I have to admit that I have never got around to reading The Reader, the novel which brought Bernhard Schlink to the notice of an English-reading public, even though it sits on the bookshelf waiting to be picked up. Schlink also writes crime novels, featuring his private detective Gerhard Selb (or Self in English) and [...]
Entries from February 2008
February 27, 2008
His Illegal Self
I have read three other Peter Carey novels. the first one I read was not Oscar and Lucinda, but the much later True History of the Kelly Gang. Since then I’ve read My Life as a Fake and Theft and, whilst I enjoyed both, neither has matched the extraordinary achievement of The Kelly Gang – [...]
February 19, 2008
Amrita
It is a little while since I posted on the blog. Pressure of work has meant that my opportunities for reading have been somewhat limited over the past couple of weeks – it happens from time to time – so I’m glad today to post something on Amrita, the third novel I’ve read by Banana [...]
February 1, 2008
Shakespeare
There is no doubt that Bill Bryson is a good writer, if you place any value on the ability to be funny, accessible and engaging. Whilst harbouring the occasional reservation about his seeming willingnesss to sacrifice truth for the sake of a good one-liner, I have thoroughly enjoyed my previous encounters with Bryson. Unfortunately, though, [...]
