I’ve just finished reading Grapes of Wrath, novel No.5 in my Steinbeck Special, and sadly the last one for now. With so many other things contesting my time over the past month (including this website), it’s taken longer to finish this novel than … [Read more...]
‘Steinbeck Special’ The Pearl: Afterthoughts
August 21, 2008 By 1 Comment
The Pearl is the fourth consecutive title I’ve read for my *Steinbeck Special*, and it’s a little different to say the least. This novel is a parable rewrite by Steinbeck, based on an old Mexican folktale, so unlike his others works, Steinbeck is … [Read more...]
‘Steinbeck Special’ Cannery Row: Afterthoughts
August 21, 2008 By 1 Comment
As part of my *Steinbeck Special* I’ve completed Cannery Row, the third Steinbeck novel I’ve read in succession, and for me it stands out as the finest; quite simply I’ve never been more captivated by a fictional place, or its characters, than … [Read more...]
Sony Reader set to bring a new twist to my novel reading challenge
August 17, 2008 By Leave a Comment
My 50 Novels in One Year reading challenge is set to get a quirky new twist to it, when I introduce the soon to be launched (in the UK) Sony PRS-505 Reader to my reading schedule at the beginning of September. More details over at my paperless blog. … [Read more...]
‘Steinbeck Special’ Of Mice and Men: Afterthoughts
August 15, 2008 By 1 Comment
As part of my *Steinbeck Special* (which in turn is part of my 50 Novels in One Year reading challenge) I’ve finished reading Of Mice and Men and despite its short length, I’ve got to say it’s a monumental piece of literature, with a story as … [Read more...]
‘Steinbeck Special’ Tortilla Flat: Afterthoughts
August 3, 2008 By 1 Comment
Briefly, Danny, the chief protagonist in this novel, returns from the war to Tortilla Flat (a paisano district that sits upon a hillside above Monterey), to find that he has inherited two houses. What then follows is a comedic tale that fundamentally … [Read more...]
’50 Novels’ Never Let Me Go: Afterthoughts
August 2, 2008 By 2 Comments
I confess to not reading much fiction in my lifetime, but when I was a kid I did read quite a lot of children’s novels (my favourites being Just William and The Famous Five). The opening to Never Let Me Go instantly propelled me back to those … [Read more...]
50 Novels in One Year – *Steinbeck Special*
July 28, 2008 By 2 Comments
Having finished Novel #7 in my 50 Novels in One Year reading challenge (I'll post my thoughts on that book soon), I've decided to liven things up a bit and do something a little different for my next choice - to read a series of novels by the … [Read more...]
’50 Novels’ #7: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
July 18, 2008 By Leave a Comment
I got through the previous title in my 50 Novels in One Year reading challenge, in double-quick time (après thoughts HERE). That's not to say that I didn't enjoy reading Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's work; quite the reverse in fact. I enjoyed reading him … [Read more...]
’50 Novels’ One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich: Afterthoughts
July 16, 2008 By 1 Comment
I've now finished reading this chosen title as part of my 50 Novels in One Year reading challenge so I thought, as always, I'd share my unqualified thoughts. Set in a post-war Stalinist labour camp, this novel, as the title suggests, centres on a … [Read more...]