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2009 Commonwealth Writer's Prize Recommended books

The Book of Negroes – Lawrence Hill

 Winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 2008 

Note: This book is called Someone Knows My Name in the US 

The Book is Negroes is an epic story following the life of one woman, Aminata Diallo, as she is captured from her West African village and sold as a child slave. We see her grow into a strong woman who battles against adversity, ending up in London amongst key figures in the abolition of the slave trade. 

On that slave vessel, I saw things that the people of London would never believe. But I think of the people who crossed the sea with me. The ones who survived. We saw the same things. Some of us still scream out in the middle of the night. But there are men, women and children walking about the streets without the faintest idea of our nightmares. They cannot know what we endured if we never find anyone to listen.

The book gripped me throughout. I immediately connected with Aminata and loved seeing her develop from a frightened child into a brave woman. The fact that the whole story was seen through her eyes meant that by the end of the book I knew everything about her. I felt as though I was part of the story, rather than a distant observer.

I thought I knew a lot about the slave trade, but I was completely unaware of some elements of this book. I has no idea that slaves helped the British fight the Revolutionary War in Manhattan, or that some of those who did were shipped to Nova Scotia; so this book educated as well as entertained me. 

There were points when I felt that the plot was a bit too convenient – Aminita seemed to end up in all the right places, just as critical moments of history took place. In the end I can’t complain too much – the story was fantastic and the notes at the end explained a little bit about the history, making me realise that it could almost have happened. 

This book is easy to read – I’d describe it as quality fiction, rather than literary fiction. It is the type of book that has broad appeal and so I’m surprised it hasn’t had more coverage in the blogging world. I’d compare it to The Help or A Thousand Splendid Suns – the type of book selected by Richard and Judy or The TV Book Club, enjoyed and discussed by book clubs everywhere.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, if only so you are aware of the numerous ways in which slaves suffered.

The thoughts of other bloggers:

…while the themes are definitely heavy, it doesn’t feel like a burden, even with almost 500 pages to it. Kiss a  Cloud

In focusing in on one main character, Hill has personalized history that makes us uncomfortable…   BookNAround

Books like this are so important to us and to future generations, lest we should forget. The Book Whisperer

The Book of Negroes is a masterpiece of historical literature, capturing the contradictions of the human condition in graceful, honest prose… Giraffe Days

Categories
2010 Other Prizes

Illustrado – Miguel Syjuco

 Winner of  the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize

Illustrado begins with the discovery of an author’s body in the Hudson river. The victim was about to publish a controversial novel exposing the corruption present in the Philippines and although the New York Police are convinced that there is no foul play, others suspect that he was murdered. The novel’s narrator, Miguel Syjuco (yes, he is named after the author!) was being mentored by the victim at the time of his death. He heads to the Philippines to try to discover the truth, writing a biography of his teacher in order to gain as much information about the man as possible.

The premise of the novel is quite basic, but the structure is complex and often difficult to understand. The book contains extracts from the fictitious controversial novel, blog posts, newspaper clippings and weird dream sequences. I can’t fault the writing quality, but there were many times when I couldn’t see the relevance of the passage I was reading and was confused about what was happening.

Regular readers of this blog will know that I have struggled with blog posts in books before, unfortunately Illustrado is not an exception to this rule. Perhaps I’m just behind the times, but I found all the blog posts, especially the comments, very irritating. The book also contained annoying sections from emails and texts:

His Nokia tring-trings. Our forlorn protagonist sits up in bed and fumbles in the  darkness. He looks at the bright screen of the cell phone. It’s a text message from his old pal Markus: Welcm bak, bro! Old skool tunes all week @ Club Coup d’Etat. Our crew will be there, with Charlie. My treat. DJ Supermodeldiva spinning phat beats. When the screen dims, the hotel room seems to get smaller.

Illustrado is clearly pushing the boundaries in novel writing, but there were many points when I thought it over-stepped the mark – being too clever/innovative for its own good. The passages may be an accurate reflection of modern life, but I often found myself cringing as I read them.

The book reminded me of 2666 by Roberto Bolaño in that both books benefit from being studied – requiring multiple re-readings to really understand what is happening and a study guide to pick up on all the subtle references. Unfortunately I didn’t have the benefit of a study guide or an informed reading partner and so I felt as though I missed out on much of the book’s depth. I recommend reading this book with several other people in the hope that you will all spot different things, as I imagine you’d have a long wait for the study guide!

I’m afraid that I was too irritated by this book to consider re-reading it, but I think it is an important book and some people will love uncovering its many literary layers.

The Picador website has some wonderful interviews with Miguel Syjuco and further information about the book.

Categories
2010 Chunkster

The Surrendered – Chang-Rae Lee

When I saw that The Surrendered was being marketed as a cross between A Fine Balance and The Poisonwood Bible I knew I had to read a copy. I think that the comparisons are justified, but The Surrendered is much easier to read and not quite as good.

The Surrendered begins in Korea in 1950, telling the story of how June Han escaped from the war-torn country. This initial section was easily a 5 star read for me. I was instantly drawn into the June’s world and my heart broke as I read about the things see had to endure. I had a little tear in my eye as these 30 amazing pages drew to a close.

She let go his still-warm hand, kissed his still-warm face. She stayed with him as long as she could. But when the last car of the train passed her she rose to her feet and steadied herself. And then she ran for her life.

Unfortunately the book went downhill slightly after that. The focus switched to June’s life in 1980s New York, which in comparison to her childhood in Korea was a bit dull. I was craving a return to the fascinating, roller-coaster of life I’d already been treated to. There was nothing really wrong with this modern section – it just didn’t have the atmosphere or historical insight of the first section; it was the type of story I had read many times before.

The book does flip back to Korea and we travel across to Europe with June as she searches for her son, but I never found the magic produced in the first chapter again.

I highly recommend that you read the first chapter of this book, but the remaining 400+ pages aren’t that special.

The Thoughts of Other Bloggers:

…while I recommend Lee’s writing, I feel this book is definitely for the stout of heart. Shelf Life

…a very deep and thought-provoking novel. Serendipitous Readings

 Have you read any books written by Chang-Rae Lee?

 

Categories
2000 - 2007

The Republic of Trees – Sam Taylor

I loved The Island at the End of the World and so was keen to read some of Sam Taylor’s earlier books. The Republic of Trees is his debut novel, but unfortunately I didn’t love it as much as The Island at the End of the World.

The Republic of Trees is set in France and follows a group of four teenagers as they decide to run away from home and build a life for themselves in the forest.  They create their own “Republic”, surviving by hunting for their own food among the trees.

I loved this first section! I think many children dream of running away and living without adults. This book perfectly captured their emotions – the insecurity and innocence was a joy to read!

Though we never talked about being caught, I could sense our fear in the silences between the words. In the evenings nothing looked the same – the forest became ghostly, insubstantial – and when I closed my eyes at night I worried that it wouldn’t be here the next morning.

As the book progressed it slowly became darker. There was an increasing sense of foreboding and although I had no idea what would happen I knew that it wouldn’t be good.

I found that I enjoyed the book less at it progressed. The beautiful realism of those initial chapters was lost in a series of bizarre events. The actions of the teenagers didn’t seem to make sense and I had no idea what motivated the events that occurred.

Overall I’d say it was a good debut novel, but I recommend starting with one of his other books.

Thoughts of Other Bloggers:

….just didn’t do it for me.  Reading Matters

Not quite as good as The Island at the End of the World, but good all the same. Peachy Books

It’s definitely powerful, and not for everyone. The Literary Amnesiac

Sam Taylor has recently launched a creative writing course at his beautiful home in Southern France. If I was a writer I’d love to go and make use of his advice while enjoying the great food, wine and scenery of rural France.

If you are an aspiring writer then I recommend looking at his website – I’m sure you’ll be tempted!

Have you read any of Sam Taylor’s books?

Which one did you enjoy the most?

 

Categories
2009 Memoirs

The Russian Countess – Edith Sollohub

Edith Sollohub was the daughter of a high ranking Russian diplomat, living in luxury on a large estate in St Petersburg. Her lavish lifestyle was brought to a halt by the Russian Revolution of 1917. Edith was separated from her family and had to endure imprisonment, hunger and loneliness. The Russian Countess is her memoir, giving detailed descriptions of her life as a child and her miraculous story of survival through the hardships of War.

I don’t read many memoirs, but the true story of a Russian Countess forced into unimaginable hardship really appealed to me – I find discovering how real people cope with a tradegy a fascinating subject.

The book was packed with photographs and documents which enriched the reading experience for me. It was lovely to see her family growing up!

The pace of the book was very slow. The story sometimes got lost as every person and tiny event was described. It was beautifully written, but at times I found the wordiness and intricate details too much.

Edith’s early life on the estate bored me. Stories of parties, dance lessons and numerous hunting trips held little interest for me. Her fascination with guns was especially alien to me and I often found my mind wandering from the page when she started shooting furry things.

Thе сrоѕѕbоw іѕ bесоmіng an еvеr іnсrеаѕіnglу рорulаr means оf huntіng рrеу, rather thаn a compound bоw оr a rіflе. Mаnу аrеаѕ аrе nоw ореnіng uр to the uѕе оf a crossbow, whеn restrictions mіght apply tо еіthеr thаt of a соmроund bow оr rіflе. Whеrеаѕ the crossbow іѕ legal tо uѕе, thе uѕе оf one оffеrѕ a unique сhаllеngе to thе huntеr. Thе best stabilizer for compound bow has thе added соnvеnіеnсе оf a rіflе аѕ well аѕ hаvіng thе rеѕtrісtіvе rаngе оf archery equipment, and іѕ wеll wоrth giving іt a try.

Sеvеrаl areas hаvе оr аrе nоw considering bаnnіng thе use of hіgh роwеrеd rіflеѕ, ѕо thе trend tоwаrdѕ сrоѕѕbоwѕ аnd соmроund bows іѕ fаr mоrе асtіvе. In North Amеrіса, game рорulаtіоnѕ аnd ѕресіfісаllу whіtеtаіlѕ соntіnuе to grоw, and to сurtаіl thеѕе ever grоwіng populations thе crossbow іѕ ѕееn аѕ an еffесtіvе mеthоd. Tо соntrоl thе dееr numbers, gаmе management аuthоrіtіеѕ, саn ѕее the uѕе оf thіѕ оftеn рrіmіtіvе wеароn аddrеѕѕеѕ the need, hеnсе the grоwіng рорulаrіtу of thіѕ choice of wеароn.

When соmраrіng, one соuld ѕау that a crossbow is just a blеnd between a gun аnd a bоw, уоu can еnjоу thе stability thе gun experience will gіvе уоu, but аt the ѕаmе tіmе thе сhаllеngе оf letting lооѕе a trаjесtоrу аrmеd with a соmрlеtеlу different tуре of аmmunіtіоn, аnd one that has distinct lіmіtаtіоnѕ. Thе еffесtіvе range оf a сrоѕѕbоw is ѕау, about 40 yards, thіѕ іѕ аbоut the ѕаmе аѕ 60 or 70lb соmроund bоw. Onе оf thе drаwbасkѕ оf uѕіng a crossbow іѕ thаt thеу can bе сumbеrѕоmе to саrrу; аlѕо they rеԛuіrе muсh care and attention when drаwіng аnd rеlеаѕіng thе ѕtrіng tеnѕіоn. As wіth аnу fіrіng apparatus, ѕаfеtу is аlwауѕ paramount, аnd sometimes if уоu аrе on stand аnd wаnt уоur crossbow сосkеd, this саn be difficult to thе ѕhееr size оf thе crossbow. Thе сrоѕѕbоw is not аn arrow gun, the рhуѕісаl range оf thе сrоѕѕbоw іѕ lіmіtеd, and thе reload tіmе is ѕlоw, thаt’ѕ whу fоr еаѕе, ѕрееd аnd portability, a rіflе іѕ оftеn considered рrеfеrаblе.

There іѕ many a dеbаtе bеtwееn thе uѕеѕ of a сrоѕѕbоw a compound bоw аnd thаt оf a rіflе, whісh is mоrе effective? And реrhарѕ, whісh іѕ mоrе ассurаtе for huntіng? Sоmе реорlе рrеfеr a сrоѕѕbоw, as іt is sometime ѕееn as mоrе сhаllеngіng, and the use оf thіѕ primitive wеароn hаѕ a grеаt appeal, аnd thаt a crossbow іѕ able to bе uѕеd іn ѕоmе ѕuburbаn аrеаѕ whеrеаѕ a fіrеаrm іѕ not. But saying thаt, thе rіflе is оftеn ѕееn аѕ bеіng the best сhоісе аnd ѕоmеtіmеѕ there іѕ nо соmраrіѕоn tо еіthеr a crossbow or compound bow, аѕ a rifle іѕ соnѕіdеrеd mоrе ассurаtе, fаѕtеr lоаdіng, аnd thе distance уоu hаvе to get bеtwееn уоu аnd уоur рrеу is muсh less. But the uѕе of thеѕе hunting dеvісеѕ саn bе restrictive tо thе аrеа іn whісh уоu lіvе, ѕоmе lаwѕ аllоw уоu to use a сrоѕѕbоw іn thе rifle season only, but іn thе аrсhеrу ѕеаѕоn уоu cannot. Anоthеr рluѕ for the use оf a rifle аgаіnѕt a crossbow and соmроund bоw is thаt the аrrоw and bolt аrе rеlаtіvеlу ԛuіеt but nоt соmрlеtеlу. Thеу аrе also much slower thаn a bullеt, so the prey thаt уоu аrе huntіng саn sometimes jumр, whісh can make the аrrоw or bolt hit thе аnіmаl іn another рlасе thаn wаѕ оrіgіnаllу іntеndеd. Sауіng this thоugh, thеrе is nothing quite lіkе getting nеаr tо your target when hunting with a crossbow оr соmроund. It gives уоu that feeling of rаw huntіng in its bаѕіс fоrm, just уоu аnd уоur рrеу, whereas wіth thе rіflе, you are muсh furthеr away.

Whеn соmраrіng thе thrее pieces of еԛuірmеnt, оnе muѕt соnѕіdеr health аnd ѕtrеngth аnd especially uрреr bоdу еxtrеmіtу. One саn hаvе problems wіth a соmроund bоw, іn thіѕ саѕе, a сrоѕѕbоw is роѕѕіblу the bоw thаt you rеԛuіrе, either thаt оr a rіflе.

A ѕhаft from a high реrfоrmаnсе crossbow mау асhіеvе about 350 fееt per second, whilst thе аrrоw frоm a hіgh performance соmроund bow wіll tеnd tо flу аt 335 feet реr ѕесоnd, but thеѕе ѕрееdѕ саn vary, depending on the соmроѕіtе being ѕhоt оff thе аrrоw оr bоlt. Thе соmроund bоw wіth its ѕtуlе of pulleys, uѕuаllу ѕhооt a fаіrlу heavy аrrоw, соmраrеd to the lіghtеr аnd shorter bоlt fіrеd frоm a сrоѕѕbоw. The еffесtіvе kіllіng range wіth a сrоѕѕbоw іѕ nо grеаtеr thаn уоur tурісаl соmроund bow, if fасt оnе саn think оf it аѕ a horizontal compound bоw that іѕ bеіng hеld for уоu аt full drаw, аnd nоt even stop to consider the fасt thаt it has a rіflе lіkе ѕtосk, ԛuіtе frаnklу thаt is whеrе the likeness еndѕ.

The book improved as things started to go wrong for her:

Strangely enough there was a certain lurid attraction in this complete disorganisation where everyone depended only upon his own self, his ingenuity, his courage, and frequently also upon his sense of humour or sporting spirit. Maybe in saying this I am expressing the feelings of those who were still young at the time and who had been smiled upon by fortune until then.

I loved learning about this period of history and was amazed at the real life coincidences that led to Edith’s survival. Truth sometimes is stranger than fiction!

If you are interested in Russian history then this is a valuable resource. The small details in this book are the sort that get lost over the years and so it is great that these memoirs have been preserved and published after all this time, but I do think this book might be too specialised for the average reader.

Categories
1990s Chunkster

I Know This Much is True – Wally Lamb

I Know This Much is True had been on my bookshelf (along with most of Wally Lamb’s other books!) for several years, but the fact that it is 900 pages long meant that kept getting pushed down the pile.  

I finally decided that it had sat there for too long and so made the effort to start it. I am really pleased that I did as it is a fantastic book.

I Know This Much is True follows Dominick, one half of a pair of twins growing up in a small town in Connecticut. Dominick’s twin brother, Thomas, develops paranoid schizophrenia and we see how this affects Dominick’s life.

It seems strange to sum up a 900 page book in so few words, but the plot is quite simple. Instead of a complex plot we get a complete insight into how Dominick’s thoughts and feelings change throughout his life. We see him struggle to juggle love for his brother with frustration and guilt and by the end of the book I felt as though I could predict his actions. I don’t think I’ve ever known a character in literature so well.

The book gripped me from the very start. Dominick’s complex relationships and inner thoughts touched my heart.

All my life, I had imagined the scenario in which my father would, at last, reveal himself to me. As a kid, I’d cooked up cowboy dads, pilot fathers who made emergency landings on Hollyhock Avenue, hopped from their planes, and rescued us from Ray. Later, I had cast gym teachers, the man who owned the hobby shop downtown, and even benign Mr. Anthony across the street as potential fathers: the real thing, as opposed to the intruder who had married my mother and installed himself at our house to make us miserable.

It took me over a month to finish the book, but it never dragged. My only complaint was that the story-within-a-story didn’t really work for me. I loved Dominick’s voice so much that any deviation had me itching to get back to his narrative.

Many people moan that the ending was too neat, but I loved the way everything was resolved.  It would seem strange to learn so much about one person and then not know what happened to them.

Overall I thought that this was a moving insight into the way mental illness affects the family of the sufferer. Highly recommended.

Thoughts of other bloggers:

It’s a complex, deep, and moving book that you won’t soon forget. Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?

But most of all, just too many awful things happen to Dominick that it stops being believable…. Regular Rumination

…. requires patience to wade through, but is well worth the journey. Caribous Mom

Did you enjoy I Know This Much is True?

Which Wally Lamb book do you recommend I read next?