The Death & Life of Charlie St.Cloud - Ben Sherwood

            I always like books with a dog in and this one has two...... a loyal companion who loves baseball & a loopy retriever who likes to run on the beach.Tricking your mind this book makes you wonder if you are here or the afterlife as you make your way through the chapters - sometimes you are not sure!

A really quick read this book talks about issues of relationships, life, death, adventure, fun and choices people make. Charlie works in a graveyard with some interesting friends and a goose scaring program most kids would love to operate.

Charlie doesn't want to let go of the past, but learns that the past is pushing him away. Never boring, sometimes confusing, this is a book I'd recommend for children 10+.

Picked up to read for a reading group I enjoyed the conversations it inspired about spirits, the afterlife and grieving.

It helps us to remember that although some people may be gone, they will always live on in our hearts.
 

I look forward to watching the film which I intend to order on DVD!

Sarah's Kay - Tatiana De Rosnay *

 

 

Title - Sarah's Key

Author - Tatiana De Rozney

Copyright date-  2003

Price-  $13.95/$15.50 CAB (free to me!)

Page - 293

ISBN- 13:978-0-312-3708/10:0-312-378084-9

                         'Zakhor Al Tichkah - Remember never forget'

When you find an old key in a junk yard, stop a minute and think what it might open?

I've read many books on the atrocities of the Jews in the second world war and all of them leave a foot print and in my mind. The tragic reality of the events of the war should never be forgotten.

This book  has a distinctly different feel to other accounts. It presents two intertwined fictional stories of past and present, interspersed with historical facts about the second world war in France. This is a rich novel that once you pick it up you cannot put down.

It follows the life of young Sarah who was torn from her home in July 1942 in the middle of the night. Sarah is a Jew. Sarah doesn't know what this means, but she doesn't like wearing a yellow star on all her clothes. Her and her family are rounded up in a large sports hall Vel d'Hiv and kept there for days in inhumane conditions with no food or water. Thousands of children are herded up to meet the Nazi's demands - regardless of whether they are women, men or children. However it was not the Nazi's who took them from their beds at night, it was the French police who were following orders...

The tragedies of the sports hall are covered up for many years and the other story of Julia Jarmond sees the secrets of the past being uncovered. Battling peoples reluctance to talk about the tragedies of the past due to shame and fear she begins to uncover the heartbreakingly truth of the past, and of its link to her newly acquired flat with a hidden door in the wall...
 

The Ask and the Answer - Patrick Ness

£7.99 ISBN - 978-1-4063-2247-7

When you read books people lend you books. I can't tell you the amount of times I’ve heard, `oh you'd love this take it home with you` and then you are compelled to read the most boring bit of drivel ever written, usually some kind of chick flick with no plot and lots of shoes! But I was lucky enough before xmas to hear this very phrase and be nicely surprised by reading `The Knife of Never Letting Go` lent to me by a friend (the prequel to this book).The I just had to buy the rest....

The Ask and the Answer - despite this being proclaimed teen fiction it is brutal in many ways. I think the author intended to scare small children. With concepts of mind control, torture and a never ending chase the book is enthralling. Todd and Viola are clearly in love and the main characters that you follow through in their own words as they battle against the mayor and...well mad men mainly! Told by each character in their own words I wonder if the third book will add an additional narrator.

I love the fact the book has key animal characters who are loyal. Often I get bored reading sequels and find writers repeat the same plot or drag out themes for too long but i can honestly say i found this book as captivating as the first one. SPOILER - It is unusual to find books that have a tragic ending and I am hoping the final in the series has a happy ending to be honest.

Themes of war are key in this book with many `just following orders` and gravitating toward power. `Noise` is heard by all of the population in the book but only generated by men. Imagine if everyone could hear what you think all the time? You’re most private and intimate thoughts. That is what it would be like to live with the noise. Calling the series `chaos walking` is exactly right as the ever changing pace of the book makes you feel chaotic and at times lost. It reminded me of `The Road` by Cormac McCarthy due to its pace and ever searching for its next direction.

I'm drawn most to Todd in the book as he changes the most. Viola seems to maintain her sense of self throughout despite being kidnapped, drowned and blown up!

Patrick Ness also seems to have a interesting website http://www.patrickness.com/biog.html if you want to learn more about him. I rarely buy books as I am a big fan of the library which I think more of us should use (otherwise the government will take it….grrr…), but being Christmas it was closed so I bought the book. I actually am glad I paid £7.99 for this book. I have the third book waiting to be read along with lot of other Xmas books :) Reading, skating and drinking coffee is my ideal Xmas.

New yrs resolution - Remember to record what i read and use the library! :)

An Impossible Marriage- Pamela Hansford Johnson

My oh so neglected book blog I am sorry. I will invest in you again x All I can say is that roller derby stole my soul – so I haven’t been up to much else but skating. But with a poorly foot I can now…well return to you x I have read many of a book but none of them are worth summarising save this one.

Title                                         - An Impossible Marriage

Author                                     - Pamela Hansford Johnson

First copyright date                  -1955

Type of book                           - Fiction

General subject matter            - Marriage, jealousy, adultery, monotony

Price                                        - 4’6 but it cost me 50p

ISBN                                       - No ISBN or barcode J I love old books

The author does not state a purpose and the dedication page appears to be in French – I think. I love the appearance of old books and fell in love with this one on the shelf. A way to a girl’s heart if to buy her a book and the way to a man’s is through his stomach!

Published by the companion book club I imagine house wives are meant to read this at home while embroidering clothes. Christie is the main character who is a Plane Jane trying to get through a marriage that she falls into in her youth with a much older man. Growing up through the book she realises she cannot stand her husband but he simply will not let her go.

The conclusion of this book feels it is foretold in the first three chapters but overall it is well written. Similar themes to your modern day Jane Mansell or other trashy chic books that come free with Cosmo – this book however has a better cover and more realism than romance.

From Christies often selfish and blunt point of view she try’s to explain the complexities of her relationships but it always seems to lack emotion and be very practical – like reading an instruction book. Ned her husband is a pitiful character who try’s to hold on to her until his moral undoing. A nice book to read that will not upset you before bed time

The book reminded me that literature is often churned out every year on the same topics – recycled with a different cover but the same underlying issues we all face with human relationships. I can’t say it is a joyous book and maybe on a mental note its worth noting it wouldn’t make a favourable engagement gift.

I would recommend the book to my friends on the fact if I can’t give it away to someone it will take up space on my bookshelf and I’ll then have to take it to a charity shop when I remember. After all books are for us all to share.

On a side note the companion book club note at the back of the page is darling ` The Club is not a library; all books are the property of members. There is no entrance fee or any payment beyond the low Club price of each monthly book. Details of membership will be sent on request. Write to the Companion Book Club, 8 Long Acre, London, Wc2`

 Maybe I will write to them and see if I get a reply?!

Grotesque - Natsuo Kirino

WOOOWW Blogger is finally working and not crashing on my computer! thank pffffffffffff....

I read this ages ago but due to my lame blue screen crashing computer I am only just posting this - enjoy!

Title                             -           Grotesque

Author                         -           Natsuo Kirino

Copyright date             -           2003

Type of book               -           Jap fiction, horror

General subject           -     

murder, incest, prostitution, Jap culture, elitism, 

Price         -   Originally £7.99 but it cost me 20p from Amazon

ISBN.                          -           978-0-099-48893-4

Pages                           -           467

Back Cover:

`Twenty years previously both women were educated at the same elite school for young ladies, and had seemingly promising futures ahead of them.

But in a world of dark desire and vicious ambition, for both women, prostitution meant power. Grotesque is a masterful and haunting thriller, a chilling exploration of women’s secret lives in modern day Japan`

            I finished this book a few weeks ago and have been trying to think about how to put my thoughts on it into words…

In this world there are many kinds of monsters. Often cruel and not just featuring in lady Ga Ga’s songs, they shape the world which we live in. Inner beauty is absent in all characters with the exception of Yurio. Born exceedingly beautiful but unable to recognise it due to his disability he lives in world shaped only in his mind only. He represents a pureness that is untouchable.

The main character has a cruel snarl in her story telling. Her heart seems to have gradually rotted away as she feeds gleefully off others misfortunes. I believe she is unable to experience joy. Completely consumed by jealousy and bitterness.

The book splits between several narrators, which is surprisingly understating. I could not help but be captivated by Zhang’s account of his love for his sister and the journey they took together. I forgot I was reading the tale of a murderer due to the intimate and tender nature of his portrayal.

Many characters colour these pages and the tale of Yuriko reminds me of the tragic story of Gia the supermodel. Like many outstanding beauties Yuriko had no need to have developed a personality beyond her carnal desires which makes her raw and intriguing.

Forbidden love and sexuality feature strongly in this novel. Homosexuality, incest, prostitution, sadomasochism & celibacy interlink surprisingly smoothly.

Grotesque achieves a balance between the disturbing and erotic that I don’t think Kirino captured in previous novels I’ve read. I felt violated at times while reading, a common feeling with this type of fiction. I hope that more of her works are translated as they are original, awe inspiring pieces of work.

If you like this genre I would definitely recommend you read this book.

The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman Illustrated by Chris Riddell

The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman Illustrated by Chris Riddell

One of the free books I received and a delight to read – although the first chapter was abit brutal.

Title – The Graveyard Book

Author – Neil Gaiman

Copyright – 2008

Type – Children’s Fiction

General Subject matter – Ghosts, Ghouls, Death & Murder, Fantasy, Comedy, Family

Special Features – Website noted – www.thegraveyardbook.co.uk, Individual illustrations per chapter

Price - £ 6.99 (but free to me)

ISBN 978-0-7475-9480-2

No purpose is given in the preface to this book but I suspect that is normal in children’s books – I mean who under the age of 16 reads a preface? He does sight that his inspiration for the book was seeing his son Michael when he was age two running around a graveyard on his tricycle (and the book took 20yrs to write so he must be oh 22 now). I wonder if Neil Gaiman has had any extrasensory powers or encountered friendly ghosts. He seems to write about the graveyard folk with a great affection, maybe he is trying to alter children’s perceptions of the dead by reminding us that there is good and bad in all and that guardians come in all shapes and sizes.

The book is written from a narrator’s perspective but draws on the thoughts and emotions of the characters, mainly focusing on Bod. Bod is short for Nobody the name her was given when he crawled into the yard as a baby. I think the author was trying to entice children to read about other mystical creatures as it briefly features mummies, ghosts, werewolves and vampires ;without giving too much detail about them.

I think the intended audience would be from 10-12 as younger children would find the murdering upsetting. Issues of bullying and family dynamics are dealt with in various ways. The style is that of an informal story teller that leads you by the hand through the story and the graveyard with snippets of history and descriptions of characters from various eras. It would suit children & I imagine readers of the Ruthless Romans and Terrible Tudors (horrible book series) would relish the book! What is that age when you are fascinated by witches being drowned and kings being beheaded – that age group is perfect – yr 6 maybe!

 I was intrigued to find out why Bod’s family were murdered and I must say I wasn’t that satisfied by the answer.  I think the book is good as it children in considering death and afterlife but in a positive manner. These types of books allow parents to talk to children about issues as part of day to day life – making them less scared of the unavoidable death of relatives. I must admit that I didn’t realise that the Sandman comics were by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I haven’t seen Coraline but if I get time I intend to flick through that one too.

The Girl on The Landing - Paul Torday

Part of my free books donated (thanks Sally J ) Now how to write this to give it a good review without getting my personal emotions clouding it… Ok so this thing I read on book reviews states I should focus on the `purpose, content, and authority` So here we go…( written while listening to Kerrang Radio which is apparently `For those who love music… and haven’t given up on life!`)

Title – The Girl on the Landing

Copyright date – 2009

Type – Fiction

General Subject Matter – Mental health, mystery, Fiction – anyone read help me out ppl!

Special features – Book group reading notes at the back (brief)

Price – Free from the library of Sally – anyone want me to post it to them I’m happy to do – books are here to be shared – just email me your address (Originally £7.99) 1 copy only.

ISBN – 978-0-7538-2340-8

Back cover reads:

 `You think you know someone – but you never really do…

Elizabeth has been married to Michael for ten years. She has adjusted to a fairly monotonous routing with her wealthy, decent but boring husband. Part of this routine involves occasional visits to Beinn Caorrum, the dank and gloomy house is a Scottish glen that Michael inherited from his parents. There are memories there that Michael will not share with her.

But then, on a holiday in Ireland, Michael begins to change. It starts when he thinks he sees, in a picture, the figure of a girl on a landing. As he changes, life becomes so much more fun and Elizabeth sees glimpses of a man she can fall in love with at last. But who-or what-is changing Michael? As Elizabeth finally gets to know her husband she realises that their fragile happiness is threatened by his past…a past that seems as unsettling as Beinn Caorrun itself…`

I think the author gave an authentic view of a life within the character of Michael and the struggle we have in life of doing what we are told is best for us, in our interest, and what we want to do. I think the books ending aims to dramatise Michael’s condition and I am disappointed at the turn that it takes. I strongly feel that battling stigma is not aided by literature such as this although I appreciate that it brings issues into the public domain. As this book continued I found myself being irritated with the portrayal of `Michael` or `Mikey` but I was still compelled to read on, which I think reflects the high quality of writing.

hmm.............

I like the informal style of the book, but I always feel as if I am being told the story by the characters; not standing inside their head.

The length of time it takes me to read a book is usually and indication of the how devourable it is – just like when you really enjoy a pudding (carrot cake for me please!), and I read this in less than a wk.

I like the confinement of narrators to that of Elizabeth and Michael as I personally find too many story tellers distracting. I think that `Lamia` dictating a chapter would have, been an interesting addition – although I’m not sure how that would work.

The book is not over dramatised, although suspense was lacking toward the end.

I think I simply found myself irritated at the interpretation of mental health (working in the field I think I’m abit touchy here).

To be honest I didn’t know what to expect from this book and merely read it due to reading `Salmon Fishing in the Yemen` which I found really amusing, (yes I would recommend it even if you have no knowledge of fishing at all). This book lacks the light hearted comedy of that book. Comedy would be tricky to link in with this books content.

Account of the veil of medication, bluntness and the robot like existence ate bought to life (ironic I know) in this book. I think that people who have taken medication, particularly antipsychotics would identify with the characters accounts of a lifeless existence. To be honest the book dwelled on a great sadness in the pit of my stomach that I cannot remove. Who wants to live a life of no emotion? What is the point of feeling nothing?

 I can understand why Michael wants to break free from `chemical restraint` of medication and it raises the thoughts in my mind, why is sexual suicide an acceptable in a life of medication? What life will people have forced to be `stable` all the time?

I would recommend that others read this book and I think it is well written and captivating. I think the lack of pictures is important to allow each reader to create there own Beinn Caorrun.

The book seems to be set in a very small world – which I wonder if this is a reflection of the author’s views on the parameters of the two core characters minds and worlds?

Elizabeth & Michael appear stoic. I cannot think of any of the cast that I would want to hug or take home. Modern day relationships are printed out in practicalities with no great romance featuring (shame!). Elizabeth and Michael seem very flat and two dimensional, but I believe this is purposeful and fits within the story.

The major theme appears to be the marriage; the relationship. The lack of emotion makes it clear that this is no love story. It is a marriage of practicality – like when two close friends make a pack to get married at 30yr so that they both die alone (ha ha Jon your not married so out pack stands) There is a distinct lack of sub plots or intrigue about the worlds that surround both characters, which I think is ashamed.

 The most endearing quality of the tail is a happy tail thumping black Labrador called `Rupert` (a dog will always win me over). No great detail is given to the scenery in Ireland or Scotland which is a shame because I have never been to these places and require more stimulation to engage with the novel.

On a final note- I am intrigued to look up the Keats poem `Lamia` and really liked the reading group pointers at the back of the book (having ran a reading group notes in the past this may have eased painful silences). I also love epilogues- a small insight into the future that we each individually imagined. (I think the most fun thing about meeting authors is asking them there thoughts about what would happen next! Yes this refers to Audrey N who I will post a picture of her book signing.)  Overall though, to be honest though I found the ending unsatisfying and unjustifiable of a sequel. 

Worth a read.

Related Book – Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce (I intend to read this – send me the book if you have it lying around!)

P.S  I’d appreciate comments on the review please and ways in which I can improve and develop the ways I translate my thoughts on the book I read – I still think there is a lot locked up there with the cobwebs still waiting to come out!