In the North: On a bike ride with my daughter

Tuesday, 21 April 2009

Currently reading

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold, by John Le Carre. A beautiful short novel. Orwellian, now I come to think of it, but better written. Incredibly black, and very powerful.
The Sword in the Stone, by T. H. White. First part of 'The Once and Future King'. Was slow to get into it. Very beautiful, and a book full of love, with marvellous technique.
The Giver, by Lois Lowry. Fun teen version of 'Brave New World'. A bit like the Midwith Cuckoos, John Wyndham (wh I'd like to re-read).
Henning Mankell, The Man Who Smiled. Fun. You enjoy all the characters in the police office in this. He's a good writer.
Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel. Have got stalled halfway through. Very, very good, but it works up steam slowly and hard to interrupt.
Old Filth, by Jane Gardam. The most wonderful novel. Do not be discomposed, Filth = 'Failed in London, Try Hong Kong'. Reading it again, and it is even better. She is a magician.