Books

Fairly recently I discovered that I actually really enjoy reading. Not just when sunbathing on the beach or when I have an essay to write for higher English, but as a hobby and pleasant past time activity.
Just thought I would keep a tab of the books I have read...
The furthest back I can really remember is probably during the summer:

July - Mosquito Coast. This book made me feel peculiar. I think as the leading man in the novel started to go insane I also started to feel manic. I found this book really quite disturbing. At first I enjoyed the concept of going to live with nothing in the jungle - a dream of mine I suppose. But the father figure always scared me - his arrogance and stubborn character. In the end I was left a bit shaken I think, but was glad I had read it. 8/10

Aug - Birdsong. I thought this was a beautiful book, I can't remember exactly the emotions and thoughts it stirred up as it has been quite some time now...But I remember the first section in particular being really lovely to read. Perhaps because I like the idea of living in France and finding romance. I also have taken quite a shine to books about the world wars since reading Captain Corelli's Mandolin a while back. "a shine" doesn't really convey the right emotion, it is more of a new understanding of the enormity and great tragedy of those events.. It wasn't until then I really had an appreciation of how horrific the events of the war had been to thousands of people on a personal level. I think I feel a duty to have a better understanding and appreciation of what happened. This was helped along by watching Band of Brothers while I was ill in 1st year. I cried for almost half an hour at the end I was so overcome. I couldn't get over the courage and amazing comradeary of the men on the front. Anyway so that was Birdsong. (9/10)

Then I began to read Behind the Scenes at the Museum. It didn't really grab me to be perfectly honest, although I have herd it is quite good. I was busy having fun in fresher's week by this time so I'm afraid it got abandoned in favour of the next... I suppose it's unfair to rate a book I haven't really read, but provisionally I shall give this novel a 5.5/10

Sep - The Portrait of Dorian Gray. I enjoyed reading this book, but wasn't overwhelmed by it. It was quite an interesting story although a little spoilt by the fact somebody who had just seen the new Jude Law film told me what happened... Over all a 7/10

An Evil Cradling PHENOMENAL. Probably the best book I have ever read. I really cannot get over how much I was bowled over by this book. I felt so humbled by this inspirational man. He somehow managed to stay so positive and strong willed in such dire circumstances. It made me re-evaluate my own fortune of simply living! Very cliche. Honestly an awe inspiring man. It made me think a lot about the material values in life and really what life is worth. Basically just a wonderful tale of survival and hope and friendship. A really amazing guy. The title may lead you to believe that it will be a graphic description of the brutality of his kidnap. But almost the opposite it is the story of his own humanity in such inhuman surroundings. And the kind of tragic sympathy he has with his guards who are brainwashed and misled. I will definitely read this again some time. It gripped me the whole way through. 10/10!

Oct - Angela's Ashes I enjoyed reading this book, however did find it quite depressing. It was rather miserable the whole way through. Highlighted to me the poverty of Ireland in very recent history and the brutality of the Catholic church. 6.5/10

Nov - Kim I enjoyed reading this book. I found the writing quite playful if that is possible. I enjoyed the elaborate and archaic descriptions, although at times (usually before bed) I found it a bit difficult to read, and often would have to re-read entire sections that had not really sunk in. I really liked all the different characters, and took pleasure from the relationship that grew between the lama and his chela. I am quite interested in visiting India and Nepal. It reminded me, for some reason, of crouching tiger hidden dragon towards the end... Perhaps because they were in mountains. Overall I really liked this book. It also reminded me a little of The Alchemist. I suppose that whole theme of looking for 'the answer' and finding your destiny. I suppose I am also quite interested in those sorts of philosophical enquiries 8.5/10

Dec - Sunset Song I liked this novel. I enjoyed the discriptions of the countryside. I liked the initial discription of the county and the quirks of the different members of the community. It was an interesting sort of study into the relationships between the different members of scoiety. Perhaps highlighting the lack of community in many modern settings when you don't even know the names of your next door neighbours. The main thrust of the book, as far as I was concerned, was towards the role of women in society. It made me really greatful to have the social freedom I enjoy today. And was struck by how recently it was that women were very much limited by the structure and expectations of society. I felt a lot of empathy towards Chris, she reminded me of myself in some aspects, her aspirations of a simple family life and enjoying a long happy life with her husband etc. And I suppose that made it all the more painful when she was unable to fulfil all her dreams. And when she was frowned upon by society for her reaction to her fathers death...I was also struck by her ablilty to not feel bitter towards her father. I suppose in those days you couldn't rely to much on dreams as you wouldn't be able to achieve them. Where as these days people are encouraged to believe they can acheive whatever they like. And deserve/have the ability to do anything. Not sure whether this is a good or bad thing... Its good to encourage people to fulfil their own ability - but perhaps at the cost of them not being satisfied with their lot and not accepting that sometimes you have to settle for less...
This book also deals with the idea of war. It wasn;'t a major aspect of the book but as I have mentioned before I have recently been quite interested in war so I picked up a little more on that. I foudn it tragic. The way it ripped apart communities and the ruthlessness of the village people - I mean in their opinions. Very judgemental towards the man who did not agree with the war. Immediately presuming he was a german sympathiser etc. Again made me think that today people have a very different attitude towards violence and war and national duty.
8/10

Jan - The Elephanta Suite 3 short stories in one novel. The first I found pleasant although Im not sure what was implied by the ending... My favourite parts were the descriptions of the environment in India and the indian people. I found the actual dialogue and american characters rather dry. I think Paul Theroux has more of an interest in sex than me... The second about a business man I found a little frustrating - perhaps that is the point. I am being prejudice as all the individuals in this are (dumb) americans. Puts me off.
I am slighty disappointed as My Secret History, also by Theroux, is a really good novel, one of my favourites. I really felt involved in that novel, and even cried near the ending which I am not sure I have ever done at a book before. So, anyway, perhaps I am also slighty disappointed because I set my expectations for this novel quite high. Interestingly I have found his writing style very different in all three novels of his I have read. M.S.H felt to me like a classic american novel, similar to catcher in the rye, or the great gatsby. This Elephanta book seems quite lame and trashy, and the Mosquito Coast I found just disturbing. Perhaps similar to Ian Banks Wasp Factory or something...
-So I have now finished this book. No real improvement. Within the first 2 pages of the third part it said the phrase 'He just wants to fuck you' Some quite nice bits about elephants, but the main part was about this gap year person getting raped. In the end she kills him by letting loose a crazy elephant... a disappointing book in my opinion.
6.5/10