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.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
OCTOBER: Donna Leon
Donna Leon is the American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice and featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti. She has lived in Venice for over 25 years.
The Girl of his Dreams: (17th in series)
Kate: Loved his descriptions of Venice and the everyday life with his family. The story is about the murder of a gypsy girl and highlights the Venetians dislike of tourists.
Ann: She write in a very relaxed style which is still very powerful.
Judy: There is a lot of assumed knowledge in the novel. She'd call it "soft crime"...no lengthy descriptions of violence. Always a sad element to the story line.
She was a little disheartened with the conclusion: sometimes justice doesn't prevail over money and power.
Aqua Alta: (5th in series)
Kris: Really enjoyed the book, found it difficult to put down. It reminded her of Ruth Cracknell's book "Journey from Venice". There is a little bit of violence when the archaeologist is savagely beaten but balanced by the glimpses into his family life with his wife and 2 daughters.
Blood from a Stone: (14th in series)
Judy J: Set in Christmas time in Venice, with wonderful descriptions of the city, the lights and particularly the cold. Brunetti is investigating the murder of an illegal immigrant from Senegal. He continues his investigation (at a fairly leisurely pace) even though his boss wants him off the case. Great descriptions of his favourite coffee places, lunch at home with his wife and his attempts at Christmas shopping! Rather unsatisfactory ending though as everything is 'wrapped up' very quickly and quite improbably.
Jo: Enjoyed the different setting from most books and thought she would read more. She felt for the illegal immigrants and the difficulties they had to live under.
Through a Glass, Darkly: (15th in series)
Claurene: In each of Donna Leon's books she reveals another aspect of the seamy underside of society. In this book it is the illegal disposal of toxic waste...a big problem. This was more interesting than the crime part of the story.
Connie: She enjoyed the writing about the glass factories in Murano, found his family interesting, and the roles of the police, particularly Elettra, made for good reading.
The map was particularly helpful and she had walked along the same streets and been to the same places and done some of the same things.She thought it was nice to read about nice people and happy families, a nice change to reading so much violence.
Wendy: Really enjoyed reading it and particularly liked the characters after she got used to reading the names. She thought it had a very neat ending, which didn't occur to the very last paragraph. She thought she would read her again.
Questions of Belief: (19th in series)
Jane: In this book Venice is suffering from a heatwave, which creates many opportunities for the characters to visit various bars. But as Brunetti is trying to get away from the city a public figure is killed, evidence of court cases being held up is uncovered and Vianello's aunt becomes mixed up with a charlatan horoscope guru. The story lines are quite involved and do become confusing. It would have helped to have had a family tree!
Beastly Things: (21st in series)
Rosemary: Her most recent publication. A male body is found in the canal suffering from Madelung deformity (parts of the body become thicker than normal...chest & lungs). There is a separate investigation of corruption in the slaughterhouse. There are some vivid description of the killing of the animals, but Rosemary still enjoyed it.
About Face: (18th in the series)
Pamela: She had no trouble reading it, but was annoyed by the book. She felt tricked and manipulated because the story was implausible and dishonest. The plot starts off promisingly when a woman undergoes a 'bad' face lift and her husband has some involvement in an illegal waste management system. But it doesn't go any further.
The author kept suggesting plot lines that weren't followed through.
Jules: She enjoyed the book and thought it all came together rather well. Along the way you learnt quite a lot about his wife's parents and her in-laws.
Doctored Evidence: (13th in the series)
Joan: In the genre of crime fiction, she is a good writer. All the books seem to have the same characters and themes. Similarities in all books....coffee, food, vaporetto, all add to the scene she paints and the feel of Venice.
Following the finding of of an elderly female body, conflict develops between the different levels of the police.When her carer, an illegal immigrant fled to Rumania, the local police think they have solved the crime. But Brunetti comes in and sorts it all out.
She enjoyed it but feels she wont have to read any more because they all are very similar....
Suffer the Little Children: (16th in the series)
Maree: Unfortunately wasn't able to get the book finished. She found it difficult to 'get into' the book as there was a lot of implied knowledge about the background of the characters. She needed a map to maintain her interest in the book.
The story involved a pediatrician, illegal adoption and the Carabinieri taking the children away.
Uniform Justice: (12th in the series)
Dianne: A boy is found hanging in a posh military academy. Is it murder or suicide? There is no justice in the ending.
Dianne became very frustrated in the way Brunetti investigates. He wont use the internet, forgets his phone, only seems to work about 4 hours a day. She also thought the writing was very verbose.
Death at La Fenice: (1st in the series)
Jules: She has now read 3 of her books. Although this is the author's first book, they can be read in any order.
This book is set in the opera theatre, and gives an indication as to why she began writing the series. The maps in the front are very useful.
Drawing Conclusions: ( 20th in the series)
Margaret: The writing is good and the stories always had a moral aspect to them which is unusual in most crime novels. But sometimes there seems to be problems with her plots...Margaret felt they were a bit soft.
Other recommendations:
Pamela:
The Red Chamber by Pauline A Chen...problems and customs within a Chinese family
The Rose Grower by Michelle de Krester
Joan:
The Favoured Daughter by Favzia Koofi ...she is the first woman speaker in the Parliament and she writes to her two daughters about her life.
Jo:
Heaven Is For Real .....a beautiful story about a little boy, who, while undergoing a procedure, goes to heaven for 3 minutes, before he comes back. He writes, among other things, about what angels are like and people he has met in heaven.
The Girl of his Dreams: (17th in series)
Kate: Loved his descriptions of Venice and the everyday life with his family. The story is about the murder of a gypsy girl and highlights the Venetians dislike of tourists.
Ann: She write in a very relaxed style which is still very powerful.
Judy: There is a lot of assumed knowledge in the novel. She'd call it "soft crime"...no lengthy descriptions of violence. Always a sad element to the story line.
She was a little disheartened with the conclusion: sometimes justice doesn't prevail over money and power.
Aqua Alta: (5th in series)
Kris: Really enjoyed the book, found it difficult to put down. It reminded her of Ruth Cracknell's book "Journey from Venice". There is a little bit of violence when the archaeologist is savagely beaten but balanced by the glimpses into his family life with his wife and 2 daughters.
Blood from a Stone: (14th in series)
Judy J: Set in Christmas time in Venice, with wonderful descriptions of the city, the lights and particularly the cold. Brunetti is investigating the murder of an illegal immigrant from Senegal. He continues his investigation (at a fairly leisurely pace) even though his boss wants him off the case. Great descriptions of his favourite coffee places, lunch at home with his wife and his attempts at Christmas shopping! Rather unsatisfactory ending though as everything is 'wrapped up' very quickly and quite improbably.
Jo: Enjoyed the different setting from most books and thought she would read more. She felt for the illegal immigrants and the difficulties they had to live under.
Through a Glass, Darkly: (15th in series)
Claurene: In each of Donna Leon's books she reveals another aspect of the seamy underside of society. In this book it is the illegal disposal of toxic waste...a big problem. This was more interesting than the crime part of the story.
Connie: She enjoyed the writing about the glass factories in Murano, found his family interesting, and the roles of the police, particularly Elettra, made for good reading.
The map was particularly helpful and she had walked along the same streets and been to the same places and done some of the same things.She thought it was nice to read about nice people and happy families, a nice change to reading so much violence.
Wendy: Really enjoyed reading it and particularly liked the characters after she got used to reading the names. She thought it had a very neat ending, which didn't occur to the very last paragraph. She thought she would read her again.
Questions of Belief: (19th in series)
Jane: In this book Venice is suffering from a heatwave, which creates many opportunities for the characters to visit various bars. But as Brunetti is trying to get away from the city a public figure is killed, evidence of court cases being held up is uncovered and Vianello's aunt becomes mixed up with a charlatan horoscope guru. The story lines are quite involved and do become confusing. It would have helped to have had a family tree!
Beastly Things: (21st in series)
Rosemary: Her most recent publication. A male body is found in the canal suffering from Madelung deformity (parts of the body become thicker than normal...chest & lungs). There is a separate investigation of corruption in the slaughterhouse. There are some vivid description of the killing of the animals, but Rosemary still enjoyed it.
About Face: (18th in the series)
Pamela: She had no trouble reading it, but was annoyed by the book. She felt tricked and manipulated because the story was implausible and dishonest. The plot starts off promisingly when a woman undergoes a 'bad' face lift and her husband has some involvement in an illegal waste management system. But it doesn't go any further.
The author kept suggesting plot lines that weren't followed through.
Jules: She enjoyed the book and thought it all came together rather well. Along the way you learnt quite a lot about his wife's parents and her in-laws.
Doctored Evidence: (13th in the series)
Joan: In the genre of crime fiction, she is a good writer. All the books seem to have the same characters and themes. Similarities in all books....coffee, food, vaporetto, all add to the scene she paints and the feel of Venice.
Following the finding of of an elderly female body, conflict develops between the different levels of the police.When her carer, an illegal immigrant fled to Rumania, the local police think they have solved the crime. But Brunetti comes in and sorts it all out.
She enjoyed it but feels she wont have to read any more because they all are very similar....
Suffer the Little Children: (16th in the series)
Maree: Unfortunately wasn't able to get the book finished. She found it difficult to 'get into' the book as there was a lot of implied knowledge about the background of the characters. She needed a map to maintain her interest in the book.
The story involved a pediatrician, illegal adoption and the Carabinieri taking the children away.
Uniform Justice: (12th in the series)
Dianne: A boy is found hanging in a posh military academy. Is it murder or suicide? There is no justice in the ending.
Dianne became very frustrated in the way Brunetti investigates. He wont use the internet, forgets his phone, only seems to work about 4 hours a day. She also thought the writing was very verbose.
Death at La Fenice: (1st in the series)
Jules: She has now read 3 of her books. Although this is the author's first book, they can be read in any order.
This book is set in the opera theatre, and gives an indication as to why she began writing the series. The maps in the front are very useful.
Drawing Conclusions: ( 20th in the series)
Margaret: The writing is good and the stories always had a moral aspect to them which is unusual in most crime novels. But sometimes there seems to be problems with her plots...Margaret felt they were a bit soft.
Other recommendations:
Pamela:
The Red Chamber by Pauline A Chen...problems and customs within a Chinese family
The Rose Grower by Michelle de Krester
Joan:
The Favoured Daughter by Favzia Koofi ...she is the first woman speaker in the Parliament and she writes to her two daughters about her life.
Jo:
Heaven Is For Real .....a beautiful story about a little boy, who, while undergoing a procedure, goes to heaven for 3 minutes, before he comes back. He writes, among other things, about what angels are like and people he has met in heaven.
Friday, October 5, 2012
SEPTEMBER - books by Joanna Trollope
KATE: Spanish Lover
This is the story of twins who have chosen to live very different lives. One seems to have the 'perfect life' with a happy marriage, children and successful business while the other is single and working in her own business. But when the perfect life starts to crumble and the other's business begins to succeed, the relationship and expectations between them change. This is especially so when the single twin, very much out of character, goes to Spain, has an affair with a married man and chooses to get pregnant. The whole dynamics of their relationship is now changing.
Kate enjoyed reading it.
JOAN: Daughters In Law
The story concerns a husband and wife and their 3 adult sons. As each of them marry we see the demise of the mother's power and the raising of the power of the daughters in law. It is told from the mother's point of view as she struggles to accommodate the changing role she has with her sons.
"I couldn't stand it...." speed reading required!
WENDY: Next of Kin
The setting is rural England in the 1950s when life in the countryside is very difficult. As the farmers and their families go through hardship, depression, suicide etc it is the women who show their strength, they are the hope for the future and they will change it.
It was not a depressing book and Wendy will read more by this author.
PAMELA: The Rector's Wife
The title embodies the main theme of the novel - a small community can deny a person's individuality. They also can have preconceived notions of role and obligations. There are no heroes or villains. The rector is devastated after he is unsuccessful with an expected promotion and his disappointment becomes inward looking.
His wife takes a job at the local grocer to earn a bit of money to help out her kids and this is seen by the parish and community as an act of undermining her husbands ability to provide for her and his family.
JUDY: A Soldier's Wife
This seems like a modern day version of the previous books with many similarities in plot and characters. This time the main character is a soldier returning from Afghanistan. While he has had a successful tour, he is unwilling and unable to talk to his wife about this, as well as being unable to leave the routine and security of the soldier's life behind. Well meaning friends and relatives try to help but probably make the situation worse. It is not until his wife changes direction with her life, is there any possibility that the marriage can be saved.
Both books featured long suffering wives who must make many sacrifices for their husband to continue with their careers.
KRIS: Girl from the South
A change in setting for this novel...switching between southern USA and London. It follows the lives of several couples, their families and friends. Few of them are able to make a commitment and others find it difficult to fit into their expected life style. Over the year in which the book is set, these dysfunctional characters grow and change.
ROSEMARY & ANNE: Friday Nights
Eleanor is a retired, childless spinster (by choice). Looking out of her window she sees 2 women passing and eventually invites them in and so Friday nights begin. Gradually various others join the group and their children become friends.
When one of them meets a man, the group dynamics change, and gradually their lives also change.
It was easy to read but with no real plot though.
JANE: Marrying the Mistress
An older judge has been having an affair with a younger councillor. He goes home to the wife in the country, she to the modern flat in the city.
Earlier in their marriage, the judge had given his wife the opportunity to have a career but she doesn't want it and goes on to play the long suffering, martyr role. So when the affair is discovered there is no sympathy for the wife.
The story gets bogged down in detail (eg description of the cottage garden) which seems to be used as padding. Again it is a variation of similar themes used in other books by the author.
JO: The Choir
The story is based around a boy's choir in a cathedral town, the internal politics and scandal surrounding it. One of the choir boy's mother is having an affair with the choirmaster, his grandfather, a councillor, wants more say in the running of the cathedral. The boys are pulled in different directions according to what people want them to be. Eventually the cathedral needs money for extensive renovation and so the choir must go.
Jo's opinion was that even though it had been made into a mini series it was only "OK".
JULES also had begun this book, but couldn't finish it.
CLAURINE: Other People's Children
The story is about 3 interconnected families all with interconnected children.
It is very simple writing, but she finished it only because of guilt feelings over not finishing other books.
CONNIE: Brother and Sister
Two children have been adopted and grow up in a loving and secure family. When one of them (later in adult life) decides to look for her birth mother, loyalties and relationships within the families and marriages are tested and changed.
In Connie's opinion, the story really didn't really end. She thought the couples may have got back together again but the book really didn't say.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:
Judy: The Chalk Girl by Carol O'Connell....strong female character, murders set in New York
Judith: Choir Man by Jonathon Welsh....Choir of hard Knocks, inspirational and entertaining
Connie: Shatter by Michael Robotham ....psychological thriller but quite violent
Pamela: White Heat by M J McGrath....murder set in the cold, bleak tundra of the Canadian Arctic
Is similar to Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg.....mystery thriller, very good read
Joan: Stasiland by Anna Funder....her research for this is used in next book"All That I Am"
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn ....a missing wife, a thrilling story
This is the story of twins who have chosen to live very different lives. One seems to have the 'perfect life' with a happy marriage, children and successful business while the other is single and working in her own business. But when the perfect life starts to crumble and the other's business begins to succeed, the relationship and expectations between them change. This is especially so when the single twin, very much out of character, goes to Spain, has an affair with a married man and chooses to get pregnant. The whole dynamics of their relationship is now changing.
Kate enjoyed reading it.
JOAN: Daughters In Law
The story concerns a husband and wife and their 3 adult sons. As each of them marry we see the demise of the mother's power and the raising of the power of the daughters in law. It is told from the mother's point of view as she struggles to accommodate the changing role she has with her sons.
"I couldn't stand it...." speed reading required!
WENDY: Next of Kin
The setting is rural England in the 1950s when life in the countryside is very difficult. As the farmers and their families go through hardship, depression, suicide etc it is the women who show their strength, they are the hope for the future and they will change it.
It was not a depressing book and Wendy will read more by this author.
PAMELA: The Rector's Wife
The title embodies the main theme of the novel - a small community can deny a person's individuality. They also can have preconceived notions of role and obligations. There are no heroes or villains. The rector is devastated after he is unsuccessful with an expected promotion and his disappointment becomes inward looking.
His wife takes a job at the local grocer to earn a bit of money to help out her kids and this is seen by the parish and community as an act of undermining her husbands ability to provide for her and his family.
JUDY: A Soldier's Wife
This seems like a modern day version of the previous books with many similarities in plot and characters. This time the main character is a soldier returning from Afghanistan. While he has had a successful tour, he is unwilling and unable to talk to his wife about this, as well as being unable to leave the routine and security of the soldier's life behind. Well meaning friends and relatives try to help but probably make the situation worse. It is not until his wife changes direction with her life, is there any possibility that the marriage can be saved.
Both books featured long suffering wives who must make many sacrifices for their husband to continue with their careers.
KRIS: Girl from the South
A change in setting for this novel...switching between southern USA and London. It follows the lives of several couples, their families and friends. Few of them are able to make a commitment and others find it difficult to fit into their expected life style. Over the year in which the book is set, these dysfunctional characters grow and change.
ROSEMARY & ANNE: Friday Nights
Eleanor is a retired, childless spinster (by choice). Looking out of her window she sees 2 women passing and eventually invites them in and so Friday nights begin. Gradually various others join the group and their children become friends.
When one of them meets a man, the group dynamics change, and gradually their lives also change.
It was easy to read but with no real plot though.
JANE: Marrying the Mistress
An older judge has been having an affair with a younger councillor. He goes home to the wife in the country, she to the modern flat in the city.
Earlier in their marriage, the judge had given his wife the opportunity to have a career but she doesn't want it and goes on to play the long suffering, martyr role. So when the affair is discovered there is no sympathy for the wife.
The story gets bogged down in detail (eg description of the cottage garden) which seems to be used as padding. Again it is a variation of similar themes used in other books by the author.
JO: The Choir
The story is based around a boy's choir in a cathedral town, the internal politics and scandal surrounding it. One of the choir boy's mother is having an affair with the choirmaster, his grandfather, a councillor, wants more say in the running of the cathedral. The boys are pulled in different directions according to what people want them to be. Eventually the cathedral needs money for extensive renovation and so the choir must go.
Jo's opinion was that even though it had been made into a mini series it was only "OK".
JULES also had begun this book, but couldn't finish it.
CLAURINE: Other People's Children
The story is about 3 interconnected families all with interconnected children.
It is very simple writing, but she finished it only because of guilt feelings over not finishing other books.
CONNIE: Brother and Sister
Two children have been adopted and grow up in a loving and secure family. When one of them (later in adult life) decides to look for her birth mother, loyalties and relationships within the families and marriages are tested and changed.
In Connie's opinion, the story really didn't really end. She thought the couples may have got back together again but the book really didn't say.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:
Judy: The Chalk Girl by Carol O'Connell....strong female character, murders set in New York
Judith: Choir Man by Jonathon Welsh....Choir of hard Knocks, inspirational and entertaining
Connie: Shatter by Michael Robotham ....psychological thriller but quite violent
Pamela: White Heat by M J McGrath....murder set in the cold, bleak tundra of the Canadian Arctic
Is similar to Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg.....mystery thriller, very good read
Joan: Stasiland by Anna Funder....her research for this is used in next book"All That I Am"
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn ....a missing wife, a thrilling story
Sunday, July 22, 2012
July: Daphne du Maurier
ROSEMARY & WENDY both read 'Rebecca'
Set in southern Cornwall in an area she had visited and knew from her childhood at a house called Mandalay. Both enjoyed reading it: romance, intrigue, and who 'dunnit'. Rosemary found the ending a little confusing and needed to reread the beginning.
Connie: the book had been written in the 1st person with Rebecca the narrator and other characters based on the author's family. The question was asked whether Rebecca was bi-sexual reflecting rumours about the author's life.
MARGARET also read the book, commenting that it was an epic tale set in a grand house.
Through her writing you can visualize what you read. Parts of it seemed quite dated and the characters didn't have much depth.
GINNY: House on the Strand
This was one of her last novels written in the swinging sixties, at the height of the drug culture, when the author was 60. In this novel the protagonist Dick Young agrees to test out a drug which his old university friend, Magnus, has developed. Dick takes the drug and is transported back in time to the fourteenth-century and is immersed in a world of intrigue, adultery, and murder.
Ginny enjoyed reading it, as it was different from many other stories written by the author.
JO: The Glass Blower
Set during the French Revolution, this book gives insights into du Maurier's ancestors who were glass blowers. The story is set in a small village where the whole population is involved in the industry. As times gets tough everyone in the village is affected. It was a traumatic time to live. Jo did enjoy reading it though.
ENID & SHEILA : Rendezvous and Other Stories
Enid: Short stories require a particular skill to write them..the opening sentence or paragraph must grab you. These were entertaining stories, often with the ending containing a sardonic twist. The author has a penetrating ability to assess characters and and her descriptions are very good.
Sheila: The stories were very dated but the more she read, the more she enjoyed them. She thought they were beautifully written and all the subjects were different.
PAMELA: Frenchman's Creek
Pamela thought the descriptions in this book were very good especially those of the sea and ships, but the plot was ridiculous. It would be a good book for an 'uncritical' reader to pick up.
CONNIE & ANNE: My Cousin Rachel
Connie: She had read the book as a teenager and loved it then, the drama and the scenery! But reading it now, she felt that she was 'someone else'. She has a different view of life now, found the plot became ridiculous after awhile and admitted that reading about the 'class system' in society was very disturbing. The description of the scenery was very realistic though.
Anne: Anne was also rereading it and quite enjoyed it, but thought that the ending was unconvincing, and not sure whether Rachel was good or bad.
KRIS: Scapegoat
This book is set after the war and concerns an Englishman, fluent in French, an historian with no family, rather unhappy and on holiday in France. There he bumps into a 'doppelganger' and learns that he is a French aristocrat who is also unhappy with his life! What happens next is an interesting series of events that occur over a relatively short time frame which somewhat spoils the whole idea.
JULIA:
SCAPEGOAT...tried it but couldn't really get into it!
I'LL NEVER BE YOUNG AGAIN...horror, suspense, romance- didn't like it
DON'T LOOK NOW: 5 short stories all from a different genre eg mystery, supernatural events and family confrontations. Although she enjoyed reading them, she found them rather old fashioned.
KATHY: The Parasites
She didn't like the beginning, but continued on and eventually it was 'OK'. The story is about a family involved in the world of the theatre. When the children are accused of being 'parasites' on the talent of their parents the story goes back through each of their childhoods to see why they have become like they are. Kathy found it confusing sometimes to identify the narrator. She felt the book had parallels with the author's own life - grew up in the theatre, and she had 3 children whom she was not close to.
MAREE, JOAN & JUDY: Jamaica Inn
Again the comments about this book were similar to others...her descriptive writing is excellent, you could feel the cold and fog on the moors. She creates great atmosphere with her writing.
The story is set on the moors in Cornwall and concerns a bunch of fairly desperate characters who are 'wreckers' ie they force ships to beach and then steal their cargo and kill the crew if necessary. A young niece who comes to stay at the Inn sees what is going on and tries to stop it.
All thought the ending was a little far fetched and came about after some amazing detective work!
A common comment was that this book also seems very dated.
OTHER BOOKS TO BE RECOMMENDED:
CLAURENCE: Cold Light by Frank Moorhouse
This is the third in the Edith Trilogy and tells her story of working at the League of Nations before, during and after World War 2.
ROSEMARY: Escape From Camp 14 by Blaine Harden
It is the true story of a young boy born in a North Korean Camp, his life and his eventual escape to the USA.
JOAN: The man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin
Tells the story of how a low-level KGB operative rose to the position he now holds.
NEIL: The Lotus eaters by Tatjana Soli
Set at the end of the Vietnam War, an American journalist must leave the conflict but her emotions are torn because of her feelings for the country and her Vietnamese lover.
Set in southern Cornwall in an area she had visited and knew from her childhood at a house called Mandalay. Both enjoyed reading it: romance, intrigue, and who 'dunnit'. Rosemary found the ending a little confusing and needed to reread the beginning.
Connie: the book had been written in the 1st person with Rebecca the narrator and other characters based on the author's family. The question was asked whether Rebecca was bi-sexual reflecting rumours about the author's life.
MARGARET also read the book, commenting that it was an epic tale set in a grand house.
Through her writing you can visualize what you read. Parts of it seemed quite dated and the characters didn't have much depth.
GINNY: House on the Strand
This was one of her last novels written in the swinging sixties, at the height of the drug culture, when the author was 60. In this novel the protagonist Dick Young agrees to test out a drug which his old university friend, Magnus, has developed. Dick takes the drug and is transported back in time to the fourteenth-century and is immersed in a world of intrigue, adultery, and murder.
Ginny enjoyed reading it, as it was different from many other stories written by the author.
JO: The Glass Blower
Set during the French Revolution, this book gives insights into du Maurier's ancestors who were glass blowers. The story is set in a small village where the whole population is involved in the industry. As times gets tough everyone in the village is affected. It was a traumatic time to live. Jo did enjoy reading it though.
ENID & SHEILA : Rendezvous and Other Stories
Enid: Short stories require a particular skill to write them..the opening sentence or paragraph must grab you. These were entertaining stories, often with the ending containing a sardonic twist. The author has a penetrating ability to assess characters and and her descriptions are very good.
Sheila: The stories were very dated but the more she read, the more she enjoyed them. She thought they were beautifully written and all the subjects were different.
PAMELA: Frenchman's Creek
Pamela thought the descriptions in this book were very good especially those of the sea and ships, but the plot was ridiculous. It would be a good book for an 'uncritical' reader to pick up.
CONNIE & ANNE: My Cousin Rachel
Connie: She had read the book as a teenager and loved it then, the drama and the scenery! But reading it now, she felt that she was 'someone else'. She has a different view of life now, found the plot became ridiculous after awhile and admitted that reading about the 'class system' in society was very disturbing. The description of the scenery was very realistic though.
Anne: Anne was also rereading it and quite enjoyed it, but thought that the ending was unconvincing, and not sure whether Rachel was good or bad.
KRIS: Scapegoat
This book is set after the war and concerns an Englishman, fluent in French, an historian with no family, rather unhappy and on holiday in France. There he bumps into a 'doppelganger' and learns that he is a French aristocrat who is also unhappy with his life! What happens next is an interesting series of events that occur over a relatively short time frame which somewhat spoils the whole idea.
JULIA:
SCAPEGOAT...tried it but couldn't really get into it!
I'LL NEVER BE YOUNG AGAIN...horror, suspense, romance- didn't like it
DON'T LOOK NOW: 5 short stories all from a different genre eg mystery, supernatural events and family confrontations. Although she enjoyed reading them, she found them rather old fashioned.
KATHY: The Parasites
She didn't like the beginning, but continued on and eventually it was 'OK'. The story is about a family involved in the world of the theatre. When the children are accused of being 'parasites' on the talent of their parents the story goes back through each of their childhoods to see why they have become like they are. Kathy found it confusing sometimes to identify the narrator. She felt the book had parallels with the author's own life - grew up in the theatre, and she had 3 children whom she was not close to.
MAREE, JOAN & JUDY: Jamaica Inn
Again the comments about this book were similar to others...her descriptive writing is excellent, you could feel the cold and fog on the moors. She creates great atmosphere with her writing.
The story is set on the moors in Cornwall and concerns a bunch of fairly desperate characters who are 'wreckers' ie they force ships to beach and then steal their cargo and kill the crew if necessary. A young niece who comes to stay at the Inn sees what is going on and tries to stop it.
All thought the ending was a little far fetched and came about after some amazing detective work!
A common comment was that this book also seems very dated.
OTHER BOOKS TO BE RECOMMENDED:
CLAURENCE: Cold Light by Frank Moorhouse
This is the third in the Edith Trilogy and tells her story of working at the League of Nations before, during and after World War 2.
ROSEMARY: Escape From Camp 14 by Blaine Harden
It is the true story of a young boy born in a North Korean Camp, his life and his eventual escape to the USA.
JOAN: The man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin
Tells the story of how a low-level KGB operative rose to the position he now holds.
NEIL: The Lotus eaters by Tatjana Soli
Set at the end of the Vietnam War, an American journalist must leave the conflict but her emotions are torn because of her feelings for the country and her Vietnamese lover.
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