So Marlon James’s new book was released last month.
The New York Times review called it, “the novel of the decade, if not the century.”
And now it’s out of stock at Amazon until late October. (Also, it’s barely discounted.)
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We have just rejoined the NT after a 20 year break. As Chedworth is about 45 mins away we may go again in the next few days.
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Good move. It’s at its best in warmer conditions - I was enjoying their deck chairs on the courtyard lawn the other day - hard to believe looking outside today. Later in the year they also ‘Winterize’ some of the outside stuff such as wrapping up the pilae.
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Now I will have another book in my pile of books to be read!
I thought it a poor, gap filled but enjoyable mess of a book. Nothing profound and well below what he ought to be capable of.
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Peter Heller The Dog Stars
Post-apocalypse survival tale. Very good.
Unlike the film, from what I see of review ratings. I’ll stick to the book.
Also, a longheld passion of mine - Anglo Saxon poems.
The Wanderer: Elegies, Epics, Riddles Penguin anthology…featuring one of my very favourite translators of Anglo Saxon verse, Michael Alexander who first aroused my love of same back when I was a teenager.
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For “Slow Horses” fans. As part of my prep for volunteer tutoring for the SATs (college entrance exams), I have been taking the practice tests. This was a question on the most recent test.
The following text is from Mick Herron’s 2023 novel The Secret Hours. The narrator is describing members of a government committee.
Finally, and adding much-needed gravitas, was Sir Winston Day, whose features seemed moulded to adorn a bust, or possibly a stamp, and whose forehead was so evidently bulging with grey matter that it would have been impertinent to inquire too closely into the actual achievements his half century of public service had produced. His recently published memoirs possibly cast light on this enigma, but given that such details were not provided until after the thirty-page mark, they might as well have remained state secrets.
©2023 by Mick Herron
Based on the text, which choice best describes Sir Winston Day?
A) He has the appearance of a distinguished figure, but it is uncertain whether he has accomplished anything to earn distinction.
B) He looks like a person worthy of respect, but his memoirs reveal that some of his actions were dishonorable.
C) He would be a celebrated public figure if his achievements did not have to be kept secret.
D) He has maintained a modest profile even though he has served the public capably for many years.
I’ll be interested to see whether students who have never read sardonic British spy fiction will grasp this. Maybe one or two watch the TV show (but I doubt it).
Nice test question, though. Mick Herron rules (or should that be London Rules?).
Expertly mines the dark humour,mordant wit and dreamy fatalism of great LA noir. Book puff.
Another .99 p kindle bargain.
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Good tip. Purchased.