Let me introduce you to three books I particularly enjoyed reading back in 2006 …
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Life in a travelling circus was hard, and when anything happened to upset the equilibrium it became brutal, as this well-researched novel details. These crises come one after the other here making this book a real page turner.
Set against the ‘show must go on’ gloss of the ring, there is a rigid division between performers and working men – they shouldn’t mix, but do once our hero and young vet Jacob jumps the train. Although he didn’t finish his training, he got hired to look after the animals.
The novel is told through the eyes of the old Jacob who at 93 is spurred into action when a circus comes to town and pitches the big top opposite his old people’s home. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and really felt for the characters, particularly Walter the dwarf clown who befriends Jacob, and of course, Rosie the elephant.
Every Man For himself by Beryl Bainbridge
This novel is a masterpiece, and infinitely more rewarding than the film ‘Titanic‘ with which it shares its subject matter. The fateful voyage is seen through the eyes of Morgan, a rich, young man related to the owner of the shipping line. Concentrating mainly on the first class passengers, to which set Morgan belongs, it paints a portrait of an insular group with an impressive array of vices.
The title of the novel says it all – “Every man for himself” – and there is plenty of selfishness, silliness and snobbery on display here. However Morgan is basically a decent young chap, and does his best to look out for his friends as the disaster unfolds its course; ultimately he manages to save himself too. This is not a long novel, nor does it need to be, as every word has its place.
Quite Ugly One Morning by Christopher Brookmyre
A truly excellent first novel and high-octane crime thriller. Imagine Quentin Tarantino relocated to Scotland and crossed with Iain Banks and you’ll get the picture.
Consequently, the novel is extremely violent and moves at an unputdownable pace as well as making you laugh out loud all the way. The dialogue is tremendous and involves you right from the very first two words of the book, (which are totally unrepeatable here – you have been warned!).
I’ve since read several other Brookmyres and they’ve yet to disappoint. The Sacred Art of Stealing – is my favourite of his so far. It features a central romance between a bank-robber and a cop and nods towards Elmore Leonard’s magnificent Out of Sight (remember George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in the film – both never better).
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Source: Own copies. To explore on Amazon UK, please click below:
Water for Elephants
Every Man For Himself
Quite Ugly One Morning
I confess I’ve had Quite Ugly One Morning on my TBR shelf since it came out. I hope to get to it once I’ve caught up with Rankin and Rebus.
Where on earth do you get all these books from (I don’t mean the name of the bookshop)? I’ve never heard of most of them and have certainly never seen them in any bookshop I frequent (and that means any bookshop I hapen to come across at any time!
And you don’t need to point out that I’ve mis-spelt ‘happen’ or that I’ve not closed the bracket at the end!!!
As if!
If you enjoyed ‘Every Man For Himself’ as a different take on the Titanic story, you might also enjoy ‘Psalm at Journey’s End’ (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Psalm-Journeys-End-Erik-Hansen/dp/0099268256) by Erik Fosnes Hansen.It’s a lovely book.Anna
AnnabelThe latest ‘anonymous’ (before this one)wasn’t me!!
Consider yourself busted Dad! Hope you’re not confused Anna …
Well, I figured I’d sign my comment to differentiate myself from your other anonymous readers.Course, I could have been one of your other anonymouses just trying to hide my tracks 🙂