Love my children and husband, friends, family. Need indulgences in good food and wine. Like to be surprised, stimulated, challenged and productive. Like to be around water, trees, other living things.
Posted 06 Feb 07
Posted 01 Feb 07
Posted 23 Jan 07
This is one of those books where I felt I was meant to enjoy it more, or at least be moved by a greater degree than I was. I found it to be an excellent account of desperation, lust, survival and racism, all set against a bleak, unforgiving landscape.
This harshness continues as a metaphor in the relationships between the characters, the man who seduces his student, the man and his wife, the man and his daughter. For that reason I found it a hard read. The seduction was an abuse of power (the man's), and his daughter also becomes a victim to sex, race and her obstinacy to stay put on an isolated farm in South Africa. This is not pleasant reading.
I have often wondered what it is about Australia that lends itself to such bleak film and book plots. I also had that feeling with this book. The landscape is as cruel as the story. If you need cheering up do not read this book. But, if you enjoy reading about the more undesirable traits of humans and their consequences, then try it. It is also beautifully written.
Posted 23 Jan 07
Minette Walters, The Devil's Feather
Posted 23 Jan 07
I read Midnight's Children at uni which I enjoyed - it was probably my first foray into a fictional account of India. There is another Indian author, V S Naipaul, whom I also enjoyed. His book, A House for Mr Biswas, was quite funny as the main character was quite absurd at times.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/vnaipaul.htm
Posted 23 Jan 07
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Topics Created: 2