Literary Fiction book reviews

2020-06-22 This is a novel in three parts, and the first part started really well. It took a long time to set up, but it established a good range of characters, atmosphere and setting. It held all the promise of a strong plot that I couldn’t wait to see develop. It took a turn in the second part, when it started to introduce yet more... Continue reading

2020-06-13 A 100-page story about a Cuban fishermen who sets out to catch a big fish. In between him talking to himself there are detailed descriptions of him pulling on his lines, having backache, and feeling hungry. It’s effect on modern literature is lost to me – perhaps some see in it an epic of man conquering nature, but all I found was a disturbing... Continue reading

2020-06-12 It’s taken me over thirty years to read this book since it was first recommended to me. I should have read it then – it could have been illuminating. However, reading it in middle-age it just reads as a rushed and lacking depth. Big concepts are thrown about with abandon – one moment the seagull is fixated on speed, the next it’s about freedom,... Continue reading

2017-01-29 Probably more interesting for its historical commentary than as an actual story. Rating: 1/5 Continue reading

2017-01-29 Some interesting quirky characters, but ultimately this is a creepy book about broken women being helped by a man with a magical healing penis. Rating: 2/5 Continue reading