October 2007 Archives

I loved this - read it in one sitting, on my last day of holiday in Shanghai. I'm sure it's a novel that will resonate more with thirtysomethings than other age groups, and particularly those who grew up outside London, but it is a great story of events in a tricky teenage year, told from the perspective of an articulate (albeit stammer-afflicted), emotionally well developed boy/young man.

In terms of style - and David Mitchell does have a reputation for his Cloud Atlas and Ghostwritten structure - Black Swan Green's "normal" narrative makes a refreshing change from the plot/character/literary style onion skins of previous novels.

Amazon.co.uk link: Black Swan Green - David Mitchell

A great story of Jonny's travels, on horse back as far a possible, from Islamabad to the Caspian via Kashgar and the wilds of Central Asia.

As he acknowledges throughout the book, Jonny brought some of the trials and tribulations on himself, embarking on the trip still raw from the breakup with the girlfriend with whom he'd planned the adventure. Instead he is accompanied by 23 year old Londoner Sarah, who he'd selected at short notice - the TV company funding the trip were doing so on the premise that it would result in video diaries and a documentary featuring Jonny, his girlfriend and the romance of the old Silk Road.

There are great anecdotes and adventures, with vivid descriptions of the characters they meet and the difficulties they all face, but perhaps the biggest story is the fragile relationship between Jonny and Sarah. Inevitably this book shows Jonny's take on things - which makes me want to track down the series that did eventually get broadcast.

Amazon.co.uk link: Silk Dreams, Troubled Road - Jonny Bealby

Occupational Hazards is Rory Stewart's personal account of his time working in the Western teams responsible for governing two provinces in Iraq during 2003 and 2004, a period when the Coalition Provisional Authority sought to bring sufficient stability to the country to allow for a successful handover to an Iraqi government.

I'd been wanting to read this ever since The Places In Between brought about the realisation that the author isn't the traditional Oxbridge generated diplomat, but rather an independent thinker who brings a deep understanding and innate sympathy for the people and cultures he encounters. Not that this makes him a soft touch, as his accounts of political wheeler dealing with the tribes of Marsh Arabs of Maysan, and brushes with death during the attacks at Nasiriyah reveal.

An enlightening read, and a powerful first hand account of events that news reports and government statements made seem anodyne, remote and impersonal; the reality of war rather than the spin and an attempt to show just how complex the political, religious and social landscape in the region was, and is.

Amazon.co.uk link: Occupational Hazards: My Time Governing in Iraq - Rory Stewart

A fascinating account of the Balkans during the 1990s, combining nostalgic accounts of prior holidays in more tranquil times with analysis of the complex political, historical, ethnic and military mix in play in the region at the close of the 20th century, when journalist and writer Simon Winchester travelled from Vienna to Istanbul.

There are no easy answers, but there is plenty of digestible analysis and first hand accounts, from Winchester and the ordinary Serbs, Croats, Bosnians Kosovans, Montenegrans, Albanians, Macedonians, Turks, Slavs, Gypsies, Jews, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Communists ... he meets, as well as his encounters with NATO forces, British military, NGOs and aid groups.

Amazon.co.uk link: The Fracture Zone: A Return to the Balkans - Simon Winchester

Loaned to me by Janette, The Constant Princess was a good dose of historical fiction, and one that offered me new insights on the life and role of Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. Even having studied "The Tudors" at several stages of my education, I'd never really approached late 15th and 16th century English history from any other perspective than the core members of three generations of the Tudor dynasty: Henrys VII and VIII, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth.

Philippa Gregory starts with Katherine's childhood, growing up in Spain, one of the daughters of Isabella of Castille and Ferdinand of Aragon. As Los Reyes Católicos, this powerful couple conquered the Muslim kingdom of Granada and brought to an end Muslim rule in Iberia after centuries of the peninsula forming the northern boundary of the Arab empire.

With Spain becoming the most powerful country in Europe, Katherine was always destined for a dynastic marriage and at an early age was betrothed to Henry VII's elder son, Arthur - named in honour of the mythical King Arthur of Camelot and in anticipation of a similarly golden age under the Tudor kings.

With such an upbringing it's not surprising that Katherine struggled in to adapt to the cold and less catholic climate of England. However, as the story of The Constant Princess unfolds we are shown how she matures, becoming adept at handing both politics and love with enduring pragmatism whilst never forgetting her duty to her faith and family.

Amazon.co.uk link: The Constant Princess - Philippa Gregory