Birthday Stories by Haruki Murakami ~ Started: 22.03.11 ~ Finished: 24.03.11
Synopsis ~
In this enviable gathering, Haruki Murakami has chosen for his party some of the very best short story writers of recent years, each with their own birthday experiences, each story a snapshot of life on a single day. Including stories by Russell Banks, Ethan Canin, Raymond Carver, David Foster Wallace, Denis Johnson, Claire Keegan, Andrea Lee, Daniel Lyons, Lynda Sexson, Paul Theroux, William Trevor and Haruki Murakami, this anthology captures a range of emotions evoked by advancing age and the passing of time, from events fondly recalled to the impact of appalling tragedy. Previously published in a Japanese translation by Haruki Murakami, this English edition contains a specially written introduction.
The Story ~
A selection of 13 short stories (chosen and including one by the man himself, Haruki Murakami) which covers the subject of a day none of us forget ~ birthdays. Stories by various authors, Russell Banks, Denis Johnson, William Trevor, Daniel Lyons, Lynda Sexson, David Foster Wallace, Ethan Canin, Andrea Lee, Raymond Carver, Paul Theroux, Claire Keegan and Lewis Robinson. All very different stories about birthdays, a day than can mean different things to different people.
What I thought of 'Birthday Stories' ~
'Birthday Stories' is an interesting collection of stories, some that I enjoyed and some that I did not enjoy, my favourite stories were 'Turning' by Lynda Sexson, the story of a young boy being told a story by his three elderly ladies, a different kind of story to tell a young man but there was a message behind it which I really liked. 'Angel of Mercy, Angel of Wrath', the story of Eleanor Black who on her 71st birthday has crows flying into her apartment, which initially frightens up but leads to something that changes her outlook on life, 'The Bath' by Raymond Carver, was the sad tale of a young boy called Scotty who slips into a coma on his birthday, and how is parents wait for him to wake, 'Birthday Girl' by Haruki Murakami, which I read before and always liked, a story of a girl on her twentieth birthday, who is given the opportunity of a wish on her birthday, I love this quote from the story ~ 'No matter what they wish for, no matter how far they go, people can never be anything but themselves ~ that's all.'
The introduction by Haruki Murakami is great to read too, what can I say, I love that man's words.
The only downside of for me was the stories I did not really 'get' but I am glad I read them and the stories I enjoyed, have introduced me to authors I will be looking out for.
Rating ~ 8/10
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The Last Family in England by Matt Haig ~ Started: 24.03.11 ~ Finished: 28.03.11
Synopsis ~
Meet the Hunter family: Adam, Kate, and their children Hal and Charlotte. And Prince, their black Labrador. Prince is an earnest young dog, striving hard to live up to the tenets of the Labrador Pact (Remain Loyal to Your Human Masters, Serve and Protect Your Family at Any Cost). Other dogs, led by the Springer Spaniels, have revolted. Their slogans are 'Dogs for Dogs, not for Humans' and 'Pleasure not Duty'. Mentored by an elderly Labrador called Henry, Prince takes his responsibilities seriously, and as things in the Hunter family begin to go badly awry - marital breakdown, rowdy teenage parties, attempted suicide - his responsibilities threaten to overwhelm him. And down in the park it's even worse: Henry has disappeared; Falstaff the Springer Spaniel wants to lead Prince astray; Joyce the Irish wolfhound has been murdered. In the end Prince is forced to break the Labrador Pact and take desperate action to save his Family.
The Story ~
'The Last Family in England' is the story of Prince, a black Labrador, full of love and protective of his family, The Hunters. Prince, like most Labradors believe in The Labrador Pact and live by the motto, 'Duty Over All'. Following the Springer Spaniel uprising, the pact is solely carried by the Labradors, much to the confusion of other dog breeds (and cats), they find dogs like Prince and his mentor, Henry, an older golden Labrador a joke, they believe that dogs should protect themselves, that humans do not deserve protection from their pets.
Prince's family life is disrupted by the arrival of a face from the past, a friend of Prince's master, Adam, Prince can see him for what he is, he wants to destroy Prince's family and its Prince's job to stop him and protect his family.
What I thought of 'The Last Family in England' ~
Its been five years since I read 'The Last Family in England' and it made the same impact now as it did then, based on Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1 with the protagonists as dogs, which I enjoyed reading. Prince is such a devoted and loving dog and he is confused about the Labrador Pact because he is questioning its motives, he has the best of intentions, which is to protect his family, and as hard as he tries, he has successes and makes mistakes, which was sad to read because you want Prince to succeed.
A book narrated by a dog may sound strange but it works effectively, you cannot help but like Prince and his devotion to his family, a great read but with sad parts and if you have a soft spot for animals like I have, it may upset you (it upset me).
I am a big fan of Matt Haig, he has a wonderful gift of showing the different sides of people (and animals), if you get the chance, read the rest of his books.
Recommended.
Rating ~ 8/10