Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Book reviews - The Kite Runner and archives

I've moved these from the sidebar into the main body of the blog after I realised that people are actually reading them. Here are the last few from the archives, plus a new one.

Currently reading:
"Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown. (I know, I know, I'm not expecting it to be good or anything, but I borrowed it for free from my building's communal bookshelf).

Just finished:
"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. 7/10 - I enjoyed it and would recommend it, but my enjoyment never entirely recovered from the point when the book triggered my somewhat irrational dislike of books whose main character is a writer. (Especially if the character's writing is directly quoted in the text, which actually wasn't the case here, there was just the outline of a short story). I'm not sure why, I think I've just read too many examples of the technique.

"One Good Turn" by Kate Atkinson. 7/10 - if I'd read it after any other book I would probably have rated it higher, but it just couldn't match the sheer perfection of Case Histories. I am, however, madly in love with Jackson Brodie. They should make a movie of Case Histories and cast Hugh Jackman as Brodie. That would be heaven.

"Case Histories" by Kate Atkinson (re-read in anticipation of reading the sequel). 10/10 - Atkinson's best (which is saying a lot) and one of my all-time favourites. Highly recommended.

"A Spot of Bother" by Mark Haddon. 9/10 - truly excellent. Docked one point due to a description of a medical procedure that was graphic enough to almost make me gag.

7 comments:

  1. I thought Angels and Demons was a good read - a bit over dramatic, but full of energy. Waiting for your review :)

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  2. P.S. I was lucky to be in Rome within months of reading the book - that was certainly wonderful.

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  3. I really need to make an effort to get some pleasure reading done.

    But...

    ...if it takes effort, then is it really "pleasure" reading?? ;)

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  4. Hi CAE, I just sent you an e-mail You might want to check your junk box.

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  5. SG - so far I'd have to agree with you. It's not exactly great literature, and the story so far parallels that of the Da Vinci code almost perfectly, but it's a good page turner! Oh, and I loved Rome too. Can't believe it's 12 years since I was there!

    UR - it's not so much the effort as just getting into the habit. My home internet connection is down so that's freed up a lot of reading time!

    Makita - I'll go and check it out!

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  6. I actually liked Angels and Demons much more than the Da Vinci Code. Maybe it was because I wasn't expecting anything great and was therefore pleasantly surprised? Hope you are enjoying it.

    Mermaid

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  7. So far I'd have to agree - after the Da Vinci Code my expectations were very low indeed and it's been a pleasant surprise!

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