Another catch-up – some of the lit I’ve read lately. These reviews are short – the books were long – please excuse if the coverage does not measure up to your own experience.
Atomised by Michel Houellebecq high quality, readable contemporary literature – French nihilism, lots of sex, depression and bad experiences in today’s consumerist wasteland. Recommended to bummed-out divorced existentialists and fans of Brett Easton Ellis.
Platform by Michel Houellebecq continues Houellebecq’s odyssey through the dreary landscapes of global culture – with an emphasis (this time) on sex tourism and male fantasy. Recommended to resort vacationers and over-stressed executives.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel brilliant postmodern adventure story about survival, zoology, and subjective conundrums - Robert Luis Stevenson meets Christopher Priest. Recommended to adventurous theology students and brooding boy scouts.
Vanity Fair by William Thackeray (currently working through this one) – sprawling Victorian social satire – urbane, sardonic but not bitter, comedy winning over tragedy – recommended to wags living in the wrong century.
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami he's been described as the Japanese David Lynch – long obscure plot made enjoyable by loveable or intriguing characters, creepy scenarios, and manga-style suburban melodrama. Recommended to surrealists and anime fans with time on their hands.
Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham turn of the (20th) century epic about boyhood and (later) falling in love with the wrong woman - plenty of sardonic wisdom – recommended for readers interested in growing up.
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