Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Milan Kundera
1984, 1999, Faber and Faber, London
0571200834
311p.

This is a story about loves and infidelities; about the relationships between people and the differences in them that define their relationships.

It is very hard to describe this book; I wouldn't say that I loved it but I did like it. It made me laugh out loud sometimes and sad at others. The philosophy got a bit strange but the characters were well-drawn.

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Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Ten O'Clock Horses by Laurie Graham

The Ten O'Clock Horses
Laurie Graham
1996, Black Swan, London
0552996564
256p.

Ronnie Glover is a painter and decorator living in 1960s England and is dissatisfied with his place in life. He begins an affair with a rich married dance teacher.

When I first started reading this, I couldn't get into the writing style. But I stuck with it and when I started to get the voice of the novel I really really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. The characters are well drawn, and the dialogue is incredibly realistic. The reader can feel the emotions of the characters on a deep level.

Link to journal at bookcrossing

Sunday, January 2, 2011

The Sooterkin by Tom Gilling

The Sooterkin
Tom Gilling
1999, Text Publishing, La Trobe
1876485027
212p.

Set in convict-era Tasmania, a woman gives birth to a strange creature which resembles a seal pup.

I found this to be better than what I was expecting. It's a great little story and I loved the characters. The writing style is just a little bit different but very easy to read. I really enjoyed it.

Link to journal at bookcrossing