Flawless by Tilly Bagshawe

A quick rundown… A fun chick-lit set in the diamond dealing business. Sex, romance, intrigue, goodies and baddies all in one.

Strengths: Light and easy, a bit of conscience thrown in.

Weaknesses: Some scenes are a little clichéd.

Why I read it: I like chick lit by Ms Bagshawe.

Pages: 400

Published: 2009

Publisher: Orion

Setting: United Kingdom, Africa, Russia, USA

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Adored by Tilly Bagshawe

Flawless is a perfect book for the times when you need to escape the daily grind but don’t want to bog yourself down in a serious, convoluted book. This book is exaggerated fun – the hunks are hunky, the women beautiful, the baddies bad and the plot interesting but easy enough to be remembered. While not as much fun for me as Adored (which was perfect escapist fare), this book is still a very good beach read.

Flawless centres around the diamond industry – the heroine, Scarlett Drummond Murray designs jewellery; the Meyer twins (Jake and Danny) are diamond dealers and the baddie, Brogan, owns diamond mines. This is how all the characters link up initially, at diamond dinners and trading stones. Scarlett sticks out somewhat in the diamond business, as she runs a campaign for Trade Fair diamonds (diamonds that are not the product of war, where workers are fairly treated). This gets her into a lot of trouble with a number of people, mainly Brogan. Then strange things start to happen – her tyres are slashed and her shop burns down. Scarlett then moves to L.A. to work with Jake Meyer, but their relationship is topsy turvy…

I’m sure you can guess what happens from there, but that doesn’t make the journey of the book any less fun. While not as good as some of her other books, Flawless (also known as Perfect in some areas) is above the standard for chick lit. Bagshawe puts in the ethical message about Trade Fair diamonds as well as having several plot threads running. Flawless doesn’t quite hit the wild peaks and troughs of this kind of genre, but it’s still solid, containing passion, intrigue and fiery arguments. The characters are likeable and flawed enough to make things more memorable. Some of the turns of phrase are clichéd (in particular, the sex scenes) but you do notice this less as the book continues.

A light story, good for escapism.

Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence

A quick rundown… The story of a woman, her two sons and the everlasting ties between them.

Strengths: A different way of approaching a story with three sequential protagonists; Paul is an amiable character.

Weaknesses: Dragged for me in places.

Why I read it: Have never read D.H. Lawrence before.

Pages: 544

Published: 1913

Publisher: Penguin Classics

Setting: England

Rating: 7 out of 10.

If you liked this, try: Brooklyn by Colm Toibin deals with similar family issues.

This was the first D.H. Lawrence book I’ve read and I’m still undecided whether it will be the last. If I had to sum it up in one word, the word would be ‘okay’. Not brilliant, not awful – just tolerable really.

The story is simple enough – the story of Mrs Morel, who seems to have married the wrong man (a miner who drinks a lot) and puts her effort into her firstborn son, Arthur. Arthur is given every opportunity, sometimes at the expense of his sister Annie and younger brother Paul. When Arthur returns home engaged, Mrs Morel finds it hard to deal with and picks fault with his fiancé. Arthur then dies and Mrs Morel sets her sights on Paul. She controls nearly every aspect of Paul’s life and is a continual source of friction between him and his first girlfriend, Miriam. It seems no one is good enough for Paul and Mrs Morel will be the only woman in his life.

Lawrence is excellent at being able to convey thoughts and feelings of his characters within a few words. The portrayal of the different relationships – Paul and his mother, Paul and Miriam is excellent. Mrs Morel and Paul both love and hate each other, yet they can’t break or change the bond between them. Paul knows his mother is interfering with his relationships, yet he still goes back for more. You would expect Mrs Morel to appear overbearing, but she doesn’t – it is clearly written that she wants the absolute best for Paul and will do her damnedest to get it for him. Like most mothers!

Very well written but not my favourite 20^th century classic (that is reserved for Richard Yates). Somewhat dull and bleak in places, but the strength is in the relationships between the characters.

Atonement by Ian McEwan

A quick rundown… A young girl’s statement changes things for the rest of her family forever. How can she atone for her sin?

Strengths: The different types of writing in each part, the raw desolation of the war.

Weaknesses: The ending makes you want to immediately flip back to the front and start again.

Why I read it: It’s a movie and the book won lots of prizes.

Pages: 351

Published: 2003

Publisher: Anchor

Setting: England, France.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

If you liked this, try: Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

It’s difficult to know where to start in this review of Atonement – many people are familiar with the book and many more have seen the film with Keira Knightley (I haven’t; I thought Keira played Briony, not Cecelia). It seems from a small amount of research I’ve done (i.e. asking friends) that opinion of Atonement is divided – you either love it or hate it. I’m one of the former, so you’ll need to excuse me for my gushings.

Briony is a young girl, determined to put on a play with her cousins for her brother’s homecoming. But over the course of one day, everything changes and Briony tells a lie, which affects the rest of her family. Both she and her older sister separate from the family as they grow older, but the events of that day are never forgotten.

This is the first McEwan book I’ve read and I was told by others to be patient, that his books grow on you. While lyrically beautiful, it did take some time to get used to the style of this first section, which is quite floaty and dreamlike (and I’m told, in the style of Virginia Woolf). It also reminded me of how a hot summer day feels – kind of endless and somewhat detached. I enjoyed this, but didn’t rave about it. The second part, which describes WWII in detail, was sharply focused and graphic in comparison to the first section. I really also enjoyed Briony’s trials as a nurse – it was unsympathetically confronting. This was where I was hooked, with the shocking turn of events. And the ending…well, I felt like flipping back to the front and starting the book all over again. It made me question everything I’d read previously in the book – which of the characters were not to be trusted? Were there any holes in the story? McEwan leaves the reader to try to figure this out rather than join the dots. It’s a little frustrating, but it certainly ensures the reader will be thinking about the book long after it’s finished.

There are some light moments in this book – the khaki green Amo chocolate bar for the soldiers for instance, but most of it is about one events and how everything after is distorted – possibly forever. It is painfully slow in some places, but picks up in others. Well worth the rewards if you persevere.

Mailbox Monday 21/11/11

I’ve had a great mailbox over the last couple of weeks – lots of lovely parcels in the mail! Best thing is that they all contain books!

I received Dewey’s Nine Lives from Bellezza of Dolce Bellezza, as a winner from the Literary Giveaway Blog Hop:

Look at the gorgeous card, with my favourite animal (birds, if you hadn’t guessed already!) on it. Thank you Bellezza!

I also received Cleopatra A Life from Joy of Joy’s Book Blog (another Literary Giveaway Blog Hop giveaway – yes, I hopped ’til I dropped!). Thank you!

And finally, I was kindly sent Alison Wonderland by Helen Smith, the author. Thank you Helen!

Wow, what a great mailbox week. Hope you had a great week too!

 

2:46 : Aftershocks : Stories from the Japan Earthquake by Various

A quick rundown… Short vignettes from those affected by 2011′s Japan earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant meltdown.

Strengths: The raw emotion.

Weaknesses: I would have liked to hear more, but I understand this was a difficult time.

Why I read it: I love Japan and its people.

Pages: 86 (ebook)

Published: 2009

Publisher: Quakebook

Setting: Japan

Rating: N/A

If you liked this, try: after the quake by Haruki Murakami

The story of this book is amazing: a group of people united through Twitter to create a book about the terrible earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan early this year – all in a week. The number of people involved is amazing too: Yoko Ono, journalists from around the world, the people of Japan and others from around the world. Not everyone had a direct link with Japan, but they all cared and worried about the thousands affected. Simply, this book is an example of the caring side of the human spirit.

Why did I read this? I am a Japan-ophile myself, having visited the country on a prolonged visit and fallen in love with the people, the scenery, the culture in addition to studying Japanese for six years. I found the people incredibly kind – from the gentleman who showed me back to my hotel when I was lost (which was the completely opposite way to where he was going) and the schoolchildren at Genbaku Domu in Hiroshima. I wanted to support the Japanese Red Cross (from which the cost of the book went to).

This book conveys so many emotions – from terror, loss and shock to the happiness of being reunited with family and then again to some strangely funny moments. It really does cover the entire spectrum. It’s also put together really well – one moment you’ll be wiping away tears and the next you’ll be smiling through them. It also goes to show that this quake affected many people and the great way people joined together to help others. (I was in Singapore post-quake and the generosity demonstrated by store, school children and the community was impressive).

This book is a must read for those who love Japan and want to help. Well done to those involved, you’ve got a great record of reactions to the quake.

Persephone Secret Santa deliveries!

My Persephone Secret Santa has been very busy already! I have received not one, not two but three deliveries in the last three days! What a lovely thing to return to after being out of the office!

Clue #1: A postcard from Kansas. Did you know early settlers in Kansas used limestone for posts (‘postrocks’) due to a lack of trees? Kansas looks lovely, full of open spaces.

Clue #2: A first class international envelope (that sounds so sophisticated, better than air mail) with cool stamps…

…and a Persephone themed card. Better early than late Santa!

Which book could it be from? Is this a hint?

And finally, a parcel all the way from London:

I didn’t open it Santa. I really wanted to (and my colleague begged me to!) but it’s now on my desk, waiting to be put under the Christmas tree (it’s not up yet).

Thank you Secret Santa! You are doing a fantastic job and I love all your clues!

Handling Edna by Barry Humphries

A quick rundown… Barry Humphries, the manager of suburban wife turned superstar, Dame Edna Everage, tells all.

Strengths: The clever humour, the language.

Weaknesses: How much of this is really true?

Why I read it: Another $5 sale book.

Pages: 388

Published: 2009

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Setting: Australia, London, USA

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

If you liked this, try: My Life As Me by Barry Humphries

This is a difficult book to categorise – is it an autobiography? A memoir? Fictionalised truth? Here, Barry Humphries tells us of his discovery of Moonee Ponds (i.e. Melbourne suburbia) housewife, Edna Everage in 1950s Melbourne and how that young woman became one of the grandest dames of history. Barry lays the rumours to rest that he and Edna are one and describes his tumultuous relationship with Edna through death, alcohol, bankruptcy and gladioli.

Barry paints for us a beautiful picture of 1950s and 60s Melbourne (of which a few points are still recognisable today) and Edna’s life with an ill husband, jealous live-in Kiwi bridesmaid and children. Barry is of course nothing like the common bourgeois that Edna represents, he shudders in her attempts at class and social climbing. But which of them has the better insight into the average (or ‘everage’) Australian? Edna becomes a hit much to Barry’s dismay on the stage and screen and he reluctantly becomes her manager while trying an acting/comedy career for himself. Edna’s dreams become true beyond her wildest fantasies while Barry becomes a shadow of his former self. Eventually they will work out that they need each other (but not that greasy Les Patterson).

Humphries has written a wildly witty work of his time with Edna. I fear that Edna herself may not understand all the words he uses in various descriptions (an ebook version would be useful at times to use the inbuilt dictionary, but I’m probably showing my bourgeois side my even suggesting it). Barry paints himself as the perfect Toorak snob (upper class suburb of Melbourne) reacting to Edna’s feisty middle class suburban roots and the need to keep up and then overtake the Joneses. In some ways, she represents Australia itself.

While it’s debatable how much of the plain truth is in this book, it’s a fantastic tale and a great read for any possum, if only for the photos of Dame Edna’s outlandish outfits from the past through to today.

All Together Now by Monica McInerney

A quick rundown… A collection of short stories and novella, Odd One Out.

Strengths: Good to see the works collected together.

Weaknesses: I’m still not a fan of short stories. I prefer novels.

Why I read it: It was the only Monica McInerney book I hadn’t read at the time.

Pages: 288

Published: 2008

Publisher: Penguin

Setting: Australia

Rating: 8 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Any Monica McInerney novel such as At Home With the Templetons.

All Together Now was the only Monica McInerney book I hadn’t read (excepting 2011′s new release, Lola’s Secret). I had purposefully left it until last because I’m not really that big a fan of short stories (exception: Haruki Murakami). But as short stories go, this is a fairly good collection. McInerney’s sparkle and wit shine through even in a short period. A lot of the stories (some only several pages) got me engrossed and then suddenly finished, which was disappointing. But you can’t win them all.

The majority of the book is taken up by the novella, Odd One Out, which was previously released as a giveaway with the Books Alive programme. Strangely, I didn’t read it back then. The novella is about Sylvie, who is a bit lost and is asked by an old aunt to be her companion at an inopportune moment at a wedding. Sylvie is wrested from this fate by her brother, who sets her up in Melbourne on a treasure hunt to find new things and empower herself. There are some unexpected twists and turns but the ending is fairly predictable, and a little up in the air. I’d like to see this fleshed out more as a novel – the mystery of Sylvie’s dad is solved in a couple of paragraphs and then barely mentioned. The treasure hunt was a very good idea.

Lola (the grandmother from The Alphabet Sisters and now star of Lola’s Secret) makes an appearance as a fairy godmother doing good in another short story. It was nice to see familiar characters from McInerney’s novels return and a plus for those who have read her other works.

This would be a good point for those at the midway point or the end of McInerney’s work. A lot of the stories in this book have appeared elsewhere, so it would be advisable to have a quick skim before you purchase. It’s ideal for a quick read.

1Q84 Book 3 by Haruki Murakami

A quick rundown… Continues where Book 2 concluded, with Aomame and Tengo looking for each other in 1Q84.

Strengths: The beautiful writing and the need to for the pair to reunite.

Weaknesses: Too short! Open for a further sequel.

Why I read it: Absolutely loved Books 1 & 2.

Pages: 377 (ebook), also available in Australia combined with Books 1 & 2

Published: 2011

Publisher: Random House

Setting: Japan

Rating: 9 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Other Haruki Murakami books, such as The Wind-up Bird Chronicle.

Thanks to Random House Australia who kindly offered me the opportunity to continue on with Book 3 of 1Q84 (Readings Books let me read their ARC of Books 1 & 2). Book 3 continues where Book 2 left off, with Aomame and Tengo determined to find each other in this crazy world of 1Q84. Leader is dead and Sakigake and Ushikawa are trying to find Aomame. Tengo is in the cat town, as his father lies unconscious. Aomame is waiting for Tengo in her apartment, but the NHK fee man keeps pounding on her door. Fuka-Eri too, is disturbed by an abusive NHK collector. Is it a coincidence that Tengo’s father wants to be buried in his NHK uniform?

If you haven’t read Books 1 & 2, you’ll think that I’ve invented the above or gone mad. But no, this is all logical to those who inhabit the possibly parallel world of 1Q84. The main aim of the book is to reunite Aomame and Tengo. (Isn’t it odd that Aomame is always referred to by her surname and Tengo by his first name? We also find out Aomame’s first name, thanks to Ushikawa). I did feel that this book wasn’t as detailed as the other two, but perhaps this is because of several reasons: a) realistically, it’s a continuation of the same story and doesn’t need the same background; b) Book 3 is translated by Phillip Gabriel in contrast to Jay Rubin, hence a little bit of bumpy ground initially; and c) I believe this book was written later by Murakami after he’d had time away from 1Q84. Maybe I feel this way because I had a break of several weeks before continuing the story, rather than just turning the page to another section. But really, Book 3 is there to make an attempt to tie up the loose ends that Book 2 made you so frustrated about, isn’t it?

Well, kind of. This is Murakami after all, where there are often more questions than answers. Fuka-Eri disappointingly drifts off into the background, as does Komatsu and the dowager. The Little People reappear and new characters are introduced. But essentially, Book 3 is about three people we already know: Aomame, Tengo and Ushikawa. The chaser and the chased.

It wouldn’t be Murakami if there weren’t some weird and seemly unexplainable twists. Book 3 doesn’t disappoint in that sense, and twists make events in the previous two books seem clearer. The ending however, no matter how much you wished it to happen, is a little linear and predictable – unusual for Murakami. It does leave you with a sense of fulfilment though. Does the pedestrian ending means there are more events to unfold in a Book 4? Let’s hope so. I’d love to hear more about this world.

This is definitely not a standalone book – in fact, as very little backstory is summarised; it needs to be read after Books 1 & 2. If you read it all together, 1Q84 will not disappoint.

Dannii: My Story by Dannii Minogue

A quick rundown… The life and times of Dannii Minogue from Young Talent Time to her first child.

Strengths: This is just the thing for those of us who grew up in the Dannii/Kylie/Jason era.

Weaknesses: Perhaps not enough of the juicy stuff – Dannii keeps her dignity.

Why I read it: Another $5 pile.

Pages: 368

Published: 2010

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Setting: All over the world – but mainly Australia and England

Rating: 8 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Between the Lines by Jason Donovan

Like most Aussie kids growing up in the 80′s, we all knew Dannii and her big sister, Kylie. Kylie was Charlene on Neighbours and Dannii was on Young Talent Time and Home and Away. We all wanted to be one of them, singing into our hairbrushes. So naturally I was drawn to read Dannii’s biography when I was browsing a book sale to catch up with what she’s been doing while I was busy growing up.

This book starts with Dannii as a child and ends with the birth of her child Ethan (I read the hardcover version; a softcover version I saw yesterday has the additional tagline ‘fully updated’ on it). It covers her time with Young Talent Time and Home and Away, then moves on to her pop career (some of it, such as the initial trip to New York sounded downright dodgy!) and its rises and falls. I didn’t realise how much of a hit Dannii was on the dance scene. It also covers personal times, such as her marriage to Julian McMahon (again, I didn’t realise how young she was!) and its demise. Dannii is remarkably restrained when it comes to rumoured spats with Lady Sonia McMahon and later Sharon Osborne; it’s a credit to her that she handles them in a dignified manner. For Kylie fans, there’s not a great deal about her (it is Dannii’s book after all).

This was a very fun and easy read, a sort of adult extended version of the Dannii magazine I had as a child. Dannii talks about her friendships, personal trials (she’s had a few of them for someone so young) and achievements – again substantial. You are someone to be admired Dannii!

So if you were someone who grew up with Dannii on the screen and radio, I’d recommend this to you to reminisce. If you’re a newer fan, read this to find out where it all started.