The Secret Speech
Tom Rob Smith
Simon & Schuster
Former MGB officer Leo Demidov returns in this fast paced action packed novel. Three years after Child 44, the Soviet Union is undergoing dramatic change. Stalin is dead and his successor Khrushchev pledges an end to the violent regime via a secret speech. A speech that once known to the general public, will reveal the extent of the cruelty and torture inflicted on the Soviet people.
In the midst of such potential upheavel, Leo finds himself yet on another impossible mission, fighting to save his family and himself from the ghosts of his past. He travels from the Siberian Gulags, to the belly of the Soviet underworld and finally the Hungarian revolution.
Throughout the book Smith raises some interesting questions. At times of great cruelty and injustice, who are the people that are really to blame: The system that allows and even encourages such behaviour; the perpetrators that actively take part in it; or those who stand by and do nothing. All dictators manage to reign through fear and the reluctance of masses to do anything. One cannot exist without the other, hence when serving out punshment, how wide should the net be spread?
Another issue which I found interesting was the effect of long term anger and bitterness on the individual's heart. Freara's (Leo's antagonist) single minded revenge on losing her child had blackened her heart to the point that she seemed void of any other human emotion with devastating result.
After reading Child 44 I had high expectations from this book which unfortunately for me Smith did not meet. He did not offer the reader anything new, just more of the same as Child 44. The Secret Speech is still a thoroughly enjoyable read delivered at a fast and furious pace in short punchy chapters.
For me, it was good but not great, enjoyable but not special.
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
Monday, February 23, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Towelhead - Alicia Erian
Towelhead
Alicia Erian
Headline Review
Jasira, a 13 year old Arab-American girl has been sent by her mother to live with the Lebanese father she barely knows. Jasira is not happy living with her father; he alienates her with his strict rules, harsh punishments and lack of affection. Alone and confused about her rapidly changing body she looks to people around her to fill the void. She meets her neighbour Melina who becomes Jasira’s confidant and protector, taking on the parental responsibilities neglected by Jasira’s parents. She also meets Mr. Vuoso, an Army reservist whose inappropriate attentions escalate to abuse.
Towelhead challenges the reader by not shying away from often uncomfortable and evocative subjects. The title was a little misleading as I had wrongly assumed it was about the difficulties of growing up Muslim in America during the first Gulf War- something similar to ‘Does my head look too big in this.’
Jasira’s character is surprisingly unsophisticated and ignorant towards her changing body. After all what 13 year old American girl does not know about tampons? Aside from the media advertising and programs, schools spend a lot of time educating the kids about their changing bodies and appropriate and inappropriate touching.
Towelhead now a Hollywood movie staring Toni Collett, makes for a confronting but not always believable read.
Alicia Erian
Headline Review
Jasira, a 13 year old Arab-American girl has been sent by her mother to live with the Lebanese father she barely knows. Jasira is not happy living with her father; he alienates her with his strict rules, harsh punishments and lack of affection. Alone and confused about her rapidly changing body she looks to people around her to fill the void. She meets her neighbour Melina who becomes Jasira’s confidant and protector, taking on the parental responsibilities neglected by Jasira’s parents. She also meets Mr. Vuoso, an Army reservist whose inappropriate attentions escalate to abuse.
Towelhead challenges the reader by not shying away from often uncomfortable and evocative subjects. The title was a little misleading as I had wrongly assumed it was about the difficulties of growing up Muslim in America during the first Gulf War- something similar to ‘Does my head look too big in this.’
Jasira’s character is surprisingly unsophisticated and ignorant towards her changing body. After all what 13 year old American girl does not know about tampons? Aside from the media advertising and programs, schools spend a lot of time educating the kids about their changing bodies and appropriate and inappropriate touching.
Towelhead now a Hollywood movie staring Toni Collett, makes for a confronting but not always believable read.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle - David Wroblewski
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
David Wroblewski
4th Estate
The Sawtelle’s live on a remote farm where they train dogs and then when old enough place them into homes. Gar and Trudy after many attempts finally have a son. Edgar, a smart and otherwise healthy child has never had the power of speech. When his father dies under suspicious circumstances, Edgar initially blames himself till on a stormy night he is visited by the ghost of his father.
Wroblewski’s first novel is lucky enough to have the stamp most authors can only dream about – Oprah Book Club. For me however it was the write up at the back of the book by Stephen King that peaked my curiosity. He wrote‘I closed the book with that regret readers feel only after experiencing the best stories…I wont read one this good for a long time.’ I too had felt the same ache many times before, a deep regret equal to parting with a close friend. Such expectations probably added to my deep disappointment when I read this highly praised novel. Long passages, though beautifully crafted and executed in lyrical perfection, dragged on to the extent that made me wish for more assertive editing. Equally I found endless scenes and explanations on dog breeding and training, tedious and arduous read. If I was not on holiday and my readily supply of books, I would have moved on to a different book within the first 100 pages.
Fortunately the pace and the narrative of the book lifted in the second half of the book when Edgar escapes home with three of his dogs. For the first time I slowed down my reading, not so impatient to finish it. Incredibly unlike the slow pace throughout the book, the ending was rushed, leaving me bewildered by how the story folded into itself.
When my husband asked me to describe my feelings towards the book, I compared The Story of Edgar Sawtelle to Prince’s greatest hits double album – It would have made a great single album!
David Wroblewski
4th Estate
The Sawtelle’s live on a remote farm where they train dogs and then when old enough place them into homes. Gar and Trudy after many attempts finally have a son. Edgar, a smart and otherwise healthy child has never had the power of speech. When his father dies under suspicious circumstances, Edgar initially blames himself till on a stormy night he is visited by the ghost of his father.
Wroblewski’s first novel is lucky enough to have the stamp most authors can only dream about – Oprah Book Club. For me however it was the write up at the back of the book by Stephen King that peaked my curiosity. He wrote‘I closed the book with that regret readers feel only after experiencing the best stories…I wont read one this good for a long time.’ I too had felt the same ache many times before, a deep regret equal to parting with a close friend. Such expectations probably added to my deep disappointment when I read this highly praised novel. Long passages, though beautifully crafted and executed in lyrical perfection, dragged on to the extent that made me wish for more assertive editing. Equally I found endless scenes and explanations on dog breeding and training, tedious and arduous read. If I was not on holiday and my readily supply of books, I would have moved on to a different book within the first 100 pages.
Fortunately the pace and the narrative of the book lifted in the second half of the book when Edgar escapes home with three of his dogs. For the first time I slowed down my reading, not so impatient to finish it. Incredibly unlike the slow pace throughout the book, the ending was rushed, leaving me bewildered by how the story folded into itself.
When my husband asked me to describe my feelings towards the book, I compared The Story of Edgar Sawtelle to Prince’s greatest hits double album – It would have made a great single album!
What is America - Ronald Wright
What is America: A Short History of the New World Order
Ronald Wright
Text
How did America, transform from a frontier country to the lone super power in just over two centuries? How do America’s claims to be the most modern and democratic country in the world, stand up to scrutiny whilst Middle America – The Backwoods America – remains the stronghold for the religious right?
In ‘What is America’, Wright traces the origins of America back to its original Indigenous Americans – the great Aztec and Incas civilizations. Wright explains that these empires were not conquered by the Spaniards until the small pox. In future years, the small pox and other white man’s diseases were deliberately reintroduced whenever they were faced with strong indigenous opposition.In one generation, the American Indian’s population was reduced to just a tenth of its size, mainly through white man’s diseases.
In the first century of their settlement, the white leaders made 370 treaties with the Indians and proceeded to break them all. Aside from breaking all their promises, the white settlers continued to enslave, massacre and drive the indigenous population off their lands. The settlers justified their actions by demonizing the Indians, calling them savages and condemning their beliefs as devil worshipping. It’s interesting to note, echoes of such tactics are still evident in the current US “War on Terror”. Sadly, as Wright notes, such methods give “all repressive regimes of both right and left an excuse for their own atrocities.”What is America is a captivating read about the colonial culture of America and its influence on how America is perceived in the eyes of the world. My one criticism is that I found the book far too brief (There are only 9 chapters and the last third of the book is taken up with notes). I would have liked to have read a more in depth commentary on the state of America during the past century – and its influence on the rest of the world- than what Wright offered.
An enjoyable read but unfortunately the length of the book left me unsatisfied.
Ronald Wright
Text
How did America, transform from a frontier country to the lone super power in just over two centuries? How do America’s claims to be the most modern and democratic country in the world, stand up to scrutiny whilst Middle America – The Backwoods America – remains the stronghold for the religious right?
In ‘What is America’, Wright traces the origins of America back to its original Indigenous Americans – the great Aztec and Incas civilizations. Wright explains that these empires were not conquered by the Spaniards until the small pox. In future years, the small pox and other white man’s diseases were deliberately reintroduced whenever they were faced with strong indigenous opposition.In one generation, the American Indian’s population was reduced to just a tenth of its size, mainly through white man’s diseases.
In the first century of their settlement, the white leaders made 370 treaties with the Indians and proceeded to break them all. Aside from breaking all their promises, the white settlers continued to enslave, massacre and drive the indigenous population off their lands. The settlers justified their actions by demonizing the Indians, calling them savages and condemning their beliefs as devil worshipping. It’s interesting to note, echoes of such tactics are still evident in the current US “War on Terror”. Sadly, as Wright notes, such methods give “all repressive regimes of both right and left an excuse for their own atrocities.”What is America is a captivating read about the colonial culture of America and its influence on how America is perceived in the eyes of the world. My one criticism is that I found the book far too brief (There are only 9 chapters and the last third of the book is taken up with notes). I would have liked to have read a more in depth commentary on the state of America during the past century – and its influence on the rest of the world- than what Wright offered.
An enjoyable read but unfortunately the length of the book left me unsatisfied.
Breath - Tim Winton
Breath
Tim Winton
PenguinBruce
Pike (Pikelet) is a paramedic who knows only too well what it’s like to be young, arrogant and addicted to extreme sports. As a teenager, he and his best friend Looney grew up in the small sawmill town of Sawyer. They sought escape from the ‘ordinariness’ of the town’s life by flirting with death, daring one another to surf in conditions which pushed the boundaries and placed their lives in danger. As young boys Pikelet and Looney took their lead from legendary surfer and mentor, Sando. By taking them to breaks other locals find too dangerous to surf, Sando fuels the boys’ curiosity for adventure and risk. His American wife Eva, also once shared Sando’s passion for extreme sports. She was a free style ski jumper till an accident ended her career and left her bitter and lame. No longer being able to ‘fool with death’ she turned to darker habits, involving Pikelet in her dangerous games.
At once rhythmic and tender, Breath is more than just a meditation on surfing. It’s about human frailty, the blurring of escaping the ordinariness of life and taking unnecessary risks.
Breath is possible not the author's best work but the simple clarity of Winton's story telling makes for a very enjoyable read.
Tim Winton
PenguinBruce
Pike (Pikelet) is a paramedic who knows only too well what it’s like to be young, arrogant and addicted to extreme sports. As a teenager, he and his best friend Looney grew up in the small sawmill town of Sawyer. They sought escape from the ‘ordinariness’ of the town’s life by flirting with death, daring one another to surf in conditions which pushed the boundaries and placed their lives in danger. As young boys Pikelet and Looney took their lead from legendary surfer and mentor, Sando. By taking them to breaks other locals find too dangerous to surf, Sando fuels the boys’ curiosity for adventure and risk. His American wife Eva, also once shared Sando’s passion for extreme sports. She was a free style ski jumper till an accident ended her career and left her bitter and lame. No longer being able to ‘fool with death’ she turned to darker habits, involving Pikelet in her dangerous games.
At once rhythmic and tender, Breath is more than just a meditation on surfing. It’s about human frailty, the blurring of escaping the ordinariness of life and taking unnecessary risks.
Breath is possible not the author's best work but the simple clarity of Winton's story telling makes for a very enjoyable read.
Dreams of My Father - Barack Obama
Dreams of My Father
Barack Obama
Text Publishing
Barack Obama’s lyrical memoir was written in 1991 after he had become the first African-American president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. The election attracted some media attention and an invitation by a New York publisher to publish his memoir.The book opens with the young Barack receiving a call from a distant aunt in Kenya with the news of his father’s death. The son of a white shy mid-western girl and a black African father, his parents divorce when Barack was very young. His mother remarried an Indonesian man Lolo, and the family moved to Indonesia. Barack attends the local school and fondly recalls running barefoot with the local kids.Concerned about Barack’s education, his mother moved him back to Hawaii. He found himself in a unique situation of being a black child raised by white mother and grandparents. He did not have the usual hang-ups of other black kids who were descendents of African slaves. Yet in his teens, Barack became acutely aware of the ‘shackles of his skin colour’. Existing in the periphery of both black and white cultures and yet not belonging to either lead to anger and confusion in him. His father remained an enigma, existing only in the stories told to him ‘each one seamless, burnished smooth from repeated use’ by his mother, grandparents and later still by his half siblings.Before being accepted into Harvard, Barack worked as a community organiser in one of Chicago’s poorest black neighbourhoods. He writes eloquently and with refreshing honesty about the frustrations of trying to galvanize the community to bring better schooling, housing and health care to the neighbourhood.
The last part of the book describes his trip to Kenya where he meets his extended family and learns the bitter truths about his father and ultimately attains a sense of belonging.This is a candid, unflinching memoir. An honest portrayal of a man of mixed parentage who struggles to find his place in the world. Whether his message of hope and change comes to fruition is yet to be seen. As the US president, Obama may be able to lead the US towards a path that could bring about positive change, open dialogue, and hope to those whose dreams of a more equitable world had gone muted and unheard.
Barack Obama
Text Publishing
Barack Obama’s lyrical memoir was written in 1991 after he had become the first African-American president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. The election attracted some media attention and an invitation by a New York publisher to publish his memoir.The book opens with the young Barack receiving a call from a distant aunt in Kenya with the news of his father’s death. The son of a white shy mid-western girl and a black African father, his parents divorce when Barack was very young. His mother remarried an Indonesian man Lolo, and the family moved to Indonesia. Barack attends the local school and fondly recalls running barefoot with the local kids.Concerned about Barack’s education, his mother moved him back to Hawaii. He found himself in a unique situation of being a black child raised by white mother and grandparents. He did not have the usual hang-ups of other black kids who were descendents of African slaves. Yet in his teens, Barack became acutely aware of the ‘shackles of his skin colour’. Existing in the periphery of both black and white cultures and yet not belonging to either lead to anger and confusion in him. His father remained an enigma, existing only in the stories told to him ‘each one seamless, burnished smooth from repeated use’ by his mother, grandparents and later still by his half siblings.Before being accepted into Harvard, Barack worked as a community organiser in one of Chicago’s poorest black neighbourhoods. He writes eloquently and with refreshing honesty about the frustrations of trying to galvanize the community to bring better schooling, housing and health care to the neighbourhood.
The last part of the book describes his trip to Kenya where he meets his extended family and learns the bitter truths about his father and ultimately attains a sense of belonging.This is a candid, unflinching memoir. An honest portrayal of a man of mixed parentage who struggles to find his place in the world. Whether his message of hope and change comes to fruition is yet to be seen. As the US president, Obama may be able to lead the US towards a path that could bring about positive change, open dialogue, and hope to those whose dreams of a more equitable world had gone muted and unheard.
The Good Thief - Hannah Tinti
The Good Thief
Hannah Tinti
Headline Review
Set in New England in the 19th century, ‘The Good Thief’ is the story of a twelve year old, one-handed orphan, Ren.Ren has been an orphan at the Saint Anthony’s Monastery as long as he remembers. His parentage and his missing hand had always remained a mystery which Ren struggled to solve. He dreamt of a day that he would one day be part of a loving family.Ren’s dreams appeared to have come truewith the arrival of a stranger, Benjamin Nab who claims to be his older brother but turns out to be a silver-tongued con man and a thief. Together with his partner Tom, they force Ren in to their life of crime, using his disability to gain the trust of their victims.
‘The Good Thief’ is a wondrous tale of love, adventure, friendship and a child’s need for belonging.
Tinti’s frolicking tale of adventure with its quirky cast of outcasts has echoes of Dickensian yarns. Throughout the book I felt there were strong similarities to Oliver Twist with both books exploring the moral paradox of good people having to live and survive in the underworld.
Hannah Tinti
Headline Review
Set in New England in the 19th century, ‘The Good Thief’ is the story of a twelve year old, one-handed orphan, Ren.Ren has been an orphan at the Saint Anthony’s Monastery as long as he remembers. His parentage and his missing hand had always remained a mystery which Ren struggled to solve. He dreamt of a day that he would one day be part of a loving family.Ren’s dreams appeared to have come truewith the arrival of a stranger, Benjamin Nab who claims to be his older brother but turns out to be a silver-tongued con man and a thief. Together with his partner Tom, they force Ren in to their life of crime, using his disability to gain the trust of their victims.
‘The Good Thief’ is a wondrous tale of love, adventure, friendship and a child’s need for belonging.
Tinti’s frolicking tale of adventure with its quirky cast of outcasts has echoes of Dickensian yarns. Throughout the book I felt there were strong similarities to Oliver Twist with both books exploring the moral paradox of good people having to live and survive in the underworld.
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