Category Archives: Book

Book Review (of sorts): Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall

Posted on 12 April 2015 by andyq

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel My rating: 4 of 5 stars I understand the fuss, and also the frustration. The writing in this book is simply beautiful, and the portrait of Cromwell, and his negotiations, machinations and dealings, is complex … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Michel Houllebecq’s The Elementary Particles

Posted on 10 November 2014 by andyq

The Elementary Particles by Michel Houellebecq My rating: 2 of 5 stars When in France… Well, I’d heard about Houellebecq for years but never picked up anything until ‘The Elementary Particles’, much celebrated and much discussed, though I stayed away … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Roddy Doyle’s Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha

Posted on 24 October 2014 by andyq

Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle My rating: 2 of 5 stars Sigh. The last time I was suckered into reading a Booker Prize winner and disliked it was Ben Okri’s Famished Road. When I was in university, … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Sarah Turnbull’s Almost French: A New Life In Paris (Memoir)

Posted on 19 October 2014 by andyq

Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull My rating: 3 of 5 stars Written in a breezy journalist’s style and with the brief to write about culture shock in Paris, this book was interesting and … Continue reading →

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2014 in lists (art, books, entertainment, shows)

Posted on 31 May 2014 by andyq

Aha. New organisational system for 2014… Rather than continue to add to the same big posts of shows and concerts I’ve EVER seen, I’ve organised the old lists into separate archival posts either by the year, or before that… And … Continue reading →

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2013 in lists (art, books, entertainment, shows)

Posted on 11 January 2014 by andyq

The year in concerts, shows (musicals/theatre/dance) and books! CONCERTS Sing the Truth, State Theatre (January) – Welcome 2013. Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright. Quite a triple-bill, but the surprise for me was Lizz Wright. I don’t think I’ve … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Chandler Burr’s “You or Someone Like You”

Posted on 15 December 2013 by andyq

You or Someone Like You by Chandler Burr My rating: 2 of 5 stars I do like the process of reviewing, as it helps me organise thoughts, pay more attention, and try to delve into material in an intelligent way. … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Galeano’s Mirrors: Stories of Almost Everyone

Posted on 13 April 2013 by andyq

Mirrors: Stories of Almost Everyone by Eduardo Hughes Galeano My rating: 4 of 5 stars I read Eduardo Galeano’s Memory of Fire trilogy when I was in my late teens. I wore it with pride, as it seemed to represent … Continue reading →

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Books I read in 2012

Posted on 3 March 2013 by andyq

March already, and I never posted this up… Michael Ondaatje’s The Cat’s Table (Fiction) – My god, did I love this. What a great start to the year for reading. Tara Moss’s Split (Crime/Thriller) David Musgrave’s Phantom Limb (Poetry) Barbara … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Jonathan Franzen’s Strong Motion

Posted on 16 January 2013 by andyq

Strong Motion by Jonathan Franzen My rating: 4 of 5 stars In Jonathan Franzen’s 1992 novel, ‘Strong Motion’, we see the prodigious talent that would bring him worldwide fame with ‘The Corrections’ and the more recent ‘Freedom’. I enjoy reading … Continue reading →

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