Reading not writing 2005 #7
31 Pompei - Robert Harris
I enjoyed this - mostly. It was clear that Harris has done his research, but it's also clear that this isn't really his period. I thought the ending was disappointing. It was almost as if Harris had reached his word count and wasn't going to write any more, so abruptly ended it. I would have thought there was a lot of tension and drama to be explored in how the characters survived the eruption (or not), but he covered it in a couple of paragraphs. Bit of a cop out actually.
32 The Ionian Mission - Patrick O’Brien
This felt a bit like filler - pace to those who prefer the thrilling sea battles. Following the conclusion of the Stephen/Diana arc that lasted over several books was always going to be hard, so instead of high drama, we had battles. Yawn. The book was redeemed by the interesting look at the politics of the Eastern Med at that time.
33 Year of Wonders - Geraldine Brooks
This was interesting, although I did find the MC a bit irritating, but that may have been the 1st person POV, which is not my favourite. I’m not sure why the author added the epilogue though - it was unnecessary, and left me thinking, eh? at the end.
34 The Crusader - Michael Eisner
Another 1st person POV. A competently written tale of medieval psychotherapy, but not one I liked sufficiently to want to read again. There seems to be a fad at the moment, when writing 1st person historical novels to use the conceit that the narrator is writing from a point some years later, or even towards the end of their life - An Instance of the Fingerpost, was similar. I suppose this is intended to give the narrative a greater feel of verisimilitude, but it really isn’t necessary, especially when it is used to give potted histories of the later lives of the other characters in the novel, as happened here. I really didn’t need to know most of the information given, or want to know it either.
35 Monstrous Regiment - Terry Pratchett
Thank goodness for Pratchett! This was a wonderful satire on gender, written only as Pratchett could write it. One of his best ever. Of course it doesn't need to be read as a satire on gender, and I'm sure many people won't get it at that level. But it's always one of the good things about Pratchett that his novels work at so many levels.
I enjoyed this - mostly. It was clear that Harris has done his research, but it's also clear that this isn't really his period. I thought the ending was disappointing. It was almost as if Harris had reached his word count and wasn't going to write any more, so abruptly ended it. I would have thought there was a lot of tension and drama to be explored in how the characters survived the eruption (or not), but he covered it in a couple of paragraphs. Bit of a cop out actually.
32 The Ionian Mission - Patrick O’Brien
This felt a bit like filler - pace to those who prefer the thrilling sea battles. Following the conclusion of the Stephen/Diana arc that lasted over several books was always going to be hard, so instead of high drama, we had battles. Yawn. The book was redeemed by the interesting look at the politics of the Eastern Med at that time.
33 Year of Wonders - Geraldine Brooks
This was interesting, although I did find the MC a bit irritating, but that may have been the 1st person POV, which is not my favourite. I’m not sure why the author added the epilogue though - it was unnecessary, and left me thinking, eh? at the end.
34 The Crusader - Michael Eisner
Another 1st person POV. A competently written tale of medieval psychotherapy, but not one I liked sufficiently to want to read again. There seems to be a fad at the moment, when writing 1st person historical novels to use the conceit that the narrator is writing from a point some years later, or even towards the end of their life - An Instance of the Fingerpost, was similar. I suppose this is intended to give the narrative a greater feel of verisimilitude, but it really isn’t necessary, especially when it is used to give potted histories of the later lives of the other characters in the novel, as happened here. I really didn’t need to know most of the information given, or want to know it either.
35 Monstrous Regiment - Terry Pratchett
Thank goodness for Pratchett! This was a wonderful satire on gender, written only as Pratchett could write it. One of his best ever. Of course it doesn't need to be read as a satire on gender, and I'm sure many people won't get it at that level. But it's always one of the good things about Pratchett that his novels work at so many levels.