bookrblog

The Little Sister

Saturday, November 28th, 2009 | American Literature | No Comments

I thought I’d read all of Raymond Chandler’s works, but I found this one and it was good. In Dorothy L Sayer’s stories she talks about her murder mysteries as upholding a vision of justice. Chandler’s detective novels uphold a vision on integrity, a belief in the worth of human beings. In each story, Marlowe begins by believing in someone. That belief is often dashed by the end of the story, but the fact that Marlowe believes - not because the person is rich or educated, just because they’re human - is the powerful thing. Marlowe tries to find someone for “the little sister”; he finds a lot of people, some of them dead. I love Chandler’s stories.

The Dancing Floor

Saturday, November 28th, 2009 | British Literature | No Comments

It seems as though they’ve decided to reissue a whole lot of John Buchan books. I went off him a while ago because of his extreme sexism, racism and anti-semitism. This story was simple and while a little cringe-worthy on the “uneducated peasant” front, still interesting. A young man has a dream every year on the same day. In that dream, something is coming closer to him, in a room, closer year after year. He prepares his whole life to meet this thing.

That’s the interesting part. The actual resolution is a bit silly, especially these days. But I wish I could have travelled around Europe post WW1. What a magical world it would have been to those with freedom and money.

Drylands

Saturday, November 28th, 2009 | Australian Literature | No Comments

This novel by Thea Astley is what I’d call the typical Australian novel; set in the outback with characters who say “jeez” a lot, with a depressing theme generally on why Australia is such a backwards part of the world. In this version, an older woman is trying to write a novel (the novel we are reading) but feels it is pointless, as no one reads. No one apart from herself, of course. Every other member of the little outback town in which she lives is crude and culture-less and entirely lacking in intelligence, and wanting to spend every moment of their time harassing her or other women. In the end, she leaves.

This is why I really don’t seek out Australian novels. Neither the characters nor the places reflect my experiences whatsoever; the language always annoys me, esp when they put in apostrophes to emphasise how poorly the average Australian speaks; and the plot is always basic and utterly dull. I’m sorry Thea Astley believes she’s the last reader in the world, or Australia. Funny how she’s still trying to make money from writing, though.

Trees of History and Romance; essays from a Mt Wilson garden.

Saturday, November 14th, 2009 | Australian Literature | No Comments

This little book of essays was written by Michael Andrew Pembroke, who lives part-time up at Mt Wilson, which is not far from me.  Pembroke has a beautifully landscaped European garden, as many do up there, and writes an essay about each tree, such as the Maple, the Oak, the Pine and the Sycamore. He draws on history, literature and poetry as he talks about each tree, as well as its place in his own garden. Each tree is illustrated beautifully by Libby Raines, who also has a beautiful garden in the area. The essays are informative and affectionate, although they could have used just a little editing in a few places. An enjoyable addition to each essay is a relevant poem reproduced in full. A lovely little book for those interested in nature.

The Goose Girl

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 | Children's Literature | No Comments

This is the first book in the Bayern series by Shannon Hale. I didn’t mind Princess Academy which I read a year ago or so, despite its Americanisms. This one was a little more cringe-worthy. Lots of ums and ers, a very stereotypical plot, and nothing original. It was kind of bloodthirsty, too. Funny how these writers disdain the sex and adult themes of today’s stories but have no problem chopping people’s heads off - in detail!  This book felt like a faint copy of the far superior Ella Enchanted. I won’t be seeking out her other stories.

The Cherry Ames books

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 | American Literature, Children's Literature | No Comments

I loved the Cherry Ames books by Helen Wells when I was a kid. I have just purchased the first eight which have recently been republished. I realise now I’d only read the later books. The earlier ones follow the career of Cherry Ames, an American nurse, during WW2, from training to work on both the European and Pacific fields of war, and then into civilian work post-war.

Originally written in the ’40s to encourage more nurses to join up, they’re more than propaganda; they’re good books. In fact, they’re well-written, action-packed, and historically fascinating. Wells gives a good picture of life in the army, life in hospitals, and life in New York and the UK in the 40’s. There’s a hint of romance, lots of humour, and some interesting medical detail, but the real purpose of the book is to show how satisfying a career can be for a woman; and that in these sad post-feminist times is still really important.