10 days in
the mountains around Crest has given me my annual bookfest – some recommendations
from a long list....
Morrisey – an
autobiography – a tour de force of layered gorgeous language for about 150
pages – until the bitterness over the trail takes over – I love his description
of Sparks – “brother Russell sang in French italics with the mad urgency of someone
tied to a tree”
The Cook –
Wayne Macauley – detailed list of food preparation and cooking underpinned by a
darkness which is allowed to seep out in the last pages.
How to get
filthy rich in rising Asia - Mohsid Hamid – a deeply moving tale of change,
loss and learning that touches the heart – if you liked his earlier book the
reluctant fundamentalist you will really love this.
The secret
History – Donna Tart – a real crossing-the-line-page-turner, deeply oppressive and
claustrophobic.
The Circle –
Dave Eggers – everybody is talking about this for a reason – his clarity of
vision of where some of us we fear we are heading is initially charming or maybe
fearful yet ultimately inevitable.
The testament
of Mary – Colm Toibin – a beautiful and tender book that made me re-think my
relationship to the role of the Jesus story – maybe it’s all about leaving home!
Meanwhile some
images taken from my last stay at Piégros la
Clastre.
