearted!


 

Philip K. Dick, The Man in the High Castle

I've not read a lot of Dick as sci-fi has never really been my thing. However, I do have some time for alternate history, especially if it is well done. Dick does a convincing enough job envisioning a world in which the Axis powers emerged victorious in the Second World War, and delivers a decent little page-turner to boot. Recommended.


 

Peter Roebuck, It Takes All Sorts

I've both bagged and praised Roebuck previously in this blog, and generally rate his work. He has a keen eye for minor detail that stands out amongst cricket writers that I like, and this book is a reasonably interesting examination and rumination on the different types that play cricket across all levels. Recommended for fans of the sport.


 

Michael Gurr, Days Like These

The recollections as speech writer for Steve Bracks interested, mediations on the theatre less so. Only for the very keen.


 

Jerzy Kosinski, Being There

Although very slight (finished in under three hours), it remains terribly enjoyable. It's aged quite well (better than the film), and reads as surprisingly contemporary. Highly recommended.


 

Kathryn Hughes, The Short Life and Long Times of Mrs. Beeton

History as it should be, both focused in extraordinary detail, yet always in the context of the time, Hughes has pulled off a masterful work. Anyone interested in food or the history of food will find plenty here. Recommended.

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