Forgot to mention how good the blog is looking. Very interesting to read your reviews.
Marie
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Book topics listed for April to July
Hi everyone,
Just letting you know I have added the topics for the next few months to the "Third Thursday Book Club" page in case anyone wants to see what is coming up.
All the best,
Marie
Just letting you know I have added the topics for the next few months to the "Third Thursday Book Club" page in case anyone wants to see what is coming up.
All the best,
Marie
Thursday, February 28, 2013
February: True Crime ( Australian)
The topic for our reading this month is 'True Crime' and this was suggested by our 'Crime Queen', Joan.
Sheila: Portrait of a Killer by Patricia Cornwall
Sheila 's first comment was that Cornwall is a beautiful writer who in this book comes to a conclusion as to the identity of Jack the Ripper. She used a modern setting and investigative tools available to present day detectives. But as the book went on, it became too graphic and so Sheila didn't finish it.
Pamela: City of Shadows Sydney Police Photographs 1912-1948 by Peter Doyle
Pamela doesn't like true crime and so she read something else.
In the 1980s an enormous collection of police photos were rescued from a flooded warehouse, but unfortunately the written details were lost. The photographs were eventually given to the Justice and Police Museum and in 2005 a selection were published in this book. They include murderers, petty criminals, fraudsters and accident scenes. They are nothing like the current 'mug shots' and give an insight into the seedier side of Sydney in the early part of the 20th century.
The book is only available from the Historic Houses Trust (or Pamela).
Wendy & Connie: Mad Dog by Peter Corris
William Cyril ‘Mad Dog’ Moxley was hanged at Long Bay Gaol in 1932 for the murder of Frank Barnaby Wilkinson and the rape and murder of Dorothy Ruth Denzel.
Peter Corris has set out to try to understand, did he intend to commit murder? The book gives a good insight into the depression, the poverty and society in the aftermath of the war.
Wendy thought he was bad but not a murderer. Today he would not have been found guilty on the grounds of insanity. It was well written and included descriptions of the brutal murders.
Connie is another member who doesn't like true crime. She prefers a mystery where she can try to work out 'who did it' and not already know the ending. She also doesn't want to know the awful things that real people do to each other.
In this book, she enjoyed the photographs showing the background of what Sydney was like at the time. She thought the detective work was pathetic, and so many of those involved from police to prosecutors were incompetent.The trial and the execution happened within a few months then his council just walked away.
Joan: Fatal Flaw by Roger Maynard
On Easter Sunday 2002, the body of Janelle Paton was found wrapped in black plastic hidden near a waterfall on the far side of the Norfolk Island. This was the first murder in the 150 year history of the island and so all of the 1500 inhabitants were a suspect.
Roger Maynard is a well respected English writer who followed through the whole process from the finding of the body to 4 years later when a man was finally brought to trial. It was a unique case because the whole island was fingerprinted, many of the islanders are descendants of the Bounty and a hierarchical social structure existed. Islanders denied there was a conspiracy of silence, but few would talk on the record and there was evidence of a drug subculture.
The arrested man was eventually convicted and is currently serving his sentence in Lithgow Jail.
Kris: The Innocent Man by John Grisham
This is the author's first nonfiction book, a true tale about murder and injustice in a small town. The Innocent Man chronicles the story of Ron Williamson, how he was arrested and charged with a crime he did not commit, how his case was (mis)handled and how an innocent man was sent to death row.
Innocent until proven guilty does not seem to apply in this case.
While Kris has not had time to read the entire book, she always like to finish those she has started.
Kate:
Kate has been away for several meetings and so had not read anything on the topic. The current television show of The Paradise, based on Emile Zola's book, has encouraged her to now read other titles by this author.
Jewels: Watching the Detectives; One woman's Journey Through Sydney's Underworld by Deborah Lockier
Deborah Lockier had always wanted to join the police force but it wasn't long after she graduated that she encountered police corruption, bribery, substance abuse and sexual harassment. Having worked her way up to Senior Constable she decided to blow the whistle on her colleagues. This came at a terrible cost to both her professional and family life.
Jewels found it a riveting story, couldn't put it down and found it difficult to believe what had happened to this woman. A truly inspiring story!
Judy: Tamum Shud The Somerton Man Mystery by Kerry Greenwood
On December 1st 1948 a body of a man was found on Somerton Beach (South Australia). There was no obvious sign if death, no identification or identifying marks. Despite extensive searches and investigations both within Australia and involving police forces around the world, the man has never been identified and no cause of death has been established.
The title Tamum Shud, comes from a scrap of paper found in his fob pocket. It was later established that it had been torn from of books of poems by Omar Khayyam. When the book was eventually located, it also contained a 5 line code which has proved to be unsolvable.
The details of this case are enthrallingly retold by the author, but other sections of the book are not so engaging. Efforts to explain who the man was, why he was killed/on the beach, the meaning of the code etc all become a little tedious and incredulous. She concludes the book with Miss Phryne Fisher solving the mystery....of course!
Maree: Blood Vows by Helen Cummings
It was the summer of 1976 when Helen Cummings found the courage to leave her violent husband, take the children, pack the car and head for a new life.
Her husband, Stuart Wynter, was a respected doctor but in the privacy of his home he was a tyrant. His tirades, physical abuse, need for absolute obedience and a growing interest in guns finally compelled her to escape. Eight years later, his second wife and their child were not so lucky. He killed them both and then himself.
Through out the book the author continually blamed her husband's mood swings on her own insecurities. She protected him because of his career and because she wouldn't be believed.
Now Ms Cummings wonders whether she would leave that marriage today given the Family Law Act's emphasis on children maintaining a ''meaningful relationship'' with both parents. She thinks she would probably stay rather than leave her two children alone with their father in some shared care arrangement the court might order.
Leslie: Australian Serial Killers by Paul B Kidd
These are the true stories of Australia's most notorious killers. To be recognised as a serial killer a person has to kill 3 or more over a period of days whereas a mass killer has killed many!
Some of Leslie's comments:
*they are terrible stories and she couldn't understand how people can do such terrible things to each other
*there are different triggers - a deep physiological issue, a desire to kill someone etc
*many have led terrible lives
*many of the killings are random
*the amount of bungling and corruption within the police force was frightening
*in the early days there were no victim rights
*police technology is so much better now
*women were just as nasty and cruel
Anne: The End of Innocence by Estelle Blackburn
During the late 1950s and early 1960s Eric Edgar Cooke commited over 20 violent crimes in Perth, including murder, assaults, break-ins etc. Before he was hung, he confessed to 2 other murders for which he was never convicted. Two other young men had already been convicted and imprisoned for these crimes.
The author is a journalist who spent many years in the 1990s investigating these cases, eventually convincing the attorney-general that they should be reopened.
In 2005 their 1961 convictions were squashed, 40 years after the men had first been arrested.
These years were not a good time for the Western Australian police!
Jo: Shadow of Shame: How the Mafia Got Away with the Murder of Donald MacKay by Bob Bottom
This book tells of the corruption and the influence of the Mafia and in particular Bob Trimbole in the drug trade around the Griffith area and eventually the murder of Donald MacKay in 1977. The Mafia even tried to implicate his wife by accusing her of having an affair.
The author suggests that the body of the anti-drugs campaigner was dumped in the Murray River following his murder. It has never been found.
Dianne: Murderous Women
This book is set in England and is written by an ex-cop but in Dianne's opinion it is like reading a cop's note book. She found it itemized and bitty, reading only some off it because she couldn't get into it. She wouldn't recommend it.
Margaret: Bondi Badlands by Greg Callaghan
In the 1980s, 4 gay men were attacked on the path along the cliffs from Bondi to Tamarama. The initial investigation concluded their deaths were accidental and that vital evidence had been lost. In the 1990s these crimes were re-investigated and it was found that there were 3 gangs operating in the area. Unfortunately there was insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone.
Margaret commented that that this tied in with a recent edition of Australian Story and a similar case on the northern beaches of Sydney. Here a suicide verdict has been overturned, allowing the case to be re-opened, and the government has offered a large reward for information.
Rosemary: Suddenly One Sunday The Story of the Port Arthur Tragedy Based on Eyewitness Accounts by Mike Bingham
The Port Arthur tragedy happened in 1996 and this book was written soon after.
Rosemary found it interesting to read about Martin Bryant's childhood. He had a low IQ with learning difficulties and was possibly autistic. The circumstances of the death of a woman he befriended and his father, were suspicious but the evidence inconclusive. He had a dreadful childhood with an ineffective mother.
It seems he had been thinking about the murders for 4-12 weeks beforehand as the first few people he shot were targeted. The rest of the shootings were at random or people who rushed to the area thinking it was an historical re-enactment.
Sheila: Portrait of a Killer by Patricia Cornwall
Sheila 's first comment was that Cornwall is a beautiful writer who in this book comes to a conclusion as to the identity of Jack the Ripper. She used a modern setting and investigative tools available to present day detectives. But as the book went on, it became too graphic and so Sheila didn't finish it.
Pamela: City of Shadows Sydney Police Photographs 1912-1948 by Peter Doyle
Pamela doesn't like true crime and so she read something else.
In the 1980s an enormous collection of police photos were rescued from a flooded warehouse, but unfortunately the written details were lost. The photographs were eventually given to the Justice and Police Museum and in 2005 a selection were published in this book. They include murderers, petty criminals, fraudsters and accident scenes. They are nothing like the current 'mug shots' and give an insight into the seedier side of Sydney in the early part of the 20th century.
The book is only available from the Historic Houses Trust (or Pamela).
Wendy & Connie: Mad Dog by Peter Corris
William Cyril ‘Mad Dog’ Moxley was hanged at Long Bay Gaol in 1932 for the murder of Frank Barnaby Wilkinson and the rape and murder of Dorothy Ruth Denzel.
Peter Corris has set out to try to understand, did he intend to commit murder? The book gives a good insight into the depression, the poverty and society in the aftermath of the war.
Wendy thought he was bad but not a murderer. Today he would not have been found guilty on the grounds of insanity. It was well written and included descriptions of the brutal murders.
Connie is another member who doesn't like true crime. She prefers a mystery where she can try to work out 'who did it' and not already know the ending. She also doesn't want to know the awful things that real people do to each other.
In this book, she enjoyed the photographs showing the background of what Sydney was like at the time. She thought the detective work was pathetic, and so many of those involved from police to prosecutors were incompetent.The trial and the execution happened within a few months then his council just walked away.
Joan: Fatal Flaw by Roger Maynard
On Easter Sunday 2002, the body of Janelle Paton was found wrapped in black plastic hidden near a waterfall on the far side of the Norfolk Island. This was the first murder in the 150 year history of the island and so all of the 1500 inhabitants were a suspect.
Roger Maynard is a well respected English writer who followed through the whole process from the finding of the body to 4 years later when a man was finally brought to trial. It was a unique case because the whole island was fingerprinted, many of the islanders are descendants of the Bounty and a hierarchical social structure existed. Islanders denied there was a conspiracy of silence, but few would talk on the record and there was evidence of a drug subculture.
The arrested man was eventually convicted and is currently serving his sentence in Lithgow Jail.
Kris: The Innocent Man by John Grisham
This is the author's first nonfiction book, a true tale about murder and injustice in a small town. The Innocent Man chronicles the story of Ron Williamson, how he was arrested and charged with a crime he did not commit, how his case was (mis)handled and how an innocent man was sent to death row.
Innocent until proven guilty does not seem to apply in this case.
While Kris has not had time to read the entire book, she always like to finish those she has started.
Kate:
Kate has been away for several meetings and so had not read anything on the topic. The current television show of The Paradise, based on Emile Zola's book, has encouraged her to now read other titles by this author.
Jewels: Watching the Detectives; One woman's Journey Through Sydney's Underworld by Deborah Lockier
Deborah Lockier had always wanted to join the police force but it wasn't long after she graduated that she encountered police corruption, bribery, substance abuse and sexual harassment. Having worked her way up to Senior Constable she decided to blow the whistle on her colleagues. This came at a terrible cost to both her professional and family life.
Jewels found it a riveting story, couldn't put it down and found it difficult to believe what had happened to this woman. A truly inspiring story!
Judy: Tamum Shud The Somerton Man Mystery by Kerry Greenwood
On December 1st 1948 a body of a man was found on Somerton Beach (South Australia). There was no obvious sign if death, no identification or identifying marks. Despite extensive searches and investigations both within Australia and involving police forces around the world, the man has never been identified and no cause of death has been established.
The title Tamum Shud, comes from a scrap of paper found in his fob pocket. It was later established that it had been torn from of books of poems by Omar Khayyam. When the book was eventually located, it also contained a 5 line code which has proved to be unsolvable.
The details of this case are enthrallingly retold by the author, but other sections of the book are not so engaging. Efforts to explain who the man was, why he was killed/on the beach, the meaning of the code etc all become a little tedious and incredulous. She concludes the book with Miss Phryne Fisher solving the mystery....of course!
Maree: Blood Vows by Helen Cummings
It was the summer of 1976 when Helen Cummings found the courage to leave her violent husband, take the children, pack the car and head for a new life.
Her husband, Stuart Wynter, was a respected doctor but in the privacy of his home he was a tyrant. His tirades, physical abuse, need for absolute obedience and a growing interest in guns finally compelled her to escape. Eight years later, his second wife and their child were not so lucky. He killed them both and then himself.
Through out the book the author continually blamed her husband's mood swings on her own insecurities. She protected him because of his career and because she wouldn't be believed.
Now Ms Cummings wonders whether she would leave that marriage today given the Family Law Act's emphasis on children maintaining a ''meaningful relationship'' with both parents. She thinks she would probably stay rather than leave her two children alone with their father in some shared care arrangement the court might order.
Leslie: Australian Serial Killers by Paul B Kidd
These are the true stories of Australia's most notorious killers. To be recognised as a serial killer a person has to kill 3 or more over a period of days whereas a mass killer has killed many!
Some of Leslie's comments:
*they are terrible stories and she couldn't understand how people can do such terrible things to each other
*there are different triggers - a deep physiological issue, a desire to kill someone etc
*many have led terrible lives
*many of the killings are random
*the amount of bungling and corruption within the police force was frightening
*in the early days there were no victim rights
*police technology is so much better now
*women were just as nasty and cruel
Anne: The End of Innocence by Estelle Blackburn
During the late 1950s and early 1960s Eric Edgar Cooke commited over 20 violent crimes in Perth, including murder, assaults, break-ins etc. Before he was hung, he confessed to 2 other murders for which he was never convicted. Two other young men had already been convicted and imprisoned for these crimes.
The author is a journalist who spent many years in the 1990s investigating these cases, eventually convincing the attorney-general that they should be reopened.
In 2005 their 1961 convictions were squashed, 40 years after the men had first been arrested.
These years were not a good time for the Western Australian police!
Jo: Shadow of Shame: How the Mafia Got Away with the Murder of Donald MacKay by Bob Bottom
This book tells of the corruption and the influence of the Mafia and in particular Bob Trimbole in the drug trade around the Griffith area and eventually the murder of Donald MacKay in 1977. The Mafia even tried to implicate his wife by accusing her of having an affair.
The author suggests that the body of the anti-drugs campaigner was dumped in the Murray River following his murder. It has never been found.
Dianne: Murderous Women
This book is set in England and is written by an ex-cop but in Dianne's opinion it is like reading a cop's note book. She found it itemized and bitty, reading only some off it because she couldn't get into it. She wouldn't recommend it.
Margaret: Bondi Badlands by Greg Callaghan
In the 1980s, 4 gay men were attacked on the path along the cliffs from Bondi to Tamarama. The initial investigation concluded their deaths were accidental and that vital evidence had been lost. In the 1990s these crimes were re-investigated and it was found that there were 3 gangs operating in the area. Unfortunately there was insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone.
Margaret commented that that this tied in with a recent edition of Australian Story and a similar case on the northern beaches of Sydney. Here a suicide verdict has been overturned, allowing the case to be re-opened, and the government has offered a large reward for information.
Rosemary: Suddenly One Sunday The Story of the Port Arthur Tragedy Based on Eyewitness Accounts by Mike Bingham
The Port Arthur tragedy happened in 1996 and this book was written soon after.
Rosemary found it interesting to read about Martin Bryant's childhood. He had a low IQ with learning difficulties and was possibly autistic. The circumstances of the death of a woman he befriended and his father, were suspicious but the evidence inconclusive. He had a dreadful childhood with an ineffective mother.
It seems he had been thinking about the murders for 4-12 weeks beforehand as the first few people he shot were targeted. The rest of the shootings were at random or people who rushed to the area thinking it was an historical re-enactment.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
JANUARY 2013......"Santa Sack"
This month, members of the Book Club will be sharing information about book/s they have received and/or read over the holiday period.
Judy: The Dinner by Herman Koch
Two couples meet in a fancy restaurant in Amsterdam to discuss something dreadful that has been done by their sons (cousins). As the evening progresses, civilized behaviour breaks down, revealing that parents are not so different from their children.
This book is a translated from the Dutch, and contains many descriptions of the dinner to satisfy the foodies. The book is divided in to 4 sections, the Aperitif, The Appetizer, The Main Course and the Dessert with each meal described in great detail.
There are also plenty of shocks and twists to get the book through to its conclusion, and leaves the reader posed with the question: just how far would you go to protect the ones you love? It is very thought provoking, it has some humour,....it's about being a parent and the love and fears we have for our children.
Jules: Old School My Life Story by Nathan Hindmarsh and Michael Visontay
As Jules is a dedicated Parramatta supporter, she enjoyed this present at Christmas. Nathan has recently retired as a rugby league player and this tells the story of his life so far, including his wife and family, the charity work he does. He also talks about the 'not so good times' when he had a gambling habit on the poker machines. At one time he was losing over $20,000 a year.
Jules found the book an inspiring read, with amusing parts and some great photos to add to the enjoyment.
She also read Friends in High Places by Donna Leon....."couldn't put it down"
Claurine: Ancient Life by John Banville
John Banville is an Irish writer. This book, the third in the series, is narrated by an elderly semi-retired actor who is looking back to when he began making films and his relations with different women during his life. These include a 15 year old, an affair with his best friend's mother, his wife, relationship with his daughter and a young actress.
Claurine's comment was that he writes beautifully and with a mixture of mystery, sex, and humour, the book was a pleasure to read.
Anne: Standing in Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin
This is the latest in the series featuring Detective John Rebus. It is 5 years since he has retired but when he returns to works, he finds that little has changed. He is still in trouble with his superiors including Malcolm Fox from the internal affairs unit. Set in Edinburgh, Anne enjoyed the dialogue and the humour and thought the book was up to the high standard of other books by this author.
Jo: Six Geese are Slaying by Donna Andrews
Meg is organising the annual Christmas parade with the theme of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and anything that could go wrong, does go wrong. In the middle of this, Santa gets himself murdered.
Jo described it as a light-hearted murder and absolutely hilarious.
Rosemary: A Painted House by John Grisham.
This is the author's first major work outside of the legal genre and was inspired by his childhood in Arkansas in the 1950s. They are cotton farmers struggling to pay their debts.
Rosemary found it a bit slow, but thought that may be this reflected the life style; it is certainly not the rat race.
The story is told through the eyes of Luke who is 7 years old. Rosemary thought he knew too much for a 7 year old and it would have been more believable if he were 12 or 13.
She is only part way through and can see that more drama is about to happen.
Jane:
Jane only had time to read a trashy novel that she couldn't remember the title of. It was about 3 teenagers, one who has a baby in the toilet at Heathrow Airport. The baby is saved and later in life, the girls all cross paths again!
Sheila: A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French
Sheila was almost put off reading this because of the language in the first paragraph. But she persisted (because of Dawn French). It is the story of a very modern family lurching towards meltdown. The family does sort itself and there are some quite humourus parts.
Sheila gave the warning....the book contains swearing, sex and uncouth behaviours, and not to read it if you don't like this sort of thing.
She did enjoy it in the end, saying it was a light and frivolous type of book.
She also read Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Cruise.
Sheila described it as a very unusual story set over 7 days. Very fast action and very funny.
She normally doesn't read American books, but did enjoy this one.
Pamela: A Place of Greater Safety by Hillary Mantell
Pamela highly recommends this account of the French Revolution, 1789-1794, focusing on 3 main players, all lawyers. They are very young (28-30 years old) and very important people.
On occasions the story is funny, and always interesting. Through the extra-ordinary details that the author describes, you realise how dreadful the time was, and she humanizes it the way history books can't.
Pamela thought it was even better than Wolf Hall!
Wendy: A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
This is her final book as the author died last year.
The story is set in Ireland and revolves around the first intake of guests for a newly refurbished hotel. In true style of the author, she knits all these mismatched characters together and for most of them it is a catalyst for their future.
Wendy thought it was a grand finale for a good writer. In her opinion, a good writer "brings me companionship and pleasure".
Joan: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Joan read and enjoyed this very light-hearted book by this English writer.
Harold Fry is an old man from a dysfunctional family. He has never really achieved or done anything and now he is retired. When he receives a letter from an old friend Queenie, who is dying, he is unable to post his response, instead reflecting on their younger days when they met, and her kindness to him.
So he decides to take off and walk 627 miles in 87 days to see Queenie. He is totally unprepared, and the story is about who he meets along the way and how he copes. His wife doesn't know how to take it....Harold is finally doing something. He has a purpose and a direction the further he gets away from his wife Maureen.
Joan is now reading Back on the Wool Track by Michelle Grattan
In 1909 Charles Bean wrote a series of articles on the western wool industry. Michelle and her cousin have retraced some of his journeys and the properties he visited.
Connie: Mrs Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn
The Queen is a little depressed and starting to forget things when she decides to take some cheese to one of her horses. When she is in the stable and feeling cold, the stable girl lends her a hoodie. She is now unrecognisable and so walks out the gate. Eventually she finds herself on a train going to Scotland to visit Britannica. By the time the Palace has realised she is missing, she is enjoying her train ride with the other passengers in the carriage. They then have to work out how to get her back without causing too much fuss.
Connie loved it. It was pure fiction, gentle and easy to read and just right for the Christmas holidays.
She had also previously read Alan Bennett's book The Uncommon Reader which is also mentioned in the story.
Dianne: The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
Dianne described it as black, bleak, upsetting but she enjoyed it!
A very old lady (approx 100-102 years old) lives in an asylum which is about to be demolished and she has to be moved. Her psychologist thinks it is cruel that she should be moved and takes more interest in her case. Why has she been in the asylum for 40 years and what has she done?
There is a twist at the end even though the story is not resolved.
Dianne thought the writing was beautiful and that the author was a "wordsmith". She thoroughly recommends it despite the ending being a little far fetched. She can forgive this because the author is "such a beautiful writer".
She also read My Glass Heart by Karen Gillece.
Dianne described this as very well written contemporary novel. When you read it you are in the world of the story.
It is a story of deception, betrayal, a tale of trying to help a young offender. When he is placed in a florist shop you can see that disaster is going to occur and that lives will unravel.
Judy: The Dinner by Herman Koch
Two couples meet in a fancy restaurant in Amsterdam to discuss something dreadful that has been done by their sons (cousins). As the evening progresses, civilized behaviour breaks down, revealing that parents are not so different from their children.
This book is a translated from the Dutch, and contains many descriptions of the dinner to satisfy the foodies. The book is divided in to 4 sections, the Aperitif, The Appetizer, The Main Course and the Dessert with each meal described in great detail.
There are also plenty of shocks and twists to get the book through to its conclusion, and leaves the reader posed with the question: just how far would you go to protect the ones you love? It is very thought provoking, it has some humour,....it's about being a parent and the love and fears we have for our children.
Jules: Old School My Life Story by Nathan Hindmarsh and Michael Visontay
As Jules is a dedicated Parramatta supporter, she enjoyed this present at Christmas. Nathan has recently retired as a rugby league player and this tells the story of his life so far, including his wife and family, the charity work he does. He also talks about the 'not so good times' when he had a gambling habit on the poker machines. At one time he was losing over $20,000 a year.
Jules found the book an inspiring read, with amusing parts and some great photos to add to the enjoyment.
She also read Friends in High Places by Donna Leon....."couldn't put it down"
Claurine: Ancient Life by John Banville
John Banville is an Irish writer. This book, the third in the series, is narrated by an elderly semi-retired actor who is looking back to when he began making films and his relations with different women during his life. These include a 15 year old, an affair with his best friend's mother, his wife, relationship with his daughter and a young actress.
Claurine's comment was that he writes beautifully and with a mixture of mystery, sex, and humour, the book was a pleasure to read.
Anne: Standing in Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin
This is the latest in the series featuring Detective John Rebus. It is 5 years since he has retired but when he returns to works, he finds that little has changed. He is still in trouble with his superiors including Malcolm Fox from the internal affairs unit. Set in Edinburgh, Anne enjoyed the dialogue and the humour and thought the book was up to the high standard of other books by this author.
Jo: Six Geese are Slaying by Donna Andrews
Meg is organising the annual Christmas parade with the theme of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and anything that could go wrong, does go wrong. In the middle of this, Santa gets himself murdered.
Jo described it as a light-hearted murder and absolutely hilarious.
Rosemary: A Painted House by John Grisham.
This is the author's first major work outside of the legal genre and was inspired by his childhood in Arkansas in the 1950s. They are cotton farmers struggling to pay their debts.
Rosemary found it a bit slow, but thought that may be this reflected the life style; it is certainly not the rat race.
The story is told through the eyes of Luke who is 7 years old. Rosemary thought he knew too much for a 7 year old and it would have been more believable if he were 12 or 13.
She is only part way through and can see that more drama is about to happen.
Jane:
Jane only had time to read a trashy novel that she couldn't remember the title of. It was about 3 teenagers, one who has a baby in the toilet at Heathrow Airport. The baby is saved and later in life, the girls all cross paths again!
Sheila: A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French
Sheila was almost put off reading this because of the language in the first paragraph. But she persisted (because of Dawn French). It is the story of a very modern family lurching towards meltdown. The family does sort itself and there are some quite humourus parts.
Sheila gave the warning....the book contains swearing, sex and uncouth behaviours, and not to read it if you don't like this sort of thing.
She did enjoy it in the end, saying it was a light and frivolous type of book.
She also read Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Cruise.
Sheila described it as a very unusual story set over 7 days. Very fast action and very funny.
She normally doesn't read American books, but did enjoy this one.
Pamela: A Place of Greater Safety by Hillary Mantell
Pamela highly recommends this account of the French Revolution, 1789-1794, focusing on 3 main players, all lawyers. They are very young (28-30 years old) and very important people.
On occasions the story is funny, and always interesting. Through the extra-ordinary details that the author describes, you realise how dreadful the time was, and she humanizes it the way history books can't.
Pamela thought it was even better than Wolf Hall!
Wendy: A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
This is her final book as the author died last year.
The story is set in Ireland and revolves around the first intake of guests for a newly refurbished hotel. In true style of the author, she knits all these mismatched characters together and for most of them it is a catalyst for their future.
Wendy thought it was a grand finale for a good writer. In her opinion, a good writer "brings me companionship and pleasure".
Joan: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Joan read and enjoyed this very light-hearted book by this English writer.
Harold Fry is an old man from a dysfunctional family. He has never really achieved or done anything and now he is retired. When he receives a letter from an old friend Queenie, who is dying, he is unable to post his response, instead reflecting on their younger days when they met, and her kindness to him.
So he decides to take off and walk 627 miles in 87 days to see Queenie. He is totally unprepared, and the story is about who he meets along the way and how he copes. His wife doesn't know how to take it....Harold is finally doing something. He has a purpose and a direction the further he gets away from his wife Maureen.
Joan is now reading Back on the Wool Track by Michelle Grattan
In 1909 Charles Bean wrote a series of articles on the western wool industry. Michelle and her cousin have retraced some of his journeys and the properties he visited.
Connie: Mrs Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn
The Queen is a little depressed and starting to forget things when she decides to take some cheese to one of her horses. When she is in the stable and feeling cold, the stable girl lends her a hoodie. She is now unrecognisable and so walks out the gate. Eventually she finds herself on a train going to Scotland to visit Britannica. By the time the Palace has realised she is missing, she is enjoying her train ride with the other passengers in the carriage. They then have to work out how to get her back without causing too much fuss.
Connie loved it. It was pure fiction, gentle and easy to read and just right for the Christmas holidays.
She had also previously read Alan Bennett's book The Uncommon Reader which is also mentioned in the story.
Dianne: The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
Dianne described it as black, bleak, upsetting but she enjoyed it!
A very old lady (approx 100-102 years old) lives in an asylum which is about to be demolished and she has to be moved. Her psychologist thinks it is cruel that she should be moved and takes more interest in her case. Why has she been in the asylum for 40 years and what has she done?
There is a twist at the end even though the story is not resolved.
Dianne thought the writing was beautiful and that the author was a "wordsmith". She thoroughly recommends it despite the ending being a little far fetched. She can forgive this because the author is "such a beautiful writer".
She also read My Glass Heart by Karen Gillece.
Dianne described this as very well written contemporary novel. When you read it you are in the world of the story.
It is a story of deception, betrayal, a tale of trying to help a young offender. When he is placed in a florist shop you can see that disaster is going to occur and that lives will unravel.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
DECEMBER - THE GREAT GATSBY BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
LESLEY She was glad it was short. It was written well. Lesley could see the houses, feel the tension of the unlikable shallow characters. They thought they were living the American dream of wealth and parties but they were all unfulfilled and restless. The narrator Nick was not a moral compass either and Lesley did not warm to his character. It was a sad reflection on Gatsby's life that only his father turned up at his funeral with Nick.
PAM said it was a good book. None of the people were very interesting. The language of the book was associated with restlessness with constant references to yawning, flickering and drifting as well as references to ashes, death, powdery etc. Gatsby turned out to be superior morally, taking blame for the death of one of the characters to save Daisy, the love of his life. Daisy married Tom for money and Gatsby had thought he could buy Daisy back with money. This proved unsuccessful. Tom is summed up as most despicable. Nick showed himself to be unreliable and dishonest. He says dishonesty in a woman is quite alright. Pamela loved the book.
WENDY agrees with previous reports. It's well written and she enjoyed it. Gatsby is a make believe person. The book is about a superficial shallow society and Wendy questions "Is anything different today?"
JOAN was interested in the class system, the new money/old money. Joan liked the writing. She was very drawn into the period. The Roaring Twenties or Jazz Age was an era of great change with motor cars, electricity,radio, talking movies, prohibition, women's rights etc. Joan questions whether Gatsby was having illegal grog at his party and was he raided? She enjoyed the descriptions of driving through the badlands (valley of the ashes) to get to New York. She thought the book was excellent.
JANE did not read it but had read the book many years ago. She remembers the decadence and the drinking, the lack of morals. The sad funeral scene seemed to sum up his life. She enjoyed the book.
ROSEMARIE She read it 12mths ago and enjoyed it. She felt it was symbolic of society at the time.
KRIS The book is set in 1922 after the war, in a time known as the Jazz Age or Roaring Twenties. The New York Times noted "gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession".DECEMBE The book is widely regarded as one of the great American novels but was not well regarded at the time. Like Joan I enjoyed the comparison of new money and old money explored in the book. Jay Gatsby, the central character is "new money" and holds lavish parties. There are glimpses of Jay Gatsby's criminal background, the supposed source of his new found wealth. Nick the narrator chooses not to see this. It is a book about shallow, self serving people. It is very well written and worth reading, although there is an aura of sadness and emptiness.
CATHY didn't read the book as she had been away. She may look at the movie after hearing the reviews of the book.
MARIE didn't like first 40 pages. She went to her kindle where she found the book had 4 or 5 stars and there were a few good comments. Marie went back to the book and once it moved into the storyline she started to enjoy it She then wanted to finish the book. The book was not well received at the time it was written. Marie enjoyed it.
KATE agrees with everyone else. The characters were quite shallow. She didn't like or admire any characters.
CONNIE read the very long introduction but couldn't make sense of it. She came back to it after reading the book and it helped put it in context of the era. She didn't like the people in the book and said "she wouldn't have them in her lounge room". "What is a great American novel?" Connie asks. She found the mistakes in geography very frustrating but she could not fault the writing.
JUDY said the book was well written but she felt the emptiness of the book. Judy will see the movie. She felt the language was difficult in some parts and one paragraph had made no sense at all.
ANNE expressed that "Everyone said it all". Anne said some of the language was so lyrical but didn't make sense.
JO She felt the same as everyone else. It was well written. She found the characters shallow and found this annoying. She wondered if it was just her, as it was supposed to be a good book.
JULES said it was supposed to be a great book but she found the first part irrelevant but enjoyed the second half more. Jules is looking forward to seeing the movie saying it should be very lavish.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Topics for 2013 - January to June
January: Santa Sack
Come along a share something you have received for Christmas or read recently.
February: True Australian Crime - suggested by Joan
March: Booker Prize winners - suggested by Pamela
April: various titles by Graham Greene - suggested by Judy
May: stories involving animals - suggested by Sheila
June: Humorous stories - suggested by Kris
Come along a share something you have received for Christmas or read recently.
February: True Australian Crime - suggested by Joan
March: Booker Prize winners - suggested by Pamela
April: various titles by Graham Greene - suggested by Judy
May: stories involving animals - suggested by Sheila
June: Humorous stories - suggested by Kris
NOVEMBER: Miles Franklin Award Winners
Australia’s most prestigious literary award was established through the
will of the writer Stella Miles Franklin, best known for her novel My Brilliant Career.
The Award is presented each year to a novel which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases.
The Miles Franklin was first awarded in 1957. Since then, the annual announcement of the winner has become an event anticipated and discussed throughout Australia and around the world.
CONNIE: Dirt Music by Tim Winton 2002 winner
His writing is perfect, but she was annoyed at first by the lack of speech marks, making it difficult sometimes to know who was talking. His descriptions of the coast are the same as in other books. She thought that all the people living in the small fishing village had something to hide, and there was none she could get close to. There was nothing happy in the book.
Connie thought the book was too long, with too much description, but it ended the way it should!
Her final comment was that having read several other books by the author, she had 'read enough of Tim Winton'.
MAREE: Shallows by Tim Winton 1984 winner
Maree really couldn't get into the book. She found the story line (around whaling) to be depressing as were the people involved. She thought it wasn't the kind of book she would want to persist with.
JULIA: Breath by Tim Winton 2009 winner
Julia was annoyed by the lack of speech marks and the fact that there were no chapters. The book was written in the first person and included a lot of swearing. It was only in the last 15 pages that the story returned to the present day. She also found that the relationship between a 15 year old boy and a 25 year old woman was too explicit.
JANE: That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott 2011 winner
The story was set in the 1820s on the coast of the Margaret River. Jane found that the story jumped all over the place and so was difficult to follow. So she didn't read it all.
KRIS: The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard 2004 winner
The story of a British war hero is set in Japan in 1947 following the war. He writes his observations of war torn Asia and the impending fall of communism in China. Although he has survived the war, he is feeling very battle scared when he meets an Australian girl, 15 years his junior. He falls in love with her as she grows and changes.
Kris thought that the writing was beautiful, very descriptive even though it was sometimes melancholic.
ROSEMARY: Careful He Might Hear You by Sumner Locke Elliott 1963 winner
The story is set in the times of the Depression with great descriptions of the city, particularly Neutral Bay. Two sisters are involved in a custody battle over their nephew P S. He is currently being raised in Neutral Bay by Lila who is poor but caring and happy. When Vanessa returns from overseas, she is determined to raise the boy as she will be able to bring him up the 'proper way.'
It is written from the point of view of the 6 year old, and what he thinks he hears people saying about him.
Rosemary thought that there were wonderful characters in the story, and the writing gave a great sense of what the city was like. She found the ending quite sad.
ANNE: Tirra Lirra by the River by Jessica Anderson 1978 winner
Although it is a small book it is not a simple read. An elderly lady comes back to Australia after 40 years in London. She reflects on her past life....not a happy childhood, a terrible marriage to a cold and controlling husband. Due to the Depression they live with the mother-in-law from hell and she eventually flees London. Although she is artistic, creating beautiful wall hangings in tapestry work, she doesn't realise how good she is.
The title is a quote from Tennyson's lady of Shalott.
PAMELA:The story is framed very much by Nora's concept of Camelot and the lady of Shalott and something beautiful. People cling to unhappy situations through immersion and fear.
JUDY: The White Earth by Andrew McGahan 2005 winner
The story begins in 1992 on the Darling Downs when a small boy is left fatherless when his father dies in a farm accident. William and his mother are left destitute until a mysterious uncle turns up to take them to live in his derelict old mansion.
The story changes between William's story in the present as he explores the property and the story of his Uncle John's past and his life long obsession to own the land.
Judy thought it was a very moving and powerful story covering many themes, including land rites, aboriginal dispossession, inheritance, family loyalty and quite current Australian politics.
WENDY: The Well by Elizabeth Jolley 1986 winner
Wendy's opening comment...."it is close to the 2nd worse book I've read". She thought it was well written and drew her into the story with well drawn characters.
The main character is running a farm when he goes into town one day and comes home with a 14 year old girl. Hesta is obsessed with her. There is no sexuality in the book, they are both just dotty.
The author describes the the counrtyside well, eg the smell of the coming rain.
She was waiting for the grand finale of an ending , but was disappointed and confused, not being able to work out whether the man in the well was dead!
JOAN: All That I Am by Anna Funder 2012 winner
This is her 2nd book (following the publication of Stasiland) and is set in Germany in 1920s to 1930s. It involves a group of middle class writers, activists and dissidents before and during the time of Hitler. They flee to London, one later goes to New York and another to Sydney. These 4 main characters are based on people who really did exist.
It is written in the 1st person and is reflective on what happened, the intrigue, love, betrayal and spying. But it jumps all over the place and hard to get into.
Joan's opinion was that she should have written a non fiction book about these people.
LESLEY: She was also of the opinion that it should have been a non fiction book, as she is very interested in reading about people in history.
She didn't like any of the characters, they were not appealing. She thought them idealistic, and naive. Even though they were passionate she didn't feel anything for them.
She also didn't like the flashbacks, they were often not clear.
It was a good story but the author didn't present it well. Lesley was not sure if she wanted it to be a historical novel or a love story.
JO: Three Cheers for the Paraclete by Thomas Keneally 1968 winner
The story revolves around a Catholic priest who is constantly in trouble with his superiors over his beliefs and actions. Jo thought it was a good book but don't bother to read it if you are not a Catholic.
The Award is presented each year to a novel which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases.
The Miles Franklin was first awarded in 1957. Since then, the annual announcement of the winner has become an event anticipated and discussed throughout Australia and around the world.
CONNIE: Dirt Music by Tim Winton 2002 winner
His writing is perfect, but she was annoyed at first by the lack of speech marks, making it difficult sometimes to know who was talking. His descriptions of the coast are the same as in other books. She thought that all the people living in the small fishing village had something to hide, and there was none she could get close to. There was nothing happy in the book.
Connie thought the book was too long, with too much description, but it ended the way it should!
Her final comment was that having read several other books by the author, she had 'read enough of Tim Winton'.
MAREE: Shallows by Tim Winton 1984 winner
Maree really couldn't get into the book. She found the story line (around whaling) to be depressing as were the people involved. She thought it wasn't the kind of book she would want to persist with.
JULIA: Breath by Tim Winton 2009 winner
Julia was annoyed by the lack of speech marks and the fact that there were no chapters. The book was written in the first person and included a lot of swearing. It was only in the last 15 pages that the story returned to the present day. She also found that the relationship between a 15 year old boy and a 25 year old woman was too explicit.
JANE: That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott 2011 winner
The story was set in the 1820s on the coast of the Margaret River. Jane found that the story jumped all over the place and so was difficult to follow. So she didn't read it all.
KRIS: The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard 2004 winner
The story of a British war hero is set in Japan in 1947 following the war. He writes his observations of war torn Asia and the impending fall of communism in China. Although he has survived the war, he is feeling very battle scared when he meets an Australian girl, 15 years his junior. He falls in love with her as she grows and changes.
Kris thought that the writing was beautiful, very descriptive even though it was sometimes melancholic.
ROSEMARY: Careful He Might Hear You by Sumner Locke Elliott 1963 winner
The story is set in the times of the Depression with great descriptions of the city, particularly Neutral Bay. Two sisters are involved in a custody battle over their nephew P S. He is currently being raised in Neutral Bay by Lila who is poor but caring and happy. When Vanessa returns from overseas, she is determined to raise the boy as she will be able to bring him up the 'proper way.'
It is written from the point of view of the 6 year old, and what he thinks he hears people saying about him.
Rosemary thought that there were wonderful characters in the story, and the writing gave a great sense of what the city was like. She found the ending quite sad.
ANNE: Tirra Lirra by the River by Jessica Anderson 1978 winner
Although it is a small book it is not a simple read. An elderly lady comes back to Australia after 40 years in London. She reflects on her past life....not a happy childhood, a terrible marriage to a cold and controlling husband. Due to the Depression they live with the mother-in-law from hell and she eventually flees London. Although she is artistic, creating beautiful wall hangings in tapestry work, she doesn't realise how good she is.
The title is a quote from Tennyson's lady of Shalott.
PAMELA:The story is framed very much by Nora's concept of Camelot and the lady of Shalott and something beautiful. People cling to unhappy situations through immersion and fear.
JUDY: The White Earth by Andrew McGahan 2005 winner
The story begins in 1992 on the Darling Downs when a small boy is left fatherless when his father dies in a farm accident. William and his mother are left destitute until a mysterious uncle turns up to take them to live in his derelict old mansion.
The story changes between William's story in the present as he explores the property and the story of his Uncle John's past and his life long obsession to own the land.
Judy thought it was a very moving and powerful story covering many themes, including land rites, aboriginal dispossession, inheritance, family loyalty and quite current Australian politics.
WENDY: The Well by Elizabeth Jolley 1986 winner
Wendy's opening comment...."it is close to the 2nd worse book I've read". She thought it was well written and drew her into the story with well drawn characters.
The main character is running a farm when he goes into town one day and comes home with a 14 year old girl. Hesta is obsessed with her. There is no sexuality in the book, they are both just dotty.
The author describes the the counrtyside well, eg the smell of the coming rain.
She was waiting for the grand finale of an ending , but was disappointed and confused, not being able to work out whether the man in the well was dead!
JOAN: All That I Am by Anna Funder 2012 winner
This is her 2nd book (following the publication of Stasiland) and is set in Germany in 1920s to 1930s. It involves a group of middle class writers, activists and dissidents before and during the time of Hitler. They flee to London, one later goes to New York and another to Sydney. These 4 main characters are based on people who really did exist.
It is written in the 1st person and is reflective on what happened, the intrigue, love, betrayal and spying. But it jumps all over the place and hard to get into.
Joan's opinion was that she should have written a non fiction book about these people.
LESLEY: She was also of the opinion that it should have been a non fiction book, as she is very interested in reading about people in history.
She didn't like any of the characters, they were not appealing. She thought them idealistic, and naive. Even though they were passionate she didn't feel anything for them.
She also didn't like the flashbacks, they were often not clear.
It was a good story but the author didn't present it well. Lesley was not sure if she wanted it to be a historical novel or a love story.
JO: Three Cheers for the Paraclete by Thomas Keneally 1968 winner
The story revolves around a Catholic priest who is constantly in trouble with his superiors over his beliefs and actions. Jo thought it was a good book but don't bother to read it if you are not a Catholic.
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