ian Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 A Breath of French Air by H.E.Bates 'I should like to go to France,' said Ma. 'God Almighty,' Pop said. 'What for?' 'For a holiday of course,' Ma said. 'I think it would do us all good to get some sun.' And so at the end of a rainy English August the Larkins - all ten of them, including little Oscar, the family's new addition - bundle into the old Rolls and cross the Channel to escape the hostile elements. But far from being the balmy, sunny and perfick spot Ma Larkin hoped for, France proves less than welcoming to an eccentric English family. The tea's weak, the furniture breakable and the hotel manager is almost as hostile as the wind and the rain they've brought with them! And when the manager learns that Ma and Pop are unmarried yet sharing a room under his roof, the trouble really begins . My Thoughts To be honest, I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. The french characters are all pretty much represented as negative sterotypes. I'll make allowances for the time it was written, but I couldn't help but be slightly irritated by it. That aside, again, that wonderful use of language transports you from wherever you are to a French seaside town. 3/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 For a complete change of pace, I'm reading all five "Pop Larkin" novels by H.E Bates. I picked these up as an anthology in a charity shop for £1.59. I'd actually picked them up for my mother-in-law, who was after something to read, but she wasn't particularly interested, so I took it home myself. I've read the first two (The Darling Buds of May & A Breath of French Air) before, after being told about them by my dad at the time that the TV series came out. I've read them all in the last year, so I shall be interested to hear your views when you've finished them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 When the Green Woods Laugh by H.E.Bates 'There!' Pop said. 'There's the house. There's Gore Court for you. What about that, eh? How's that strike you? Better than St Paul's, ain't it, better than St Paul's?' And so Pop Larkin - junk-dealer, family man and Dragon's Blood connoisseur - manages to sell the nearby crumbling, tumbling country home to city dwellers Mr and Mrs Jerebohm for a pretty bundle of notes. Now he can build his daughter Mariette the pool she's long been nagging him for. But the Larkin's new neighbours aren't quite so accepting of country ways - especially Pop's little eccentricities. In fact, it's not long before a wobbly boat, a misplaced pair of hands and Mrs Jerebohm's behind have Pop up before a magistrate. My Thoughts This one was much more enjoyable than the last. Again, the plot, for me, was secondary to the descriptions of care-free summer country living. Simply wonderful. 4/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 Oh! to be in England by H.E.Bates. 'Christening? We never said nothing about no christening, Ma, did we?' And so with the appearance of a letter announcing the imminent arrival of Madame Dupont, Pop and Ma Larkin learn that little Oscar and Blenheim - Charley and Mariette's new boy - are to be christened. In fact, once Mr Candy - who will be officiating (much to raven-haired Primrose's delight) - learns that Pop and Ma have neglected the entire Larkin brood, the whole family seems set for a dunking! Pop, who needs no excuse to open a few bottles of Dragon's Blood and host the perfick party, rushes out and buys a fun fair to celebrate. But there are one or two gatecrashers even Pop hadn't counted on turning up My Thoughts On the face of it, this is an enjoyable read. There is much joy in the simple pleasures of life; lots of eating and drinking and a fair ammount of laciviousness. Pop takes a great deal of pleasure in the (ahem) talents of Ma, Angela Snow and well, just about every other female he sets eye's on. His daughter Primrose meanwhile, sets her sights on the vicar, Mr Candy. And there is the problem, for me. Yes, it is, when compared to stuff written today, pretty tame stuff. It's not meant to be taken seriously. But Primrose, in the book, is 14. I'm not suggesting that there is anything untoward in this book, but reading some parts of this did make me unconfortable. 3/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I quite disliked When the Green Woods Laugh, Ian. Like your discomfort at Primrose's portrayal in Oh! to be in England, I found bits of it quite distasteful, especially Angela Snow's comment about rape . whilst my brain can rationalise that they are 'of their time' it did make rather uncomfortable reading at times. None of them quite lived up to The Darling Buds of May for me. I shall be interested to read your thoughts about the last one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 Yes, I found that particular comment quite shocking. A pity, as take out that one line, and I really really enjoyed the book. I wonder if there was any backlash against that comment at the time. I suppose all we can do is be glad that we have all moved on a bit since them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willoyd Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 (edited) And there is the problem, for me. Yes, it is, when compared to stuff written today, pretty tame stuff. It's not meant to be taken seriously. But Primrose, in the book, is 14. I'm not suggesting that there is anything untoward in this book, but reading some parts of this did make me unconfortable. 3/5 As you suggest, sign of the times: we are relatively unusual in the way we have extended childhood as late as we have, and pushed 'adult' matters further back. My great x 6 (?) grandmother was 13 when she married near the start of the 19th century, and a widow before she was 15. But, then, life expectancy was less than half what it is today. Edited March 8, 2015 by willoyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 That's true. Strange to say, I've read all the Game of Thrones books, and didn't bat an eyelid. I suppose that was fantasy; this seems much closer to reality. Anyway, I've just finished the final book A little of what you fancy by H.E.Bates ‘Teetotal!’ Ma said. ‘It’s a libel. He’ll never live it down. He’ll never be able to hold his head up again. Whatever will people think? What’s he going to say when anybody asks him to have one?’ ‘ “No,” ‘ said Dr Conner. ‘You’ll have to strap him down,’ Ma said. ‘You’ll have to put the handcuffs on.’ And so after a mild heart-attack – caused by rather too much of what you fancy – Pop Larkin finds himself off the booze, off the good food and off the good life generally, much to his own and everyone’s else’s horror and upset. And while Ma tries to find ways around ‘doctor’s orders’, young Primrose is finding her own way round a rather flustered – not to say flushed – Mr Candy … My Thoughts This one didn't have anything so controversial (for me anyway), so I was able to enjoy it a little more. A little personal detail - this book was written the year I was born, and part of the plot centres around the building of a road through where they live to join up to the (then) proposed Channel Tunnel. One of the characters quips something like " we won't have to worry about that till about 1990" . Well, he wasn't far wrong! 4/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 As I've said before, I've read the first two, and I definitely intend to read the rest, but I've enjoyed reading your thoughts on the series, Ian. Glad you enjoyed them on the whole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 I've gone for another abrupt change of direction with my next book. I have an excuse. My brother (who reads about 4 books a year) gave me this after finishing it, and now he keeps asking me about it, so I shall have to read it! It's The dark charisma of Adolf Hitler by Laurence Lees. I don't read an awful lot of non-fiction, so I may be some time over this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 It has mixed reviews but I hope you enjoy it. You could always watch the DVD instead if it gets too much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler by Laurence Rees Adolf Hitler was an unlikely leader - fuelled by hate, incapable of forming normal human relationships, unwilling to debate political issues - and yet he commanded enormous support. So how was it possible that Hitler became such an attractive figure to millions of people? That is the important question at the core of Laurence Rees' new book. The Holocaust, the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, the outbreak of World War 2 - all these cataclysmic events and more can be laid at Hitler's door. Hitler was a war criminal arguably without precedent in the history of the world. Yet, as many who knew him confirm, Hitler was still able to exert a powerful influence over the people who encountered him. My Thoughts This was at times a very difficult book to read. The subject matter itself is, of course, partly responsible for that. But I did sometimes feel overwhelmed with names and dates and meetings that Hitler had. It was the last third of the book that I enjoyed the most; probably as this covered the war years, which, by their very nature, are events that I am far more familiar with, so was able to understand more readily. The writer uses a lot of first-hand accounts to illustrate his points: diary entries or interviews after (sometimes long after) the events. It was these first hand accounts that really brought the book to life for me. There was an interview with a woman who had been caught up in the siege of Stalingrad as a 15 year old. Her account of the effects of starvation on her and her family are something that will live with me forever. 4/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 The Casual Vacancy by J.K.Rowling. When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock. Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty facade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils... Pagford is not what it first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations? My Thoughts I first picked up this book about a year ago. I had a idle 20 mins waiting at my mother-in law's house about a year ago, and picked this up and read the first couple of chapters. I was bewildered by the characters, and couldn't get them straight in my head, but was determined to go back and finish it. Then I watched the TV adaptation, and so I was reminded to pick it up again (99p in a charity shop). I'm glad that I saw the TV version before I read it, it helped me to keep the many characters straight in my head. And, as it turned out, it didn't spoil it for me - the book is sufficiently different from the TV version. I can see why people hate the book. I can espeically see why the Daily Mail hates this book. I loved it. Rowling has a talent for writing characters that are complex in their motives and their actions. It's hard to pick out one character in this that you can like (Andrew Price?, Gaia? Krystal?) and equally hard to pick the one you hate the most (Shirley? Fats? Gavin?). In the end, you are carried along by some sympathy for some of them, dislike of others, and frustration with most that they can't see what's in front of their noses. The end, when it comes, is devastating - I had to put the book down at one point for the rest of the day, and finish it the next instead. It's funny, in my review of The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists, I said I would have preferred more story and less direct political theory. I think this book is exactly that. Which is why a lot of people will hate it, and why I loved it. 5/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Wait, there is a character called Gaia in this book...?! Why did no one ever tell me . I'm so glad you liked the book, I own it but I haven't read it yet. Great review ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 Wait, there is a character called Gaia in this book...?! Why did no one ever tell me . I'm so glad you liked the book, I own it but I haven't read it yet. Great review ! Thank you, Gaia - and you'll be happy to know that particular character is one of the nicer ones in the book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Thank you, Gaia - and you'll be happy to know that particular character is one of the nicer ones in the book! Definitely ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Huh. I've never heard such a positive reaction to that book, so I've never picked it up. I might now, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Huh. I've never heard such a positive reaction to that book, so I've never picked it up. I might now, though. I think it's a "Marmite" book - you either hate it or love it! I'm now currently reading "Room" by Emma Donoghue - something that was recommended to me by a friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I'm now currently reading "Room" by Emma Donoghue - something that was recommended to me by a friend. I have this book on my TBR, I hope you enjoy it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Room by Emma Donoghue Jack is five. He lives with his Ma. They live in a single, locked room. They don't have the key. Jack and Ma are prisoners. My Thoughts It's difficult to try and review this without giving anything away, which I don't want to do. Here goes... The whole book is seen through the eyes of Jack. He has spent the whole of his life locked in Room. It is literally his whole world, and everything that happens Outside is a different planet, or not even real. The use of language here is fantastic - you really do believe that you are listening to a five year old describe things he doesn't understand. At times almost too realistic, there were points in the book when I (like the adult characters in the book) got very frustrated with Jack. As a result, there were times when I would have liked a break from Jack, and perhaps have spent time in the head of someone else. It's because of that that I dropped a point on my mark. Ultimately though, this book is very well written and presents a difficult subject in a different way. I certainly want to read more from this author. 4/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I'm glad you liked this book . Great review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Glad you enjoyed Room, it's a very good book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted April 6, 2015 Author Share Posted April 6, 2015 The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar. Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train… My Thoughts. I'll be honest - I almost gave on on this book several times. I found the story line in the first half to be very slow and the characters were wither smug and irritating (Scott & Tom) and the women to be needy & irritating (Rachel, Anna & Megan). I mean, one of the women in the book, after suffering a torrent of verbal abuse from her husband who then goes off in a strop to work, sits there for the rest of the day contemplating cooking him his favourite meal and dressing up in the lingerie he bought for her birthday so she can "make it up to him". I mean really?! Once it gets there, in the second half of the book, it is better. I still don't think it's great, but I will make allowances as this is a first book, and I do feel guilty slagging off first time writers. On the plus side, I think the writing of Rachel as a hopeless, out of control drunk is the best I've ever seen outside of a Stephen King novel. That part of her character, at least, is wholly believable. As is the sense of claustrophobia in the second half. So, not great, but I would read more from Paula Hawkins 3/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 Sorry you didn't enjoy it as much as some of the rest of it, but for a book that's going viral in the book world, it actually gets a lot of mixed reviews, and a lot of complaints about the ending. I agree that the writing of Rachel was fantastic and easily the high point of the novel for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 I quite liked the ending, I thought it was saitisfyingly ambiguous particularly Anna's parting words to Rachael. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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