Book 11
1. Fingersmith - Sarah Waters. 7/10
2. The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russel. 9/10
3. A Kestrel for a Knave - Barry Hines. 6/10
4. The Real Story - Stephen Donaldson. 4/10
5. Scoop - Evelyn Waugh. 8/10
6. The Night Watch - Sarah Waters. 9/10
7. We need to talk about Kevin - Lionel Shriver. 9/10
8. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger. 9/10
9. The Dark Side of the Sun - Terry Pratchett. 7/10
10. I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith. 7/10
11. The Godfather - Mario Puzo
This is the first book I fell in love with which wasn't easy laughs or a comfort read (P&P anyone?). As such, it's obviously a re-read, but for the first time in five years, so I've decided it's allowed. On re-reading I've decided it really does fully justify its place as one of my all time favourite books. It has everything. Sex, Violence, Religion, Love, Politics. In short all* the topics of conversation which were forbidden in second year. It was impossible to put down, just like last time I read it. This is somewhat less convenient now than on a thirty hour coach journey to Italy. Everything is so beautifully coloured. It feels like I'm reading an amazingly real story about a vibrant, exciting world. I think what amazes me most, is that while knowing their actions are often despicable, it seems impossible not to be sympathetic towards the Corleone family. You want everything to work out for them, in any way it can.
10/10
On a not entirely unrelated note, we returned from the bbqgrill last night to discover Bethany watching Brokeback Mountain. I watched what was left with her.
No matter how hard I try, I still can't sympathise with Jack and Ennis. I can tell myself how difficult it must have been for them, but I can't get past the adultery. I spend most of the film asking why they can't just make a brave decision for once. The rational part of my brain points out that they'd probably be lynched but it doesn't help. I can't feel anything but angry about the way those women are treated. This isn't really anything to do with the above, but it's even harder to like Ennis with my current hearing issues. He doesn't open his mouth, so my usual combination of listening hard and lip reading doesn't work at all. *grrr*
*Ok, so Love wasn't forbidden, and we didn't talk about violence enough for it to be. Also, there's no MUGSS politics in the Godfather.
2. The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russel. 9/10
3. A Kestrel for a Knave - Barry Hines. 6/10
4. The Real Story - Stephen Donaldson. 4/10
5. Scoop - Evelyn Waugh. 8/10
6. The Night Watch - Sarah Waters. 9/10
7. We need to talk about Kevin - Lionel Shriver. 9/10
8. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger. 9/10
9. The Dark Side of the Sun - Terry Pratchett. 7/10
10. I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith. 7/10
11. The Godfather - Mario Puzo
This is the first book I fell in love with which wasn't easy laughs or a comfort read (P&P anyone?). As such, it's obviously a re-read, but for the first time in five years, so I've decided it's allowed. On re-reading I've decided it really does fully justify its place as one of my all time favourite books. It has everything. Sex, Violence, Religion, Love, Politics. In short all* the topics of conversation which were forbidden in second year. It was impossible to put down, just like last time I read it. This is somewhat less convenient now than on a thirty hour coach journey to Italy. Everything is so beautifully coloured. It feels like I'm reading an amazingly real story about a vibrant, exciting world. I think what amazes me most, is that while knowing their actions are often despicable, it seems impossible not to be sympathetic towards the Corleone family. You want everything to work out for them, in any way it can.
10/10
On a not entirely unrelated note, we returned from the bbqgrill last night to discover Bethany watching Brokeback Mountain. I watched what was left with her.
No matter how hard I try, I still can't sympathise with Jack and Ennis. I can tell myself how difficult it must have been for them, but I can't get past the adultery. I spend most of the film asking why they can't just make a brave decision for once. The rational part of my brain points out that they'd probably be lynched but it doesn't help. I can't feel anything but angry about the way those women are treated. This isn't really anything to do with the above, but it's even harder to like Ennis with my current hearing issues. He doesn't open his mouth, so my usual combination of listening hard and lip reading doesn't work at all. *grrr*
*Ok, so Love wasn't forbidden, and we didn't talk about violence enough for it to be. Also, there's no MUGSS politics in the Godfather.