The Rackeeter - John Grisham

photo courtesy: goodreads.com

A cracking read that brought me out of my reader's block.

For the last couple of months, I have been grappling with "reader's block".

This has happened to me before. To counter it, I usually pick up something lighter, preferably a thriller to pull me out of the spell. This Grisham book was my saviour this time.

Gist:
A well known federal judge is murdered. A lawyer wrongly convicted of embezzlement is counting years in jail. The FBI is under pressure to find the killer . The lawyer approaches them with the killer's identity. Then begins a cat and mouse game where the lawyer Malcolm, enters the witness protection programme, changes his identity and then things go a bit awry and Malcolm is on the run.

Is he saying the truth? Will the FBI catch up with him, forms the base for this exciting story .

What works:

• The simple way in which he draws the reader into the story. It operates on a very elementary level by introducing main character of Malcolm, but slyly builds up the pace and the plot.

• The reader is in for a smooth ride. The plot is laid out in characteristic Grisham style. He forces the reader to keep on turning the pages, effortlessly.

What doesn't:

• While the plot flows seamlessly, the story on the whole doesn't amount to much. It is a fairly straightforward cat and mouse story with no complexities of characters.

• The story takes the reader on a roller coaster ride, however it leaves the reader unsatiated at the end of it. The ride is fun but after it is over, it doesn't leave the reader with any lingering aftertaste.

Althogether, an enjoyable read, that keeps reader engaged. I was a hardcore Grisham fan in my teens and twenties, but his later books were quite disappointing. I am not sure if this one is one of the earlier one or the latter ones....

But it is a good one. Recommended.

Arthur and George - Julian Barnes

photo courtesy:book collections.co.uk

The book justifies the author's fame as a great writer.

I got to the book after ITV telecast a 3 part series based on the novel. The first two episodes were so gripping that I couldn't wait till the third week. I walked down to my nearest library, picked up the book and read on to find out what happened in the end.

However I was mindful of the fact that the series had mentioned that it was based on the novel and therefore was aware that the TV ending can be a bit different. But I wanted to see how the author had visualised the story and was happy to see that the TV did justice to the story, well the first half atleast.

Gist:

In the 1900s there was a series of cattle killings in Straffordshire. The police is feeling the pressure to nab the culprit but have failed. Then the newspapers then announce that a parsi man, George Edalji has been caught and is tried for the crime. The son of a vicar, who is studying to be a solicitor seems like an unlikely person to commit the crime. He protests and claims innocence but the evidence is strong and he is sentenced to prison. Years later, he comes out of jail and seeks help from Arthur Conan Doyle to clear his name.

Doyle who is going through his own personal crisis, that of losing his wife, takes up the case and decides to get to the truth of it.

The story is a study of these two gentlemen, how the case affects their lives, their personalities and the reason for the case, an insight into the society of the time and their prejudices.

What works:

• PD James has endorsed the book on its jacket by saying that right from the first few lines, you can ascertain the quality of the book.  Although she is one of my favourite authors, I have to admit she is right when she says that. 

• The writing is simple, clear yet the description of Doyle and childhoods of Arthur and George cannot be more contrasting.

• The incisive observation while adding to the storyline is very good and engaging and I realised that I just flew through the pages.

• I also loved the way Holmes always stalks Doyle whereever he goes and how much of Doyle is inhabited by Holmes or viceversa. The comparison is subtle yet blatant when Doyle's methods clash with the flamboyant Holmes.

What doesn't:

• There is no obvious conclusion here unlike the TV series. It is more of a reflection of a prejudiced bureaucratic society and a study of how lives must have been difficult for immigrants back in the 1900s.

A great book. Highly recommended. But if you have already seen the ITV series don't go expecting a similar conclusion. The ending goes beyond what the TV series opted for. 

Confessions of a GP - Benjamin Daniels

Photo courtesy: goodreads.com

The book came under my radar when it came up on the the World book night list for 2014. Since then, I have been waiting to get my hands on it and finally found it in a charity bookshop. Reason for picking it up? Well, having a GP for a husband I was looking forward to finding out what this book can enlighten me about, that I already did not know.

Well, I was surprised to learn a few new things. Also, the book made for some good light reading.

The Gist:

The book is a series of anecdotes of this doctor his day to day work life, experiences and the people he meets as a result of his job.

The narratives are neatly divided into easily digestible chapters. Each chapter is a short narrative touching on the NHS, comparision between healthcare at home and abroad, his patients, their myriad issues not always medical and his work life on the whole.

The book offers some refreshing insight into what goes on in a doctor's life. Contrary to the popular belief that the doctors earn millions just by spending few designated hours behind a desk, this book tells us of the pressures they face.

The challenges due to the policy changes, the rigours of making that split decision that goes this way or another, the various factors that make NHS unique make for some good reading.


What works:

• The book encapsulates the gist of what it is to be a doctor. It educates at the same entertains through its swift and concise narratives. 

• Short individual chapters mean you can dip in as and when and carry on. 

What doesn't:

• The chapters offer only a birds eye view instead of a comprehensive picture. 

• They seem tailored for people who have a short attention span and cannot be trusted with longer chapters and detailed insights.

• The book maybe enjoyed more by reluctant and light readers who do not prefer the rigours of a big book. However, voracious readers like me can feel shortchanged since all the book offers is a delicious bite while denying the whole snack.

I can see why the book was recommended for the World Book Night. It is indeed a good book for reluctant readers. However, seasoned readers may find it a bit wanting.

Having said that, I see this book as a great idea to gift someone contemplating a career as a GP. The book offers a good idea of life as a doctor and those aspiring to become one can draw enough information to make up their minds about it.

For seasoned readers I have another recommendation. After reading the Confessions, I came across another book with a similar subject called The Country Doctor by Micheal Sparrow. I found it far more interesting and enjoyable.

The Coroner - M.R.Hall

photo courtesy: goodreads.com

A dysfunctional detective who shines more than the story.

Well, that holds true for most crime novels isn't it? Almost as if it is a fashion for the central characters to be a bit skewed
if they need to be investigated some twisted crime. Well, this book is interesting soley for its lead character rather than the bit about solving the crime.

Gist:

A teenager is found murdered in a prison centre and then a prostitute of a similar age is found dead on the streets. They both had records and it seems like an open and shut case. However, the coroner who did their inquests dies and the cases lands up on the door of Jenny Cooper, a newly appointed coroner. After a meltdown on the professional and personal fronts as a lawyer and a mother, she has been given the role of a coroner, apparently a less stressful and low profile job.

Despite having several issues, least of which is drinking and drugs, Cooper refuses to give a verdict and decides to dig into the case. Confrontng her is the system that has its own reasons to keep the cases quiet and the her own past which makes her an unpopular colleague. Cooper also has issues on the family front, still reeling from losing custody of her son to her ex-husband which adds another dimension to her personality.

Cooper's headstrong attitude helps her win allies on the way as she battles a strong and corrupt system to find out the truth behind the two cases.

What works:

• The characterisation. Jenny Cooper is too good. The reader can identity with her and empathise with her. Despite her numerous faults she comes across as a loveable character that one feels for. 

• The story gets too bogged down with the details of how the understaffed coroner's department leads with workload. The underdogs of the society often get a raw deal due to the shortage of resources and this is well reflected in the story.

What doesn't:

• The story is more about the corrupt system rather than a whodunnit. It is more like an expose of the means by which crime force handles caseload. 

• It doesn't have the pace of a whodunnit, readingg more like an honest person's tirade against injustice. 

However, the book shines through for the honest and excellent portrayal of Jenny Cooper. I stuck through the end to watch how Jenny Cooper fares. That is the only thing that keeps you going through that 400+ pages. 

In a nutshell, don't pick up expecting a fast paced plot instead relish in its characters. The book becomes more enjoyable then.

The Making of Us - Lisa Jewell

photo courtesy: goodreads.com

A fascinating fast track read

It is impressive how Lisa Jewell takes up a concept and weaves a story around it. My first book by her was about a hoarder who was unable to declutter her house and the impact it had on her family. I remember watching a documentary on hoarders and was amazed at how she turned it into such a readable story.

The Making of Us on the other hand is about a Donor Sibling agency and how three people leading separate lives discover each other as family. The plot is cleverly woven, the range of characters complex, resulting in  a highly readable book.

Gist:

 New millionaire Lydia, has lots of money and no family around her. A tiny cutting plants doubts about her childhood, raising some ghosts of the past and she feels compelled to find out her father. Robyn, a promising medical student needs to trace her past to put her fears to rest while 21-year-old Dean finds himself facing a bleak future saddled with a newborn daughter and a dead girlfriend.

Connecting them all is Daniel - the sperm donor who gave them life and Maggie, the woman out to reunite them all.

What works:

• Jewell's books are extremely easy to read. The simple prose, short sentences and bold print makes it a treat for readers to even skim read at times.

• The plot is engaging and simple but filled with flashes of incisive observation. 30 something Jewell, understands the dilemmas of being young and conveys it well; especially the bonding with non-maternal Lydia and Dean.

• My edition has a candid chat with the author at the end, which made for an interesting read. It was interesting to see how its forthright, straightforward talking author was a reflection of the simple, direct narrative that I had just read.

 What doesn't:

• Jewell keeps the story very simple. However, after a point the plot gets to be a bit predictable and it is all about tying up the ends together. 

In a nutshell:

An enjoyable read. I picked it up when I needed a break from Game of Thrones. This one fit the bill perfectly; I finished it in a couple of sittings and enjoyed it.

A quick engaging read indeed.

The Wheel of Fortune - Susan Howatch

A tattered looking copy hidden among bestsellers on a charity book shelf. That is how I came across this little gem of a book.

Howatch has been a favourite. I adore the way she breathes life into characters with their little quirks and personalities. Her books are usually sagas and make for an enjoyable read. When I picked up her book with this in mind, I was not disappointed.

The Gist:

The wheel of Fortune is about a mansion called Oxmoon and the dysfunctional family that inhabits it. Starting from Robert Godwin, the maverick heir, the story takes the reader through each generation from the 1880s to the two world wars as the characters make some life changing choices that affect the next generation with consequences.

The book into divided into narratives of main characters and Robert Godwin, Ginevra, Hal and Kester stay on in your mind for a long time. Perhaps it is because the authors builds a close relationship of the reader and the characters as one follows their triumphs and failures to secure the "epitome of happiness" - possessing the mystical and magical property called Oxmoon.

What works:

• Howatch's keen eye of observation is remarkable through her characters as they exhibit various flaws which explain their actions.

• She also has a firm grasp of the psychology which is highlighted in the second half of the story especially the relationship between Hal and Kester.

• What starts off like a saga eventually turns into a psychological thriller. The climax is riveting, rewarding the reader for sticking through the 1000 odd pages.

What doesn't:

• The outlining of the lives of the characters gets a bit tedious. Obviously, the minute details of their lives attain relevance eventually, but at times patience wears thin. 

• The dark and compelling nature of the story gets too bleak. The constant dysfunctionality of the characters takes off the sheen a bit.

• There is a lot of detailing of characters,  meaning chunks of prose. Since it is an old copy, the print is small and the reader has to wade through thick paragraphs before the pace kicks in .

In a nutshell:

There is something about old novels that I like. The story is focused and supreme with zero emphasis on style or packaging often found in contemporary novels.

Howatch understands the dark corners of the human mind so well and puts it all out in a rather convincing manner. If, like me, you are a crime thriller buff or love a good story, you will enjoy this.

A great story, a fascinating read.

the few - Nadia Dalbuono

photo courtesy:scribe publications

An arresting thriller set the corrupted atmosphere of Italian politics.

To be honest what drew me to the book, was the fact that it was  a crime thriller set in Italy. The setting immediately made think of wafting smells of pizzas, filled with sun and people along the small curvy streets that defines Italy for me.

The book was good, and a welcome relief after three family sagas that I finished back to back. I was looking for some gritty crime story and "the few" looked like a good one get into.

The gist:

Leone Scamarcio is a tainted cop. He hails from a mafia family but now is on the other side and this makes life difficult for him especially with other officers on the force. However, his detective skills are duly acknowledged when his superior gets him on a sticky but high profile case.

Scamarcio gets down to unravelling the case but what seems like blackmail, quickly turns into a spate of murders. As he wading through the quagmire, there is also the abduction of a young American girl which appears to have connection with his case. The girl's abduction which so much resonates with the Madeleine Mcann case quickly gets the world's eyes on the Italian police force and Scarmarcio feels the pressure of racing against time to find the girl and solve his own case as well.

What works:

• It is hard to believe this was a debut for the plot is handled with such finesse and skill. The story is tight and moves briskly.

• The character of Scarmarcio is interesting, a man with a black past which hinders his present. The character is drawn well and has a lot of scope. I can easily see him solving a series of crimes and murders. He is definitely here to stay.

• The Italian atmosphere is done very well. The language problem, the feel of the place is described very well indeed.

• The author obviously has a good grip over the police force and the political system. She is aware of how things work and presents it an authentic manner.

The plot is a dark crime story which exposes the corruption in the Italian system and the stronghold of power over the law of the land. The author deals with the gory aspect with great sensitivity and brings out the dark aspects of the novel without going overboard with it unlike some crime novels that thrive on it.

What doesn't:

• It is obviously a dark crime thriller so there is bound to be some unpleasant emotions to it. However, at times I found it too bleak and depressing. 

• The tangle of the politics seems too complicated at times. Especially towards the end, I felt the writer rushing through with the resolution and tieng all ends neatly. It got a bit confusing then but then perhaps thats me. I was so busy walking down the dark corner that I missed a turn and should have been more vigilant about following the storyline. 

What makes this book different from the rest is that it not about a whodunnit, it is more like an expose of the corruption in Italian politics.

A good read. A great debut. I look forward to Detective Scarmarcio.