rwemad

I've read 'Watermelon', 'Sushi for Beginners', The Other Side of the Story' and a couple of others I think which I can't recall. They were all much, MUCH funnier and lighter than 'This Charming Man' which I was very disappointed with. I think one of my favourite books from MK was the one full of her articles, can you recall it's name? I wouldn't mind reading it again as that one was fun.

I have them waiting in the wings Mac, and Bad Things too. I have also, amongst many others, acquired a book called Nothing to Lose by Lee Child. I believe this may be one of your favourites too:). I have aquired so many books recently I am banning myself from my favourite on line store for the foreseeable future. I struggled but have finished This charming Man by Marian Keyes, gave it a miserable **. I really didn't like it. I found it a bit of a mismatch; I didn't find it funny at all, quite depressing actually. I think the blurb and the cover were misleading causing me to like it less than I would have done had I been expecting such a shift from her usual stuff. I was looking for light and amusing and I got dark and dismal. Having written the above it is worth mentioning that it did take me a long time to read it which may explain why it appeared so dull and depressing. Shame. I'm going to try The Three Muskateers next for the book club.

The Straw Men by Michael Marshall **** Phew. How on earth did he think of all that? This is a book that I would never have picked up had it not been for this forum... thanks Mac... again. I still think The Straw Men sounds a bit of a daft name for what is a very grown up book but it just proves that the old book and cover thing ..... It's about lots and lots of things but involves a gruesome business venture that has the good guys running around in circles chasing the bad guys. There are two leads who are strangers to each other and the book follows both in their quest to find answers to personal events. This is really well written, I think. The plot is intricate and the characters are complex so I had to concentrate . I was a little unsure at first as it began quite slowly ... but it ended at a breakneck speed... G force 7!!! It is insightful, horrific, disturbing, thought provoking and has a touch of comedy where you would least expect it. The characters were incredibly real... they had egos and foibles like all of us... I liked that. There is surely no such thing as a truly altruistic hero is there? Although Bobby came close now I think about it, but that is maybe as I grew quite a soft spot for him. The writer is not at all greedy and this is a book that does not rely on a few good passages padded out with gunk. Every sentence is in there beause it means something to the plot, character, setting or whatever... they all mean something. This is a great book.

I suppose the bottom line is, should 'Mum' have written a book filled with attempts to justify her self pity and behaviour it may raise a little sympathy until one read about the neglect of the son. I mean, he was a child.... she was the adult, end of. I always feel quite sad to think of children who are constantly reminded about how 'grateful' they should be to parents/guardians for their providing for them. They have little choice but to rely on the adults for such provisions. Basics, in my opinion, include not only the food and shelter but love, advice, guidance, protection and support. This particular mother failed on many levels. She was incapable as a parent and the support network clearly failed also. I know it's OT but I can't help thinking about that little girl (and her poor siblings) who was starved to death by those who cared for her... sick parents by any definition who did not have to beat or burn their kids to be so very very cruel. Sorry... I'm feeling a bit sad today..... thinking too much.

Ahh yes.... Dorothy. I can't begin to think where she fit in.... In fact, I think SHE should have been the one to spot all the misery and sickness and interfered. Wasn't she a vicar's wife? They can't ALL have been bonkers surely. Somebody should have done something. I wonder if I had lived down the road I would have suspected enough was amiss to say or do something. Sadly, I suspect not, we cannot see what goes on behind our neighbours curtains and kids in Augusten's position are not aware how unusual their lives are to shout loud enough to invade our busy lives. A lesson for all of us maybe.

I think his mother, as selfish as she was, may also have been very ill. Many people suffering from severe depression are incapable of caring for themselves let alone a child. She too may have been seeking love and attention from all the wrong places. The problem, for me, was the help she chose. Finch was a complete fruitcake and clearly incompetent as a doctor. Society/the community appeared to be have no safety net in place at all. No neighbour, teacher, health worker, nosy parker down the street, nobody to interfere and offer opportunities to change. Hope was ill too if her starving the cat was anything to go by. Neil turned out to be on a path to self destruction and clearly had problems. Natalie and Augusten, it seems, were the two who were able to share a certain degree of normality with each other. I think should Augusten's Mum, Dad, Finch, Neil, Agnes or Hope write a similar tale regarding those same years, they may well read as equally harrowing.

I agree this book sounds like it would be a lovely read. However, I have to point out that sheep may appear inquisitive but they are, in fact, very, very stupid. I know these things..... I'm Welsh .

The Road by Cormac McCarthy ***** I was warned off this book by a work colleague. He came into my office and saw two books on the desk, neither of which I had started and picked it up and called it a 'a tedious piece of sh1te' so I read the other one and put this back on the shelf where it gathered dust for a short age. It is set in the future when the world has been ravaged by disaster and the few survivors are scrabbling for the last remnants of food and warmth. A father and son are aiming South in the hope of finding.... something... hope maybe, or an easy death. They are having to deal with freezing temperatures, starvation, cruelty, loneliness, terror.... This book, as terrifying and somewhat disturbing that it was, I found humbling. The kid is totally adorable and remains so regardless of what is happening around him. Nature scores a point off nurture for sure. A sad, poignant read with a lesson in there somewhere for each of us. I may well read this again. Gotta go as the final of the apprentice is about to start. I don't watch much tv but heck.... who won't be watching it tonight??

Oh Charm.... I was one of those 'evil' people who couldn't take to 'Dexter in the Dark'. Think about it though...... I gave you a nice surprise!!!!! I'm good for something eh? I'm glad I was able to help you enjoy it even more!!! Seriously I just don't do fantasy very well .... I am trying I have joined the reading circle and August is a proper fantasy book... heaven only knows how I am going to get on, but get on I shall (that's my determined face!).

Ok... Hello everybody:) This is officially my first time taking part in in the reading circle. I have visited and commented before but this time I bought the book specifically to join in here. I voted 'excellent' for this book as I thought it was a very good read. Not enjoyable as such, but excellent none-the-less. I am somewhat ashamed to even suggest that I may have enjoyed it because of it's content. First off, I will never eat Alfalfa sprouts with quite the same enthusiasm again, no matter how 'good' they are for me . As it was a 'true' story, I found some of it shocking/disturbing but parts of it amusing in a sort of 'Billy-Connolly-on-tour' sort of way. I am not entirely convinced that Augusten can look back at it with any amusement or with any fondness, so I felt uncomfortable finding any of it funny. Also I was constantly distracted in thinking about Poo and his well being; he wasn't mentioned for such a long time!! Bless him. Thank goodness for Natalie, without her things would have been even more dire, likewise, I am sure Natalie would have been lost without Augusten. I found it so sad when their friendship was tested. My discomfort with the comic element was justified I think, I found it very sad at the end. The Epilogue saddest of all. Lots to think about. The nature/nurture thing of course but also should we be inspired by this book? I mean he has come good.... and so has Natalie. Of course I don't think I can be alone in thinking that it was written to shock. People do have sexual relationships at a young age and bad language, bad parenting, mental illness, fostering and disfunctional families are, to some extent, almost everywhere. I think a good example (and very funny) was the short sharp description of the fungal infection as described by Natalie. I mean think about it, as shocking as it may read, how did/does the average teenager talk? personally I could do without the 'c' word, I NEVER use that and it is the only word that I voice an objection to when heard in the predominately male place that I work. Glad I read it. I won't be looking out for more of his though. I think there is a danger of over selling one's story and I am not sure why, but I can't really empathise or sympathise with him, he always sems to be Ok. Perhaps that's just me though.

and me:)

I've put these on my wish list.... they look good

Ahhhh. I'm wondering if had I read the others first I may have been a little more ummmm forgiving (wrong word I know but it's late and I've had some wine:tong:) to the quirky bits. I did enjoy the 'normal bits'. I'm thinking of looking in the library for the others. My pile is so BIG though..........

Remains of he Day by Kazuo Ishiguro***** This book is truly amazing. It is the third book from Ishiguro I have read and it is also my favourite. In fact I think this is going to have to be noted as one of my favourite books of all time and I will definitely read it again. Probably many times. Written in the first person, Stevens is an English butler with an innate need to be a 'great' butler and demonstrate a 'dignity' that only an Englishman could possibly have. He has unwavering loyalty and pride in his position, so much so, that he defends some quite shocking behaviour in his former employer, the deceased Lord Darlington, and convinces himself that any unpleasantness was all carried out with the best of intentions; as a butler merely carrying out his duties, he feels totally exonerated. So devoted is he that he has restricted his 'self' to the extreme and he appears to fail to recognise any emotions. He doesn't allow himself to grieve, love, hate, get angry...... he is surprised when strange 'feelings' come over him or words escape from his mouth which he really can't explain. Some passages are really very funny but as a book it is a tragic love story. The writing is 'proper gentleman's Engish' but simple, understated and smooth. Stevens is such a complex, fascinating, pompous, ignorant, repressed.......... but likeable character; we get to know him almost intimately... brilliant stuff. It is totally absorbing. Lots and lots and lots to this book. Can I give it 6******? I loved it. My sort of book. Edit- I read this during the very hot spell. I lie in a shady spot of the garden on a comfy lounger and the air was still, heavy and warm; it wrapped me up all cosy. The only sounds were from the small waterfall in the garden pond, the ocasional chirruppy bird, a distant sheep and the odd contented sigh from the dog lying at my side. Should there really be a heaven then I think it won't be so different from my back garden with an unlimited supply of books written by Kazuo Ishiguro to hand....... and maybe some chocolate, beer and vodka . I am now reading Running with Scissors so I can join in over at the reading circle. The Three Muskateers looks scary.... not my sort of book at all .

ALL my favourite people are animal people. I guessed you would be Mac

I liked it. I thought it was really good. I liked Oaksey, his wife was very odd, but Oaksey was OK.

Marley & Me by John Grogan *** First off, let me make it absolutely clear I am a big animal person. In fact I would go so far as to say I prefer animals to people . In particular I am a dog person. I love dogs. This book was OK. The sad bit had me in tears as, well... it was very, very sad. The rest of it though, dare I suggest was a little ummmmm ordinary? I mean, the dog was clearly very special to the family as it was their dog but it just did normal doggy stuff and they were a normal, ordinary, average family. To be honest even the sad bit was only sad as it made me consider how awful it's going to be when it is time to cope with my own dog's departure. (Let me put it on record MY dog is the best ever and the most good natured, loyal, friendly, funny doggy companion in the universe ). Books that cover the death of a pet always make me think 'why do I keep putting myself through it?'. I haven't seen the film but whereas I normally think the film could never be as good as the book, on this occasion, I think the funny bits may actually be funny if the dog and director were good etc. I didn't laugh at the book at all, perhaps the writing failed to involve me as much as it should have done, I don't know. It's a pleasant enough read; I think I had too high an expectation of it though. Should you want an easy, non exciting, pick-up-put-down book about a young family with dog.... this is the book for you.

I'm all good thank you Mac. Read 'Dance, Dance, Dance'...... that snow . And yes, I really liked 'The Intruders' I am looking forward to reading the 4 others I have lined up. I am trying to alternate the authors but I sometimes get stuck in a groove .

After the Quake by Haruki Murakami***** I just knew I would love any short story written by Murakami. I mean, how could I not? These are 6 stories set in various locations following the devastating earthquake in Kobe, remember it? Brilliant stuff. Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami**** This is the sequel to 'Sheep Chase'. Our totally adorable and very ordinary hero continues his awareness of the/a parallel world and finds himself 'connected' to some amazing characters. It has a touch of thriller about it and is funny and bizarre and profound and surreal..... This book is more about the various characters than the beautiful and scenic descriptions we read within the 'Sheep Chase', I think. Some of them may be quite odd but surprisingly likeable. Again I find the writing simple but the style is so unique I really don't think I can compare him to anything else. However, I think this one was a little long and some of the attempts to tie up any loose ends were a little too off-the-wall for me. A very bad thing about reading such good books as these is that it makes me all too aware that I could never hope to write a best selling novel. I think I have an awful lot to learn . I am going to join the book reading circles. Meanwhile I shall just keep shovelling the snow. 'Marley and Me' next.

The Life You Longed For by Maribeth Fischer*** This book was very difficult to '*' but I am at a loss as to explain why. There is no real spoilers to offer, it is what it is. Grace is a married Mom of three, Jack, her youngest son, has been diagnosed with a terminal condition. The story is about how she copes in the months prior to, and immediately after, his death. In the final weeks of his life her son is put in the care of the state as 'someone' has reported she may be suffering from Munchausen syndrome by proxy. The deciding factor to nail her as fitting the profile of a MSBP Mom, is that she is having an affair with an old flame. The reader knows this from the very beginning, unlike her husband who only finds out when he too is prevented from removing his son from hospital. So, the last two weeks of her son's life she only has limited, supervised access, but she does make it to him at the very end. It all sounds so dreadfully sad. So why wasn't I reading it whilst sobbing uncontrollably? I just don't know. I think perhaps I wanted to focus on Jack more and a little less on Grace. In other words I wanted the story to be about Jack but, it's not my book and the writer wanted a story about a Mom and that's that. A plus point: this book must have been researched really well, at least I hope it was. Grace is an academic scientist with a masters degree and there are lots of facts, some of them very random and pointless, about all science disciplines throughout the book which, for me, became a little pointless and tiresome; as are the constant references to birds. But again, it is a sign of how Grace copes and the book is all about Grace coping, clinically and outwardly coldly it would seem. Another reason for them to suspect her I suppose. I know, her son is dying/died, so why can't I be thinking 'poor Grace, poor Grace'? I am of course, but I am thinking more 'poor Jack, poor husband, siblings etc'. I am not sure if I didn't just fail to appreciate the horror of it all sufficiently but part of me was thinking that children do not get removed so easilly... do they? A strange one. It should have been heartbreaking and I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't find it so. I would be interested to know what other readers make of it, particularly those working in paediatrics. I'm glad I read it though.