Saturday 22 September 2012

Phew weeee!

Well this week has been MANIC! I am so so glad it is now the weekend! I am even relishing the thought of cleaning the house!

I have decided to wrap myself in Patrick Ness's literary genius once again and am reading his debut novel, The Crash at Hennington.  It is a familiar read as themes like sexual politics, power and greed which were explored in his later trilogy are also investigated here, but in an entirely different style.

I am also investigating one of my favourite poets and era's, the Romantic Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I have borrowed from the trusty library, Richard Holmes (award winning) biographies of him. When I have a large amount of time, the time that is free to choose what I want to do rather than have something or someone dictate what I do with it, I will lose myself quite happily in that world. I may even report back my findings or musings.....
Tintern Abbey, one of Wordsworth's famous poems

But until that moment I really do need to blitz the house, make coffee and help daughter with homework! That looks like my Saturday wrapped up!

Hope yours is as productive and relaxing in equal measure!
Till the next time,

Friday 7 September 2012

Done, finished it

I don't tend to be swayed by reviews, I try to refrain from Amazon's reviewers until I have finished a book completely. It avoids the spoilers. I really did enjoy this book. It was a bit of a beast at 833 pages long but it really didn't feel like it was that long. After I read it I realised that there really wasn't much of a storyline but Faber did such a fabulous job of entertaining me with his detailed descriptions - but they never once felt 'overdone', as sometimes Dickens makes it seem, and contrasting the lives of the rich and poor in Victorian London. I really do feel like I have experienced the story. For me the style with which he employed really did pull me in from the first line and he kept me in the palm of his hand throughout. I know (from Amazon reviewers) that some found it tediously boring, but for me I found it fascinating - I love the Victorian era. The ending was also a moot point for some but again for me I just knew that he wasn't going to conform; he left it very open. This didn't bother me at all - I know what happened to the characters, it's just that it is my version of the story and it becomes a talking point. I think that is the brilliance of this story is that you make it up for yourself. Use your imagination, surely that is what reading is all about.

I am a little bit undecided where my literary interest is going to fall next but what I do know is that I haven't finished with the Victorians - oh no! not by a long way!


Tuesday 4 September 2012

September



Summer is now just memories


It is all back to normal - if there is such a thing. Got up early to ensure I had time to make special breakfast for my boy who returned to school today. Will have to do the same again tomorrow for when the girl goes back on her first day!

My first day was good, it went by in a flash of an eye.... Have to cook the tea and start with the ferrying of swimmer to the pool - ah the joys of parenthood. It's not all bad - I am nearly finished The Crimson Petal so this would give me the chance to catch up on some reading and possibly pondering the possibility of moving house!!

Till the next time,