WBN 2012 Books 1 to 9

At the start the World Book Night 2012 reading journey I have read 9 of the 25 choices and these are my brief comments based on my recollections. As some go back a few years no responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies of plot, character or spelling.

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

A classic that easily justifies its status. Although the sentences seem long to the modern reader, they are perfectly formed and if read at a leisurely pace transport the reader to the outwardly genteel 19^th century, only to reveal, with legendary wit, the same human foibles that abound in the 21^st.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Not his best in my view, but one of his shorter works – and a popular re-introduction to Dickens for those scarred for life by enforced school helpings of David Copperfield that rarely got beyond “Chapter 1 - I Am Born”. It is quicker moving than most, but at the expense of the usual extensive cast of peripheral characters.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

A pleasant enough read. I recall it being mystical and allegorical in nature but not sufficiently memorable to me to enable more to be said.

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Beautifully written, evocative novel that intertwines inter-war politics and social history with personal conflicts of loyalties as upper class Britain, and their retainers, slide into war, dabble with fascism and face up to the decline of the world as they know it.

Misery by Stephen King

Nothing supernatural here, just old fashioned psychological thriller as Annie Wilkes rescues her favourite author from a car crash and “nurses” him according to her own agenda. Genuinely nerve jangling and an all round good read.

Small Island by Andrea Levy

I found this an eye-opening and moving account of West Indian immigration in the 1940s. The culture shock of the “Windrush” generation arriving in post war London, and their ignorant reception by most of the indigenous citizens is related without rancour and is all the more effective for that.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Bleak, post apocalyptical, tale written in McCarthy’s economical style that dispenses with superfluous punctuation such as inverted comma for speech. I read the journey by man and boy along the eponymous thoroughfare, confronting hidden dangers in search of a safe haven, as a powerful allegory. A father’s purpose to navigate the perils of raising his son and deliver him safely and soundly to adulthood.

The Damned Utd by David Peace

As a football person, of an age to remember the Brian Clough 44 days as Leeds United manager, I enjoyed this thoroughly. If I was neither of those I’m not sure what I would have made of it. Peace’s style is direct and pays no heed to readers sensitivities as far as language is concerned so be warned and be careful who you pass this one on to.

The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak

A great book, especially for bibliophiles. Set in Nazi Germany, the gripping story unfolds, told by the young narrator as an adjunct to her career as a stealer (out of penniless necessity) of books (out of compulsion). We have all been there (the compulsion for books that is, not the stealing)!