I’m a big fan of Friel. In the early 90s I picked up a collection of 6 plays of his. I read them all in one weekend. His “Faith Healer” is one of my two favorite plays written in my lifetime.
Have you read any short stories by William Trevor?
1 Like
Really enjoyed their book on J Edgar Hoover and after a run of music stuff I needed a change. Bit annoyed I’ve mislaid my fave bookmark. Will hopefully turn up.
2 Likes
After giving up on two novels (Francis Spufford Nonesuch & John Lanchester Look What You Made Me Do), two crackers back to back.
Dave Eggers’ beguiling tale of a relationship over 60 odd years set in the milieu of the art world.
The final part of Colson Whitehead’s NY trilogy set in the 80s. Effectively 3 linked novellas. Both gritty and observationally funny.
1 Like
Books 2 and 3 are on my long list.
Thanks, I haven’t. But I will look them out.
Now reading All That Man Is by David Szalay.
The blurb on the back says: A novel of nine men. Each facing the same question.
I have only read Chapter 1 so far but enjoyable and very easy to read.
1 Like
Back on the Spy genre trying out Robert Peston, whilst waiting for the final part of the William Boyd trilogy.
1 Like
For that genre you might like “Karla’s Choice” by Nick Harkaway — He is John Le Carre’s son
He has another “Circus” book due this November
2 Likes
Just started “The Tale of Genji.” Not sure I will read all 1300 pages, but it is such an important work in literary history, I want to give it a go.
One nice thing - the Washburn translation is a pretty easy read.
2 Likes
A very interesting and important story, this, and there’s a lot of detail in this hefty tome. However, it’s abysmally written (or very badly translated, I don’t know as I only have about a dozen words of Russian!). The story and characters just about keep you hooked though.
3 Likes
But I’m struggling a little.. 
‘Waterland’ remains my favourite Graham Swift novel, but this collection of short stories offers perceptive insights into the human condition.
1 Like
Have you read his other books? The Blood Meridian Trilogy is brutal but astonishing and certainly not for everyone. Suttree is a much more gentle story but that is relative!
3 Likes
I liked “Blood Meridian” and “All the Pretty Horses,” but I was deeply disappointed with “The Road,” and I haven’t gone back.
As for astonishing brutality, the only book I’ve read that compares is “A Brief History of Seven Killings” by Marlon James. He has a new book coming this fall that I’m anxious to check out.
2 Likes
I’ve read Stella Maris, which I loved, and have Sutttree waiting. I am not struggling with brutality, but with lack of apostrophes and some punctuation. But after a while the total absence of dashes identifying the dialogue draws one into the book more deeply.
As for The Road, I’ve seen the film which perhaps doesn’t count at all since I’ve never seen a film taken from a book that wasn’t disappointing or annoying having read the book. I still can’t get over how a beautiful short novel like Breakfast At Tiffany’s could be turned into such cr*p.
2 Likes
Hi Max,
if you feel like watching a good movie and reading the bad book it was based on, try 101 Reykjavik. After thoroughly enjoying the film I was excited when I saw the novel at my local bookstore. Instead of it being even better, I would put it clearly among the 10% worst books I ever read.
1 Like
Just started ‘mountains of the mind’ by Robert Macfarlane.
I have always found mountains fascinating … this book goes some way to explaining why.
3 Likes
Just taken delivery of this. I’ve been a huge fan of Del Amitri (and Justin’s solo work) for years. This book covers his life on tour and how he is coming to terms with his recent Parkinson’s diagnosis.
4 Likes
Saw him in conversation talking about the book and more at the Louder Than Words Festival last November. I found him to be rather odd and self-absorbed and his stuff on his health seemed lacking in multiple ways. A very odd experience. If I’ve not already bought and read the book before the in conversation I’ll usually do so afterwards. This was one of those rare occasions I decided not to.