The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson ****

I struggled with the first 500 pages of Larsson's original book, "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo". This novel, however, was quite different. I was caught from the opening "Prologue" and was captured right until the end. Most of the same key characters as in the original book but an entirely different mess with which to deal. Three murders and Lisbeth Salander (the girl with the dragon tattoo) is the primary suspect. From that point on it is a continuous suspense mystery, entertaining to read.

Cross Country by James Patterson, PF

I don't know how detective Alex Cross survives. He gets savagely beaten up, tortured, imprisoned,and shot more times in one book than would seem to be humanly possible. It is difficult to determine if this book is meant to raise the consciousness of North American readers about the tragedies and crises in Africa (Nigeria, Dufur, Sierra Leone) or whether it is novel about a criminal investigation with the customary overtones of conspiracy theory that includes the CIA. AND the ending was a dud.

The Devil's Punch Bowl by Greg Isles

Customarily I enjoy Iles' books, but this book has too much talk and not enough action for me. Constructed around a gambling boat in Nantchez, Mississippi, the young mayor of the town gets hooked into unravelling a complex web of dog fighting, murder, international money laundering that results the lives of all his family being threatened including his daughter, his parents, and his girl friend.

The Whole Truth by David Baldacci, PF

This is good Baldacci. The story is too extreme to be believable, BUT it is an entertaining read AND, as is consistent with this author, there is an underlying message that is truly disturbing. Without trying to encapsulate the plot the notion of "Perception Management" as a critical component of the potential disasters that can be created by the intentional misconstruction of what is true is worrisome. "Perception Management" refers to a specific level of consultants that through a variety of media techniques influences the thinking of the public to believe that which is being promoted is actually true. Such distortion can be seriously problematic as is portrayed in this action thriller of a novel

Microserf by Douglas Coupland

Having already read J-Pod and The Gum Thief, this book was a little retro having been originally published in 1995. However, it is an interesting excursion into the perception of nerds and geeks in the Microsoft, Apple and silicon valley communities and the lives they live, they way they think, the values they hold, their self perception and their world views. Ultimately it boils down to some traditional themes of "identity", "self worth", and "what brings meaningfulness to life.

A Most Wanted Man by John LeCarre PF

Like other Le Carre novels there is a certain fascination and a fundamental disturbing undercurrent to the plot. This book is of a similar pattern. It combines an exposure of the complexity of building new security forces and the territoriality that results in mismanagement and unprecidented mistakes in interpretation of data, and important decision making. A most wanted man also explores Russian mafia, the torment of Chesnian muslims, traditional British Banking all set in the city of Hamburg and somehow it all works for a good read.

Hour Game, David Baldacci PF

Great beach read...a smorgasbord of characters and plot. From serial killer to life styles of the rich and famous, from family violence to kick boxing, from unsuspected to predictable. All and all, enjoyable.

Amaganset by Mark Mills PF

A good pulp fiction story. A combination of an elicit love story and a murder mystery. The primary character is a Basque immigrant fisherman. The location is a remote location in Long Island that is inhabited by a mixture of the very rich and the hard working men who make a living from the sea. The plot is entertaining and interest is maintained by the periodic interjections exploring the various backgrounds and circumstances of the major individuals.

Barney's Version by Morddecai Richler ****1/2

Barney’s version traces the comic, sometimes bizarre but consistently entertaining, reflections of an aging Barney Panofsky. His reflections travel through his childhood, free spiritied youthfulnes in Europe, three marriages, and a criminal charge of murder which keeps reoccurring throughout the book. His total irrevertness combined with visions blurred by alcohol result in a combination of wanton humor, comical chagrin, human pathos, uplifting optimism, social commentary and dispite the disagreeablness of his character ultimately a sense of compassion for the medical circumstances the result in the deterioration of his spirit.

The book is laced with both French and Jewish words but they add to the realism of the manuscript and do not detract from the story.

The author, Mordecai Richler, is a brilliant, imaginative, creative writer with a remarkable vocabular and a profound knowledge of literature and the political scene in Quebec

Homer & Langley by E.L. Doctorow ****

Homer and Langley are brothers. Their early years are spent in relatively normal circumstance with well-to-do parents who live in a mansion on 5th Avenue in New York. As their lives progress Homer becomes blind and Langley is the victim of a mustard gas attack during the World War 1. When he returns it is obvious that the trauma of his experience has affected him.

The novel is written entirely from the perspective of Homer as he describes their increasingly bizarre life without their parents who died of the Spanish Flu in 1918. Their historic journey as a pair of unconventional recluses becomes increasingly fascinating as Doctorow highlights major historic events in New York through the peculiar perceptions of the two brothers.

The two become increasingly eccentric throughout the novel and Doctorow’s exceptional writing style and imaginative creation of the primary characters makes it a great read.

"Too Much Happiness" by Alice Munroe ****

Alice Munro’s work is customarily fascinating. This multiple award winning, Canadian, author, which the New York Times Book Review claimed “Alice Munro has a strong claim to being the best fiction writer now working in North America, continues to produce captivating work. This book of short stories has a diversity of focus, an assortment of characters, a variety of settings, and multiplicity of messages. All of the stories fundamentally have a “human interest” consideration that ranges from a woman visiting her husband who is in prison for committing a heinous crime, the impact that a severe facial birthmark has on a man, the weird relationship between an elderly male and young abandoned teenager, a exposition on the multiple types of wood that is an integral part of the life of a furniture builder/wood cutter, and the shocking behaviour of two young teenagers towards a mentally handicapped acquaintance.

The title, Too Much Happiness, comes from the final story that is longer than the others. It is a clinical reflection on the final days of the real-life mathematician Sophia Kovalevsy in the late 1890’s. Although it is interesting because it is based on fact, it isn’t as captivating as the other works in the book.

"Sunburned Country" by Bill Bryson

As always Bill Bryson has a unique style of being informative and entertaining at the same time. The extensive coverage of his experiences in Australia is no exception. He devotes notable time to history, politics, geography, topography, plants, animals, reptiles, minerals, travel, cities, towns, life style and culture. Humorous anecdotes about his experiences and his imaginative writing style make this a thoroughly enjoyable book especially for those how have been to the country or plan to go.

"The Gargoyle" by Andrew Davidson *****

Although there may be various opinions in the reviews about this particular book there is a consistency in recognizing that it is distinctive, original and quite a remarkable read. It opens with a porn star/adult film producer crashing his sports car in a spectacular manner that results in him suffering severe burns all over his body. He will never be the same physically because of his monstrous appearance. One of the aspects of the book that is equally fascinating and repulsive is the explicit detailed descriptions of the medical treatment of burn victims.

Confined to months of rehabilitation in the burn ward the novel takes a dramatic twist with the entrance of Marianne Engel who approaches the victim and claims she first met him and rescued him 700 years earlier. Although she is currently in the psych ward many of the claims she makes appear to be substantiated. She ultimately takes the man to live with her in her home and work studio where as a sculptor she creates “gargoyles” which are highly valued in a global market. As part of her care-giving she relates a number of historic tales that are richly told, diverse in magnitude and congruent in message.

The ultimate impact of this relationship shifts the victim’s attitude from thoroughly planned suicide to a realization that the physical body is only a container for some things that are much more important. The recurring visits to Dante’s Inferno consistently confirm his revelations. In spite of all of this it is fundamentally a romantic novel.

Additional interest is capture by other main characters in the book including the medical doctor, the physiotherapist, a psychiatrist and Marianne Engel’s manager.
As a debut novel by this Winnipeg born, Canadian writer, it is quite an outstanding book. The author’s notes, The Story Behind The Gargoyle (that is included in some special editions) are an interesting after-read.

"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak *****

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This is a special book with a truly unexpected focus. The format is exceptionally startling as the fundamental narrator is “Death”. In addition to the descriptions of the story line “Death” intermittently inserts its own comments, observations, and reflections. As “death” is infinite, the use of it as the story teller allows the author to occasionally use the technique of “foretelling” and this becomes a magnet for the reader to keep on reading.

The plot revolves around a young girl, Lisa Meminger, who is placed with a foster family at age 9 although the reason for this placement is never made clear. She travels to Molching, Germany with her mother and her brother dies during the trip. At the burial service Lisa accidently discovers a book, The Grave Diggers Handbook that has been lost by one of the burial staff. Instead of returning it she keeps it even though she can’t read; and thus begins the tale of the “book thief”.

The story begins in pre-WWII and continues into the 1940’s. In the years of growing up Lisa’s life is influenced greatly by foster mother whose vocabulary is filled with profanity and insults, but below the surface is deeply caring woman. Her foster father teaches her to read, shelters her, cares for her deeply and plays the accordion in a mediocre manner. Her best childhood friend is Rudy who picks on her, fights for her, entertains her, and loves her but never gets to kiss her. The family shelters a Jewish refuge that puts their safety into severe danger, and Lisa becomes very attached to the man and his safety. She continues to steal books during her early adolescents and many of them from the mayor’s idiosyncratic wife’s extensive library who ultimately facilitates Lisa’s thefts of her books.

Another of the books unique features is it gives some possible revelations about what life in this gruesome period of history must have been like for the German people who did not support the Nazi regime.

Zusak is an Australian writer with an admirable quality of writing secure dialogue with poetic and novel imagery which rivets the reader’s attention.

"Through Black Spruce" by Joseph Boyden ****

Joseph Boyden has a skilful knack for capturing contemporary living while simultaneously celebrating the traditional cultures, beliefs and lifestyle of the First Nation’s people.

This novel is comprised primarily of two captivating narratives that are separate and distinct but irretrievably interconnected. The local is Moosone, an imaginary town on James Bay in Northern Ontario. One strand of the story reveals the events the preceded Will Bird, a remarkable bush pilot, being in a coma.

The second strand relates to his two nieces. Suzanne, a well known fashion model has disappeared. Her sister Annie travels to Toronto, Montreal and New York in hopes of finding her. In the most tantalizing manner the novel reveals the secrets of Will and Annie in magical mix of metropolitan decadence contrasted with the essential survival of living of the land in a barren wilderness.

"The Book of Negros" by Lawrence Hill ****

Reminiscent of Alex Haley's 1977 novel, "Roots", this historical novel traces the experiences of an fictional character, Aminita Diallo, from her abduction from an African village to her ultimate appearance in London, England as a spokesperson to support the abolitionists. Through her eyes we view the human tragedies of the slave trade, the deplorable living conditions and the inhumane treatment of the people of color. The primary focus of the novel is the ultimate transportation of the loyalists that were transported to Nova Scotia by the British just prior to the American Revolution. The title of the book comes from the actual record of the negroes that were included as loyalist and the list that was recorded and has been maintaine.

The novel is a captivating read and historically sound. It is longlisted for the Scotia Bank Giller Prize this year and has already won The Rogers Writers' Trust Fictional Prize.

"The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane ***1/2

An excellent historical novel by the author of Mystic River but not quite as captivating. The book focuses on two fictional characters, Luther Lawrence an African American who finds himself in serious trouble with the criminal element in Tulsa, and, Danny Coughlin, the son of a powerful police captain in Boston. There is also occassional appearances by Babe Ruth the baseball star. Set at a significant time in American History (1918-19) the political and social unrest is captured through the exploration of the Spanish Inflenza pandemic, the emergence of unions, racism, prohibition and the dramatic Boston Police Strike of 1919. Lehane is a talented writer and book moves at an admireable pace that kept this reader totally engaged.

"Billy Strobe" by John Martel PF

Billy Strobe is a student attending law school who gets caught in money making scheme that results in him being sentenced to prison. While in prison he completes his law degree and develops a commitment to a fellow prisoner who basically saves his life. With an early release from prison he is determined to get a new trial for the man who saved his life. In his pursuit of that goal he discloses a complex stock manipulation within the legal firm with whom he is employed that ultimately results in additional murders and a threat to his own life. It is moderately entertaining as suspense novel in the tradition established by John Grisham.

Sail by James Patterson PF

An "on-sea" drama about a mother and her three children taking a sailing vacation with the brother of her deceased husband. The mystery is created with the realization that someone is trying to murder the entire family. The book untangles the strands of deceipt that ultimately lead to the killer and his motivation. This is nothing more than an average mystery "almost" thriller but certainly not Patterson at his best.

The Flying Troutmans by Mariam Toews ***1/2

A captivating excursion into the workings of a somewhat disfunctional family. Min, the mother of two teenagers has a history of excentricism and periodically has some kind of mental breakdowns. With her being committed to the psychiatric ward her sister, Hattie, is determined to look after the teenagers. She decides to track down the kids father who supposidely lives somewhere in the U.S. The novel traces their journey from Manitoba to Texas. Hattie learns a lot about herself, the teenagers, who are very unique in their own ways, and the importance of family as their expedition sojurns across the continent. It is a delightful read with the combination of totally unique and origianl characters, a continuing contrast of locations and events, and an ultimate insights about life, love, commitment and family.

The Shack by Paul Young

I was curious about this book when I learned of its history. It was a self-published book that was sold over the internet. The book became so popular that it was picked up by a legitimate publisher and became a big seller. Many reviews have been written and most of them are positive. I don’t share the same enthusiasm. The literature is average and the theology is questionable. Describing myself as a secular humanist and, at best, a sceptical “believer” it is no wonder I have severe reservations about a book that involves extended conversations among the main character, Mac, and the anthropomorphic representations of God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost. God cooking pancakes for breakfast is just too silly to take seriously much less the explanations that are provided to justify earthly situations as not being the holy trinities fault. The explanation that the human attraction to “power and autonomy” contaminated the godly master plan and the failings on earth resulted from such qualities is deeply unsatisfying. The claim that the “Trinity” was and is well intentioned is not congruent with the explanations of why "bad" things happen. The position that "love" and "forgiveness" are the solution to human misery is moronic in its simplicity.

In addition a theological contention that there are three spiritual characters that monitor the every aspect of 6 billion human souls is so remarkably anti-intellectual that the entire book cannot be taken seriously. The number of book sales that is quoted is incomprehensible to me and seems more like an act of human desperation than an appreciation for the content presented in the manuscript.Reading this book was a waste of my time, which unquestionably says more about me than it does about the book.

Red Dog, Red Dog by Patrick Lane ***1/2

A novel about a dysfunctional family is not necessarily a happy tale. This one is not either. “Red Dog, Red Dog” basically focuses on the experiences and relationship of two brothers, Eddie and Tom. Although the story itself takes place over a short period of time the author weaves a family history into the narrative with the effective use of retrospective dialogue and family anecdotes. The disfuntionality of the Eddie and Tom’s family is traced historically through their grandparents and parents both families of which are extremely troubled. This is manifested in the behaviour and attitude of Tom and Eddie. Tom the quiet, introspective, withdrawn son while Eddie is a formerly incarcerated, drug-using, older sibling. The novel reinforces the notion that a combination of children’s environment has a significant impact on their eventual outcome but also suggests that genes do have memories and the some behaviours and attitudes are perpetuated through the family heritage itself.

The book begins with an interesting perspective of a sister who died shortly after birth and provides afterlife perspective to the current situation. For some reason the author abandons these occasional perspectives halfway through the book and one wonders why it was included in the first place.

The story takes place in the Canadian Okanagan Valley near Penticton, which provides an interesting perspective on poverty life in this area. The book is compelling and original.

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink ****

There are two primary themes in this book, both of which are relevant and thought provoking. In one sense it is an exposure of the problem of literacy and the psychological impact it has on individuals who cannot read or write. The extent of their humiliation leads to multiple decisions that may be personally detrimental but they would rather risk that than experience the humiliation of admitting that they are illiterate.

The second theme deals with the Post WW II generation of German youth. The embarrassment and humiliation and even mortification with which they have to deal as a result of the atrocities committed by their parents, relatives and other German’s who participated in the War. Their confusion as to how to deal with their own emotional confusion is exemplified in the primary character, Michael Berg. The first part of the book sets the stage for the real drama that follows in Part Two. At the youthful age of 15 he has an affair with a woman who is more than twice his age. Even at that age he recognized the complex relationship among thinking, reaching a decision and behaviour.

“I don’t mean to say that thinking and reaching decisions have no influence on behaviour. But behaviour does not merely enact whatever has already been thought through and decided. It has its own sources and is my behaviour, quite independently, just as my thoughts are my thoughts, and my decisions my decisions.”
This insight occurs early in the book but does not help him to deal with the degradation that he feels while attending a trial of former Nazi prison guards being tried as war criminals (one of whom is the woman with which he had his youthful affair) and his inability to understand why the previous generation behaved with such impunity to the grief and suffering that they imposed on other human beings.

The translation from the original German is by Carol Brown Janeway. I do not know enough about the German language to know if this is a typical translation. The language is simple with little embellishment or metaphoric references. It is precise and definitely not extravagant. It is easy to read but one could not suggest it is colourful. The story captivates the reader, not the elegance of language.

The Camel Club by David Baldacci PF ***1/2

This is the first book that introduces the Camel Club and since its release we can anticipate other books to follow in the same genre. Four older individuals who live in Washington D.C. have banded together to form the Camel Club, a club dedicated to expose the truth. It is particularly concerned with political issues. Each of the characters is unique characteristics, attributes and special talents, abilities, and certain mysteries relating to their past. The leading character, Oliver Stone, poses as a homeless individual although he actually does live in a cottage in a cemetery and has a job as caretaker of the park. He presides over the club and is a leading figure throughout the book.

The plot itself is a fascinating and riveting exposure of a terrorist plot to kidnap the president of the United States and hold him for ransom. Although the reader makes all types of assumptions as he/she reads through the manuscript, the plot takes so many twists and turns that most of the assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. That is the basis for the fascination of the book.

What is particularly effective in the book is Baldacci’s bold exposure of some primary weaknesses in U.S. Foreign policy without apology or excuse making. He also has a particular talent for dispelling many stereotypical misconceptions of the Islam community by including an ongoing dialogue between a rich American wife and her housekeeper and babysitter, who is of Muslim descent, and who is actually one of the terrorists included in the plot.

It is captivating reading with lots of mystery and notable amount of action.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (Non-Fiction)

Composed by Randy Pausch a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, this anecdotal autobiography reveals his preparation for a presentation at a Last Lecture Series sponsored by the university. The last Lecture series requires some personal meditation on what individuals have learned and what is most important to them as a result of their life-long experiences. This invitation to Randy is particularly valuable as he is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

I found the first section of the book both interesting and enjoyable as it traces his thought process and intellectual struggles in determining what to present in his final, one-hour lecture.

The second section of the book “Enabling the Dreams of Others” had less appeal for me as it focused on Dr. Pausch giving advice to the readers as a result of his experience. The weakness of this approach is that his advice is, in general, so circumstantial. It worked for him, with his character, personality, intellectual abilities, skills, attributes and life conditions. Advice of this nature is not necessarily transferable to others whose lives take place in a totally different context.

The Cellist of Sarajevo **** by Steven Galloway

As the cover says this is a gripping story of Sarajevo under siege. The writer acknowledges there is a time distortion in that the events in the story take place over a few weeks whereas the actually siege took place over three years.

Written by a Canadian author in the most magnetic fashion it faces the lives of three individuals over a time period of 22 days. That number of days is significant in that a notable, elderly musician watched an explosion of a mortar that killed 22 people on the street in front of his apartment building. Every day after that he goes out at the same time as the explosion, sits in the hole made by the mortar and plays Albinoni’s Adagio each day for 22 days. The story doesn’t focus on the cellist but his conviction is portrayed through the daily trauma of the other three individuals, Dragan, Keenan and Arrow.

It is a graphic reminder of the horror of the inhumane conditions that can be imposed by the insanity of politics and divergent ideologies. But none of the individuals ever give up hope that the city will not someday return to its former glorious self. It is a tale of resilience and hope.

Late Nights On Air ****+ by Elizabethy Hay

This is a great book for Canadians, Albertans and international readers. The story is set against the backdrop of the far north in the town of Yellowknife, North West Territories (and beyond). It brings the stark reality and the beauty of the arctic environment. The characters are believably real as the tale unfolds within a context of what was actually happening during the same time period (1975). The loneliness of the environment’s small population, remote locations and incredibly long distance is not on captured in beautiful language but is minimized by the intimacy of the relationships between the main characters who work in the local radio station.

The novice announcer Gwen: “With time she’d grown more accustomed to the bracing experience of the microphone. It no longer felt like plunging into cold water – in and out – before towelling herself off. She could stay in much longer. A burka for the shy, the night-time announce booth. A dark tent that covered her up as she crossed the wide desert of late-night radio.”
The aging and experienced acting manager Harry: “Quarrelsome as sparrows guarding their territory, but what issued from them was song, birdsong being proprietary and exclusive.”

“The mistakes don’t matter,” he informed her one night after she stumbled over a station ID and apologized on air... “It’s the recovery that counts. I’ve learned that a mistake is just something you go on from”
And on the accidental death of a close friend during a canoe trip to the far reaches of the territory: “Where they had been was so vast, and Ralph’s death so unforeseen, that their sense of the ordinary died with him. The normal grasses of life never quite grew back.”

Eventually some of the characters leave the barren and go onto new life adventures. They have learned and grown from the experience. And, some of them stay and living a lifestyle that most of us can’t even imagine. This is a good read. It is no wonder that it is the Giller Prize Winner (2005)

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway **1/2

The Sun Also Rises (originally published 1926) Ernest Hemingway

Okay I am not a Literary Historian, in fact, I am hardly literary, but I do have an opinion. This is the first novel that Ernest Hemingway had published. His style was touted as being revolutionary. It seems to me it is only partially revolutionary. I find many of the novels from the romantic period somewhat boring because they have endlessly long, detailed descriptions that have little to do with the plot, but do have value in exploring the life and times of the period.

Hemingway is known for his “spare but powerful” writing style. In this novel there is a lot of sparseness in the narrative. See the following example:

“The wine was icy cold and tasted faintly rusty.
“That’s not such filthy wine, “Bill said.
“The cold helps it”, I said.
We unwrapped the little parcels of lunch
“Chicken?”
“There’s hard-boiled eggs.”
“Find any salt?”
“First the egg,” said Bill. “Then the chicken. Even Bryan could see that.”
“He’s dead. I read it in the paper yesterday.”
“No. Not really.”
“Yes. Bryan’s dead.”
Bill laid down the egg he was peeling

However, I am not convinced it is “powerful”. It is the same type of detail that is the novels from the romantic period but in fewer words...that in itself is a blessing as when i read Jane Austin's novel (okay the one I did read, Pride and Prejudice" I kept waiting for something to happen...nothing ever did. Much of the novel is endless descriptions of the “lost” generation after WWI. It focuses on a group of expatriates living in Paris who travel to Paploma, Spain to attend the bull fighting festival. They appear to spend most of their time drinking wine, eating, arguing, disagreeing and complaining. Basically it’s boring.
The scenes of the “running of the bulls” are too sparse to create much excitement. The bull fighting sections near the end of the book have some interesting perspectives.

I have read “For Whom The Bell Tolls” and plan to read “Death in the Afternoon” (more about bullfighting) and since I haven’t read “The Old Man and the Sea” which probably ultimately led to his winning of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Perhaps my opinion will be modified after more exploration of his work.

Plague Ship by Clive Cussler ***+

This book is enjoyable for just fantasy action escape. As usual Cussler starts with an imaginary historic event when a survivor of WWII military plane crash discovers Noah's Arc on a glacier in Norway. We don't hear about the arc again until about page 400 of the book. The primary plot involves the customary villians, this time a world wide organization dedicated to solving the problem of the overpopulation of the world through villanous means. The crew of the Oregon ship (the agency of the good guys)discovers the plot accidently and pursues the challenge of thwarting the plot. The book moves at a quick pace as one obstacle after another has to be overcome by the ingenuity of the crew and their ultra high-tech equipment. The good guys win,of course, but after completing the book one might come to a realization that the bad guys had a significant concern about the impact that overpopulation is having on society. It does prick one's conscience!

The African Diary by Bill Bryson NF

African Diary by Bill Bryson
This little book (50 pages) is record of the humorous travel writer, Bill Bryson’s, account of his experiences to Kenya sponsored by the humanitarian organization “Care”. It is a delight combination of humour, personal anecdotes, and a factual account of the conditions that he encountered on his brief tour. It is another occasion on which are conscience can be jolted by the living conditions of those in developing countries, and the opulent good fortune that we have living in North America.

It is acknowledged that progress for the poor and deprived in this once significant country is slow but there is hope. With every small advance of providing clean water, safe living conditions and adequate food lives do change. “And so by such means, do people’s lives improve, little by little.”

The profits from the book sales go directly to support the work of “Care”. Their philosophy is not to give the money to the country and hope that it is not lost within the corruption that exists everywhere. It is to invest in small innovations and allow the people themselves to make decisions and experience the success of their own entrepreneurship. As is stated in the book , “It’s not about spending large amounts of money, but about spending smaller amounts intelligently.”

The book ends with an understated success about one individual farmer whose life has been changed markedly by the work done by the organization. As a result of improving his farming methods , “William Gumbo, in short, is a happy and he has a future. Surely every human being is entitled to at least that much.”

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards ***1/2

This book surprised me. I enjoyed it more than I expected. The cover informs you that the basic story is about a couple that give birth to the second infant of fraternal twins (a boy and a girl). The father, David, is a doctor and delivered the two infants at his office in the midst of a snow storm. The baby girl has Down syndrome and the father makes arrangements to put her in an Institution without consulting the mother. He informs the baby was still born.

I assumed the story would be about the little girl. However, the novel focuses on the arbitrary decision that was made by David and the impact it has on him, his wife, the son and the nurse who was instructed to take the baby to the Care Facility.
The plot is complicate by the fact that the nurse does not leave the baby at the Institution but takes the baby, named Phoebe, as her own, moves to another city and raises her.

The dynamics of both families are greatly influenced by the decision and pervade their existence for the chronological period (1964 – 1984) that is covered in the book. By the conclusion we are reminded that making decisions without involving the input of those who will be affected by the decision can have extraordinary impact. Although it is not stated, we also know that involving them in such decisions of such magnitude also has the potential for the same.

The focus on the issue of Down syndrome is woven tastefully as the novel progresses, and ultimately raises the reader’s consciousness by the time the infant has grown to adulthood.

The Time In Between by David Bergen ***1/2

This is an unusual book that is seductive in its simplicity. The writing style reminds me, sort of, of Hemmingway’s minimalist approach: simple sentences, simple language, engaging, direct and effective. The book is the 2005 Giller prize winning novel. (Yes I know I am a little behind in my reading).

It is also unusual as it is written by a Canadian, David Bergen, who lives in Winnipeg. It focuses on an ex-US Marine who fought in the Vietnam War. Moves to Canada and has three children and then most of the chronicle takes place in Vietnam.
The story is multilayered. It deals with the vet, Charles Boatman, his post-traumatic stress, the source of his trauma, his life in the Canadian wilderness, his mental turmoil, and his return to modern Vietnam hoping to find hope and his search for personal meaningfulness.

It also contrasts this with two of his children, Jon and Ada. It shares insights of their upbringing, and when their father disappears in Vietnam they travel to that country to search for his whereabouts. For Ada the search evolves into a search for self that almost parallels her fathers.

As a backdrop the mystic of South East Asia becomes captivating in itself.

I enjoyed this book.

We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver ****

This is a disturbing book but a fascinating read. It is structured in a unique collection of the character Eva’s written communication to her husband. Eva, the mother of Kevin, of the title recollects her memories of her life until a horrific event on “Thursday” the day before Kevin’s fifteen birthdays. The author tantalizes the reader with an early quote, “So many stories are determined before they start”. This foreshadows the primary question in the book. On completing the novel, the reader is haunted with an inevitable question as to whether the boy’s behaviour was a result of his upbringing or was there something innately inherent in his genetic make-up that produced a teen-age sociopath who murders 11 people.

The quote: “One of our consuming diversions as we age is to recite, not only to others but ourselves, our own story”, helps to explain the unique format of the book which is almost like a diary being shared with her husband, from whom there is never a response.

The book unfolds in chronological sequence giving Eva’s background, her career, her marriage, the birth of her son and daughter later in her life. The details of her struggle with motherhood that is greatly compromised by the nature, character and behaviour of her infant son. As he matures the disconcerting behaviours continue and get more extreme. The bewildered mother is constantly questioning her ability to cope and her suitability for motherhood.

Extremely well written the book is totally provocative. In the PS at the end of the book the insights and interviews with the author are an added bonus!

...but, real love shares more in common with hatred and rage than it does with geniality or politeness.

Twenty Chickens for A Saddle by Robyn Scott Non-Fic

In 1987when Robyn Scott was only six year old her parents moved to Botswana. Her biographical traces her memories for the next 20 year and documents some of her experiences of being raised by liberal minded, adventurous and sometimes eccentric parents. It is always interesting, at times fascinating, and occasionally disturbing as the reader gains insights as to both the positive accomplishments of the family and the upsetting issues of racism or the devastating rampage of the aids throughout the country.

Her grandfather was a well known individual in the country for his many unconventional enterprises and the uniqueness of his character. Her father is a flying doctor and the book testifies of the challenges of motivating the residence to move away from some of the traditional methods of treating medical problems and accepting more modern approaches.

The mother takes charge of the three children’s home schooling and it is clearly evident that she takes John Dewey’s philosophy to an extreme. Experiential learning is the foundation of the youngster’s education. In spite of many variances from more traditional “schooling” all the youngsters did well when they registered in private high schools, and all three of them eventually complete college degrees.

Ms. Scott does a most commendable job capturing the essence of their existence in a realistic and entertaining style. There is a wide diversity of events and challenges that they confront growing up in this unique environment. The later section of the book documents the painful devastation of a country had previously been safe, peaceful and flourishing.

World Without End by Ken Follett ***1/2

In this sequel to his bestselling novel “The Pillars of the Earth” Ken Follett explores a time period in Medieval English history from 1327 – 1361, which is two centuries after the original novel. Maintaining the location of Kingsbridge where the original cathedral was constructed the novel revolves around four primary characters that are introduced as children in the opening pages. The youngsters inadvertently witness a murder of two men-at-arms and the wounding of a king’s knight. In the process one of the youngsters comes to the aid of the knight and helps him bury a document and swears to keep its whereabouts a secret unless the knight is killed.

The next 1000 pages makes little reference to the opening incident but chronicles the lives of the four youngster; a peasant girl, a non-believer who wants to become a doctor but ends up becoming a nun, a heartless ruffian who eventually becomes a knight and later a nobleman, and finally, a gifted carpenter, engineer, inventor, and architect. Their lives are ensnared in the realities of the medieval world in this fundamental battle of “good” vs. “evil”. The evil in this case includes the feudal system, the English class system, the demarcation between the rich and the poor, the exploitation of the peasants, the battle between church and state, the corruption of the clergy, the primitive nature of the prevailing legal system, the naivety of medical practice and the plague.

For 900 pages evil continuously outmanoeuvres the good. Eventually in the righteousness prevails, including the importance of the hidden document in chapter one, evil succumbs, and we can all sleep better knowing that we didn’t have to live in the Middle Ages

The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland ***1/2

Douglas Coupland contines to produce manuscripts that fascinates, captivates, confuses and illuminates. The raw material for this absolutely entertaining novel includes Roger, a 43 year old, divorced, alcoholic; Bethany, a 20 year old gothically dressed school drop-out and a Staples, a business supply store. Multiple stories are intwined with remarkably gifted clarity.

Bethany accidently discovers that Roger is writing a mock diary pretending to be her. Rather than getting angry she sends him a note suggesting that they secretly exchange their writings. These writings become the soul of the novel. Coupland has an almost indescribable style of writing that is filled with ironic and satiric humor in the most bizarre contexts.

Roger is composing a manuscript for a novel and Bethany encourages him to share it with her. The characters in his novel also become characters within the book. In addition, Roger's ex wife and Bethany's mother make cameo appearances that punctuate the essence of message. The adhesive concept of all the characters is the notion of overcoming death, tragedy and adversity. Humor prevents the stories from ever becoming bleak. The final resolution testifies to the value of friendship even when the friendship is between two totally uneven characters. With the strength of one another adversity can be overcome but never permanently. There is both tragedy and joy on tomorrow's menu.

The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deavers (PF)

In this book Deaver's does create a most devious villan in the person of Pell, a power hungary killer who idolizes Charles Manson. The book starts with a dramatic prison break by Pell that quickly defines Pell's as a sociopath who has no conscious about killing others if it is necessary for his survival. The break occurs after he has been interrogated by a kinesic analyst, Kathryn Dance. Once he has escaped Dance and her team are charged with anticipating his motivation and his probable action in order to capture him before he kills any more. The action is fast, the plot unpredictable, the characters diverse, and the outcome unpredictable. One of the most fascinating elements of the script is the remarkable exposure of the physical and verbal clues that a skillful kinesic interogator uses to determine the level of believability of the speaker's responses.

Treasure of Kahn by Clive and Dirk Cussler (PF)

In his customary format Clive Cussler somehow combines a disarray of unbelievable components in another fantasy yarn in the adventures of Dirk Pitt. From the treasures of Genghis Khan buried in a secret tomb in Mongolia surprisingly discovered by a villainous, arrogant, power-monger, Mongolian who happens to be a Khan descendent. The elements that provide the foundation for the dramatic action includes: a machine that creates earthquakes, the destruction of world oil supplies creating a desperate shortage, the blackmail of China for energy resources in exchange for the liberation of Mongolia. Saving the world from destruction are again Dirk Pitt, Al Gordino and all the other Numa gang. Added to the mix are Dirk’s son and daughter who are doing their own explorations in Hawaii. Through the magic of total disbelieve their encounters ultimately connects to the adventures in Mongolia. As long as entertainment rather than reality literature is the objective for reading Cussler this is another predictable but easy read.

The Elephanta Suite by Paul Theroux ***1/2

Paul Theroux writes about unique characters and unusual circumstances. “The Elephanta Suite” is no exception. Three novellas are included in the book. Each story has a different set of characters and they are only connected in the most simple, tangential fashion.
Audie and Beth Blunden, a rich couple from the United States, are staying at the Elephanta Suite at a spa in India. They are seeking a peaceful vacation and spiritual understanding combined with a glimpse of life in India. They discover the incredible difference between the devastating poverty in the neighbouring villages and the luxury of the spa. Both of them discover dimensions of themselves and their relationship that are unveiled through their interaction with the mysteries of a culture so foreign to their own.

Dwight Huntsinger, a US Lawyer and money man, is in India negotiating contracts for offshore production. He arrives with such an aversion to the country that he eats all his meals in his hotel room only eats canned tuna. He subsequently and accidently has some dramatic experiences that began with an encounter with a young street prostitute and eventually results with him living and supporting two other young women. His conversion is so extraordinary that he ultimately forgoes all material things and initiates a pursuit of poverty and spiritual tranquility.

Alice and her friend Stella are vacationing from college. Stella decides not to continue the journey which leaves Alice alone to pursue her own interests. She travels to an “ashram” where she participates in all the rituals and life style. Her accidental encounter with a domesticated elephant becomes a significant symbol in her story. To help pay for her accommodation at the ashram she gets a job teaching slang/American English to employees of an offshore company that give technical advice about products to customers in the US. She does such a good job that she is repulsed by her own success. While attempting to escape from the confinements of her making she is assaulted by one of the students. With no support from legal system the conclusion of the story is a startling metaphor.

All three stories illuminate the Indian culture in multiple ways. Simultaneously the contrast to life in North America is defined in a profound but understated fashion. This is an entertaining read.

The Testament by Eric Van Lustbader ***

Lustbader has written many action-filled books including a number of captivating stories with a Ninja or Far East flavour. Most recently he completed the Bourne Legacy based on the character of Jason Bourne created by author Robert Ludlum. The Testament has excitement, action, drama, intrigue and in that context it is an entertaining read.

Unfortunately one can be distracted by the incredible similarity of this book to The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Most of the elements are the same, almost identical. There is the good guy, Braverman Shaw, who on the mysterious death of his father inherits an onerous task. It requires all of the fighting skills he acquired through training as a youth and more importantly an incredible capacity for untangling a maze of ciphers that his father left for him to solve.

There is the “good girl”, Jenny, who is assigned to protect him as a guardian and yet you are not really certain whose side she is really on.
There is a religious organization, The Order of Gnostic Observatines, (that does have some historical roots) that is hiding a protecting “The Testament” supposedly written by Jesus Christ. In addition they have also been harboring “the Quintessence” an all healing substance that can lead to immortality. Braverman inherits from his father the responsibility of being the keeper of this cache.

There are the bad guys, a secret society named the Knights of St Clement that was established by the Pope at the time of the crusades to locate the Testament and the Quintessence to support the church. The bad guys will not stop at any atrocities to succeed in obtaining the cache. The pursuit of Braverman is the essence of the book. The plot is further complicated by a group that has infiltrated the Knights and contaminated the whole mission as they want the cache for themselves.The 480 pages of this pulp fiction are filled with enough mystery and action to keep one reading. It is just too bad that one keeps thinking didn’t we already go through this with Da Vinci

"Love In The Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez ****1/2

Love in the Time of Cholera

By
Gabriel Garcia Márquez

Translated from Spanish by Edith Grossman


The difficulty of converting literature into a movie is that you can film the story, but could never capture the elegance of language that is prevalent in the manuscript. The obvious inadequacy of celluloid in trying to portray such poetic descriptions as:

“But Angeles Alfaro left as she had come, with her tender sex and her sinner’s cello, on an ocean liner that flew the flag of oblivion and all that remained of her on the moonlit roofs was a fluttered farewell with a white handkerchief like a solitary sad dove on the horizon, as if she were a verse from the Poetic Festival.”

This Nobel Prizing winning author part poet, part writer, part literary magician dramatically weaves the lives of three main characters in a book of revelations about youth, love, marriage, persistence, aging and death.

The story line is quite simple. At a very youthful time in life, Fermina Daza captivates Florentino Ariza an iconoclastic individual of extremely unusual character and unlikely physical appearance. Although they have no opportunity to speak, she is captivated by his dedication and the endless amount of letters that he sends to her. Ultimately she is distracted by life and discards him eventually marrying a physician who commands high regard both in the social and political communities. Late in life he dies. Fermina and Florentino are reunited in a most unusual elderly relationship.

The story is captivating. The language is hypnotizing. The imagery is magical.

The philosophic portrayal of old age is incarcerated in such definitive imagery that words become tangible and concepts become substance.

“There was no innocence more dangerous than the innocence of age.”

“…she would not waste the rest of her years simmering in the maggot broth of memory…”

“…most fatal diseases had their own specific odor, but that none was as specific as old age.”

“He was still too young to know that the heart’s memory eliminates the bad and magnifies the good, and that thanks to his artifice we manage to endure the burden of the past.”
“Florentino Ariza, on the other hand, faced the insidious snares of old age with savage temerity…”

One of the impressive aspects of Marquez’s style is the imaginative use of language to portray the most simple of life events.

“…and, at last he gave into the spell of habit.”

“…reluctant to confess his hatred of animals…He said that people who loved them to excess were capable of the worst cruelties toward human beings. He said that dogs were not loyal but servile, that cats were opportunists and traitors, that peacocks were heralds of death, that macaws were simply decorative annoyances, that rabbits fomented greed, that monkeys carried the fever of lust, and that roosters were damned because they had been complicit in the three denials of Christ.”

“…smelling a secret garden in his urine that had been purified by lukewarm asparagus.”

“No not rich,” he said. “I am a poor man with money, which is not the same thing. His strange nature, which someone once praised in a speech as lucid demential, allowed him to see in an instant what no one else ever saw…”

“…it was a tangible look that touched him as if it were a finger.”

“…and then all they could do was to use sex as if it were a bandit’s knife, and put it to the throat of the first man they passed on the street.”

“…and she discovered with great delight that one does not love one’s children just because they are one’s children but because of the friendship formed while raising them.”

“The problem in public life is learning to overcome terror; the problem in married life is learning to overcome boredom.”

“…as he stumbled alone through the mists of old age.”

“Life would still present them with other mortal trials, of course, but that no longer mattered: they were on the other shore.”

“…flowers painted lunatic colors.”


Although he waited a lifetime to reunite with Fermina, Florentino was perpetually promiscuous. He never views himself as being inappropriate because his love for her is unswerving and unending. He legitimizes his actions with the quote: “…their musketeers’ motto: Unfaithful but not disloyal.”


The author chronicles his pursuit and enjoyment of sensuality throughout the lifetime he spends waiting to re-establish a relationship with Fermina. From the descriptions of his activities it is obvious that he is not bored, but it is more an expression of being lost.

“He persuaded her to let them be observed while they made love, to replace the conventional missionary position with the bicycle on the sea, or the chicken on the grill, or the drawn-and-quartered angel, and they almost broke their necks when the cords snapped as the were trying to devise something new in a hammock.”

This tale that is revealed in a non-chronological, but logical, style dramatically investigates the power of a youthful love obsession that continues and persists until death. It contains the elements that make a read intoxicating including humor, imagery, eroticism, character, imagination, human strength and fragility.

And an added bonus of the book is the translator’s use of an extensive vocabulary. These are words that you will not find in the Reader’s Digest (or the movie version of the same title). You have to love the language:

Gerontophobia
Daguerreotypes
Profligate
Sibylline
Lacustrine
Passementerie
Succubus
Chimerical

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert ***

Elizabeth Gilbert has created an entertaining, sometimes thought provoking, highly autobiographical testimony of her search for identity and happiness. She begins with the recognition that she wanted to get out of her marriage and the emotional and financial devastation that results from her initiating the divorce proceedings. Ultimately she searches for inner-peace in three sections of the book.

She travels to Italy where she delights in the romance of the language, the seduction of the food, and the excitement of the men.

I am not the best traveler in the world. …I’ve traveled a lot and I’ve met people who are great at it…I’ve met travelers who are so physically sturdy they could drink a shoebox of water from a Calcutta gutter and never get sick. People who can pick up new languages where others of us might only pick up infectious diseases. People who know how to stand down a threatening border guard or cajole an uncooperative bureaucrat at the visa office. People who are the right height and complexion that they kind of look halfway normal wherever they go…I don’t have these qualities.

I took on my depression like it was the fight of my life, which of course it was. What was the root of all this despair? And then in a most entertaining manner listing a number of possible causes: Was it psychological…was it just e] temporal, a “bad time” in my life…Was it genetic…Was it cultural…Was it astrological…Was it artistic…Was it evolutionary…Was it hormonal... She ends with “Was I tapping into a universal yearning for God? Did I have a chemical imbalance? Or did I just need to get laid?

In a lucid moment Gilbert states a profoundly simple notion of maintaining one’s self esteem; “Never forget that once upon a time, in an unguarded moment, you recognized yourself as a friend.”

There are multiple dichotomies as her pursuit of the spiritual is so deeply grounded in the gourmet decadence of Italy. “The culture of Rome just doesn’t mach the culture of Yoga, not as far as I can see. In fact, I’ve decided that Rome and Yoga don’t have anything in common at all. Except for the way they both kind of remind you of the word Toga” and later she makes the observation about the self-indulgence of eating…”including a gelateria that serves a frozen rice pudding (and if they don’t serve this kind of thing in heaven, then I really don’t want to go there)”.

Her struggles with spirituality connected well with me because I seem to have the same kind of brain she describes; “Like most humanoids, I am burdened with what the Buddhists cal the “monkey mind” –the thoughts that swing from limb to limb, stopping only to scratch themselves, spit and howl.”

As she challenges the notion of doctrines and organized religion she captures the inevitability of it all in a simplistic revelation: “Religious rituals often develop out of mystical experimentation. Some brave scout goes looking for a new path to the divine, has a transcendent experience and returns home a prophet. He or she brings back to the community tales of heaven and maps of how to get there. Then others repeat the words, the works, the prayers, or the acts of this prophet, in order to crossover, too….Inevitably even the most original new ideas will eventually harden into dogma or stop working for everybody.”

Her guruic connection in Bali metaphorically explains the pursuit of spiritual tranquility as: “Imagine that the universe is a great spinning engine…you want to stay near the core of the thing –right in the hub of the wheel—not out at the edges where all the wild whirling takes place, where you can get frayed and crazy. The hub of calmness—that’s your heart. That’s where God lives within you. So stop looking for answers in the world. Just keep coming back to that center and you’ll always find peace”.

Near the end of the book Gilbert quotes her guru as saying about a woman with whom he was once in love: “I think she had a secret mind insider her other mind, nobody can see inside there.” This book is the distinct opposite of that as she appears to explore that “secret mind inside her other mind” and share it with anyone in the rest of the world who reads the book. Her conclusion about the entire process of searching is stated simplistically: “Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it”.

The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold ***

A novel that begins with the primary character intentionally extinguishing the life of her mother who is rampantly dementiated is a tough way to start. It is almost too overwhelming to continue. Alice Sebold, the author of "These Lovely Bones", does create a magnetic curiosity by weaving the historical development of the circumstances that ultimately resulted in the murderous act of daughter on mother. Other family relationships are revealed as the daughter tragically struggles to deal with the deathly impulsivity of her act. A collage of characters including her ex-husband, her children, her deceased father, the neighbors of her parents, her best friend, and a totally abandoned sexual encouter with her best friend's son has enough attraction to maintain the curiosity and interest of the reader. However, it is not a cheerful read.

The Highest Tide ***

The Highest Tide is one of those delightful surprises you pick up off a discount table and then thoroughly enjoy the book even though you never heard of the author. The book focuses on a thirteen year old boy who continously explores the Tidal Pools in a small Oregon town. When he discovers some exceptional species that are 1000's of kilometres from their habitat and some which are assumed to be extinct he becomes a local hero. The book is filled with an incredible amount of fascinating information about marine biology. This all unfolds against a backdrop of a thirteen yearold who is dealing with his own adolescent development. Highly entertaining and an easy read.

Aztec Rage by Gary Jennings ***

Having read most of Gary Jennings' earlier books "Aztec", "Aztec Blood", "Aztec Autumn" I was surprised to receive this novel as a gift because Jennings died in 1999. This novel was a completion of his notes and previous research by his former editor and a co-author. The style of Jennings' tradition is maintained. This book, however, focuses primarily on the aftermath of the Spanish invasion of Latin America and the reality of the demise of the Aztec people and the destruction of their culture. Spanish greed and the religious intolerance of the Catholic Church are boldly exposed for the insensitivity of their invasive actions. At the commencement of the book the primary character, Don Juan de Zavala , is a dashing caballero. He is shockingly roomed from this lofty position of the upper classes when the truth about his heritage is revealed by an uncle who, in attempt to murder Don Juan de Zavala accidently kills himself. The rest of the book traces the adventures of the fallen hero throughout the country of Mexico, the Franco/Spanish war, and an eventually uprising of thousands of the Indios who attempt to regain their freedom from Spain. It is lively read, for those who are interested in this period in history.

Tasmanian Trilogy by Bryce Courtney ***1/2

1. The Potato Factory
2. Tommo & Hawk
3. Solomon's Gold

These three historical novels takes place over 4 generations. "The Potato Factory" starts in England in the early 1800's and focuses on the feature character Ikey Solomon (who is apparently was a genuine individual) Solomon is nothing short of a scoundrel and a thief and schemining individual who exploits a band of homeless youngsters to commit much of the crime. It is suggested that the Charles Dickens (who makes a brief appearance in the book) based his character "Fagan" in the novel "Oliver" on Solomon. With some assistant from his disreputable wife and ultimately from the hiring of a homeless but talented and intelligent woman, "Mary Abacuss", he amasses considerable wealth. Eventually the police catch up with him and in remotely connected circumstances both his wife and Mary are arrested and sentenced to a prison in Tasmania. Ultimately Ikey is also transported to the colony to serve his prison term.

The second in the series, Tommo and Hawk, focuese on the two boys that Mary adopts who are twins...meaning only that they were given birth by the same prostitute mother but had two different fathers. Tommo is white and Hawk is black. The book journals their abduction and abuse by separate wildmen but are eventually returned and raised by Mary. As a result of abuse Tommo is addicted to both alcohol and heroine but under the care of Hawk they join a whaling ship and work for 3 years in treacherous circumstances. They end up in New Zealand where they join the Maoris in their fight against the British and Tommo marries a Maori woman and they have a child. During this time Mary establishes a series of industies including a brewery "the potato factor" and starts to thrive. When the boys eventually return to Tasmania they become involved in supporting the business, but Tommo has two children but is not able to overcome his addictions. His restless wife also gets caught up in the seedy side of life which takes its unavoidable toll.

The final book, "Solomon's Song" begins with the death of Tommo, and the business success of Hawk and Mary. A considerable amount of the book depicts in graphic, but tragic detail the doomed invasion of Gallipoli by the ANZACS. The grandson of Tommo, Ben, and one of the grandson's of Solomon's wife are primarily featured in the war sequence. The grandaughter, Victoria, evolves into a highly successful business woman and succeeds Mary Abacus & Hawk in the management of the families various enterprises.

Within the book there are graphic descriptions of violence and human abuse that although disturbing are probably accurate descriptions of the historical times. Notwithstanding the vividness of these occassional passages, all three books are captivating reading.

Tasmanian Triology by Bryce Courtney ***1/2

True Evil by Greg Isles **

Okay for a beach read. Not as exciting as many other Greg Isles' books. A lot of medical context in the first 500 pages but the last 100 pages might be worth waiting for.

Sphere ***

I recently found myself with nothing to read but a three story collection by Michael Creighton. Sphere was the second story in this monstrous hard cover book. I have never had much interest in scienc fiction, so I read this with some hesitancy. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. Creighton is a master of creating suspense and I found this book hard to put down. A group of people from different occupations - science, math, psychology, computers: are pulled together to go on a mission for the US government and the Navy. What they find in the deep depths of the ocean looks like a space raft - they call it the Sphere. The story is an exciting adventure of disovery, mystery and relationship. 7 people in a confined space, having to co-habitate, rounds out the book with a personal side. Creighton explains and describes the scientific/mathematical concepts in a way that anybody can understand it.

I enjoyed this book - Creighton is a great writer for an easy and exciting read.

The View from Castle Rock **

I was disappointed in this book. Alice Munro is an exquisite writer (rated as one of the best in the English language). The focus of this book is a combination of historical novel combined with her autobiographical story. There are capturing moments in the book, however the cast of characters can get confusing. It is a refreshing read to have all the settings in Canada and there is no question about the authenticity of her portrayal of life from the brutal conditions of early settlement to the simplicity of contemporary rural Ontario. Maybe it is just the subject matter never really captured me. It is evidence of the difficulty of making someone else's nostalgia meaningful to a stranger.

Alice I Think ***+

I enjoyed this book. I was totally entertained and would not have guessed that a novel written for a young teenage girl audience would be so absolutely amusing.

It basically traces Alice MacLeod in her search for some kind of identity through the tribulations of “home schooling”, “being bullied”, “old fashioned ‘hippy’ parents, “first boy friend” “loss of first boy friend”, “alternative high school”, “neurotic counselors”, “first job and first being fired”, “driving without a license”, “the challenge of using makeup” but all of this clothed in the bigger issue of a teenager unrelenting search for a distinctive identity. The pursuit is described in a totally humorous style. The following quotes give a snapshot of the level of humor in the book, and there is much more when the description are contextualized.

It is refreshing to read a book that has a Canadian setting; this time it is Smithers, British Columbia with additional references to Prince George, Terrace and Ponoka.

Alice starts the narrative commenting on her initial experience in elementary school. As a result of being raised by parents who failed to prepare a person for real life and encouraged to be creative.

On starting school:

There is probably no worse thing to be in the first grade than a newcomer who thinks that she is a hobbit.

Don’t send your kids to school dressed like a character from a fantasy book unless that kid has a lot of friends who also dress like fantasy characters.

My parents looked around and realized that the home-schooled kids weren’t exactly what my dad called “Paragons of normalcy”. A disturbing number of them were still breast-feeding at an age when most kids were taking up smoking.

On her parents:

Although it seems to me that if ninety percent of the adults that I know, including my parents, don’t know what they want to be when they grow up, it’s a bit much to ask of me at the tender age of fifteen.

I once heard my Uncle Laird describe my dad’s life as being ‘a remarkable combination of obsessive busy work and near catatonic sloth.

Mom put a plate of her version of comfort food, whole-wheat macaroni and some kind of cheese substitute, just inside my door.

On her brother:

I think McGregor might be a genius. Anyone so oblivious to the horrors of the human world must be.

On reading literature:

I have begun reading “Fellowship of the Rings”…I’m on page two and really enjoying it.

I continue to make progress reading “The Fellowship of the Rings”. I’m on page five. I really understand why it’s such an important book. I can’t believe I didn’t read it sooner.

Her mother and the bully.

Linda kicked viciously until she knocked my mother down with her. They pummeled each other like a couple of kindergartners in a fight over who gets to eat the Play-Doh…

On using makeup

Mom’s makeup was extremely old and crusty. I wonder if it’s possible to get poisoned through your facial skin. I just hope I don’t get salmonella or something.

Grandma hardly puts makeup on, but when she does it looks like she’s been in Mr. Dressup’s Tickle Trunk. It seems the older people get the harder it is to put lipstick on between the lines – probably because the lines start going all over the place.

The author’s autobiography at the end of the book is a revealing, entertaining description, and the interview section is enlightening. The C.B.C. Television series “Alice, I Think” (2006) was based on this manuscript.

I do not know how to rate this book in terms of stars...it is a good entertaining read so would rate it highly, and at the same time, it is quite different than the other material because of the intended audience. In contrast, although both books are about teenagers, this book is as far from being different from "My Sisters Keeper" as can be imagined.