Recent Read Books (Jun-Aug)

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

About cloned teenagers and their sense of loss and identity. Gripping and compeling in a simple langauge.

My rating: **** [Chris' Fav!]
Award Mention: The Man Booker Prize for Fiction Shortlist 2005

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A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro

On the afterthoughts and reflection of a Japanese woman shaped and hurt by her past in the War. A dilemma we can all share.

My rating: ***1/2
Award Mention: Winifred Holtby Prize of the Royal Society of Literature, 1982

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A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

4 different voices that speak of their journey together - from almost suicide to the decision of self-reconciliation. An interesting and humorous read.

My rating: ***1/2
Award Mention: Costa Novel Award (formerly Whitebread Book Award) Shortlist 2005

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Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham

3 stories linked by 2 protagonists whose lives interwined. The stories bring out questions on the meaning of life and us thro interesting encounters of the protagonists living in the past, present and future.

Elegance infused in the page-turning adventures and journeys of life.

My rating: **** [Chris' Fav!]

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Available in NLB libraries, SP library, and major bookstores

'We Need To Talk About Kevin' by Lionel Shriver

AfterThoughts

It's a v powerful, gripping, intriguing, moving, mind-blowing story that speaks to me. I was Kevin, I was Eva... I dun have to be a highschool killer or a mother to feel n relate to it. Kevin is a mirror of Eva that speaks aloud. He is aloofness, alertness, defensiveness, self-righteousness, pride n arrogance, all roll into one. It's a high price to pay, but is it too late? And does it take death to know life, to know ourselves?

It was somewhat long-drawn for me to chew n savour on the thick book, like a rubbery beef or something, but it oozed out a flavour of its own, so distinct that I felt it was worth the process. Yes, I was literally counting the pages, but I made it n loved it! ;p

Rating range: * ~ ****
My Rating for this book: **** [Chris' Fav!]
Award/s: Orange Prize for Fiction 2005
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Unforgettable quotes

'Know what they do with cats, don't you. They do it in the house, and you shove their faces into their own shit. They don't like it. They use the box.' p.204

'I used to think I knew,' he said glumly. 'Now I'm not so sure.' p.464

Lionel Shriver, We Need To Talk About Kevin
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Resources

Award Mention
www.orangeprize.co.uk/opf/archive.php4

Reading Group Guide
www.readinggroupguides.com/guides3/we_need_talk_kevin1.asp

Available in NLB libraries, major bookstores