Cairo Swan Song by Mekkawi Said (2006, translation 2009)
Read: February 2010
Scotty bought me this for valentines day as he knows I love reading translated modern arabic literature.
This was a swan song for Cairo as the central character loves it yet is leaving it and his friends behind. You see how as he has gown up he is now torn between friendship and the girl he loves. But she is still leading him on a merry dance.
His love is an American girl, studying at AUC and she returns his love and affection, but is distracted by the city. Her distraction leads her all over the city and he follows. I enjoy reading about their adventures because they take me to some parts of the city that I know, Maadi for instance, and others that I don't. I recognise descriptions of apartment buildings and nosy neighbours, and am intrigued to read descriptions of desolate buildings that house homeless, family-less youths that otherwise roam the streets.
This is a swan song because an Old Cairo is being lost, as well as an innocence.
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Jack Maggs by Peter Carey
Jack Maggs by Peter Carey (1997)
Read: February 2010
Dad brought this book out with him when he visited...over a year ago! And it's taken me this long to read it :( Scotty read it in the Autumn and enjoyed it, so lent it to a friend who enjoyed it too. So come our February break I knew it was time for me to read it too and enjoyed having the time to spend on it.
It was set nicely in the 1800's London and Maggs' character evolved slowly in the first half of the book. Although the story followed Maggs, you only found out about him as the other characters did. At times to me he was a Jeckle and Hyde type, with one persona that he presented to his employers and another presented as he hunted for his nemesis; Henry Phipps. This second persona comes out in his letters and in the first person chapters that read as a man's ramblings. These read so much as a ramblings, that it takes me half the book to be sure what Jack really wants, and where the story might be going.
It wasn't really Jack's criminal past that intrigued me, as it did Tobias Oates, in the book, but Maggs' mind in general, that Oates persevered in observing. Oates is an author, but actually is looking for any way to make his ends meet and to keep in the "inner circle" and when he has to trust Jack, and Jack trust him, this is actually when the book gets interesting. Similarly the relationship between Jack and the maid; again one of one-way interest (this time of the maid in Jack, but Jack needing the maid's confidence, as he needs Oates'), is one that I was sorry to see end sadly.
This book was not what I was expecting, but it was a good read - something different for me. I didn't whizz through it, but did enjoy it and find it an interesting challenge. Maybe I should read those other books dad left....
Read: February 2010
Dad brought this book out with him when he visited...over a year ago! And it's taken me this long to read it :( Scotty read it in the Autumn and enjoyed it, so lent it to a friend who enjoyed it too. So come our February break I knew it was time for me to read it too and enjoyed having the time to spend on it.
It was set nicely in the 1800's London and Maggs' character evolved slowly in the first half of the book. Although the story followed Maggs, you only found out about him as the other characters did. At times to me he was a Jeckle and Hyde type, with one persona that he presented to his employers and another presented as he hunted for his nemesis; Henry Phipps. This second persona comes out in his letters and in the first person chapters that read as a man's ramblings. These read so much as a ramblings, that it takes me half the book to be sure what Jack really wants, and where the story might be going.
It wasn't really Jack's criminal past that intrigued me, as it did Tobias Oates, in the book, but Maggs' mind in general, that Oates persevered in observing. Oates is an author, but actually is looking for any way to make his ends meet and to keep in the "inner circle" and when he has to trust Jack, and Jack trust him, this is actually when the book gets interesting. Similarly the relationship between Jack and the maid; again one of one-way interest (this time of the maid in Jack, but Jack needing the maid's confidence, as he needs Oates'), is one that I was sorry to see end sadly.
This book was not what I was expecting, but it was a good read - something different for me. I didn't whizz through it, but did enjoy it and find it an interesting challenge. Maybe I should read those other books dad left....
Monday, 8 February 2010
Superfreakonomics by Steven D Levitt and Stephen J Dubner (2009)
Superfreakonomics by Steven D Levitt and Stephen J Dubner (2009)
Read: February 2010
Somehow I managed to miss the first book by this pair, Freakonomics. Scott did read it and raved about it - especially the tale of the coffee concession at Waterloo Station that we would pass every time we went into town - so it was good to get a copy of this book and find out for myself what all this was about.
This was really my sort of book as it's a little bit academic but a bit fun as well. It made me realise how similar to economics some aspects of my degree and interests are. They used odd bits of academic research and compared results to come up with interesting and often surprising conclusions. For example they compared data on the number of people injured and killed when driving drunk with those who were walking drunk. Separate data sets, but when you compare figures it is actually less dangerous to be driving....maybe not all of these theories should be tested, but interesting stuff for me.
I wasn't too keen on their global warming section which attempted in one chapter to go against all commonly understood theories on global warming and preventative action. Some of the points were fair, but half a chapter that concluded a huge hose needed to be put into the troposphere to add water vapour wasn't the most balanced of topics.
I'll try and get my hands on the first book and in the mean time will be lending this one out to as many people as possible.
Read: February 2010
Somehow I managed to miss the first book by this pair, Freakonomics. Scott did read it and raved about it - especially the tale of the coffee concession at Waterloo Station that we would pass every time we went into town - so it was good to get a copy of this book and find out for myself what all this was about.
This was really my sort of book as it's a little bit academic but a bit fun as well. It made me realise how similar to economics some aspects of my degree and interests are. They used odd bits of academic research and compared results to come up with interesting and often surprising conclusions. For example they compared data on the number of people injured and killed when driving drunk with those who were walking drunk. Separate data sets, but when you compare figures it is actually less dangerous to be driving....maybe not all of these theories should be tested, but interesting stuff for me.
I wasn't too keen on their global warming section which attempted in one chapter to go against all commonly understood theories on global warming and preventative action. Some of the points were fair, but half a chapter that concluded a huge hose needed to be put into the troposphere to add water vapour wasn't the most balanced of topics.
I'll try and get my hands on the first book and in the mean time will be lending this one out to as many people as possible.
He took my kidney then broke my heart by Dave Spikey (2009)
He took my kidney then broke my heart by Dave Spikey (2009)
Read: January 2010
Scotty bought me this for my birthday as we both love Dave Spikey. We loved Phoenix Nights but found him lots funnier in stand-up compared to Peter Kaye. Although it wasn't as good as Phoenix Nights we enjoyed Dead Man Weds which Dave Spikey wrote and starred in alongside Jonny Vegas. Dead Man Weds got its inspiration from those strange newspaper headlines and its from that that this book came about.
On his most recent tour, Dave Spikey would check out the local paper for the headlines it was running - you can always tell a lot about an area from the stories it runs in the local rag.He has put the best ones in this book.
The structure is really good - he has the newspaper headline and article in one column and then another column for his comments/reactions to it. This means he spaces them out giving you time to react to a headline before reading the rest of the story.
Some headlines are brilliant and then some of his comments even better. Old favourites, like dobbers and dogs come up and there are lots of bits in it that made me laugh out loud.
It is now pride of place next to the toilet for continued revisiting and rereading.
Read: January 2010
Scotty bought me this for my birthday as we both love Dave Spikey. We loved Phoenix Nights but found him lots funnier in stand-up compared to Peter Kaye. Although it wasn't as good as Phoenix Nights we enjoyed Dead Man Weds which Dave Spikey wrote and starred in alongside Jonny Vegas. Dead Man Weds got its inspiration from those strange newspaper headlines and its from that that this book came about.
On his most recent tour, Dave Spikey would check out the local paper for the headlines it was running - you can always tell a lot about an area from the stories it runs in the local rag.He has put the best ones in this book.
The structure is really good - he has the newspaper headline and article in one column and then another column for his comments/reactions to it. This means he spaces them out giving you time to react to a headline before reading the rest of the story.
Some headlines are brilliant and then some of his comments even better. Old favourites, like dobbers and dogs come up and there are lots of bits in it that made me laugh out loud.
It is now pride of place next to the toilet for continued revisiting and rereading.
Monday, 18 January 2010
The Ruby in the Smoke by Phillip Pullman
The Ruby in the Smoke by Phillip Pullman
Read: January 2010
I had wanted to read this book since I heard that there was a TV adaptation of it a few years ago. I really loved His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman and knew that his other books had good reviews although they were more aimed at a younger audience.
The Ruby in the Smoke was aimed at a younger audience than His Dark Materials, and didn't have the different levels of meaning, but it was still a good, fast paced adventure story.
In a way it is a classic story of making friends, solving mysteries and battling evil, but the protagonist, Sally Lockhart is a plucky young girl which makes this a good book for girls to read. You don't often get a female protagonist who is more about friends and courage than boyfriends and looking good. Sally shows that it's not traditional skills that get her ahead in this world.
Although it has classic themes, the setting of the book around trade routes and opium dens is a good choice - giving the reader something new to try and puzzle over.
A great book for teenagers to read and fun for a quick adult read, but never the classic of HDM.
Sunday, 13 December 2009
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Giver by Lois Lowry (1992)
Read: December 2009
I was recommended this book by one of my students. We had been talking in class about how we experience sense and the example of the Matrix came up about our senses being fooled. This student kept saying "Just like in The Giver" and assuming that I knew it. I assumed the book would be an adult novel, but actually it's a teenagers book and one that they teach at school, so I managed to get myself a copy and read it over the weekend.
The Giver follows Jonus and his life in the community with his parental unit. Everything is controlled and determined, for example you have to apply to become a parental unit and then your compatibility is tested before you are given a partner - you don't get to choose, as you might choose wrong. Everyone has their job, that again is determined by the council - they don't let you choose you job as you may choose wrong. The story starts as Jonus is about to be assigned his job.
Jonus is assigned that of a Receiver. In fact he is The Receiver, as there is only one in the whole community. Jonus isn't allowed to tell anyone about his job and he discovers that he is the receiver of memories - the collective memories of times gone by. These memories show feelings, colours and experiences that the community no longer have since everything was regulated.
The book was really good and I had to agree with the student who recommended it to me that it was similar to the ideas in The Matrix and our class discussion about how you experience senses, and how we could possibly know whether what we feel, what we see is true, or an illusion. It was a good book for this age group too - I can imagine it would be really engaging for them and there is lots for them to think about at this level.
Read: December 2009
I was recommended this book by one of my students. We had been talking in class about how we experience sense and the example of the Matrix came up about our senses being fooled. This student kept saying "Just like in The Giver" and assuming that I knew it. I assumed the book would be an adult novel, but actually it's a teenagers book and one that they teach at school, so I managed to get myself a copy and read it over the weekend.
The Giver follows Jonus and his life in the community with his parental unit. Everything is controlled and determined, for example you have to apply to become a parental unit and then your compatibility is tested before you are given a partner - you don't get to choose, as you might choose wrong. Everyone has their job, that again is determined by the council - they don't let you choose you job as you may choose wrong. The story starts as Jonus is about to be assigned his job.
Jonus is assigned that of a Receiver. In fact he is The Receiver, as there is only one in the whole community. Jonus isn't allowed to tell anyone about his job and he discovers that he is the receiver of memories - the collective memories of times gone by. These memories show feelings, colours and experiences that the community no longer have since everything was regulated.
The book was really good and I had to agree with the student who recommended it to me that it was similar to the ideas in The Matrix and our class discussion about how you experience senses, and how we could possibly know whether what we feel, what we see is true, or an illusion. It was a good book for this age group too - I can imagine it would be really engaging for them and there is lots for them to think about at this level.
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Sugar Street by Naguib Mafouz
Sugar Street by Naguib Mafouz
Read: December 2009 - January 2010
I started this term off reading some of the books bought over the summer, but realised that I wanted to finish the Cairo Trilogy before the year was out and so borrowed this from the Library to read over Christmas. I got about a third of the way through and then finished the rest in January. The story picks up a number of years on with the heads of the family showing their age, and the children living married life.
The constants are Amina and Ahmed, who are no longer called "the father" and "the mother" in the second person, but are always referred to by name. It is in fact the family name that plays a key role in the stories of this book. As the grandchildren are getting jobs, their father's name and their uncle's name secure them positions. Kamal falls for the sister of an old friend, where again the family name provides a link between the past and the present. In the closing chapters it is the family name, and that of the martyr Fahmy, that hopes to save the brothers from prison.
But the constants of family change in this final book. Ahmed Al-Sayed's deteriorating health means he gives up his business, but cannot give up his determination. The occasion of his death hits the family very hard, and there is mourning across the whole distract which he has inhabited. As the book closes, Amina is near-death and it is this that bring a realisation and close to the saga. Without Amina and Al-Sayed the children are at a loss and an era is drawn to an end.
With so many characters now in the family, it was hard to follow everyone's story and personal journey. Kamal continues to drive himself to distraction with his refusal to marry, but his desire for Aida and then Budur. The family do not know how to advise him and he doesn't know himself what he really wants. He chooses to follow his career and seems satisfied with his successes there, but you can see the longing for something more - although he would never commit to that.
I was unsure about Yasin at the end of the book. Throughout this book he had made a good attempt at his marriage, as had Zanuba with the position of being his wife. She had become accepted at the Coffee Mornings - the key aspect of life in Palace Walk - but he is still seen and sometimes acts as the wild sibling.
Al-Husayn is a constant for Amina, and it is right that he days end with a visit planned. Whilst religion has changed in meaning for many members of the family, it was still a point of belief (one way or another) for them all, which ended up defining most of their journeys.
Read: December 2009 - January 2010
I started this term off reading some of the books bought over the summer, but realised that I wanted to finish the Cairo Trilogy before the year was out and so borrowed this from the Library to read over Christmas. I got about a third of the way through and then finished the rest in January. The story picks up a number of years on with the heads of the family showing their age, and the children living married life.
The constants are Amina and Ahmed, who are no longer called "the father" and "the mother" in the second person, but are always referred to by name. It is in fact the family name that plays a key role in the stories of this book. As the grandchildren are getting jobs, their father's name and their uncle's name secure them positions. Kamal falls for the sister of an old friend, where again the family name provides a link between the past and the present. In the closing chapters it is the family name, and that of the martyr Fahmy, that hopes to save the brothers from prison.
But the constants of family change in this final book. Ahmed Al-Sayed's deteriorating health means he gives up his business, but cannot give up his determination. The occasion of his death hits the family very hard, and there is mourning across the whole distract which he has inhabited. As the book closes, Amina is near-death and it is this that bring a realisation and close to the saga. Without Amina and Al-Sayed the children are at a loss and an era is drawn to an end.
With so many characters now in the family, it was hard to follow everyone's story and personal journey. Kamal continues to drive himself to distraction with his refusal to marry, but his desire for Aida and then Budur. The family do not know how to advise him and he doesn't know himself what he really wants. He chooses to follow his career and seems satisfied with his successes there, but you can see the longing for something more - although he would never commit to that.
I was unsure about Yasin at the end of the book. Throughout this book he had made a good attempt at his marriage, as had Zanuba with the position of being his wife. She had become accepted at the Coffee Mornings - the key aspect of life in Palace Walk - but he is still seen and sometimes acts as the wild sibling.
Al-Husayn is a constant for Amina, and it is right that he days end with a visit planned. Whilst religion has changed in meaning for many members of the family, it was still a point of belief (one way or another) for them all, which ended up defining most of their journeys.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)