July started with a hop skip and a jump into sunny warm days! it is less so now but at least we had a good few days to gather in some vitamin D and defence against the winter.
I spent the whole weekend sitting in the sun reading 'A Week In December' by Sebastian Faulks. I wrote:
So as usual with Sebastian Faulks it was a 'good read', with a wide variety of characters, i guess in order to encompass today's London. I didnt quite understand a lot of the ins and outs of financial stuff but got the gist of it.
I had struggled with the hedge fund man, his character was used to describe what happened to cause the crash and the states of mind it entailed; struggled as well with the idea that they just get off free - although i knew that - the book brought it more into focus. whether i can imagine it or not, there are people who can laugh at others' catastrophes - even be the deliberate cause and laugh.
I also struggled with the would-be-terrorist character, not that i dont know they exist and why to an extent, but i just didnt want that particular character to go through with it, it almost seemed too unreal that he would, i suppose a device to show how easy it could be.
I thought how the hedge fund world was so opposite to the would-be-terrorist world. It could be seen to be the peak of rampant capitalism and godlessness that seems to be part of the cause of terrorism. In another light they were the same; unshakable belief in what they were doing even though it caused catastrophes for 100's, 1000's of people - all justified by themselves. This seemed to be a strong theme. God and Mammon. Make of it what you will, Faulks opens it for a good look.
The failed writer a character who the more you learned about as the book goes on the more you dislike him, even though you know his horridness is all due to bitter disappointment. It seems to give him a strange bravery - misguided, but he is not a completely damned character in the end.
The lawyer who doesnt have much work or money, but loves reading; his character starts off dull and closed off and grey, but unfolds into one of the nicest people in the book as he and the young tube driver gradually fall in love and have an affect on each other.
The wife of the new politician preparing for her huge dinner party; she sees a heirarchy in her circle, well competition she calls it, but heirarchy is also relevant; who 'matters' most, what are the things which count - money, not being fat, being beautiful, having interesting/successful kids, house - interior.. anyway she wants to be 'in there', although she knows she is not near the 'top' - husband's job, an MP, considered quite low on the pecking order.
The pickle magnate and his wife protrayed quite sweetly but i am not sure how realistically, might be a bit patronizing - might not.
There are of course many more characters, and a rich plot even if some of it was over my head.
Next book started is 'The Circle Of Reason' by Amitav Ghosh. I have had this book on my shelf for some time, collecting his books as i come across them in charity shops. It is an early book of his, so it will be interesting. I have read the more recent novels. I love his writing and his research is extensive so I learn something as well.
The book I finished before was Kieren Desai 'The Inheritance Of Loss'. another brilliant writer, brilliant book.
running out of steam so now.
I spent the whole weekend sitting in the sun reading 'A Week In December' by Sebastian Faulks. I wrote:
So as usual with Sebastian Faulks it was a 'good read', with a wide variety of characters, i guess in order to encompass today's London. I didnt quite understand a lot of the ins and outs of financial stuff but got the gist of it.
I had struggled with the hedge fund man, his character was used to describe what happened to cause the crash and the states of mind it entailed; struggled as well with the idea that they just get off free - although i knew that - the book brought it more into focus. whether i can imagine it or not, there are people who can laugh at others' catastrophes - even be the deliberate cause and laugh.
I also struggled with the would-be-terrorist character, not that i dont know they exist and why to an extent, but i just didnt want that particular character to go through with it, it almost seemed too unreal that he would, i suppose a device to show how easy it could be.
I thought how the hedge fund world was so opposite to the would-be-terrorist world. It could be seen to be the peak of rampant capitalism and godlessness that seems to be part of the cause of terrorism. In another light they were the same; unshakable belief in what they were doing even though it caused catastrophes for 100's, 1000's of people - all justified by themselves. This seemed to be a strong theme. God and Mammon. Make of it what you will, Faulks opens it for a good look.
The failed writer a character who the more you learned about as the book goes on the more you dislike him, even though you know his horridness is all due to bitter disappointment. It seems to give him a strange bravery - misguided, but he is not a completely damned character in the end.
The lawyer who doesnt have much work or money, but loves reading; his character starts off dull and closed off and grey, but unfolds into one of the nicest people in the book as he and the young tube driver gradually fall in love and have an affect on each other.
The wife of the new politician preparing for her huge dinner party; she sees a heirarchy in her circle, well competition she calls it, but heirarchy is also relevant; who 'matters' most, what are the things which count - money, not being fat, being beautiful, having interesting/successful kids, house - interior.. anyway she wants to be 'in there', although she knows she is not near the 'top' - husband's job, an MP, considered quite low on the pecking order.
The pickle magnate and his wife protrayed quite sweetly but i am not sure how realistically, might be a bit patronizing - might not.
There are of course many more characters, and a rich plot even if some of it was over my head.
Next book started is 'The Circle Of Reason' by Amitav Ghosh. I have had this book on my shelf for some time, collecting his books as i come across them in charity shops. It is an early book of his, so it will be interesting. I have read the more recent novels. I love his writing and his research is extensive so I learn something as well.
The book I finished before was Kieren Desai 'The Inheritance Of Loss'. another brilliant writer, brilliant book.
running out of steam so now.
Comments
M xxx