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The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest
by Stieg Larsson
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: Salander is plotting her revenge - against the man who tried to kill her, and against the government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life. But it is not going to be a straightforward campaign. After taking a bullet to the head, Salander is under close supervision in Intensive Care, and is set to face trial for three murders and one attempted murder on her eventual release. With the help of journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his researchers at Millennium magazine, Salander must not only prove her innocence, but identify and denounce the corrupt politicians that have allowed the vulnerable to become victims of abuse and violence. Once a victim herself, Salander is now ready to fight back.
Ok, so the book spins a bit out of control with a few sub-plots that didn’t need to exist (Berger’s stalker, Salander’s trips to Gibraltar) but a great finish to the trilogy.
April 14, 2010 |
Category » culture
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The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society
by Chris Stewart
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: The Good Life goes on at El Valero. Find yourself laughing out loud as Chris is instructed by his daughter on local teenage mores; bluffs his way in art history to millionaire Bostonians; is rescued off a snowy peak by the Guardia Civil; and joins an Almond Blossom Appreciation Society. You’ll cringe with Chris as he tries his hand at office work in an immigrants’ advice centre in Granada, spurred into action by the arrival of four destitute young Moroccans at El Valero. And you’ll never see olive oil in quite the same way again… In this sequel to ‘Lemons’ and ‘Parrot’, Chris Stewart’s optimism and zest for life is as infectious as ever.
Again, honest, light and good.
April 11, 2010 |
Category » culture
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A Parrot in the Pepper Tree
by Chris Stewart
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: A Parrot in the Pepper Tree, the sequel to Driving over Lemons, follows the lives of Chris, Ana and their daughter, Chloë, as they get to grips with a misanthropic parrot who joins their home, Spanish school life, neighbours in love, their amazement at Chris appearing on the bestseller lists … and their shock at discovering that their beloved valley is once more under threat of a dam. A Parrot in the Pepper Tree also looks back on Chris Stewart’s former life — the hard times shearing in midwinter Sweden (and driving across the frozen sea to reach island farms); his first taste of Spain, learning flamenco guitar as a 20-year old; and his illustrious music career, drumming for his school band Genesis (sacked at 17, he never quite became Phil Collins), and then for a circus.
I liked Driving over Lemons and this was equally good. It really is a series of semi-connected stories. However, they are funny, interesting and above all genuine. Chris is willing to share his live, warts and all. So good in fact that he turned northern Greece into Spain for me.
April 5, 2010 |
Category » culture
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A Web of Air (Mortal Engines)
by Philip Reeve
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Two years ago, Fever Crumb escaped the war-torn city of London in a travelling theatre. Now she arrives in the extraordinary craer city of Mayda, where buildings ascend the cliffs on funicular rails, and a mysterious recluse is building a machine that can fly. Fever is the engineer he needs - but ruthless enemies will kill to possess their secrets. The fabulous sixth book in the Mortal Engines series, from the brilliant
I have read the whole of the Mortal Engines Quartet and Fever Crumb but this was my least favorite. I think it just progressed the characters the least far really. Still clever and worth reading — just not ‘amazing’.
March 30, 2010 |
Category » culture
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