Title: The Gamal
Author: Ciaran Collins
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Aug 22, 2013
When was the book published: 2013
Main Characters: Charlie McCarthy is the voice of the book, the Gamal, and his friends, James and Sinead are the main players, with Dinky, Snookie and other locals.
What happens? Charlie tells the story in his own voice, recounting the romance of James and Sinead and the treachery of the jealous youth that rob them of a bright future. He tells it in his own halting style, jumping back and forth and making a mixture of nonsensical and very lucid observations about human nature.
How long was this? 466 pages
Did I like this? This is a sensational story with a totally unique approach. It requires patience to wade through the side turns and stories, but builds to an unforgettable climax. Maybe just a little bit too long; I was begging to find out what happened and then how it happened.
Overall grade: A- (a genuine A-)
Friday, August 23, 2013
The Silver Swan by Benjamin Black
Title: The Silver Swan
Author: Benjamin Black
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 8/16/2013
When was the book published: 2008
Main Characters:Quirke, pathologist, and his friend Billy Hunt, whose wife just committed suicide, Phoebe his long denied daughter who was raised by his surrogate father who is paralyzed
What happens? Quirke is approached by Billy Hunt to ask a favor, to not do an autopsy after his wife's suicide. He investigates and find sthat she was murdered, and a weird pseudo doctor named Kreutz and a lunatic named Leslie enter the picture.
How long was this? 290 pages
Did I like this? OK, good stuff, nothing great
Overall grade: B
Author: Benjamin Black
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 8/16/2013
When was the book published: 2008
Main Characters:Quirke, pathologist, and his friend Billy Hunt, whose wife just committed suicide, Phoebe his long denied daughter who was raised by his surrogate father who is paralyzed
What happens? Quirke is approached by Billy Hunt to ask a favor, to not do an autopsy after his wife's suicide. He investigates and find sthat she was murdered, and a weird pseudo doctor named Kreutz and a lunatic named Leslie enter the picture.
How long was this? 290 pages
Did I like this? OK, good stuff, nothing great
Overall grade: B
Saturday, August 10, 2013
The Broken Shore by Peter Temple
Title: The Broken Shore
Author: Peter Temple
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: Aug 8, 2013
When was the book published: 2005
Main Characters: Joe Cashin, detective, Kendall Rogers, temporary partner, Dove, aboriginal partner on this case, Charles Bourgoyne, Villain, Cashin's old boss
What happens? Cashin is temporarily assigned to a backwater, Cromarty, where Charles Bourgoyne turns up bashed, his watch missing, which leads to some Daunt (local ghetto) natives getting falsely accused and hunted. Cashin stays with it to find out what really happened.
How long was this? 350 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good, a little hard to follow with the authentic Aussie dialogue, 2nd half much better once the plot picks up.
Overall grade: B
Author: Peter Temple
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: Aug 8, 2013
When was the book published: 2005
Main Characters: Joe Cashin, detective, Kendall Rogers, temporary partner, Dove, aboriginal partner on this case, Charles Bourgoyne, Villain, Cashin's old boss
What happens? Cashin is temporarily assigned to a backwater, Cromarty, where Charles Bourgoyne turns up bashed, his watch missing, which leads to some Daunt (local ghetto) natives getting falsely accused and hunted. Cashin stays with it to find out what really happened.
How long was this? 350 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good, a little hard to follow with the authentic Aussie dialogue, 2nd half much better once the plot picks up.
Overall grade: B
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Linchpin by Seth Godin
Title: Linchpin
Author: Seth Godin
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: August 3, 2013
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters:
What happens? Be a linchpin. Don't be average - we don't work in a factory society anymore. Be an artist who gives gifts through emotional connections, passion and honesty. Don't let your "lizard brain" stop your "daemon" from doing its thing. Become indispenable.
How long was this? 250 pages
Did I like this? really good message, not written the way I would like. I need more stories, less lecture. A bit repetitive. But a critically important message for our times!
Overall grade: B
Author: Seth Godin
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: August 3, 2013
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters:
What happens? Be a linchpin. Don't be average - we don't work in a factory society anymore. Be an artist who gives gifts through emotional connections, passion and honesty. Don't let your "lizard brain" stop your "daemon" from doing its thing. Become indispenable.
How long was this? 250 pages
Did I like this? really good message, not written the way I would like. I need more stories, less lecture. A bit repetitive. But a critically important message for our times!
Overall grade: B
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