Book log 2011
Ghostwritten - David Mitchell
This novel consists of a set of 10 interlinked stories, each excellent and intriguing in its own right. The real magic, however, is in how the stories are interwoven to form a cyclical whole, both in the explicit links and the more subtle similarities.
The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The prequel to The Shadow of the Wind, which I have read and enjoyed, but embarrassingly I couldn't really remember the plot when I sat down to read this one. Time for a reread, I think. Nevertheless I really liked this -mysterious and spooky, with hints of the supernatural. I loved the exploration of different human relationships - romantic, platonic, interactions with co-workers, father figures and so on.
I am Number Four - Pittacus Lore
Oh dear. I kind of wish I hadn't finished this one, actually. I don't feel strongly enough about it to hate it actively, but there isn't much to recommend. It's full of blunt exposition about this sprawling, over-sized, but not particularly interesting mythology, with a flimsy romantic sub plot reminiscent of Twilight. None of the characters are very appealing, the obvious environmental message gets tiring, and it does the weird, quite disturbing thing that's also in Twilight where (broadly speaking) the good guys are beautiful while the villains are ugly.
Shifu, You'll Do Anything For a Laugh - Mo Yan
Not much to say about this one. It's a collection of short stories written over a period of 20 years, giving an interesting insight into different aspects of Chinese history and culture. It was an enjoyable read, but didn't really grab me.
Current read: Eleven Kinds of Loneliness - Richard Yates
This novel consists of a set of 10 interlinked stories, each excellent and intriguing in its own right. The real magic, however, is in how the stories are interwoven to form a cyclical whole, both in the explicit links and the more subtle similarities.
The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The prequel to The Shadow of the Wind, which I have read and enjoyed, but embarrassingly I couldn't really remember the plot when I sat down to read this one. Time for a reread, I think. Nevertheless I really liked this -mysterious and spooky, with hints of the supernatural. I loved the exploration of different human relationships - romantic, platonic, interactions with co-workers, father figures and so on.
I am Number Four - Pittacus Lore
Oh dear. I kind of wish I hadn't finished this one, actually. I don't feel strongly enough about it to hate it actively, but there isn't much to recommend. It's full of blunt exposition about this sprawling, over-sized, but not particularly interesting mythology, with a flimsy romantic sub plot reminiscent of Twilight. None of the characters are very appealing, the obvious environmental message gets tiring, and it does the weird, quite disturbing thing that's also in Twilight where (broadly speaking) the good guys are beautiful while the villains are ugly.
Shifu, You'll Do Anything For a Laugh - Mo Yan
Not much to say about this one. It's a collection of short stories written over a period of 20 years, giving an interesting insight into different aspects of Chinese history and culture. It was an enjoyable read, but didn't really grab me.
Current read: Eleven Kinds of Loneliness - Richard Yates