willoyd

Thanks for this excellent review. I read this back in June, my first Myers read. Your review very much sums up my experience. Whilst I wouldn't rate it quite as highly, it was a great read, and certainly more than good enough for me to want to read more of his work - I've been strongly recommended Gallow's Pole. He lives just two valleys down from us (Calderdale vs Wharfedale), and the setting (in the same area) is very familiar!

Just seen this. Really useful thank you - added several books to my Read Around the World list. In particular, need ot follow up that Sanmarinese short story!

Finished Travelling In A Strange Land by David Park, a book group choice, also counting for Northern Ireland in my Read Around the World. More a novella (164 pages), it's a fairly intense read. 4/6 stars.

Just finished two non-fictions: Jeremy Hutchinson's Case Histories by Thomas Grant: viewing social development of the 1960s-80s through the lens of one (famous) barristers major cases (Penguin Lady Chatterley case, George Blake, unilateral nuclear disarmament protestors, Last Tango In Paris and Romans in Britain obscenity trials etc. Fascinating read, very easy. 5 stars. Portable Magic by Emma Smith. "A History of Books and Their Readers" - well, not really, more a collection of essays built around this theme. Narrower and drier than I'd hoped. Reasonably interesting individually, but collectively far too samey in content and style for my taste. 3 stars.

Book #28: Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov for Bulgaria *** Intrigued by it's winning the International Booker, this was the book for Bulgaria in my Reading Around the World project. Initial impressions were very promising if a little confusing: a slightly surrealistic tale of a series of clinics set up to to deal with dementia by creating safe environments for sufferers in a time they could remember - rooms exactly reproducing a decade - and the almost inexorable expansion of that concept into the wider world, spiralling into nationalist politics. Dystopian satire? Certainly a cutting examination of recent trends throughout (especially) Europe. I was fascinated by the concept and ideas, but have to admit that I found the book itself an increasingly difficult read, so much so that I rather struggled to reach the end. It was worth it, and some of the ideas continue to resonate, but it was tough going!

I plan to give it a go too. I thought the writing great, it was just the narrative. I've often found I can love one book by an author but hate another (eg Amy Liptrot's The Outrun - a favourite - versus her latest The Instant - most disappointing book of last year).

A goodly while since I last posted, so a bit of a catch-up. TBH I've struggled a bit this past month - lots of distractions mainly, and perhaps a bit of mojo missing? Anyway, reading since early June: The Perfect Golden Circle by Benjamin Myers **** The author's background as a poet is clear from the outset with a strong sense of rhythm and full of figurative writing. Initially it actually felt rather overloaded with the latter, heavy metaphors on every page, or so it seemed. Whether I just got used to them, or the author settled down a bit as the story itself developed, I'm not sure, but they certainly didn't impinge later as they did in earlier pages. The story itself, centred on the relationship between a pair of (eccentric) friends responsible for a spate of corn circles, proved a really engaging read - light but thoughtful, almost a meditation, not just on male friendship but also aspects of societal attitudes. I'll certainly being exploring his writing further. The Fall of Boris Johnson by Sebastian Payne **** An interesting, easy read, definitely recommended if the subject interests you (which it does me!). I remain completely bemused how Johnson fooled so many for so long. The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante ** A group read nominated by a couple of fans of the author's Neapolitan series. I was very much in a minority (but not alone) in really not getting on with it at all. I could admire the writing, and would be interested in giving her another go, but this story seemed to spend a lot of time going nowhere, centred on characters who I really could not care about. That may well just be me - stories of teenage angst and anguish just don't do anything for me, rather the opposite ([Catcher in the Rye] - ugh!!); I'm glad to have left that long ago! Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov *** Intrigued by it's winning the International Booker, this was the book for Bulgaria in my Reading Around the World project. Initial impressions were very promising if a little confusing: a slightly surrealistic tale of a series of clinics set up to to deal with dementia by creating safe environments for sufferers in a time they could remember - rooms exactly reproducing a decade - and the almost inexorable expansion of that concept into the wider world, spiralling into nationalist politics. Dystopian satire? Certainly a cutting examination of recent trends throughout (especially) Europe. I was fascinated by the concept and ideas, but have to admit that I found the book itself an increasingly difficult read, so much so that I rather struggled to reach the end. It was worth it, and some of the ideas continue to resonate, but it was tough going! On Chapel Beach by Laura Cummings **** Promoted as a mystery surrounding a childhood kidnap, this felt a bit of a mis-sell, which is a bit unfortunate as there is an intriguing story of memoir and genealogical investigation that is mentioned but IMO underplayed. Essentially, it's the story of the author's and her mother's investigations into the family history of the latter, and the impact of various (often false) narratives on both mother and daughter (primarily former). It's rather overwritten in places, almost tabloidy in the way we are led through a series of almost melo-dramatic revelations, but I remained engaged, even fascinated, through to the end and a satisfying and interesting twist.

Two books finished in fairly quick succession, followed by one where I didn't: The Perfect Golden Circle by Benjamin Myers: a fairly light and easy read focused on male friendship and the adventures of a pair of corncirclers one summer. A little bit overwritten in places, but otherwise an engrossing read: 4 stars (out of 6). The Fall of Boris Johnson by Sebastian Payne, an equally engrossing read for different reasons, containing some interesting insight into the machinations of (dysfunctional) government. 4 stars again. The Lying Life of Adults Elena Ferrante, unfinished, a book group read. Absolutely no arguments with the writing ,which is excellent, but I was utterly bored by the narrative. The characters didn't interest me, nor did the plot, yet another teenager (girl this time) growing up and finding out the truth about her family, particularly her parents. Perhaps just wrong book, wrong time, but there's been so much really interesting reading lately, this just couldn't stand up. 2 stars.

A fair spate of reading lately: I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti *** Michele's family is southern Italian poor, living in a small rural hamlet. Playing in an abandoned farmhouse, he discovers something that completely changes his life. Strong on atmosphere - this is hot, sultry, Italian summer, and it feels it - and character, particularly of the main protagonist, this is a slim, tautly written read, a selection for one of my book groups. Sounds good, and yet I never felt really engaged with it. Once the mysterious find was disclosed, it pretty much all followed what felt to be a fairly standard pattern. It wasn't bad, far from it, just obvious. After some of the exciting/interesting reading lately, this all felt just a bit mundane. I'm all too aware that I'm probably being unfair too, but still 3 stars. Standing Heavy by GauZ ****** And this is just the sort of book that made the previous one feel so ordinary. Read as my book for Cote d'Ivoire in my Read Around The World, this equally slim novel focuses on a group of Ivorians trying to make their way as "undocumented immigrants" in Paris. Working as security guards they see much of the underbelly of Western capitalism and consumerism, and it's not a pretty sight. Satirical, wrily ironic, with much to say about post-colonial attitudes in both France and Africa, I was grabbed from the word go, reading this in two sittings (and wanting it to last longer). Department of Speculation by Jenny Offil ***** The story of a marriage, a marriage that the narrator swore would never happen, told in a series of fragmentary paragraphs, treading a fine line between sadness and sharp humour. Nobody is named, and when the marriage struggles (this is a novel after all!) the writer moves from first to third person, presumably to try and create a sense of distance/alienation. it does! There are some wonderful moments of insight, particularly from a parental perspective, which (even though I'm male and never experienced motherhood) I could strongly relate to! All in all, beautifully observed. So why not more stars (although 4 is good!)? I'm not sure, and perhaps I'm being miserly - but it just felt that way. Perhaps because, whilst beautifully written, there were moments when the plot line felt just a little bit the same as so many that had gone before -and there was something about the resolution that didn't quite work for me. Perhaps, but I should acknowledge that few have dealt with the subject with quite the insight and lightness of touch shown here - thoroughly recommended. After Sappho by Selby Wynn Scwartz ** I had been really looking forward to this, but ultimately felt disappointed. The format was similar to the previous book, told in fragments (although the fragments were rather longer and more complex here!), taking a fictional approach to a group biography of leading feminists/lesbians of the late 19th/early 20th century. Dipping in, this looked to be eminently readable, but once i actually sat down to read the book as a whole, I found myself very soon floundering. A host of characters were introduced, all of whome I struggled to mentally organise, not helped by rather perfunctory introductions. I felt that I needed to know a lot more about feminist writers and their history to even begin to understand what was going on and what this was all about - massive assumptions were made about one's prior knowledge. Much of the referencing to Sappho and other classical characters went right over my head. By one-third of the way through (probably earlier!) I was utterly confused and bemused, coming close to giving up. In the event, I persisted, hoping for illumination (there was a brilliant book in there somewhere, or so it felt) - but that lack of comprehension continued to the end, and I started skimming over the classical references in particular. The one exception was when the spotlight was on Virginia Woolf - being rather more familiar with her life story, I felt I understood so much more of what the author was writing about. But those were relatively rare moments, and I came away feeling this was one really only for the literary academic, or, at least, those rather more thoroughly conversant with the characters and the subject than me. 2 stars.

Finished After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz. Had been really looking forward to this, but ultimately disappointed. I needed to know a lot more about feminist writers and their history to even begin to understand what was going on and what this was all about; massive assumptions made about one's prior knowledge. Iwas utterly confused and bemused one-third of the way in, came close to giving up, but persisted - but that lack of comprehension continued to the end. To me this was really only for the literary academic. 2 stars out of 6.

Another quick read: Department of Speculation by Jenny Offil. Read almost in one sitting - probably rather too quickly, as there was much to absorb and enjoy. Worth lingering. 4 (poss 5) stars out of 6.

Book #27: Standing Heavy by GauZ for Cote d'Ivoire ***** Just the sort of book that makes this project so worthwhile - I almost certainly wouldn't have read this but for the stimulus this challenge has provided to hunt out books from further afield, and in parts of the literary arena never really previously explored. This slim noel and quickly readable novel focuses on a group of Ivorians trying to make their way as "undocumented immigrants" in Paris. Working as security guards they see much of the underbelly of Western capitalism and consumerism, and it's not a pretty sight. Satirical, wrily ironic, vivid, vibrant, with much to say about post-colonial attitudes in both France and Africa, I was grabbed from the word go, reading this in two sittings (and wanting it to last longer).

Book #26: Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih for Sudan ******

Alternative for New Zealand (#24): Potiki by Patricia Grace ***** Another in a series of slim volumes that packs a big punch! Initially reading in the rather stiff and repetitive way of of a traditional oral tale, this, as with many world books tackled to date, took a little bit of getting into, but, as with all the others, it wasn't overlong before I found it thoroughly engrossing - this one picked up enormously at the point when the developers start to try and persuade the residents to sell up. Telling the story of how a group of Maori inhabitants of traditionally owned land on the seashore stood their ground against developers trying to establish, by hook or by crook, a major leisure complex*, the novel was an object lesson in culture clash and failure to understand a different point of view - classic post-colonial literature. Modernist in style, this had definite whiffs of Woolf and Mansfield about it, but was oh so different (interesting comparing and contrasting this with Mansfield's 'At The Bay' and, to a lesser extent, elements of Woolf's 'To The Lighthouse'). A book that definitely grew on me. *Later reflected in Grace's own experience resisting the New Zealand government's efforts to compulsorily purchase land she lived on to develop an expressway.

Finished the International Booker short-listed Standing Heavy by GauZ tonight, read as the book for Cote d'Ivoire in my Read Around the World. Really enjoyed this one - a wryly satirical look at the life of a group of Ivoirian 'undocument migrants' working as security guards in Paris. This one definitely grabbed me! 5/6 stars.

Completed Niccolo Ammaniti's I'm Not Scared tonight, read for one of my book groups. An excellent book I'm sure, but one that simply didn't grab me, and I found myself reading it simply to get it out of the way and move on, which almost certainly wasn't fair on the book. However, it's how a book grabs me, so just 3 stars (an OK read).

Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken **** The author discusses the impact of ultra-processed food, and the ultra-processed industry, on our lives, and it makes for pretty brutal reading in places. Some of it has been in the public domain for some time now, but other elements were new to me. As with any of this sort of book, I'm a little bit wary of the 'answer to all questions' advocacy that so often creeps in, but if even half the message is accurate, it's still a pretty scary scenario - and I've no reason to doubt what he has to say (it certainly ties in with my personal experience, particularly as a teacher). Even though my diet was already fairly low in UPF (ultra-processed foods), I've found myself doing even more to cut them out, even if it means shopping is temporarily taking twice as long as we check out the food labelling! A worthwhile read.

Finished Chris van Tulleken's Ultra-Processed People (4/6 stars) Makes for some grim reading in places. Makes me wonder, having gone on a low carb diet for medical reasons, whether it works because it's low(er) carb, or because it has, almost by default, seen me almost completely (but not quite!) eliminate UPF (Ultra-Processed Food) from my diet.

Potiki by Patricia Grace **** Another in a series of slim volumes that packs a big punch! Initially reading in the rather stiff and repetitive way of of a traditional oral tale, this, as with many world books tackled to date, took a little bit of getting into, but, as with all the others, it wasn't overlong before I found it thoroughly engrossing - this one picked up enormously at the point when the developers start to try and persuade the residents to sell up. Telling the story of how a group of Maori inhabitants of traditionally owned land on the seashore stood their ground against developers trying to establish, by hook or by crook, a major leisure complex*, the novel was an object lesson in culture clash and failure to understand a different point of view - classic post-colonial literature. Modernist in style, this had definite whiffs of Woolf and Mansfield about it, but was oh so different (interesting comparing and contrasting this with Mansfield's 'At The Bay' and, to a lesser extent, elements of Woolf's 'To The Lighthouse'). A book that definitely grew on me. *Later reflected in Grace's own experience resisting the New Zealand government's efforts to compulsorily purchase land she lived on to develop an expressway.

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari ****

Finished Potiki by Patricia Grace, read for one of my book groups, and an additional book for New Zealand in my Read Around the World.

Absolutely - the early chapters focus on just that, and later chapters build on it. There's a fair bit on the deliberate efforts by Facebook etc to make their apps as addictive as possible, and strong criticism of the business model they use (which Hari argues needs to be banned). However, it's not just social media; Hari looks at issues of sleep deprivation, information overload (partly enabled by social media), presenteeism, over-protection of and lack of unstructured play for children....and so it goes on. What I found particularly interesting is how it pulled together so many different themes with which I've worked (as a teacher and sports coach), eg the overstructuring of children's activities, and how that relates to intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. I found it a very powerfully argued book, which explained so much and covered some hugely important issues that urgently need addressing. Well documented too.

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari - an investigation in why we're so seeing so many problems over concentrating, retaining attention and related issues (eg ADHD, children's development etc). Fascinating. 5 stars.

Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih ****** My book for Sudan in my Read Around the World, and prompted to choose it by the war currently being fought there. Review to be added.

Two short novels in quick succession, both excellent: Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto **** (and a contender for book cover of the year) Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih *****, my book for Sudan (no, it's not a coincidence - the war was what prompted me to read this now).