Written by Tash Aw, We The Survivors is as good a read as any I have found.
He has a comfortable, easy style and his narrative about nothing much, held my attention, despite everything it was not. If there was a theme it was grinding poverty and the futility of trying to change things that remain the same. Life inevitably returning to where it begins.
Samantha Osman
A part-time freelance writer with published articles in Marie-Claire, Fair Lady and Psychologies magazines. A book is currently ‘work in progress’; a humorous look at personal calamity; embracing change and giving adversity a proverbial kick up the backside.
Aiming to provide the following services; creative content writing of articles and web pages, research and information gathering, editing and proof-reading. Improving quality of overall content, leading to increased traffic and thereby profitability.
Previously a background in events management in the UK, followed by a ten year stint guiding horseback safaris and lodge management in the Waterberg region, Limpopo.
Rates are time and project dependant.
sam@askthelocals.co.za
Lazy bones
Readable but only just. I needed the help of Google to recall the story line of this book by Mark Billingham.
The unfolding plot is both clumsy and contrived. In particular, the attempt at an erotic twist in the tale. Inserted for impact rather than content, the punch line falls flat. Clumsy and puerile. Only suggested if there is nothing else to hand.
Sour Heart
Lost me very quickly. Tries far too hard to be that voice of the modern Chinese American teenager. Found it contrived, coarse and abrasive. Not the slightest bit stimulating. Simply irritating.
“[Jenny Zhang’s] coming-of-age tales are coarse and funny, sweet and sour, told in language that’s rough-hewn yet pulsating with energy.”—USA Today
“One of the knockout fiction debuts of the year.”—New York
“Compelling writing about what it means to be a teenager . . . It’s brilliant, it’s dark, but it’s also humorous and filled with love.”—Isaac Fitzgerald, Today
Afraid I don’t get it.
The Concubines Child
Reasonably well written but a weak story line
It is a multi-generational tale of a family haunted by the death of a young concubine in 1930s. Essentially a critique of a custom that is still commonly practised widely throughout Asia. It is naive, lacking substance and authenticity.
Just another story which doesn’t really get anywhere.
Single & Single
Supposedly written by John le Carre, Single & Single was a nasty shock.
It irritated me from the first couple of lines. Hollow and unconvincing, the book didn’t improve and I abandoned it very quickly.
Previously I have read and thoroughly enjoyed reading, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Little Drummer Girl as well as his Spy Who Came In From The Cold. But this book was disappointing and badly written, raising the question of whether John le Carre is not overrated as a writer and capitalising on the success of his earlier books.
Linda, explain thyself?
Q:
A: I breathe…
I live…
I feel…
I think…
I write…
Shirley Anne Rautenbach
My past history includes many years in corporate first as PA, then Project Administrator and the Project Manager. I was retrenched about 6 years ago and decided to relocate to Durban from JHB – not finding anything to equal my salary or work experience I decided to take a year off and during this time found work as a freelance writer. I have been for the past (about 4 years) writing articles for websites around the world. I currently work for about 3 different ‘handlers’. I am proficient in web research, adhering to deadlines as well as adhering to SEO principles.
I write articles on almost any subject and charge per length of the article (and urgency).
+27 (0)74 116 0668
pigsdofly-pigsdofly.blogspot.com
A Shout in the Ruins
An excellent read. Well written, thought provoking, engaging.
Alternates between two narrative threads – one set in Virginia in the US, during and after the American civil war, and the other in the 1950’s as one of the characters retraces the path to his roots. Capturing the themes of conflict, oppression and ultimately resignation and reconciliation.
I felt that the author rushed the ending which was maybe a little too abrupt.
The Mars Room
I enjoyed this book by Rachel Kushner. She has a contemporary style of writing that is both honest as well as engaging.
The Mars Room is a strip Club and the story is an account of what it is like to be poor and a female and to be serving two life sentences in a correctional facility in America. Raw earthy and at times brutal. Worth reading, albeit in small chunks.
It is not one of those books you can’t put down.