A real mix of genres, styles and target audiences this time around – there should be something for everyone’s tastes!
Book 5: C. S. Lewis: A Life – Alister McGrath (Biography) (Audiobook)
It is a challenge, I find, to separate the biography from the biograph-ee (for want of a better phrase!). On one level, then, this biography is a fascinating insight into the life of Clive Staples Lewis partly because the life and person of Clive Staple Lewis is so fascinating! There are, however, three things that I think make this biography particularly successful.
First, McGrath’s methodology in researching the book. In reading all of Lewis’ writings in chronological order, including personal correspondence, he is able to present a thorough, clear timeline of his life. Notably, he is able to confidently challenge not only previous biographers, but also the testimony of Lewis himself over such details as the date of his conversion to Christianity. Whilst this may seem a trifling detail to some, it is indicative of the depth of research which has gone into the work. It also means that he is able to debunk, or at least challenge, several stereotypes about Lewis, the grumpy, anti-social old professor as seen in the film Shadowlands, for example.
Second, McGrath gives Lewis the credit he deserves in every sphere of his life. To many, Lewis is simply the author of the seminal children’s series, the Chronicles of Narnia. To others, his many works of Christian apologetics takes precedence. McGrath, however, also gives a detailed record of his lesser-known achievements: his academia – the ‘day job’, as it were. For Lewis was, at heart, a lover of literature and his distinguished academic career was as important a part of his life as his Narnia writings or his wartime position as the Christian voice of the nation.
Finally, though it is critical in parts, this biography is a sympathetic one written by a man who shares the faith of the subject. Whilst some may see this as a potential barrier to objectivity, I believe that it actually has the opposite effect. An atheist or agnostic may read ‘A Grief Observed’ as a dismissal, or rebuttal of faith. McGrath’s understanding of both the Christian faith and Lewis’ writing give him a deeper insight into the man known to his friends as ‘Jack’.
In all, this is a biography which is not to be missed if one really wants to understand the complex life, faith and writings of one of the Twentieth Century’s most remarkable men.
Book 6: The Spanish Holocaust – Paul Preston (History)
I recently listened to an interview for the BBC History Magazine podcast where Paul Preston was asked if the Francoist government of Spain from 1939 onwards was ‘fascist’. At the time I was shocked to hear him say that, in his opinion, Franco was not fascist…he was something worse.
The Third Reich and the horrors which it brought hold a unique place in our consciousness today. For many, ‘Fascism’ is the personification of everything that is evil. For Preston to claim, therefore, that someone could be worse than fascist is borderline offensive to our sensibilities. To go a step further and liken Franco’s actions to another ‘Holocaust’ would seem, to many, shamelessly and cynically provocative. Not so.
Meticulously researched, this chilling book outlines the atrocities that were committed during and after Spain’s brutal civil war of 1936-39. He painstakingly details the thousands of extrajudicial murders carried out by both leftists and rightists, though explicitly encouraged by the leadership of the rebel forces.
At points this book is extremely difficult to read, both academically and emotionally. For a nation torn apart by this conflict and never really given the chance to come to terms with its past, Preston seeks to give a name to both the perpetrators and the victims. Shamefully, there are many of each, leading to some parts of the books which feel at the same time heart-breaking and mind-numbing as name after name, place after place, atrocity after atrocity are reeled off.
This is not for the casual reader and some background knowledge of the Spanish Civil War is highly recommended, but as a work of history it is astonishing. It will stay with me for a long, long time.
– STAR READ – Book 7: Phoenix – S. F. Said (Kidlit/Sci-fi – UKS2/3) – STAR READ –
When Lucky dreams that the stars are singing to him and wakes up with scorched bedsheets, his illusions that he is just an ordinary Human boy are shattered. Rushed away by a terrified mother and smuggled aboard a spaceship manned by an unpromising Alien crew, he is plunged into an epic, galaxy-wide search for his father, his identity and, ultimately, his destiny.
Synopsis complete, I can now wax lyrical about this majestic sci-fi adventure. According to the acknowledgements, Phoenix was seven years in the writing, and it must be said that it was seven years well-spent! The novel is full of adventure, humour, heart and, importantly for a book of this genre, a wonderfully-imagined and well-executed world. The premise of warring species may not be a new one, but the book retains a sense of originality throughout. I adored the way in which Lucky’s search for his own identity is developed throughout the book, his wrestle between the personal and the common good growing and escalating through the entire narrative, all while being weaved in with the wider tensions in the galaxy. Add in the quasi-spiritual aspect of the storytelling and we have a simply stunning sci-fi novel.
It would be remiss of me to neglect to mention the physical beauty of the book. Dave McKean’s illustrations have an other-worldly, unique feel, and these, along with the stunning layout of this book and all the qualities mentioned above, give the reader an unforgettable, truly affecting experience.
Book 8: Murder in the Mews – Agatha Christie (Crime Fiction)
Another month, another step towards my goal of reading all of the adventures of arguably the greatest literary detective in the English language!
This book is a collection of four novellas, bridging the gap between the plethora of Poirot short stories and the more iconic full-length novels. In some ways, this collection showcases both the best and worst of both worlds. The clever twists and turns of the mysteries are reminiscent of some of the best ‘reveals’ in Poirot. On the other hand, the increase in the number of characters from Christie’s short stories can make the early parts of the stories a little chaotic, especially if, like me, you are reading them in quick succession.
In all, this is a good snapshot of what one will find in a Poirot novel. They contain all the charm of the man so iconically portrayed by David Suchet in the ITV series. All the same, I would hope that it is not the full extent of somebody’s foray into the wonderful world of Belgium’s great detective.
I have been absolutely spoiled by this second set of books read this year. The first three will take some beating by others in their genre that I will explore later in the year and, with the caveat mentioned in the second entry, I would thoroughly recommend them all!
Mr B Reads 