Nowhere Man
John M Green
Pantera Pres
PJ O’Rourke describes Green as ‘Just like Michael Crichton… only better.’ After reading this part thriller, part science fiction novel, I can only assume O’Rourke wrote such a glowing review because he was a) drunk, b) bribed by a wad of cash or c) had a momentary absence of his senses. As for the brilliant novelist Michael Crichton, I feel hugely affronted on his behalf to have his talents compared to Green.
Sonya (and no I don’t know what her surname is because the author in his wisdom does not bother to mention it when we, the reader, first meet her. In fact as one astute "fan" told me, you have to turn to page 31 to learn it's 'Wheen') arrives back after her morning run to discover her husband Michael is missing. Suspecting foul play, she sets out to investigate his disappearance. Sonya, the red lipstick wearing, motorbike riding, sexy, University professor(no cliché was spared when it comes to our heroine) comes across a computer software game that accurately predicts the future of the stock market. Which brings us to the only interesting (and surprisingly well written) part of the book. Using the software, Sonya successfully rides through the stock market crash, saving her house from the clutches of the big bad bankers before they foreclose on her.
Does Sonya finally solve the riddle of her husband’s disappearance? Personally, I could not endure the torture long enough to find out. The story told with excruciating clumsiness is a long yawn stretching over far too many pages. What I would like to know however is how the editor could do such a disservice to the author, the publisher and the reading public by allowing such a clumsy work released into the market. 1 star – for effort!
About Me
- Banafsheh Serov
- Australia
- I am passionate about the written language. I love writing, reading, reviewing, selling and promoting books. I am an independent bookseller with over 20 years of experience in the book trade. Together with my partners, I actively aim to improve our bookstore's range and services to better reflect the needs of our community and clientele. In 2008, my memoir 'Under A Starless Sky' was published by Hachette, Australia. Since then, I had a short story 'Jasmine Petals' published in 'Stories of Belonging' (Finch) and in 2013, released my first full-length novel, The Russian Tapestry, also by Hachette. I am currently writing my second novel. I strive daily to improve my skills and stretch the limits of my craft. My love of books has naturally lead to reviewing. You can follow me on Twitter @B_Serov, Facebook www.facebook.com/BanafshehSerov and Goodreads www.goodreads.com/author/show/1429016.Banafsheh_Serov
Thursday, July 22, 2010
The book Of Emmett - Deborah Forster
The Book of Emmett
Deborah Forster
Vintage
Praise to first time novelist Helen Forster for her sublime portrayal of this Australian suburban family. Growing up in the outskirts of Melbourne Louisa Brown and her siblings endure the daily onslaught of their father’s alcohol fueled rage. Years later, the family gathers for Emmett Brown’s funeral, reflect on their lives and the effects of the long shadow cast by their father.
The Book of Emmet arrived in my hands like a breath of fresh air. Forster’s symmetry and artistry to string words into prose is a pure delight to read. As a writer reading this book, Forster’s talent is nothing short of magic. Retracing the pages, I re-read passages, and underlined so many sentences, no page was intact. I love Forster’s delivery, subtle and effortless in its execution. At no time did the writing feel forced or pretentious.
It’s a privilege to come across such a wonderfully crafted work. It gives me an added pleasure that Forster is Australian and that I, a bookseller, can press this jewel like a cherished gift in to the hands of my customers with the words ‘You’re going to love it.’ And mean it. 5 stars.
Deborah Forster
Vintage
Praise to first time novelist Helen Forster for her sublime portrayal of this Australian suburban family. Growing up in the outskirts of Melbourne Louisa Brown and her siblings endure the daily onslaught of their father’s alcohol fueled rage. Years later, the family gathers for Emmett Brown’s funeral, reflect on their lives and the effects of the long shadow cast by their father.
The Book of Emmet arrived in my hands like a breath of fresh air. Forster’s symmetry and artistry to string words into prose is a pure delight to read. As a writer reading this book, Forster’s talent is nothing short of magic. Retracing the pages, I re-read passages, and underlined so many sentences, no page was intact. I love Forster’s delivery, subtle and effortless in its execution. At no time did the writing feel forced or pretentious.
It’s a privilege to come across such a wonderfully crafted work. It gives me an added pleasure that Forster is Australian and that I, a bookseller, can press this jewel like a cherished gift in to the hands of my customers with the words ‘You’re going to love it.’ And mean it. 5 stars.
The Delta - Tony Park
Tony Park’s compelling tale is the latest action packed thriller set in the beautifully unique yet troubled African continent. Set in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and the neighbouring Namibia, Delta is inspired by real life rebellions and the looming prospect of future wars over climate change and dwindling water resources.
The heroine Sonja Kurtz - an ex-soldier turned mercenary – is on the run after a failed assassination attempt on Zimbabwe’s president. Hoping to start afresh, Sonja takes refuge in the Okavango Delta. Instead of respite however, she finds herself again in the eye of the storm fighting alongside rebellions to destroy the dam that’s threatening the delta’s fragile eco-system.
Since 1995, Park and his wife have spent an average of six months a year in Africa, traveling and researching topics for his novels. Delta is the meshing together of Park’s love and concern for Africa with his knowledge of years serving the Australian Army Reserve. The result is an environmentally conscious, heart-thumping thriller that grabs the attention of the reader from the opening scene and maintains it till the very last page.
Although the audience for this book is males between 30-50, there is a vulnerability and insecurity beneath Sonja Kurtz’s tough exterior that makes her appealing to the female readers. 4 stars
The heroine Sonja Kurtz - an ex-soldier turned mercenary – is on the run after a failed assassination attempt on Zimbabwe’s president. Hoping to start afresh, Sonja takes refuge in the Okavango Delta. Instead of respite however, she finds herself again in the eye of the storm fighting alongside rebellions to destroy the dam that’s threatening the delta’s fragile eco-system.
Since 1995, Park and his wife have spent an average of six months a year in Africa, traveling and researching topics for his novels. Delta is the meshing together of Park’s love and concern for Africa with his knowledge of years serving the Australian Army Reserve. The result is an environmentally conscious, heart-thumping thriller that grabs the attention of the reader from the opening scene and maintains it till the very last page.
Although the audience for this book is males between 30-50, there is a vulnerability and insecurity beneath Sonja Kurtz’s tough exterior that makes her appealing to the female readers. 4 stars
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The House of Special Purpose - John Boyle
The House of Special Purpose
John Boyle
Georgy Daniilavich is a Russian peasant whose life takes a dramatic turn when he saves the life of Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholavich, the uncle of Tsar Nicholas II. Moved to the Winter Palace in Petrograd, Georgy finds himself at the centre of the Royal life at a time of great turmoil in Russian history.
Going back and forth between the Russian Court and Georgy’s later life in London - where he lives in exile with his wife Zoya – the story follows the events that have conspired in changing Georgy’s life forever.
The brutal murder of the Tsar and his family has always been one of the most talked about focal points of the Russian revolution. Since then, there has been much speculation surrounding the Tsar’s youngest daughter, Anastasia, surviving the execution. It is these myths that Boyle weaves into his story as we move closer to the events of that faithful day and the true identity of Georgy’s wife Zoya.
Already a fan of John Boyle, I was drawn to The House of Special Purpose by its historical content. Although much research has obviously gone into making the story credible, the story itself is disappointing. Despite Boyle’s attempt to tease out Zoya’s identity, it is clear from quite early on in the book who she is. With the mystery of Zoya taken out, the story’s strength becomes its historical context and at the heart of it, the love affair of the two main characters. And although the blossoming love affair is tender and touching, the historical points seem forced in their delivery. 3 stars
John Boyle
Georgy Daniilavich is a Russian peasant whose life takes a dramatic turn when he saves the life of Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholavich, the uncle of Tsar Nicholas II. Moved to the Winter Palace in Petrograd, Georgy finds himself at the centre of the Royal life at a time of great turmoil in Russian history.
Going back and forth between the Russian Court and Georgy’s later life in London - where he lives in exile with his wife Zoya – the story follows the events that have conspired in changing Georgy’s life forever.
The brutal murder of the Tsar and his family has always been one of the most talked about focal points of the Russian revolution. Since then, there has been much speculation surrounding the Tsar’s youngest daughter, Anastasia, surviving the execution. It is these myths that Boyle weaves into his story as we move closer to the events of that faithful day and the true identity of Georgy’s wife Zoya.
Already a fan of John Boyle, I was drawn to The House of Special Purpose by its historical content. Although much research has obviously gone into making the story credible, the story itself is disappointing. Despite Boyle’s attempt to tease out Zoya’s identity, it is clear from quite early on in the book who she is. With the mystery of Zoya taken out, the story’s strength becomes its historical context and at the heart of it, the love affair of the two main characters. And although the blossoming love affair is tender and touching, the historical points seem forced in their delivery. 3 stars
Alone in Berlin - Hans Fallada
Alone in Berlin
Hans Fallada
Penguin
Otto and Anna Quangle, law abiding, simple working class couple living in a Berlin, have always done their very best to stay out of trouble. When they receive a letter informing them that their only son is killed in the war, something breaks in them and they turn their anger and grief into an extraordinary act of defiance against the Nazis. Ignoring the dangers, the Quangles drop anonymous postcards denouncing Hitler in busy buildings throughout the city.
The postcards soon reach the attention of the Gestapo and the ambitious inspector Escherich who makes it his personal endeavor to catch their author.
Based on real life characters, Hans Fallada weaves an intriguing and vivid portrait of life under Nazi Germany. The totalitarian system that spread paranoia, fear and torture moved to crush any opposition to it with swift, brutal violence. Most of the previous literature I’ve come across about this period tend to concentrate on persecution of Jews by the Nazis or the war itself. Alone in Berlin, is the first book I’ve read that gives an insight into the scale of fear spread by the Nazis throughout Germany and the treatment of those who dared to defy them.
For me the great importance of this story is in the characters’ moral integrity. Despite the great danger to their lives and those around them, they remain loyal to their values, refusing to bow down to the threats of an unjust regime. It mattered little to them how effective their campaign was because in Otto’s words ‘The main thing was you fought back.’ 4 stars
Hans Fallada
Penguin
Otto and Anna Quangle, law abiding, simple working class couple living in a Berlin, have always done their very best to stay out of trouble. When they receive a letter informing them that their only son is killed in the war, something breaks in them and they turn their anger and grief into an extraordinary act of defiance against the Nazis. Ignoring the dangers, the Quangles drop anonymous postcards denouncing Hitler in busy buildings throughout the city.
The postcards soon reach the attention of the Gestapo and the ambitious inspector Escherich who makes it his personal endeavor to catch their author.
Based on real life characters, Hans Fallada weaves an intriguing and vivid portrait of life under Nazi Germany. The totalitarian system that spread paranoia, fear and torture moved to crush any opposition to it with swift, brutal violence. Most of the previous literature I’ve come across about this period tend to concentrate on persecution of Jews by the Nazis or the war itself. Alone in Berlin, is the first book I’ve read that gives an insight into the scale of fear spread by the Nazis throughout Germany and the treatment of those who dared to defy them.
For me the great importance of this story is in the characters’ moral integrity. Despite the great danger to their lives and those around them, they remain loyal to their values, refusing to bow down to the threats of an unjust regime. It mattered little to them how effective their campaign was because in Otto’s words ‘The main thing was you fought back.’ 4 stars
Love in The Time Of Cholera
Love in The Time Of Cholera
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Penguin
This highly acclaimed Latin classic has long since been a source of curiosity to me. Written lovingly and with great care for the characters, Marquez weaves a tale of unrequited love spanning half a century between Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daze.
Following the accidental death of the prominent doctor Dr Juvenal Urbino, Florentino seizes his chance to re-declare his love to the doctor’s widow. As teenagers, Fermina rejects Florentino’s love choosing instead to marry the famous doctor. Spurned but not disheartened, Florentino takes refuge in the arms of numerous lovers while secretly continuing to love Fermina from a distance. In their seventies, and after the death of Dr Urbino, Florentino hopes to kindle in Fermina the passion he had long since held for her.
The long drawn-out sentences coupled with a lack of pronouns, makes reading Love at the Time of Cholera, an arduous task. Florentino with his refusal to move forward borders on pathetic. His insipid moaning and scampering into the arms of other women, is both tedious and sad. The story redeems itself only in the last pages when the two main characters set off on a river cruise. Having to endure the 400 previous pages, the last scenes came too late to leave any lasting favourable impressions. 2stars
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Penguin
This highly acclaimed Latin classic has long since been a source of curiosity to me. Written lovingly and with great care for the characters, Marquez weaves a tale of unrequited love spanning half a century between Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daze.
Following the accidental death of the prominent doctor Dr Juvenal Urbino, Florentino seizes his chance to re-declare his love to the doctor’s widow. As teenagers, Fermina rejects Florentino’s love choosing instead to marry the famous doctor. Spurned but not disheartened, Florentino takes refuge in the arms of numerous lovers while secretly continuing to love Fermina from a distance. In their seventies, and after the death of Dr Urbino, Florentino hopes to kindle in Fermina the passion he had long since held for her.
The long drawn-out sentences coupled with a lack of pronouns, makes reading Love at the Time of Cholera, an arduous task. Florentino with his refusal to move forward borders on pathetic. His insipid moaning and scampering into the arms of other women, is both tedious and sad. The story redeems itself only in the last pages when the two main characters set off on a river cruise. Having to endure the 400 previous pages, the last scenes came too late to leave any lasting favourable impressions. 2stars
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