December 2010 Archives

I was sure I'd read this before, but there's no entry for it on "Reading", so I decided that either I hadn't or it had been so long ago that I'd forgotten....

As it turns out, I have read it before, but re-reading Instances of the Number 3 was no hardship - I just twigged the twist earlier this time round. Peter Hansome's accidental death results in his three lovers crossing paths in a style that's a little bit 'Anita Brookner', but with a twist.

Amazon.co.uk link: Instances of the Number 3 - Salley Vickers

Rather disappointing, but perhaps because I know the story of the later Wars of the Roses so well, from repeated teaching and learning for O-level, A-level and degree... where you can't help but realise that Elizabeth Woodville is a very cool operator, determined that her dynasty will succeed no matter what. Philippa Gregory's account blends this with love-at-first-sight and watery witchcraft, making Elizabeth Woodville far less formidable character than she must have been to have become Edward IV's Queen

Amazon.co.uk link: The White Queen - Philippa Gregory (Cousins' War Series 1)

Fascinating, and easy to read (aside from the chatty asides (!)). No idea of alternate theories of how languages develop(ed) - but I'd be tempted to find out more having read this history of language.

Amazon.co.uk link: The Power of Babel (A Natural History of Language) - John McWhorter

Very enjoyable tale of southern English life in the early part of the 20th century, switching from London to Suffolk, and crossing the classes from debutantes to potter's boys.

Frustratingly I only got as far at chapter 33 before I had to return it to the library, so the remainder is at present unread....

Amazon.co.uk link: The Children's Book - A S Byatt