"Thirty-three Teeth" by Colin Cotterill. One of his series of Dr. Siri books.
What are you reading at the moment? (Part 4)
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Having just finished an enjoyable re-read of Ubik by Philip K Dick and in anticipation of the start of the new Prime TV series, "The Man in the High Castle" (20th November I think) I got distracted and started reading a copy of VALIS instead. VALIS is an acronym for Vast Active Living Intelligence System, Dick's gnostic vision of one aspect of God. So far so excellent.
Violette Nozière: A Story of Murder in 1930s Paris - Sarah Maza
Quote:
“On an August evening in 1933, in a quiet, working-class neighborhood in Paris, eighteen-year-old Violette Nozière gave her mother and father glasses of barbiturate-laced "medication," which she told them had been prescribed by the family doctor; one of her parents died, the other barely survived. Almost immediately Violette’s act of "double parricide" became the most sensational private crime of the French interwar era—discussed and debated so passionately that it was compared to the Dreyfus Affair.
France of the 1920s and 1930s was characterized by many strikes, rallies of the right, paramilitary organizations and other less important events.
For the French, the Noziere crime became what they called "an affair", a scandal which divided the public because of its complexity.
Class divisions were eroding, the role of women was changing and Prof. Maza successfully recreates the atmosphere of those days not only on the political level, but also in the sphere of the individual.
Violette's crime and her trial captivated the attention of the French more than political or other social matters, precisely because this case had many elements which touched the lives of the masses. The case raised questions about those families that migrated to the city from the French countryside. It also raised the nature of life in modest families with one child and it showed clearly that the divisions between the classes were slowly disappearing.
The case attracted the attention of avant-garde artists, Dadaists and Surrealists, writers, journalists, lawyers, politicians, psychhologists and sociologists, sexologists and historians.”
“On an August evening in 1933, in a quiet, working-class neighborhood in Paris, eighteen-year-old Violette Nozière gave her mother and father glasses of barbiturate-laced "medication," which she told them had been prescribed by the family doctor; one of her parents died, the other barely survived. Almost immediately Violette’s act of "double parricide" became the most sensational private crime of the French interwar era—discussed and debated so passionately that it was compared to the Dreyfus Affair.
France of the 1920s and 1930s was characterized by many strikes, rallies of the right, paramilitary organizations and other less important events.
For the French, the Noziere crime became what they called "an affair", a scandal which divided the public because of its complexity.
Class divisions were eroding, the role of women was changing and Prof. Maza successfully recreates the atmosphere of those days not only on the political level, but also in the sphere of the individual.
Violette's crime and her trial captivated the attention of the French more than political or other social matters, precisely because this case had many elements which touched the lives of the masses. The case raised questions about those families that migrated to the city from the French countryside. It also raised the nature of life in modest families with one child and it showed clearly that the divisions between the classes were slowly disappearing.
The case attracted the attention of avant-garde artists, Dadaists and Surrealists, writers, journalists, lawyers, politicians, psychhologists and sociologists, sexologists and historians.”
Originally Posted by swansea steve:
“I loved the Devil in Marshalsea-- one of the best books I've read this year. Just read the sequel which is even better.”
“I loved the Devil in Marshalsea-- one of the best books I've read this year. Just read the sequel which is even better.”
I've finished it now, very good. I'll definitely read the sequel, it sounds like an interesting plotline.
Just finished 'Alphabet House' by Jussi Adler-Olsen.
One of the most gripping thrillers I have ever read,and
I have read many thousands,believe me!
I will tackle his 'Department Q' series next,as I believe
there are five or six of those!
One of the most gripping thrillers I have ever read,and
I have read many thousands,believe me!
I will tackle his 'Department Q' series next,as I believe
there are five or six of those!
Originally Posted by Beautiful_Harv:
“Tana French - The Secret Place”
“Tana French - The Secret Place”
I love Tana French's books - they don't seem to have particularly good reviews on Amazon but she's one of my favourite authors! (well top 10 at least)
Just started Little Face by Sophie Hannah - I like her books as they are usually an easy read but pretty good.
Caligula by Douglas Jackson
My favourite author. I've read all of his books except the first couple, Caligula is the first book he had published.
My favourite author. I've read all of his books except the first couple, Caligula is the first book he had published.
Originally Posted by d0lphin:
“I love Tana French's books - they don't seem to have particularly good reviews on Amazon but she's one of my favourite authors! (well top 10 at least)”
“I love Tana French's books - they don't seem to have particularly good reviews on Amazon but she's one of my favourite authors! (well top 10 at least)”
This is my first Tana French book. I'm enjoying it so far, although I was dubious about the supernatural element that appeared. Without any spoilers is this important to the plot or conclusion can you remember?
Originally Posted by Eddie Badger:
“Just finished The Black Echo by Michael Connolly and now started The Drop by Dennis Lehane.”
“Just finished The Black Echo by Michael Connolly and now started The Drop by Dennis Lehane.”
really like dennis lehane
dont think i have seen an author find a way to express such deep emotional pain in a character as he did in mystic river
reading the scar by china mieville atm
Originally Posted by Beautiful_Harv:
“This is my first Tana French book. I'm enjoying it so far, although I was dubious about the supernatural element that appeared. Without any spoilers is this important to the plot or conclusion can you remember?”
“This is my first Tana French book. I'm enjoying it so far, although I was dubious about the supernatural element that appeared. Without any spoilers is this important to the plot or conclusion can you remember?”
From what I can remember, you can think of it as supernatural or the vivid imagination of the teenage girls (which is how I tended to think of it). I don't think it was crucial to the plot really.
My favourite book by Tana French is Into the Woods, which was the first one I read.
Read my first Conan Doyle. A Sign of Four. I can see why the Sherlock Holmes series have had a lasting impact. Brilliantly written
Finished John Lydon's autobiog Anger is an Energy. Thoroughly good read. Alot of wisdom from the punk legend.
Finished The Corpse Bridge - Stephen Booth's Cooper and Fry has lost its way recently. This latest offering doesn't augur well for the future. The Peak District itself has more character than these two plods.
I'm listening to Giants of the Frost by Kim Wilkins, narrated by Edwina Wren.
Victoria has accepted a job in a weather research station, which is situated on a remote island off the coast of Norway. She's recovering from a failed engagement and is escaping from her mother. She's a scientist and has no truck with religion or superstition.
Meanwhile, Vidar, son of Odin (Norse God), has become aware of Victoria and is convinced that she is the reincarnation of a former love from hundreds of years ago.
I can't quite decide whether this is stupendously awful or really rather good. Time will tell. The narration is a bit annoying with a lot of lilting Nordic accents, which aren't adding to the credibility of the story.
Victoria has accepted a job in a weather research station, which is situated on a remote island off the coast of Norway. She's recovering from a failed engagement and is escaping from her mother. She's a scientist and has no truck with religion or superstition.
Meanwhile, Vidar, son of Odin (Norse God), has become aware of Victoria and is convinced that she is the reincarnation of a former love from hundreds of years ago.
I can't quite decide whether this is stupendously awful or really rather good. Time will tell. The narration is a bit annoying with a lot of lilting Nordic accents, which aren't adding to the credibility of the story.
Originally Posted by dymafi:
“Finished John Campbell's biog of Roy Jenkins. Best political biography for a while.”
“Finished John Campbell's biog of Roy Jenkins. Best political biography for a while.”
Yes, I agree. It was very good.
Originally Posted by dymafi:
“Read my first Conan Doyle. A Sign of Four. I can see why the Sherlock Holmes series have had a lasting impact. Brilliantly written”
“Read my first Conan Doyle. A Sign of Four. I can see why the Sherlock Holmes series have had a lasting impact. Brilliantly written”
Oh indeed, they are brilliant stories. I haven't read them for a long time (think I need to rebuy them, as the last time I read them I was living with parents, and I don't own them anymore!) and I can't remember the Sign of Four, but if you're planning to read more, I really recommend Silver Blaze and The Blue Carbuncle. I really liked The Dying Detective too. But really they are all wonderful!
I am currently reading some light-reading - 'The Travelling Tea-Shop' by Belinda Jones.
Now reading Make Me by Lee Child.
Recently read The Murder Bag and The Slaughter Man by Tony Parsons. Both really good.
Also read The Blood Gospel and Innocent Blood by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell. I want to read the third in the series too but begrudge paying £12.99 for a Kindle book.
Recently read The Murder Bag and The Slaughter Man by Tony Parsons. Both really good.
Also read The Blood Gospel and Innocent Blood by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell. I want to read the third in the series too but begrudge paying £12.99 for a Kindle book.
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