Archive for the ‘Prize listed’ Category

Comments Off on Not Untrue and Not Unkind by Ed O’Loughlin

Not Untrue and Not Unkind by Ed O’Loughlin


2009
10.20

“Debut novel by Canadian raised in Ireland. A foreign overseas journalist, this long listed Booker novel and our latest book club read.
It took far too long to read for a 275 page book, and why did I bother, I knew after 50 pages I should have given up. It didn’t get any more interesting, I couldn’t care less about the characters or remember them.
A pointless book which felt like the author showing us how cold journalists are, sorry Ed. Do better next time. Our group gave it an average score of 4/10.

Score 2,5/10

Date read October 2009

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

Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh


2009
09.20

“Shortlisted for the 2008 Booker prize and first in a trilogy.
This is a multi cast historical saga from 1831 India.
Very interesting and colourful language, I liked the languages…Indian words, pidgin English, maritime jargon. Ultimately though this story didn’t work for me. I know its a trilogy but the characters didn’t develop fast enough (in 480 pages), I haven’t the energy to read book two etc.

Score 4.5/10

Date read September 2009

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

Comments Off on Carry me Down by MJ Hyland

Carry me Down by MJ Hyland


2009
08.20

“Shortlisted for the 2008 Booker prize. Sadly not for me as good as her new novel. If I’d read this first I’d never have read This is How.
This is a family story set in Dublin. We have a traditional dad, neurotic mother, and an odd adolescent son, the later is the protagonist.
It is absorbing and hard to give up un, it plods along, one expect things to happen, but then it ends abruptly and without interest (guess I missed the point).
I’ll read her next.

Score 5/10

Date read August 2009

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

Comments Off on Broken Shore by Peter Temple

Broken Shore by Peter Temple


2009
05.10

Australian based murder mystery which won the Gold Dagger Award.
I liked the pacing, real life like characters and particularly the style of the dialogue.
The plot got a little over complicated but overall a worthy prize winner.

Score 7/10

Date read May 2009

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