Entries from March 2008
When A Crocodile Eats The Sun
When A Crocodile Eats The Sun, March 2008, 7.5/10.
Written by Peter Godwin. Published by Little, Brown and Company.
Except for the first 100 or so pages, I found this book really enjoyable. The first part, which introduced Zimbabwe and its political past, dragged on for probably 50-60 pages too long, and one sensed that it was already cut down considerably. The remainder of the book, which was far more interesting and personal, was very well done – written with obvious love and frustration, I really felt as though I could feel the difficulties faced. The ‘twist’, and the history of the characters, made it all the more interesting.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: 7.5/10, Africa, Autobiography, Memoir, Nonfiction, Peter Godwin, Zimbabwe
Madame Bovary
Madame Bovary, March 2008, 8.5/10.
Written by Gustave Flaubert. Published by Penguin Classics.
An oldie but one that I had never got around to reading, much to my own loss! An excellent introduction preceded an even better book, with a flowing storyline and narrative that highlighted so many of our frailties and desires with such a deft touch. At times so compelling that that I wanted to read faster than my eyes could move, I nevertheless read this book slowly and enjoyed it all the more for having the time to think about the themes that were covered. Obviously a touch of autobiography shone through, making [it] all the more compelling.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: 8.5/10, Classics, Fiction, French, Gustave Flaubert
The Castle In The Forest
The Castle In The Forest, March 2008, 7.5/10.
Written by Norman Mailer. Published by Random House.
I am not exactly sure that I can explain why, but I really enjoyed this book – such a shame that Mailer wasn’t able to complete the trilogy. The writing was punchy – as one would expect, and the premise was also creative, to say the least, but I did think at times that this book tended a little too much to the trashy side – but that too is to be expected by Mailer on such a topic. I’m sure sure exactly where the fiction ended and the reality began, but the characters were very well developed, and part of that must have been made up.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: 7.5/10, American, Fiction, Hitler, Nonfiction, Norman Mailer
