The good thief’s guide to Venice

Posted on November 26, 2011 by helsbelstels

What they say about it

Charlie Howard, gentleman thief and famous crime-writer, has gone straight. But holing himself up in a crumbling palazzo in Venice in an attempt to concentrate on his next novel hasn’t got rid of the itch in his fingers. To make matters worse, an Italian beauty has broken into his apartment and made off with his most prized possession.

Charlie Howard, gentleman thief and famous crime-writer, has gone straight. But holing himself up in a crumbling palazzo in Venice in an attempt to concentrate on his next novel hasn’t got rid of the itch in his fingers. And, to make matters worse, an Italian beauty has broken into his apartment, stealing his most prized possession.
What I thought
This was a fun read, but complete throw away fiction. I enjoyed it, it was fast paced and kept me interested. But, I won’t remember it in a few weeks. Is that a bad thing, probably not, but it’s not one of the world’s great works of fiction.

Filed under: Book review, Crime | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

The Sickness

Posted on November 26, 2011 by helsbelstels

What the say

Ernesto Durán is convinced he is sick. It becomes an obsession far exceeding hypochondria, and when Dr Andrés Miranda gives up responding to e-mails, Durán resolves to stalk him. The fixation has its own creeping effect on Karina, the hospital secretary, who cannot resist becoming involved.

Meanwhile Dr Miranda is coming to terms with a tragedy of his own: his father has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and yet the doctor – the son – finds it impossible to tell him. He hopes that by taking his father on a trip to Isla Margarita, where they once went when he was a child, he might be able to reveal the truth.

The nature of sickness as experienced by two individuals provides the backbone to this tender, thoughtful and refined novel. The Sickness is profound and philosophical, and yet written with an agility that expresses the tragedy, but also the comedy of life itself. A brilliantly achieved first novel.

What I thought

I thought this book was so well written. Quite short, it describes the journey Dr Miranda and his father go on when he finds out that his father has terminal cancer. The other thread of the book is about patient Ernesto and the effect his psychological problems have on the doctors secretary.

Well worth a read. It won a Herralde Prize in its original Spanish and it comes over well as a translation.

Available at Lewisham Libraries

Helen Hilton

Filed under: Book review, Death, Family | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

A Book of Blues

Posted on November 11, 2011 by lewishamcouncil

What they say

A music journalist suffers a crisis of faith in Miami. Young London goes hip-hop crazy circa 1988…Old friends make a belated attempt to reconnect disparate lives, and a social recluse finds an unexpected companion in a Victorian cemetery. Threaded with the constant pulse of music, A Book of Blues explores both physical and internal landscapes via the never-ending diversity of human relationships.

What I say

Courttia Newland offers readers a great range of voices, viewpoints, settings and circumstances within this collection. My own favourite is Anatomy of Man in which our media savvy author treats us to a comic photo shoot and his ability to surprise us when we make assumptions of how individual tales will pan out. Longstanding fans will enjoy the stories set in West London and the short story format enables us to enjoy more of Courttia’s range. I look forward to seeing the author in person at Lewisham Library on 24 November.

AM

Filed under: Book review, Music | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

A trio of launches for Black History Month

Posted on September 20, 2011 by helsbelstels

Maggie Harris and Rosemarie Hudson: Author and Publisher perspectives

About the event
Lewisham Library
Tuesday 4 October, 8-9.30pm

Maggie Harris introduces Kiskadee Girl, with readings followed by Q&A with Maggie and, special guest, Rosemarie Hudson, founder of the highly influential BlackAmber Press.

About the book

‘A memoir that reads like a novel:’ The setting is Guyana, the land of many waters, and the time one of great change in Maggie’s life.

Courttia Newland –  A Book of Blues

 About the event
Lewisham Library
Thursday 24 November, 8-9.30pm

Celebrated local saxophonist Jimmy Beckley provides the mood music as Courttia speaks about and reads from his blues themed collection of short stories.

About the book

The blues speak of many things, love most of all. Courttia uses the short story format to compose vivid contemporary songs of self-discovery, tenderness and hope.

Jacob Sam-La Rose - Breaking Silence

About the event
Lewisham Library
Thursday 17 November, 8-9.30pm

Described as a “one man literary industry,”  Jacob is as well-known for his performances as for his written work. He is accompanied this evening by guitarist, Tomas Ciucelis.

About the book

This newly published poetry collection is a stand-out reflection upon contemporary Britain.

Filed under: Black History Month, Book launch | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

The Hunger Games

Posted on September 20, 2011 by helsbelstels

What they say

Katniss Everdeen is a survivor. She has to be; she’s representing her District, number 12, in the 74th Hunger Games in the Capitol, the heart of Panem, a new land that rose from the ruins of a post-apocalyptic North America.

To punish citizens for an early rebellion, the rulers require each district to provide one girl and one boy, 24 in all, to fight like gladiators in a futuristic arena. The event is broadcast like reality TV, and the winner returns with wealth for his or her district.

With clear inspiration from Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and the Greek tale of Theseus, Collins has created a brilliantly imagined dystopia, where the Capitol is rich and the rest of the country is kept in abject poverty, where the poor battle to the death for the amusement of the rich. Impressive world-building, breathtaking action and clear philosophical concerns make this volume, the beginning of a planned trilogy, as good as The Giver and more exciting.

What I thought

Although aimed at the teen market it has a wide cross-over appeal and I really enjoyed it. You really care about slightly prickly Katniss and her will to survive. Even though I knew that nearly all of the characters had to die, I still willed them to come through it. I love the distorted reality TV aspect. Will this be us one day?

I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one and am looking forward to the film coming out.

Helen Hilton

Available in Lewisham Libraries

Filed under: Apocalyptic, Book review, Teen | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

In the Dark

Posted on September 20, 2011 by helsbelstels

 What they say

‘Billingham produces an astonishing final twist to complete his most ambitious and accomplished book.’ (Sunday Telegraph)

‘..a twist that I guarantee even veteran crime fiction aficionados won’t see coming.’ (Evening Herald)

What I say

To me, the twist in the tale is so obvious I was beginning to doubt myself. This is the author’s first without Tom Thorne at its core and so lacks in trademark banter. It’s largely set in a dystopian vision of gangland Lewisham (no M&S apparently) – ‘somewhere people would visit only if they had to…somewhere to get in and out of quickly’. Yes – certainly if you’re in a stolen car carrying a gun and trading crack. Credit is due to any bestselling author prepared to stretch himself and readers by moving away from a winning formula. However, this is a hotchpot of genuine empathy for some who find themselves the wrong side of the law and lazy caricature, but Billingham is always worth a read.

Alan Morrison

Available in Lewisham Libraries

Filed under: Book review, Crime | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

New Cross-Wavelengths Reading Group News

Posted on September 8, 2011 by ahlewisham

The September meeting of the group discussed David Nicholls’ ubiquitous novel One Day.

Those who attended the session had enjoyed this very readable and entertaining novel which focuses on what initially seems a casual relationship formed between Emma and Dexter, two recently graduated students on the crest of a wave, with most of their lives yet to look forward to. Chance seems to have brought them together, perhaps for  a few hours which in the fullness of time could become a remote if precious memory. We soon become aware, through their witty dialogue and banter of the contrasting backgrounds, beliefs and aspirations of these two characters. While Emma seems cautiously realistic she is altruistic in outlook, desiring to benefit society by making a difference. Dexter seems unashamedly hedonistic looking little further than to simply enjoy immediate pleasures offered in the present moment.

Each succeeding chapter provides insight into the lives of Emma and Dexter at yearly intervals and it is this technique which enables the reader to feel familiar with them both – as one might with old friends one has known for many years. It also underlines the fact that life is continually evolving around us and that the immediacy of present day mishaps or even triumphs in most cases fades in significance. In some ways this contained a cautionary tale where we see how Dexter’s assumed persona adapted for presenting popular television would eventually be seen through by viewers and critics alike, while the slippery slope of pep pills and alcohol distorts his perception of reality, so that he fails to realize that an alluring cigarette seller in a night club is not an admiring groupie but a hard working nurse, moonlighting to supplement her income, while politely tolerating his company.

Read the Manor House Library Reading Group’s  review of One Day and that of our star blogger Helen Hilton.

There will be no meeting in October due to the work on the Deptford Lounge, but watch this space for details of the next meeting, likely to take place in Novemeber. In the meantime, the reading groups page lists other groups in the borough.

Have you read this novel? Let us know your thoughts.

Filed under: Book review, London, New Cross reading group, Romance | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Manor House Library Reading Group News

Posted on August 26, 2011 by ahlewisham

August’s meeting discussed the novel Room by Emma Donoghue. 

What they say about it 

“Part childhood adventure story, part adult thriller, Room is above all the most vivid, radiant and beautiful expression of maternal love I have ever read. Emma Donoghue has stared into the abyss, honoured her sources and returned with the literary equivalent of a great Madonna and Child. This book will break your heart.” – The Irish Times

 What we say

Room is written with honesty, integrity, insight, understanding and flair. Emma Donoghue is no ‘clodhopper’ which is more than can be said for some other writers who have attempted similar subjects. The book was “easy to read”, and “hard to put down”. The child’s voice who narrates the story is captivating. The mother is exceptional. The book is a “hymn to motherhood”. It is also a testament to the “power of language and storytelling”.

One group member didn’t read the book feeling the author had exploited recent factual events in writing the novel.

Next month’s book is The Hare With Amber Eyes by Edmund De Waal
Thursday 29 September 2011, 2-3pm
Manor House Library

Read another review of Room by one of our bloggers.

Have you read this novel? Let us know your thoughts.

Filed under: Book review, Children, Crime, Gay/Lesbian, Manor House reading group, Women | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

Blind Eye and Black Flowers

Posted on August 25, 2011 by lewishamcouncil

Blind Eye: Stuart MacBride

MacBride does for Krakow and Warsaw tourism what he’s been doing for the granite city of Aberdeen for years in this one. I felt that the story suffered when the setting changed, but it was essential to the plotline and illustrates how gang warfare is going global. As always DI Steel has the best lines. Not the best DS MacCrae story but worth the effort if you take your crime noir.

Black Flowers: Steve Mosby

A creepy read for those boys and girls unconvinced of the power of storytelling. Once Mosby gets this slow burner into its stride, he proves adept at blurring fact and fiction in the minds of his characters and readers and using a police procedural novel to tell a creepy tale of fantasy and horror. In the style of the former, Mosby ties up all the loose ends, but this is an unsettling read which stays in the memory.

Alan Morrison

Available in Lewisham Libraries

Filed under: Book review, Crime | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Mr Norris Changes Trains

Posted on August 19, 2011 by ahlewisham

What they say about it

After a chance encounter on a train the English teacher William Bradshaw starts a close friendship with the mildly sinister Arthur Norris. Norris is a man of contradictions; lavish but heavily in debt, excessively polite but sexually deviant. First published in 1933 Mr Norris Changes Trains piquantly evokes the atmosphere of Berlin during the rise of the Nazis.

What I say about it

I have been meaning to read some Isherwood for some time (having really enjoyed the film version of A Single Man) and picked this up at my local library. It is a short espionage novel about a singular character, Mr Norris, who is involved in political intrigue across Europe, apparently in order to maintain his decadent lifestyle. 

The novel is often included with Goodbye to Berlin (which has been included in the Guardian Ten Best Books Set in Berlin list) as The Berlin Novels, as both take place in the city at the point in the early 1930s where the Nazis seized power and set about erradicating their opposition. Mr Norris represents this brittle, overwrought political atmosphere through its title character, the deceitful, extravagant and permanently insecure Norris. His indulgences, be they sexual, material or emotional, are contrasted with the deprivation that befalls himself and others as the situation declines at the novel’s end.

I found Mr Norris an enjoyable read, with some humorous episodes, particularly those involving the indefatigable landlady Frau Schroeder. Moreover it is an interesting observation of the rapidly collapsing Berlin society during the last days of the Weimar Republic.  Recommended.

Alan Housden

Have you read this novel? Let us know your thoughts.

Filed under: Book review, History, Politics | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

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