Little Constructions (Anna Burns)

Anna Burns
Little Constructions

A very dark novel about violence and child rape although nothing is explicitly described. Set in a small town in Northern Ireland (I assume) which is effectively run by one man and his gang of murderous brothers. Much is about how those who have been damaged by the gang, including themselves, try to make sense of their lives often retreating into an unreal world of fantasy. The legacy of parent to child violence, neglect and rape are the main thrust of the novel and how one woman tries to achieve some sort of normality, whatever that means in such a close knit and affected community all equally affected by violence. I've not been able to find out why Burns wrote about such themes or whether she has been affected by them or seen first hand. Or whether she simply decided that there are stories out there that need to be told. And this story is told in a very touching and sensitive way in my opinion. Despite the dark themes of the novel there is a lot of humour too making it a challenging read as you find yourself laughing at the detail which is a part of a wider sub-plot that is not a laughing matter at all. That seems to be Burns' way to find humour in the wider tragedy, similarly in Milkman. The story line(s) can get very confusing not least as everyone's names begin wit a J (and some variations on that for the same person) and there are two Toms. Again, I think Burns' way of messing with our heads or maybe forcing us to really concentrate on the characters' stories. The narration is confusing too as it's written as if it's someone telling a story and then saying, ah, well, I'm not sure whether that happened; that didn't happen as I told it; did I mention this important fact that I should do now; not to go into too much detail about a minor character but this is their story. So you never quite know whether the story line you are reading will turn out to be significant or even true and whether the narrator is making it up as they go along. Towards the end the narrator becomes part of the story and is no longer above but within. This oddness in the story telling reminded me of the brilliant At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien. Strangely I re-read that back in February just before reading Milkman and didn't see a connection in the story telling style but on reflection Milkman has a similar narration style to Little Constructions although that stories facts don't chop and change with the narration. If this review is confusing then I've successfully summed up the book. I recommend giving yourself time for this book... it's not too long but once you've started you won't want to put it down. Except to take a breather from the darkness.

The Earth (Emile Zola)

Emile Zola

The Earth

An excellent story and great descriptions of people and countryside. Reminded me of Victor Hugo which maybe was just the French based story. The descriptions and stories of peasants (as they are referred to) are very much like Dickens and Hardy. Although there are a lot of references to casual sex which maybe was acceptable in France but not in Victorian Britain. A short summary of what is a great book. Must read more...

French Revolutions (Tim Moore)

Tim Moore
French Revolutions

Whilst cycling the route of le Tour is commendable Moore's complete lack of preparation seems a little far fetched and it seems that his panniers were full of books and magazines. I only read this as I'd bought it before I'd read his book of cycling the iron curtain which I had to put down... "His descriptions of individuals are often very harsh and in the context of stereotyping bordering on xenophobic. I'm sure (I hope) that this was all in the interest of amusing anecdotes but it grated so much that by the time he got down to Germany I had to give up on the book."  Moore's descriptions in his French travels were just as bad but as it was about le Tour I persevered to and and past Germany. This book he sounds even more of an entitled bigot and also comes over as a bit of a sleaze bag. Which goes with entitlement. His self deprecation feels very false given his comments on others. Fitting that his ride coincided with the period in which Armstrong dominated le Tour before having all his titles stripped and the records stating that there was no winner.

Need for the Bike (Paul Fournel)

Paul Fournel
Need for the Bike

A series of musing on and descriptions of bike riding written by a French writer and poet, and seemingly a bit of a philosopher. Fascinating reading as much I can relate to being a keen cyclist. His descriptions of racing I think may be his interpretation of others as I've not read that he was a racer. A great read.

Cutting For Stone (Abraham Verghese)

Abraham Verghese

Cutting For Stone

A long and interesting read although I didn't find it totally engrossing. Maybe due to the characters none of whom you are particularly rooting for or maybe as I don't like reading about medical procedures. And a little too much religion for my tastes. The fact that I could put it down at critical points in the story when interrupted suggests that it wasn't a page turner for me. Having said that it is very readable bar the in depth medical descriptions which seems to be a theme in books I've recently read. There again the author is a medic. Interesting story lines too set in Ethiopia when Haile Selassie is overthrown with both him and the new rulers coming under heavy criticism. The story hinges on what if's and coincidences. I was given this by Debbie and whilst reading in the garden put it down to eat and then it was gone. I assume stolen by a fox. So had to take out of the library. Weird.