Book Review Year 4 No 8

[smallhobbit]

I've reviewed two of the books I have read recently elsewhere, but for the sake of completeness I am mentioning them here as well - also it gives a more balanced view of what I've been reading.

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

The first of the books mentioned above, and reviewed here.  Confirmed my thoughts that I'm not really into reading sci-fi.


Aunt Dimity Takes A Holiday by Nancy Atherton

As ever I enjoyed this - and it made a complete contrast from the book above.  Still enjoying my cosy mysteries.


Unravelled Sleeve by Monica Ferris

Although I still quite enjoyed this, I didn't find it as good as the earlier stories, partly because it was set outside the usual (so far) scene.  I bought this as part of a three stories in one book, so I still have the next two stories to read, and I'm quite happy about that.  I should also note that I definitely intend sewing the snowflake pattern from the earlier book.


Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters by Matt Ridley

Also reviewed here.  Interesting, but not something I intend pursuing.


The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey

Once again ordered from the library and dragged out of their depths.  Tey's stories are definitely different from the usual and it's interesting to see where she goes with them.  Although Grant is mentioned, it's not really his case, which doesn't really matter.  I liked it, but once again I wasn't entirely convinced by the ending.


To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey

It was a case of returning one Tey and collecting the next reservation.  Another Inspector Grant mystery, and this time he's fully involved, which, on balance, I prefer.  It was an interesting case, although the denouement felt a bit of a fraud.  I read The Daughter of Time some years ago, and don't intend re-reading it, because I fear I won't enjoy it as much as I did.  Which leaves one Grant story.  The library doesn't have a copy, so I've bought a cheap secondhand version, which I shall store on my bookshelf for now.


I've moved up to number 40 on the library reservation list for the Cormoran Strike novel.  And there are now 161 reservations in total.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I was also underwhelmed by the end of To Love and Be Wise. Maybe it was cutting edge for its time, but it doesn't stand the test of time. I haven't read The Franchise Affair yet. Maybe next year! Good on you for all your reading!

[smallhobbit]

I'm glad it wasn't just me - it felt as if it tried too hard to be clever.

[aome]

I'm glad to see you're still enjoying Dimity!

I know what you mean in terms of books that are not set in their usual location (in this case, the Crewel World book) - sometimes it works, and sometimes you miss the local setting. The Crewel World books will be kind of split in that way. Hope you at least enjoy the accompanying projects! :)

[smallhobbit]

Oh yes - and the next one is one the bookshelf waiting its turn!

It's strange - I enjoyed the Dimity one, although that was set elsewhere. At the moment I'm sufficiently invested in the Crewel World world to keep on reading - and it wasn't as if I disliked it. The pattern this time was more of a knitting motif, which didn't appeal - I used to knit and no doubt will go back at some time, but I'm much more into the stitching at the moment.

[tripleransom]

I read The Daughter of Time many years ago and loved it. I recently reread it as a result of all the King in the Car Park stuff and absolutely loved it again. She convinced me to be a Ricardian and I've never wavered from that view.

I'd give it another shot if I were you. I think she makes a more convincing case than many so called "experts" today (oh, like say Philippa Gregory or David Starkey)

[smallhobbit]

I'm a Ricardian - because of reading The Daughter of Time (twice). I'm sure I shall get round to reading it at some point, but for the moment I've got plenty of other books to read.