One Foot Out of the Door...

I really enjoyed this book, and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say this is probably one of the best biographies I've read in years.Before starting Gaskell's book, I only knew the bare bones of the Bronte family's story as well as a few anecdotes told to me by a couple of English teachers back in school. So it was quite an nice eyeopener to have some the knowledge gaps filled in as it were.The book is quite a hefty read and Gaskell spends quite a lot time in the beginning of the biography talking about the local history of the village where the Bronte's lived.

Gaskell's skill as a writer is clearly shown here, as she painted a very vivid and colourful picture of every day life that didn't seem to drag in the least.Of particular interest was the inclusion of letters that Bronte had written to friends, family and other assorted acquaintances over the years. I felt that while reading them, I gained a far better understanding of Charlotte than through Gaskell's almost saintly descriptions of her.

I think the main problem with The Life of Charlotte Bronte, is that it is essentially a nineteenth century public relations exercise. Certainly, if this book came out today I would probably slate it for its biases and inaccuracies. However, part of its charm is that it is very much a book of its time and I think I can easily excuse Gaskell for wanting to show her friend in the best possible light.

Anyway, I'm definitely going to look out more of Gaskell's scribblings as a result of reading this, and possibly look out another Bronte biography just to have something to compare this with.

On paper Dave Eggers should be an author who I love without reservation, but I always come away from his books feeling completely underwhelmed.  Such was the case this time round in A Hologram for the King.

A story of an middle age man with an shrew of an ex-wife, who goes to a country oh, so very different from his own; he gets his own quirky sidekick, has a brief fling with a very attractive younger woman....blah, blah blah.

I've read/seen all it before and Hologram for the King has nothing new to add to this particular trope.

Best thing about it was the cover.

Who's your dealer ? ha ha ;-)

Somewhere in this book. there was a really good story trying to get out and I'm not sure if something was lost in the translation but something went horribly wrong here.

I don't mind unlikable characters, I don't mind if every character in a book is downright despicable - but if they are, then they damned well better be interesting enough to keep me reading and the plot better be top notch.

As it was...well, I couldn't wait to finish it really.

two-dimensional sociopathic villainy aside for the moment, I had a lot of problems with the gaping plot holes and downright nonsense logic in this novel.  Who the hell goes to a public place to discuss the fact that their children may have been involved in a murder?

Especially when one of the characters is politician with an extremely high profile?  Eh?

The thing is, I was actually quite liking this book until the big twist kicked in and after that it all went downhill.   Shame.

Let's see if this third import works...

A tantalising treat of a tiny tale.

A very quick read, but a superb one at that, and superior to his other excellent short story, ... Entity in Your Home. Can't say much more without spoiling anything important to the story, but dearie me, the rug was pulled out right underneath me and no mistake.

Highly recommended.