any guesses about when I'm going to get through them all???
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Overland to India by Gordan G May
Overland to India by Gordan G May (2008)
Read: August 2010
We'd been following Gordan's Overland to Cairo blog since Kevin altered us to this crazy Kiwi now living in Manchester who was planning to ride to Cairo from Manchester on an old BSA Bantam motorcycle. We got in touch with Gordon and were planning to meet him when he arrived in Cairo, so we decided we really ought to buy his book to get an idea of his other travels and adventures.We were really pleased then that this book was waiting for us when we returned to the UK this summer.We decided that it would be one of the three books we took to America and Canada with us on holiday as we wanted travel books to read as we were travelling around. Scotty read it first and really enjoyed it so I was pleased to get hold of it and have a read.
Gordan's writing style is great; really accessible, just like his blog that we've been reading. As I'm reading this after having met him in Cairo, it's got a really personal feel - as if he's retelling his tales to us over a Stella or two in a back street baladi, or faded glory hotel, bar.
There are so many examples of the kindness of strangers throughout his tale, and I know that I'll be reading similar stories when he publishes his most recent journey to Egypt. They are heartening to read and Gordan's gracious and kind acceptence of help, and his offerings in return, are also touching. I'm not a "bike" person and so I don't get all of the technical aspects of the bike going wrong. This doesn't matter though as Gordan's writing isn't as technically-based as Long Way Round / Long Way Down / Dakar Rally, and it shouldn't be - because Gordan's tale is about the journey and the people and the time he shares with them.
A really great read - can't wait to read Overland to Egypt when it's out!
Read: August 2010
We'd been following Gordan's Overland to Cairo blog since Kevin altered us to this crazy Kiwi now living in Manchester who was planning to ride to Cairo from Manchester on an old BSA Bantam motorcycle. We got in touch with Gordon and were planning to meet him when he arrived in Cairo, so we decided we really ought to buy his book to get an idea of his other travels and adventures.We were really pleased then that this book was waiting for us when we returned to the UK this summer.We decided that it would be one of the three books we took to America and Canada with us on holiday as we wanted travel books to read as we were travelling around. Scotty read it first and really enjoyed it so I was pleased to get hold of it and have a read.
Gordan's writing style is great; really accessible, just like his blog that we've been reading. As I'm reading this after having met him in Cairo, it's got a really personal feel - as if he's retelling his tales to us over a Stella or two in a back street baladi, or faded glory hotel, bar.
There are so many examples of the kindness of strangers throughout his tale, and I know that I'll be reading similar stories when he publishes his most recent journey to Egypt. They are heartening to read and Gordan's gracious and kind acceptence of help, and his offerings in return, are also touching. I'm not a "bike" person and so I don't get all of the technical aspects of the bike going wrong. This doesn't matter though as Gordan's writing isn't as technically-based as Long Way Round / Long Way Down / Dakar Rally, and it shouldn't be - because Gordan's tale is about the journey and the people and the time he shares with them.
A really great read - can't wait to read Overland to Egypt when it's out!
Monday, 2 August 2010
The Places in Between by Rory Stewart
The Places in Between by Rory Stewart (2006)
Read: July - August 2010
We were introduced (not literally - but that'd be cool!) to Rory Stewart when watching a programme he produced about Alexander the Great and his legacy in the Middle East. The perspective he offered on the situation; both historically and contemporary was really enlightening and so we dug around to find out more about him.
This is his first book and chronicles his time walking across the Middle East and Asia; which he seemed to just do for fun! It specifically focuses on the section of his walk through Afghanistan which he had to postpone due to the war in early 2000's. After he completed his walk he went on to become one of the youngest governors in Iraq and has since been a prominent commentator on the situation.
We ordered a whole bunch of books through Amazon to be waiting for us in London when we returned for the summer and this was one of the three or four we took with us on our summer tour of America and Canada.
It is simply an amazing book telling a truly unique and amazing story. Stewart is travelling alone (or attempting to) and has his money and passport hidden at the bottom of his bag which is thrown over his back as he wears rugs and shawls that the locals do. He isn't local though and hence the constant followers he has for his own safety. He is obviously skeptical about their presence and does not think it necessary, but there are a few occasions when he is alone and does get into trouble; rocks being thrown, dogs set on him, hospitality refused.
His journey is based on the understanding that in these tribal communities families should always welcome and care for visitors and travellers. Stewart's ability to communicate in the native dialects is amazing and gets him into and out of many situations. His understanding of the tribal hierarchy too is a phenomenal insight.
I'm almost grateful at times to read that he becomes unwell on his travels - as someone who regularly gets ill from the smallest thing here in Egypt I'm glad that hes not one of those people with a lead stomach! Although he doesn't mention being ill every day, you get the impression that he was most of the time and although he is very gracious to his hosts he really laments giving away his last set of medicines.
There are times that I found the narrative lacking emotion. Stewart writes in quite a matter-of-fact way at times and doesn't really let you into what he is thinking of the people or the places. He describes the scenery and the situation; but am I unsure how he feels about the wider implications of his journey.
Read: July - August 2010
We were introduced (not literally - but that'd be cool!) to Rory Stewart when watching a programme he produced about Alexander the Great and his legacy in the Middle East. The perspective he offered on the situation; both historically and contemporary was really enlightening and so we dug around to find out more about him.
This is his first book and chronicles his time walking across the Middle East and Asia; which he seemed to just do for fun! It specifically focuses on the section of his walk through Afghanistan which he had to postpone due to the war in early 2000's. After he completed his walk he went on to become one of the youngest governors in Iraq and has since been a prominent commentator on the situation.
We ordered a whole bunch of books through Amazon to be waiting for us in London when we returned for the summer and this was one of the three or four we took with us on our summer tour of America and Canada.
It is simply an amazing book telling a truly unique and amazing story. Stewart is travelling alone (or attempting to) and has his money and passport hidden at the bottom of his bag which is thrown over his back as he wears rugs and shawls that the locals do. He isn't local though and hence the constant followers he has for his own safety. He is obviously skeptical about their presence and does not think it necessary, but there are a few occasions when he is alone and does get into trouble; rocks being thrown, dogs set on him, hospitality refused.
His journey is based on the understanding that in these tribal communities families should always welcome and care for visitors and travellers. Stewart's ability to communicate in the native dialects is amazing and gets him into and out of many situations. His understanding of the tribal hierarchy too is a phenomenal insight.
I'm almost grateful at times to read that he becomes unwell on his travels - as someone who regularly gets ill from the smallest thing here in Egypt I'm glad that hes not one of those people with a lead stomach! Although he doesn't mention being ill every day, you get the impression that he was most of the time and although he is very gracious to his hosts he really laments giving away his last set of medicines.
There are times that I found the narrative lacking emotion. Stewart writes in quite a matter-of-fact way at times and doesn't really let you into what he is thinking of the people or the places. He describes the scenery and the situation; but am I unsure how he feels about the wider implications of his journey.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Stories We Could Tell by Tony Parsons
Stories We Could Tell by Tony Parsons (2006)
Read: June - July 2010
Now I wasn't a huge fan at all of Tony Parsons when I read a few of his last year that were passed onto us, so I guess you're wondering why I'm reading him again. Well in Dahab way back in April I think it may have been Scotty was caught short without a book to read. OK in Dahab you can just chill and no need to read, but we were about to get on the public bus home -a ride that takes at least 8 hours - and he needed something to entertain him. This was the pick of the two second-hand bookstores in Dahab as it was about music journalists and going to gigs in the 70's
I've picked it up now at the end of the school year to fill in the gap before getting to a new load of books we've ordered into the UK. I'm hoping to finish it before we fly back, and I don't, so then I hope to finish it in London before we fly to America, but I don't. I think I finish it after nearly 2 weeks in America, because once the holiday started we really didn't have time to read much as we'd flop straight into bed after busy, awesome, days.
I definitly enjoy this more than the other two books of his I read. It's written from the point of view of three guys who all work for a music magazine. Their antics getting to, into, and kicked out of gigs are entertaining and the scene that they work and live in is set very well in the mods and rockers. The three stories are woven together, then torn apart and finally collide towards the end. This narrative at times was difficult to follow, but as the book closed I could see how it had been cleverly written to tie the characters together.
Read: June - July 2010
Now I wasn't a huge fan at all of Tony Parsons when I read a few of his last year that were passed onto us, so I guess you're wondering why I'm reading him again. Well in Dahab way back in April I think it may have been Scotty was caught short without a book to read. OK in Dahab you can just chill and no need to read, but we were about to get on the public bus home -a ride that takes at least 8 hours - and he needed something to entertain him. This was the pick of the two second-hand bookstores in Dahab as it was about music journalists and going to gigs in the 70's
I've picked it up now at the end of the school year to fill in the gap before getting to a new load of books we've ordered into the UK. I'm hoping to finish it before we fly back, and I don't, so then I hope to finish it in London before we fly to America, but I don't. I think I finish it after nearly 2 weeks in America, because once the holiday started we really didn't have time to read much as we'd flop straight into bed after busy, awesome, days.
I definitly enjoy this more than the other two books of his I read. It's written from the point of view of three guys who all work for a music magazine. Their antics getting to, into, and kicked out of gigs are entertaining and the scene that they work and live in is set very well in the mods and rockers. The three stories are woven together, then torn apart and finally collide towards the end. This narrative at times was difficult to follow, but as the book closed I could see how it had been cleverly written to tie the characters together.
Friday, 25 June 2010
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2005)
Read: May-June 2010
We bought this book in the UK at Christmas time as we'd seen numerous copies in charity shop, after charity shop and so deduced that it must be popular. Also the title was obviously a draw for Scotty!
Scott read it first a few months ago and I finally got onto it last month and only had to put my mind to it slightly these last two weeks to make sure I finished it before the summer. I wanted to make sure I had it finished because at 704 pages it is quite a tome!
There were only a few times when I picked it up that I was confused by the narrative - otherwise I enjoyed the dual story-telling devise that Kostova uses. Part of the story is told by the daughter of an academic, the other part of the story is told by the acadmic himself as he speaks to his daughter. This is interspersed with letters and extracts from texts written by, about, or being read by other characters.
There are two parts to the novel, and within these two parts there is obviously the two different narratives. For me, this meant it didn't feel like I had over 700 pages to get through. This was quite impressive for a book of this lenght for the story to keep going at a good pace and the reader not be lost. What keeps the book together is the reader themselves trying to solve the mystery and follow the story as the narrative and narrators move about. The changing narrative was a great device and allowed the reader to see both the father and daughter as they grew up with the dracula puzzle.
Somehow it's not totally predictable that dracula is found in a hidden tomb, as again the story keeps moving and feels modern and new, rather than old and repeated.
Read: May-June 2010
We bought this book in the UK at Christmas time as we'd seen numerous copies in charity shop, after charity shop and so deduced that it must be popular. Also the title was obviously a draw for Scotty!
Scott read it first a few months ago and I finally got onto it last month and only had to put my mind to it slightly these last two weeks to make sure I finished it before the summer. I wanted to make sure I had it finished because at 704 pages it is quite a tome!
There were only a few times when I picked it up that I was confused by the narrative - otherwise I enjoyed the dual story-telling devise that Kostova uses. Part of the story is told by the daughter of an academic, the other part of the story is told by the acadmic himself as he speaks to his daughter. This is interspersed with letters and extracts from texts written by, about, or being read by other characters.
There are two parts to the novel, and within these two parts there is obviously the two different narratives. For me, this meant it didn't feel like I had over 700 pages to get through. This was quite impressive for a book of this lenght for the story to keep going at a good pace and the reader not be lost. What keeps the book together is the reader themselves trying to solve the mystery and follow the story as the narrative and narrators move about. The changing narrative was a great device and allowed the reader to see both the father and daughter as they grew up with the dracula puzzle.
Somehow it's not totally predictable that dracula is found in a hidden tomb, as again the story keeps moving and feels modern and new, rather than old and repeated.
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Khufu's Wisdom by Naguib Mahfouz
Khufu's Wisdom by Naguib Mahfouz
Read: May 2010
Rather than a novel this feels more like an extended moral. The story does start with a foreshadowing that then plague Khufu's reign. The reader knows the secret and wonders how long the pretence will last and will it ever be found out. The story is really one of nature vs. nurture; what does "parent" mean, and I think that this tale shows that for the individual biological is only a small aspect of who you are compared to how you are raised. For Khufu though biological and foreshadowing is everything and he cannot see beyond this.
This was one of Mahfouz's earliest novels. I understand that he wrote tales about ancient Egypt, to gain a steady footing as a writer, before moving into the more contentious modern world.
Read: May 2010
Rather than a novel this feels more like an extended moral. The story does start with a foreshadowing that then plague Khufu's reign. The reader knows the secret and wonders how long the pretence will last and will it ever be found out. The story is really one of nature vs. nurture; what does "parent" mean, and I think that this tale shows that for the individual biological is only a small aspect of who you are compared to how you are raised. For Khufu though biological and foreshadowing is everything and he cannot see beyond this.
This was one of Mahfouz's earliest novels. I understand that he wrote tales about ancient Egypt, to gain a steady footing as a writer, before moving into the more contentious modern world.
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Karnak Cafe by Naguib Mahfouz
Karnak Cafe by Naguib Mahfouz (1974, translated 2007)
Read: May 2010
A short story, retold to the narrator from three different perspectives.
Karnak Cafe hosts the young and the old, those who sit and drink tea, those who come for shisha, those who come to talk, those who come to look and those who come to be alone. Mahfouz's descriptions takes me to any number of cafes that I see along the streets (those of real Cairo) as the locals while away their time their. The characters too are fascinating to read. I think I see them in the cafe's themselves, but to have them translated into print means I do know when I am looking at the hostess, the lady who runs the cafe and then the man who runs after her, the quiet and regular and the outspoken. But the outspoken can't stay for long and soon the cafe's dynamic is turned upside down after police raids. Young friends and lovers aren't the same and its' only once we get the second story starting do we begin to understand why. It is then the final story that lets us see the full picture of the cafe. Everyone has a different desire and a different price they can pay.
A really great book here that paints a stunning picture of this cafe and the life that takes place in, around and through it.
Read: May 2010
A short story, retold to the narrator from three different perspectives.
Karnak Cafe hosts the young and the old, those who sit and drink tea, those who come for shisha, those who come to talk, those who come to look and those who come to be alone. Mahfouz's descriptions takes me to any number of cafes that I see along the streets (those of real Cairo) as the locals while away their time their. The characters too are fascinating to read. I think I see them in the cafe's themselves, but to have them translated into print means I do know when I am looking at the hostess, the lady who runs the cafe and then the man who runs after her, the quiet and regular and the outspoken. But the outspoken can't stay for long and soon the cafe's dynamic is turned upside down after police raids. Young friends and lovers aren't the same and its' only once we get the second story starting do we begin to understand why. It is then the final story that lets us see the full picture of the cafe. Everyone has a different desire and a different price they can pay.
A really great book here that paints a stunning picture of this cafe and the life that takes place in, around and through it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)