Review: ‘The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea’- Yukio Mishima
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars A disturbing tale of youth corrupted. Mishima crafted a vivid portrait of post-war Japan and mind of a child growing up in the shadow ...
Review: ‘Goodbye Tsugumi’ – Banana Yoshimoto 1989
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Haunting and melancholy, Goodbye Tsugumi is a coming-of-age tale set against the vivid backdrop of the Japanese seaside. “It’s a marvell...
Review: ‘Americanah’ – Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie 2013
My rating: 5 of 5 stars I cannot recommend this book highly enough, to everyone who reads. To say that the plot follows high school sweethearts and their paths ...
Review: ‘A Man Called Ove’ – Fredrik Backman 2012
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Deeply touching novel about love, grief, and a neighbourhood that warmed the heart of a grumpy old man. I can’t think back on this story...
‘The Knife of Never Letting Go’ January Book Club Discussion
2017 is off to a flying start with the fast-paced sci-fi adventure from Patrick Ness. It wasn’t a short book by any measure but for many of your it seemed...
Review: ‘A Christmas Carol’ – Charles Dickens 18143
My rating: 4 of 5 stars A cautionary tale of greed and selfishness, and their opposites in generosity and humility. Such a perfect story to read in the lead up ...
Review: ‘Oliver Twist’ – Charles Dickens 1838
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Set in the darkest corners of London Oliver Twist is a scathing critique of class divisions and the inhuman treatment of England’s poore...
Review: ‘#LiveFromSofia’ – Александър Шпатов
My rating: 3 of 5 stars Live From Sofia is a collection of short stories exploring the unique landscape, culture and atmosphere of Bulgaria’s capital city. The ...
‘Oliver Twist’ October Book Club Discussion
Let’s talk about Oliver Twist! It’s been great fun this month, collaborating with the Dickens Buddies group on Instagram. I hope you had a chance to...
Review: ‘The Pigeon’ – Patrick Süskind 1987
My rating: 3 of 5 stars The Pigeon is a truly strange and vividly intense novella. The narrative covers a single 24 hour period in the life of a Frenchman, with...