Archive for the ‘Modern Fiction’ Category

Comments Off on There but for the by Ali Smith

There but for the by Ali Smith


2011
12.17

“There is no doubting that Ali Smith is a superb writer. I’d read whatever she writes.
Her latest is a book full of characters but not much joined up plot.
A middle class dinner party in Greenwich with a variety of obnoxious people, Miles a guest who no one really knows, disappears after the main course only to lock himself into the hosts spare room…for months.
My advise is to go with the flow, enjoy the writing and don’t get too deep.
Literary Marmite.

Score 6/10

Date read December 2011

What would your score for this book be? Please post your comments below.”

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt


2011
12.05

“Could this be my book of the year?
Shortlisted for the Booker but sadly not the winner. Canadian author Patrick deWitt conjures up a terrific story.
The Sisters Brother are two hired killers during the US gold rush western period, but this isn’t a regular black/white hats western.
An inventive and absorbing page turning treat. How soon will the Cohen brothers make this into a wonderful film?

Score 8/10

Date read December 2011

What would your score for this book be? Please post your comments below.”

Comments Off on Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan

Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan


2011
11.14

“Here’s another from the Booker short list. This time from a Canadian author.
Moving from the beginning of WW2 in Berlin and then Paris, to the present day. We follow the lives of a jazz band, a real mixture of characters, Black American, Black German, White Jewish, White German and as you’d expect this makes for an interesting ride.
You don’t need to like or care about jazz either, this has love, friendship, betrayal, guilt. All in full colour. I’ll recommend it.

Score 7/10

Date read November 2011

What would your score for this book be? Please post your comments below.”

Comments Off on I’ll Never Get Out of this World Alive by Steve Earle

I’ll Never Get Out of this World Alive by Steve Earle


2011
11.13

“Singer & song writer Steve Earle has created an interesting first novel.
Texas 1963, Doc is a heroin addict earning his money by fixing up hookers and pimps with abortions and gun/knife wounds.
Enter an enigmatic Mexican girl and everythin begins to change. Doc is haunted by Hank Williams ghost (American country singer).
I did like this book, I listened to the audiobook edition and had the experience of Steve Earle narrating his own novel, which he does very well.
Would I read another by him? maybe not.

Score 5/10

Date read November 2011

What would your score for this book be? Please post your comments below.”