You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May 2007.
Making it on to the Top 100 list at number 94 and being a Margaret Atwood book I was secure in thinking this was going to be a pleasing read. I did however rethink my assumption when I found out that this was a novel based on historical events. The last historical fiction book I read ‘The Red Queen’ left me incredibly unsatisfied and somewhat annoyed. I am pleased to say that ‘Alias Grace’ had the complete opposite effect. I was enthralled from the first chapter, though I have to admit I did not read the poems at the beginning of the chapters (it is always a habit of mine to skip them, I need to get right to the point).
In Canada, 1843 Mr Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper Nancy Montgomery are brutally murdered. James McDermott (stable hand) and Grace Marks (housekeeper) are tried and convicted of these atrocious crimes. McDermott is sentenced to death and subsequently hung while Grace is condemned to spend life in prison. These are the factual backbones that Margaret Atwood uses to sculpt her narrative. To help create a tale she introduces to us Dr Simon Jordan an American doctor interested in retrieving the missing memories form Grace in hopes to exonerate her.
The character of Grace Marks is complex, shrouded in protective layers applied to keep her circumstances at bay. She has grown a harden exterior and very rarely lets her guard down, which would make her a difficult character to bond with. By Grace recounting her journey to Canada from Ireland and taking her position at Mr Kinnear’s, we learn what kind of person she was and how circumstance have moulded her into a level head woman.
It is a nice interaction that Grace and the Dr Jordan have. He draws out her character and story, both of which she has kept hidden. I felt that there was not only a friendship but something possibly deeper, which if having met under different circumstances would have made their personalities different and no attraction.
This book was enjoyable and I highly recommend it. Though I have habit of wanting everything to end wrapped up in a perfectly neat package; I felt that this package wasn’t as neatly wrapped as I would have liked it. I was slightly disappointed when things did not work out how I had planned in my head (that also makes the story more interesting, you have one thing in mind to be completely blind sided) but I soon realised it would never have worked how I imagined it. I am now after much thought completely satisfied and would not change the ending at all.
Margaret is fast becoming my favourite author and I can’t wait to get my hands on more.
I don’t read much (anymore). It takes me ages to get into a book, and once I have started, it takes me even longer to finish it. If I manage to sit down and actually read a book it’s usually Fantasy or Autobiography… what a strange combination of genres. Thinking about it, makes me think ‘what a strange introduction to a book review, too’.
So here we go: ‘Warhorse – Life, Football and other battles’ by Shane Webcke is a book about those things in life that really matter. Well, at least to a man like Shane. He looks back on a professional career of football (for all those non Australian readers: Rugby League), probably one of the toughest sports out there. I enjoy watching rugby games but I’d be scared to death actually actively playing in them (I am just not build for it). Shane draws many conclusions from the game, some of them simple and some of them complex, and applies them to life in the bigger sense. The simple stuff evolves around traits such as being honest and straight (straight as in a non-sexual way… though Shane being a boy from the ‘Bush’ would have probably copped a few confused looks from the ‘ordinary, middle class’ people in country-side Australia, when talking about sexual tolerance). It also touches issues such as always putting in your best and never stop trying, to respect friend and foe, to work hard but also know how to switch off and cherish family and friends. Basically, he covers all the ‘good, old values’ that the Australian society was built on. While none of this is new or mind-blowing, it helps you (at least it did help me) to step back and reflect on your own life, where you stand, and what your values are.
Shane is a simple man. He’s tough, honest, street smart, funny and pretty much your stereotype giant with an even bigger heart. He has weaknesses of course (e.g. struggling with alcohol in his past or being a bit of a redneck growing up in the bush) but with the help of football and his mentor (his coach at the club, almost a father figure) he managed to turn into a ‘decent bloke’. He’s actually almost the same age I am so that helped me to relate to the story. If you still feel like you are growing up at the age of 31 and you are still stuck in between two (or more) worlds, Shane’s view of the world will sound familiar to you… and more importantly it will put a smile on your face quite often. Not because it’s overly funny but because it’s good to look at life in a very basic and pure way. To give you an example let me quote page 337 where he talks about the executive committee of the Australian Rugby League and their attitude towards change: “Too often it seems to be too hard, or not worth doing or pursuing, and that really gives me the shits. […] We need fresh, innovative leaders who are determined to make things happen”. Congratulations Shane, you have just described (purposely or not) the very nature of politics. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It’s almost amusing how he points out this very fundamental flaw, probably without realizing that (unfortunately) this kind of attitude is predominant in society. But Shane is determined to make a change and even if it’s a small one and will only affect his small world…it’s still a start. I just like that attitude and that’s why I like this book. I hope you do to. (Review by Ole Brandenburg)
Coming soon will be a guest review of “Warhorse: Life, Football and Other Battles” by Shane Webcke.
I’m sorry it has taken me so long to post my review but a lot has been happening the past few weeks (too long for details, sorry). However, I hope this review will make up for it a little.
To begin with I would like to thank all the people who recommended ‘Emma” to me. I did enjoy this book though, the number one favourite Jane Austen novel for me still goes to ‘Pride and Prejudice’.
For me ‘Emma’ is light entertainment and definitely a book for the ladies (my boyfriend would never read it and only watched the movie because I borrowed it). I think women enjoy this book because everyone at sometime has Emma moments. We have been known to daydream about who we can set our single friends up with. Other Emma characteristics I see in myself are being completely wrong but my pride won’t let me admit it (I usually make up some ridiculous argument to support my incorrect views). It is this pride and not conceding defeat that has placed Emma is some trick situations, though some how she seems to be able to talk her way out of them with very convincing arguments.
Once again Jane Austen’s characters are believable and can be related to people form our own lives. Everyone knows an “odious” woman like Mrs Elton or has someone that they tried and avoid like Miss Bates (and we always feel really bad about doing it). I love the interaction between Austen’s characters and the commentary on social class and snobbery (remember the reasoning for Harriet not accepting Mr Martin?). Even with this strict society, it seems such a more romantic time compared to now. Women were ladies, they wore gloves and hats. Gentlemen opened doors, gave ladies there arm and escorted them. We must seem so inferior an unacomplised to them.
I recommend this book to all the women who think match making is a harmless past time and the headstrong stubborn women who will laugh out aloud when they recognise themselves in Emma. Read this and enjoy.
