July books-22
Only three books this month, but the First one was at least quite big!
Colleen McCullough-The Thorn Birds– this book appeared on the Big Jubilee book list, produced for the Queen’s jubilee, 70 books written by authors across the Commonwealth, one from each year of her reign. This book was a runaway best seller when first published, and its surprising I had never read it. Set mostly in Australia, but also in London, Rome and New Zealand, it’s a multi generational narrative set on a huge sheep station, covering lives and loves. It was enjoyable. The cover likened it to Gone with the Wind, in that it’s a big historical novel covering settlers. Probably less controversial these days than GWTW. A Good read.
John Boyne- The Echo Chamber– I read a review of this on a blog, and placed my library reservation straightaway. It’s really a book for the 2020s. Very funny, says the things you ask youself about the Twitterati , Instagrammer poser, woke and cancelled culture, troll world that swirls around us. I think the time I had finally decided I became a dinosaur was when my solicitor’s firm started adding their preferred he/him, she/hers after their names! So as not to spoil the plot I am using the back cover blurb only..The Cleverley family live a gilded life…. they will go on a journey of discovery through the jungle of modern living, where reputations can be destroyed in a moment…I found it laugh out loud funny whilst nodding my head in agreement so often. Read and enjoy.
Muriel Spark- The Girls of Slender Means– another one from the Jubilee List, appearing for 1963. It’s more a novella than a novel, just 141 pages. Nicholas Farringdon is murdered in 1963 in Haiti. Back in 1945 he was a would be poet but a dramatic event led to a religious conversion and his becoming a missionary. The book concerns the events that occurred at The May of Teck club in 1945 between VE day and VJ day, and the Young women who lived there, a hostel if you like, for those following poorly paid careers. What can I say really, it’s a modern classic but I just didn’t get it, it seems dull. I fully accept that it’s me and not the book. Love to know if anyone loves this book and why please?
And that’s it for July 22. My current read is the follow on from Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel, called Bring up the Bodies. 484 pages to enjoy, lovely.
Love to know of any recent good reads, or your current book. I have four more library books already out , plus five on request. Unlimited request subscription seemed like a very Good idea, but I think I might have to reign in my enthusiasm a tad.