Asecond novel featuring a former minor cowboy film star who now works for his Indian (Native American) former sidekick.
Set in the Los Angeles area of the late 40s, the setting is believable and the film background deftly sketched in without being overly intrusive. like so many crime novels, it reiles on a fair amount of coincidence but does provide a well-written and
entertaining book.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Fowler, Christopher: White Corridor (24.09.08)
Another Bryant and May adventure which takes them out of London while leaving the rest of the unit puzzling over a closed room mystery. The latter is in many ways the more interesting part of the book as the main story is more than a little melodramatic. However, the inventiveness of the writer and the deft way he develops the personal relationships, coupled with the usual top rate writing, make this better than almost anything else of its kind.
White, Michael: The Medici Sewcret (24.09.08)
Another of the 'look I've found the answer to the ancient mystery so let's go and get the treasure while defeating the bad guys' genre. Not too badly done though there are a lot of coincidences and the historical element sort of makes sense.
A pleasant read while nothing special
A pleasant read while nothing special
Fauser, Jorg: The Snowman (24.09.08)
The story of a petty criminal who lucks upon a large amount of cocaine which he then tries to sell. The efforts to do this
are conveyed ina way that well supports the nervousness of the lead as he blunders around Europe in his efforts to make
a fortune without getting caught by the original owners of the drug. The author was a drug addict and much of the tale
reads almost as an autobiography. In some ways, this enhances the telling and certainly gives and indication of the febrile
state that drugs can produce.
are conveyed ina way that well supports the nervousness of the lead as he blunders around Europe in his efforts to make
a fortune without getting caught by the original owners of the drug. The author was a drug addict and much of the tale
reads almost as an autobiography. In some ways, this enhances the telling and certainly gives and indication of the febrile
state that drugs can produce.
Stross, Charles: Singularity Sky (24.09.08)
The first novel by this author though not the first of his I have read. Extremely well done though the science is beyond my
grasp. It is, however, consistently applied and believable. The characters are well drawn and have rounded personalities
unlike some sci-fi novels where the humans are cadrboard cut-outs. The plot is relatively simple in outline but complex
in execution and the author handles this well.
grasp. It is, however, consistently applied and believable. The characters are well drawn and have rounded personalities
unlike some sci-fi novels where the humans are cadrboard cut-outs. The plot is relatively simple in outline but complex
in execution and the author handles this well.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Stansberry, Domenic: Chasing the Dragon (30.07.08)
Having enjoyed other books by this writer, I was looking forward to this one which has sino-Italian rivalry in the San Francisco
dock area as its theme. However, I was disappointed. Possibly the use of a lead character who is related to the events but
has a shadowy past and is working for an unnamed US Government agency, apparently, added a dimension which offset the
more solid grounding that Stansberry's earlier novels provided. Not a bad read but not one which makes me too eager to
read a second book featuring the same 'hero'.
dock area as its theme. However, I was disappointed. Possibly the use of a lead character who is related to the events but
has a shadowy past and is working for an unnamed US Government agency, apparently, added a dimension which offset the
more solid grounding that Stansberry's earlier novels provided. Not a bad read but not one which makes me too eager to
read a second book featuring the same 'hero'.
The Battle of Algiers: Gilles Pontecorvo (30.07.08)
I saw this film again a short while ago and confirmed my earlier impression that it is an excellent piece of work. Not only
is the camera work first-rate but the composition and the acting are equally worthy of praise. The film has been criticised for
its political stance but this is really irrelevant. It gives a reasonable interpretation of what did happen and does not really
condemn either side.
is the camera work first-rate but the composition and the acting are equally worthy of praise. The film has been criticised for
its political stance but this is really irrelevant. It gives a reasonable interpretation of what did happen and does not really
condemn either side.
Harrison, Kim: For A Few Demons More (02.07.08)
The continuing story of Cincinnati-based Rachel Morgan, a witch and her two partners, Ivy, a vampire, and Jenks, a pixy,
with Cari, the elf rescued from a demon, also present. Following on directly from the previous book, this is also a well-
written tale with consistent internal logic and a believable set of inter-species relationships and the problems of resolving
some of them. It is, however, decidedly darker than the previous books which turns out to be beneficial in many ways.
I look forward to the next one.
with Cari, the elf rescued from a demon, also present. Following on directly from the previous book, this is also a well-
written tale with consistent internal logic and a believable set of inter-species relationships and the problems of resolving
some of them. It is, however, decidedly darker than the previous books which turns out to be beneficial in many ways.
I look forward to the next one.
Pullman, Philip: The Amber Spyglass (22.06.08)
Not much time for reading of late for various reasons but I have at last read the third and final part of 'His Dark Materials'
and it is splendid. I did wonder if the excellent writing, thought-provoking ideas and pace of the first two books would
be sustained - they are not - they have been surpassed. The book moves and an exhilating speed with firm adherence
to what has gone before, drawing together several interrupted strands and allowing for Lyra and Will to resolve many
unfinished items. Pullman does not succumb to the romantic way of finishing the story but leaves bit realistically open
though complete. Definitely to be read again someday.
and it is splendid. I did wonder if the excellent writing, thought-provoking ideas and pace of the first two books would
be sustained - they are not - they have been surpassed. The book moves and an exhilating speed with firm adherence
to what has gone before, drawing together several interrupted strands and allowing for Lyra and Will to resolve many
unfinished items. Pullman does not succumb to the romantic way of finishing the story but leaves bit realistically open
though complete. Definitely to be read again someday.
Fasman, Jon: The Geographer's Library (29.05.08)
The geographer is al-Idrisi to use his short title, best known for his time at the Sicilian court of Roger II. The book has two
parts, one the present day thriller set in a small New England town and the other the story of and description of the artefacts
that make up the 'library'. How erudite and correct the latter may be is beyond me but both parts held my attention and
the cover reference to 'The Rule of Four' is well justified though the latter is rather the better of the two. Some stretches
of coincidence and the likelihood of a 30 plus good-looking female teacher bedding a somewhat callow reporter near enough
10 years younger made one wonder but an enjoyable read overall
parts, one the present day thriller set in a small New England town and the other the story of and description of the artefacts
that make up the 'library'. How erudite and correct the latter may be is beyond me but both parts held my attention and
the cover reference to 'The Rule of Four' is well justified though the latter is rather the better of the two. Some stretches
of coincidence and the likelihood of a 30 plus good-looking female teacher bedding a somewhat callow reporter near enough
10 years younger made one wonder but an enjoyable read overall
Knight, David B.: Landscapes in Music (29.05.08)
I don't know what I was expecting from this book but it turned out to be a straightforwaed series of chapters on different
aspects of the landscape and music associated with them - Debussy's 'La Mar', Richard Strauss's 'An Alpine Symphony' and
so on. There were references to a number of modern composers not known to me but I felt that the author was straining
his brief rather in including mystic and imagined landscapes and also by reversing the equation and having a chapter on
places where music is performed. I am glad I made the effort to read it but not that impressed; possibly useful as a
reference
aspects of the landscape and music associated with them - Debussy's 'La Mar', Richard Strauss's 'An Alpine Symphony' and
so on. There were references to a number of modern composers not known to me but I felt that the author was straining
his brief rather in including mystic and imagined landscapes and also by reversing the equation and having a chapter on
places where music is performed. I am glad I made the effort to read it but not that impressed; possibly useful as a
reference
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Kidnapping of Fux Banker: Karel Anton (29.05.08)
A Czech silent from 1924 which was also part of the 2nd Fashion in Film Festival though the fashion show which presumably
gave the reason for its inclusion is missing from what is a reconstruction of a lost original. Meant to revive the fortunes
of the local film industry and considered by some as the best Czach film to that date, it really is something of a let-down
(andf that is being polite about it). The female lead is Anny Ondrakova who later appeared in Hitchcock's British films.
The opening sequence of the eponymous banker being waited on by manicurist, barber and a typist is mildly witty but the
film then goes off the rails. Meant as a crime film, with no background for such films locally, the director opted for
slapstick which, with the intertitles, did raise a few laughs from the audience at the BFI. Apart from the curiosity value of
the film, a waste of time.
gave the reason for its inclusion is missing from what is a reconstruction of a lost original. Meant to revive the fortunes
of the local film industry and considered by some as the best Czach film to that date, it really is something of a let-down
(andf that is being polite about it). The female lead is Anny Ondrakova who later appeared in Hitchcock's British films.
The opening sequence of the eponymous banker being waited on by manicurist, barber and a typist is mildly witty but the
film then goes off the rails. Meant as a crime film, with no background for such films locally, the director opted for
slapstick which, with the intertitles, did raise a few laughs from the audience at the BFI. Apart from the curiosity value of
the film, a waste of time.
The Rat- Ivor Novello/Graham Cutts (29.05.08)
Part of the 2nd Fashion in Film Festival, this is a 1925 British silent film. Co-written by Novello who starred in the lead
role, this was the first of three set in the Parisian underworld with his syarring as a jewel thief. A rather melodramatic
story in which Mae Marsh confesses to a murder he committed to save her from the villain (a grossly overacted performance
by Herman Stetz) though she is acquitted on the grounds of self-defence. Isabel Jeans plays the demi-monde mistress
of Statz who seduces Novello and hers is the showier of the two roles. Novello shows his profile a lot and tries to display
anguish when Marsh is in jail though not that convincingly. The settings are well done but the filming and acting leave much to be desired. Why it was part of this festival is beyond me unless it was for the inserted footage from the Folies Bergere
which was mirrored by 5 young ladies who paraded through the auditorium.
role, this was the first of three set in the Parisian underworld with his syarring as a jewel thief. A rather melodramatic
story in which Mae Marsh confesses to a murder he committed to save her from the villain (a grossly overacted performance
by Herman Stetz) though she is acquitted on the grounds of self-defence. Isabel Jeans plays the demi-monde mistress
of Statz who seduces Novello and hers is the showier of the two roles. Novello shows his profile a lot and tries to display
anguish when Marsh is in jail though not that convincingly. The settings are well done but the filming and acting leave much to be desired. Why it was part of this festival is beyond me unless it was for the inserted footage from the Folies Bergere
which was mirrored by 5 young ladies who paraded through the auditorium.
Casque d'or: Jacques Becker (05.05.08)
Having commented on Pretty Pink Patty's review of this film, I decided to give a separate review as well. Highly thought
of by many (8.1 on IMDb with a series of comments referring to both Becker's direction, Signoret's acting and looks
and a;lo the playing of both Reggiani and Dauphin in glowing terms) I fif wonder if I had watched the same film. Signoret's
square face is not one of beauty - character, yes - and she has, overall, a very solid appearance. The nub of this film is
the amour fou between Reggiani and her and it was not there. The pair of them seemed to be sleepwalking as if in the
hands of a controlling force and both their relationship and the less immediate one of Signoret and Dauphin failed to
provide any sparks. Even the final shot of her watching her lover's execution was mechanical - she was there through some
inner compulsion but without emotion. Becker captures the feel of 1900 lowlife (or have we seen sufficient similar portrayals
to believe that this was really how it was) and there are a few excellent pieces oof camera work. But this does not make
for anything more than a run-of-the-mill film.
Comment
...and she does have a big head
pppatty
of by many (8.1 on IMDb with a series of comments referring to both Becker's direction, Signoret's acting and looks
and a;lo the playing of both Reggiani and Dauphin in glowing terms) I fif wonder if I had watched the same film. Signoret's
square face is not one of beauty - character, yes - and she has, overall, a very solid appearance. The nub of this film is
the amour fou between Reggiani and her and it was not there. The pair of them seemed to be sleepwalking as if in the
hands of a controlling force and both their relationship and the less immediate one of Signoret and Dauphin failed to
provide any sparks. Even the final shot of her watching her lover's execution was mechanical - she was there through some
inner compulsion but without emotion. Becker captures the feel of 1900 lowlife (or have we seen sufficient similar portrayals
to believe that this was really how it was) and there are a few excellent pieces oof camera work. But this does not make
for anything more than a run-of-the-mill film.
Comment
...and she does have a big head
pppatty
Hart, Maarten 'T: The Sundial (02.05.08)
An interesting novel with a heroine who inherits the apartment and belongings of her best friend who was a flamboyant
and elegant research laboratory assistant, the latter having died unexpectedly of sunstroke. A necessary condition is that
she moves into the apartment to care for the three cats which she had done before when her friend was away. She takes
to wearing her dead friend's clothes and also using the long artificial fingernails her friend used. Someone she did not
previously know appears and is convinced the dead woman was murdered but there is no proof until, almost by chance,
the method used is exposed. The psychology of the heroine and her reactions to what she learns about her friend's
'hidden' life are well portrayed and the book moves along briskly while seeming at times to be rather leisured - in other
words, it is well-paced. The various characters are skilfully and economically drawn. A novelist who is worth searching out.
and elegant research laboratory assistant, the latter having died unexpectedly of sunstroke. A necessary condition is that
she moves into the apartment to care for the three cats which she had done before when her friend was away. She takes
to wearing her dead friend's clothes and also using the long artificial fingernails her friend used. Someone she did not
previously know appears and is convinced the dead woman was murdered but there is no proof until, almost by chance,
the method used is exposed. The psychology of the heroine and her reactions to what she learns about her friend's
'hidden' life are well portrayed and the book moves along briskly while seeming at times to be rather leisured - in other
words, it is well-paced. The various characters are skilfully and economically drawn. A novelist who is worth searching out.
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