October 2006 Archives

This most recent Aurelio Zen mystery proved a bit of a disappointment. I've missed out on Medusa, the novel that covers events between And then you die and Back to Bologna, which turn out to have been pretty key in relation to Zen's romantic life. I dislike reading things in the wrong order - it spoils my enjoyment of the discovery of what happens in the book I've missed out.

Another aspect of Back to Bologna which irked me was the cast of 21st century stereotypes: celebrity chef, rich kid football hooligan, illegal economic migrant, oligarchical football club owner. It felt like I was reading reportage in Grazia or Hello, "with the names changed to protect the innocent". And Zen didn't seem to contribute much to the final outcome; in fact he did't appear to do much apart from mope about his failing love life.

Buy it: Amazon link

My first taste of Dervla Murphy, although I've looked at her travel books many times. I'm not sure I'll be trying any others - I didn't like the style or the subjective opinions in this record of her travels in the north of Pakistan over the winter of 1974/1975, taking her 6 year old daughter with her. That said, it was interesting to read about places visited on the Hindu Kush Adventure, and Skardu and environs which Rob, who lent me this book, has been exploring on his own (well, with a guide, jeep driver and cook!), and in particular details of the area's transport/infrstructure, society and culture thirty years ago.

Amazon.co.uk link: Where the Indus Is Young: Walking to Baltistan - Dervla Murphy

Interesting as an account of the New Zealand gold rush of the 1860s, and the lure of 'the colour': gold. However, I didn't warm to any of the characters, not even Harriet the main female lead who exchanges a governess' life in England for that of an immigrant's wife in New Zealand where she and her equally novice husband try to estalish a farm in the harsh conditions of the South Island, with mother-in-law in tow.

Buy it: Amazon link

In Xanadu turned out to be an excellent choice as my sole LHR departure lounge purchase. Having finished In the Company of Cheerful Ladies in Peshawar, I moved on to William Dalrymple's account of his journey from Cambridge to China, accompanied by the no nonsense Laura as far as Lahore, and subsequently by ex-girlfriend Louisa.

Following as far as possible in the footsteps of Marco Polo, William and his ladies travelled from Cyprus to Israel to Syria to Turkey to Iran to Pakistan and thence across China to Beijing. Fascinating, with history and architecture interwoven with pen portraits of people they meet en route - and interesting to see/hear the young William Dalrymple. My undergraduate summer holiday activities were nowhere near so adventurous.

Buy it: Amazon link