The Buried Giant - Erm!

To say I am a bit befuddled as a result of reading The Buried Giant, by Kazuo Ishiguro is putting it mildly. I have spent a couple of days pondering its content, but am still finding it hard to put my finger on what this book is actually trying to say. Set in a mythical Anglo-Saxon time after the reign of King Arthur, it seems, at first, to be the story of an elderly couple (Axl and Beatrice), who have fallen out of favour with the rest of their community. They decide to head off to find their son who lives in a village several days walk away. Events and memories are, however, a bit hazy, which you might expect from an elderly couple, but it soon becomes apparent that no one can keep a firm picture of anything, even from the very recent past. The couple are aware that they, and everyone else, has forgotten the majority of their lives, but the two things that they are sure of is, firstly, that they love each other profoundly, and secondly, that their son is eagerly awaiting their arrival. So, off they go, and thus begins a bit of a quest. As they travel, they meet strange people and hear frightening tales of a boatman who promises to take couples over to an island, but always leaves one behind. Taking shelter in a village Beatrice has some memories of, they come across Wistan, a warrior, who has just rescued Edwin, one of the village boys from some marauding ogres. The four find themselves on the road together, and bump into Sir Gawain and his trusty steed, Horace. They have been on their own quest for many years, which involves the local dragon. Memories start to be stirred, and some of the party are sure that they have met before. They team up, but is everyone on the same quest? If the dragon is killed, will their memories be restored, and how will that change the relationship between Axl and Beatrice, let alone the Saxons and the Britons who have been living harmoniously for many years, but of late, tensions have emerged out of the "mist" that covers the land? I want to say that I can't say any more without ruining the end ... but I'm not sure I would. I found this book frustrating and unsatisfying. Is it about shared memory? Is it about the danger of digging up the past? Is it about the kindness of strangers? Is it about moving past old grievances? Or is it about enduring love and how to let go? Maybe it is all of those things, or maybe it is none of them. Maybe this ambiguity (or at least, that is my perception) is the point of the book ... its meaning is what each individual reader needs/wants it to be. Maybe that is its genius! I just don't know. I often read this book with a puzzled look on my face, but at the same time, I never got the urge to give up on it. I really wanted to find out how the quest would finish. Despite my misgivings, however, The Buried Giant is staying with me and I'm still pondering ... and there aren't many books you can say that about!

My STAR rating: THREE.

Length:384 print pages.
Price I paid: Free, borrowed as an e-book from my local library.
Formats available: print; unabridged audio download; audio CD; e-book.

The Ask and The Answer - Come on feel the NOISE!

Patrick Ness could teach many a wrestler a thing or too about securing someone in a firm headlock and not letting them go until you are good and ready! In The Ask and The Answer, the second book in the Chaos Walking trilogy, we are thrust back into the confusing and frightening world of Todd and Viola. After their breakneck flight to find the safety of Haven, the two youngsters find that it has all been for nothing. Haven is no haven at all, and has become New Prentisstown, and is being run by their archenemy, Mayor Prentiss, the mad and dangerous despot who now calls himself "President". Without knowing whether Viola is alive or dead, Todd is forced to join the new regime. She, meanwhile, is kept separate with all the other women, and slowly recovers from her injuries. Both are brought under the influence of powerful individuals who try to manipulate and forge them into images of themselves. For Todd, this means becoming the Major's second son, and for Viola, this means training to become a healer initially, and then a freedom fighter for the collective known as The Answer, led by the ruthless Mistress Coyle. Todd finds himself doing unspeakable things, and is haunted by his actions, particularly where the Spackles are concerned. In despair, he tries to stop himself feeling anything at all, which has the side effect of controlling his NOISE (the disease affecting men only, which causes all their thoughts to be broadcast). This almost works ... that is, until Viola reappears. Can Todd and Viola be reconciled and work together to bring peace to the New World in time for the arrival of the rest of the new settlers, or will civil war bring about the end of everything? Oh, and watch out for the return of the Spackles!

I cannot recommend these books highly enough - particularly the audio edition narrated by the splendiferous Humphrey Bower. This is a dystopian world, full of violence and unrest, but also full of good, good people and humour too. On the surface, there are two opposing sides, and whilst their stated intentions sound fairly reasonable, it soon becomes apparent how much power can corrupt the soul, and how good people can be lead down bad paths before they become aware that the "cause" they are fighting for is every bit as damaging as the other. Not only a great adventure story, but a warning to all those who might think about taking up arms to fight for what they believe in ... don't believe everything you hear! This book will have you on the edge of the seat, rooting for Todd and Viola and hoping against hope that there will be a happy ending ... it's just not yet ... as this book, like the first, ends on an almighty cliff hanger! Bring on part III!

My STAR rating: FIVE.

Length: 576 print pages.
Price I paid: £2.92.
Formats available: print; unabridged audio download; ebook.

A Memory of Light - The Wheel of Time turns for the last time

Ring the bells! Roast the fatted calf! Finally, oh joy of joy, I have reached the end of the epic fantasy marathon that is The Wheel of Time series. A Memory of Light, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson brings the conclusion of the story of Rand, Matt, Perrin, Elayne, Egwene and Nynaeve all together in one humongous, complex and emotionally draining tome. The world is on the brink of disaster. Evil, in the form of The Dark One, is seeping into every corner. It seems that no one can escape its grip. The Final Battle between good and evil is about to start, and the outcome teeters on the balance to the bitter end. Our main characters lead the charge, whether they want to or not. Through political wrangling, charm, gambling and a touch of bullying, they unite pretty much the whole of humanity together, alongside Ogiers and wolves. Old enmities are left to one side as they struggle against overwhelming odds to defeat The Dark One and his hordes of trollocs, fades, darkfriends, shadowspawn ... the list goes on! Rand is embroiled in a one-on-one battle with the shadow, whilst everyone else keeps the hordes busy on several fronts and try to watch his back. As usual with these books, there are countless characters, and it can be almost impossible at times to keep track of who is who, where they fit into the story and which side they are on! You definitely have to keep your wits about you as the action moves swiftly between the different battle fronts and the various realities that the characters jump in and out of. There are brutal scenes of warfare and destruction, and I experienced genuine surprise and shock when some of the main characters do not make it to the end of the last page. The body count is horrific! This is the 14th book in the series and I have to say it is probably one of the best. I am really pleased that I didn't give up on this series during it's flaccid phase (around books 7-10), and the shot in the arm that Brandon Sanderson has given to the last few titles has made it all worthwhile. Maybe, just maybe, when Game of Thrones comes to an end, someone might take up the challenge of trying to bring The Wheel of Time onto the small screen too ... I wonder if anyone is brave enough?

My STAR rating: FOUR.

Length: 1007 print pages, yes, that does say 1007!
Price I paid: Free, borrowed from local library.
Formats available: print; unabridged audio download; unabridged audio CD; ebook.

When God Was a Rabbit - Childhood makes us what we are

When God Was a Rabbit, by Sara Winman is the intimate story of the Portman family from the perspective of the youngest member, Elly. Born in 1968, we meet her when she is very young and she develops a friendship with the old man next door which goes on to affect her whole life. We see her grow older and find that she worships her brother Joe, but does not make friends easily, except with her rabbit, which she names God, and the irrepressible Jenny Penny, who bursts into her life one day at school. Elly and Jenny share everything ... well, almost everything. When the Portman's win a fortune, the family up sticks and move to the countryside. When Jenny suddenly stops communicating with Elly, she is devastated. We move forward in time, with the Portman's gathering unusual friends along the way who become part of an extended family. Joe is now working on the other side of the Atlantic and still seems unhappy. When Elly receives a letter out of the blue from Jenny, we find out what has happened to her. Can their friendship be rekindled? Will Joe and Elly ever be happy? This is a strong, but intimate story, beautifully written, about family, friendship, love and loss. I read the audio edition, narrated by the author herself, which I felt worked very well - I suppose it helps that she is an actress! It is heart-breaking and funny by equal measure and I can heartily recommend it. Personally, I felt that the ending was a little strung out and could have been rounded up a little quicker, but that is only a minor point.

My STAR rating: FOUR.

Length: 352 print pages.
Price I paid: £7.99.
Formats available: print; unabridged audio download; ebook.

Sharpe's Siege - a masterful piece of writing

Bernard Cornwell has done it again with this classic Sharpe adventure. In Sharpe's Siege, our hero, Major Richard Sharpe, is called upon to assist the British Navy in the capture of a fortress on the French coast. This does not bring him happiness, for, in the first place, he is leaving behind is new, and sick wife, Jane, who he fears has "the fever." And secondly, he has to take orders from an incompetent Naval Officer. What should be a fairly routine piece of action behind enemy lines becomes much more complicated by some underhand goings on by both the French, in the shape of his long-time adversary, Pierre Ducos, as well as the British army itself. And guess who gets caught up in the middle of all the politics once again! This leads to his small band of men being abandoned in the fortress they had captured, and facing overwhelming forces of the enemy. Desperate times call for desperate measures ... one of which may be that he has to put his trust in an American privateer who has no love for the British! The action is fast, furious and brutal at times, but we also see the softer side of Sharpe in this book, something which I'm very happy to see. Sharpe fans needn't worry overly, he certainly hasn't lost any of his edge when it comes to the battle. This book is raw at times, showing that there may be victory, but there is certainly no glory or glamour in war. Sharpe's Siege is the eighteenth in the Sharpe series, and I've only got three more to go! I feel like I should ration myself as I am dreading the day when I have no more Sharpe books to look forward to devouring!

My STAR rating: FIVE.

Length: 319 print pages.
Price I paid: £2.50 from a charity shop.
Formats available: print; unabridged audio CD; unabridged audio download; ebook.

Persuader - Jack Reacher on fine form

Persuader, by Lee Child, is an action packed treat for any fans of the rough and incredibly tough anti-hero with the name of Jack Reacher. This is his seventh outing, and for anyone who has missed the story so far, here is a quick recap ... Jack left the US Army where he was a Major in the Military Police. He has been drifting around America ever since, never staying in one place for very long and taking the time to visit the out of the way places of that vast country. In between times, he keeps getting embroiled in sticky cases with either the FBI or other law enforcement agencies, who use him as a consultant to bring the bad guys to justice. Usually this is off the books, which is just as well, as it usually results in a substantial body count! Persuader, the seventh book in the series, is no exception. Reacher is approached to infiltrate a gang of gun smugglers, but he has an agenda of his own, for one of the protagonists just happens to be an ex-military traitor, who has crossed paths with Reacher before. I was hooked from the first line and from that moment I knew I was in for a bumpy, but enjoyable (from the safety of my Kindle) time. There is much violence and very little mercy on show, and Jack isn't someone you'd invite round for Sunday lunch. However, there is something about him that is irresistible, and I just can't stop myself from plunging into his manly maelstrom every few months. Lee Child is frighteningly prolific and scarily consistent at producing true page turners that make you wince, but at the same time, not make you want to put the book down ... a rare skill and long may he reign!

My STAR rating: FOUR.

Length: 544 print pages.
Price I paid: free, borrowed as an e-book through local library.
Formats available: print; unabridged audio download; unabridged audio MP3 CD; abridged audio CD; e-book.

The Thrill of It All - so you want to know what it's like to be in a band ...

For those who may have always wanted to be in a band, then The Thrill of It All, by Joseph O'Connor can give you an insight into the highs and lows of all that such a life can offer - undoubtedly using some insider knowledge from the experience of his sister, Sinead O'Connor! We follow the formation and disintegration of The Ships in the Night, a band whose eclectic bunch of musicians make it hard to place them in a particular genre. In the very un-rock and roll setting of Luton Polytechnic in the 1980's, Robbie Goulding becomes aware of the exotic creature that is Francis Mulvey - an Vietnamese orphan who was adopted by an Irish couple living in Yorkshire! Fran wears make up, Fran wears dresses, and Fran seems to respect nothing and no one, except maybe music. When Fran discovers a kindred spirit in Robbie, they start to skip lectures and perform music together, eventually busking to bewildered passers by in the local shopping centre! Also at the Poly is Trez, a beautiful creature who plays a mean cello, but can turn her hand to pretty much any stringed instrument. When she calls on her twin brother, and drummer, Sean, the band finally comes together. Many gigs in many towns follow, with countless knock backs before they get any kind of a recording contract. Eventually, things turn around for them on a tour in the USA, and suddenly, it's all systems go. The pressure of four people, living, eating, sleeping, and making music together 24/7 starts to make cracks appear. Drugs and drink and unforeseen pregnancies begin to take up more energy than the music. It is made plain from the opening of the book, that things do not end well for the band. However, that journey is an entertaining roller coaster of emotion, and is told primarily from the viewpoint of Robbie. This may be a book about the music business, but it is also about family, with much humour to be had from the exchanges between Robbie and his Irish father who is less than impressed by the choice of career his son has made. But even more so, this is a story of the type of friendships that go so deep that despite the mammoth efforts made to ensure mutual destruction, somehow, that friendship can survive. Great characters and touching moments, there are a couple of flabby moments, the trimming of which would have kept it tight as a snare! Overall, a really good read - and if you get the chance to read the audio version narrated by Ciaran Hinds, then you will not be disappointed!

My STAR rating: FOUR.

Length: 416 print pages.
Price I paid: £2.72.
Formats available: print; unabridged audio download; ebook.