Books

A big picture of a big book. Seven hundred and twenty three pages. I bought it as soon as it came out - I loved Wright's Carpentaria and enjoyed Tracker. But I knew it would take energy and commitment to read it, so it's taken me this long to finally do so. Conscientiously avoiding all the rave reviews - I like to make my own mind up without being … [Read more...] about Praise for Praiseworthy

I've been immersed in the world of Iris Murdoch these last eight weeks. While I've read them in the past I couldn’t remember anything about her novels, including the three I own: The Sea The Sea, The Book & The Brotherhood and A Fairly Honourable Defeat. My renewed interest was sparked by Peter J. Conradi's Family Business: A memoir which I … [Read more...] about Books June/July 2024 – Iris & Friends

The Last Devil To Die, Richard Osman I hadn't intended to read this as I thought the author had run out of steam with the third in the series which you can see given how little I wrote about it here. I didn't even write very much about the first two despite having really enjoyed them as you can see from this blogpost. But Pauline loaned it to … [Read more...] about Books: April – May 2024

The Letters of Seamus Heaney, Ed. Christopher Reid I spent March immersed in the world of Seamus Heaney. Joe gave me this beautiful book for Christmas - ordered before the 25th December, it took a while to arrive. I like the informality of letters (and diaries) as an easy way to get to know a person in their own words. I found these ones … [Read more...] about Books – March/April 2024

After my productivity in January, I'm upset to discover I didn't blog at all in February! Too busy with gardening (new fence), coffee catch-ups, films and family. It's been go, go, go.... I'm happy to say that my reading this year has been much better than at the end of last year. Here are my thoughts on the books I've read so far. The Bee … [Read more...] about Books Read January – February 2024

This arrived on my doorstep on the second of November last year and I started reading it shortly after. Having enjoyed Wilson's translation of The Odyssey in 2018, which I wrote about here, I had high expectations. My personal experience enhanced by the many positive reviews of this translation. I could quote from many and have attached them here … [Read more...] about THE ILIAD