The Bastard of Istanbul - Eli Shafak

 It was the title that was the first draw. Eli Shafak was the second. The blurb was the ratification.
The first twenty or maybe even  thirty pages charmed me. I liked the characters , enjoyed the rebellion, the anarchy and  then- the book lost me.  Everything seemed pointless and the story seemed to go off and try and be many things and the whole thing keeping it together was this horrible secret in the family's past.

I don't know- all  I felt was a disappointment. Especially since I love Istanbul and I had liked the characters, at least in the beginning.

A Short History of the Tractors in Ukrainian - Marina Lewycka

Okay, I admit it. I was lured by the title. and the reviews on the title.
The book? I knew rather than felt that I was in the presence of good writing. That this part might be funny and that one poignant.

But first the story- sisters Vera and Nadezhda  have to save their octegenarian dad or rather his wealth from the scheming Valentino who has a son and impressive.. er.. personality. And to do that, the sisters have to bury their feud and face the secrets from their  brutal past.

Back to the book-The characters were definitely well- etched and idiosyncratic but I just couldn't get into the book. I rarely use this word but frankly I was just bored. This in spite of the good writing, some good tune of phrases and interesting twists.
You know what- I think I am trying too hard and I am going to stop.

Last word- The book had a lot going for it, but didn't work for me. I am sorry but there you are.

The Help- Kathryn Stockett

In her accompanying essay, Stockett,who grew up with her own black maid, writes she often wondered what it was to Black in America in the 60s. That the question this book attempts to answer.

Three women, an older Black maid, a younger belligerent one and a white idealist fresh college graduate get together to write the story of being Black Maids to white families in 60s Mississippi. They come to he story with their own reasons, sorrows , joys,  and courage. tremendous courage. Three voices, all strong and unique build this hear warming tale. You share their fear of discovery and celebrate their gentle victories. 

Kathryn Stockett tells a good story with her strong  writing. capturing beautifully the racial divide form both sides. And how personal kindness and love exists along macroscopic hatred and intolerance. 

It may not be the best novel to be written about this theme but its definitely a warm, well plotted page turner. In other words  a complete novel.. It's no wonder it made the New York T mes best seller list. 

Age of Innocence- Edith Wharton



Luminous. There doesn't seem a better way to describe tis book. A lambency seeps over the events, the narrative,  the characters, their quiet joys and sorrows and theie love.

Briefly-the year is 1870 . The place - upper crust new york. Newland Archer is engaged to  May Welland. Then he meets her exotic cousin, the countess Ellen Olenski. Needless to say, Archer falls in love with the cousin and is torn by the social codes and his love.

Wharton writes with a sharp pen; she chooses carefully the moments when she removes the veneer off her characters to reveal their motives and true nature. And we learn that the characters are not as innocent, not as noble or not as brave as they same.

The whole mood of the novel is gentle- the joys, the sorrows, the love , the sacrifices and their triumphs. Even after you close the last page, the novel still holds you in a gentle yet lingering grip that is not so easily shaken off.

Read it. This is a Pulitzer well deserved.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand- Helen Simonson



I put this book down after a few chapters but returned to it because I couldn't get rid of a niggling feeling that i was missing something and I am glad I did.
 
This book is a comedy of manners , without Austen's biting wit and a gentle mockery of the British aristocracy, without Wodehouse's panache. But the reader gets the feeling that  Summerland doesn't aim it to be any of these. So what we have is a gentle love story, with  gentle ironies and gentle insight. All so gentle that you have to be on the watch for them or they will slip past you.

A little about the story- Major Pettigrew is a British gentleman in the tradition of British Gentlemen that we have read about- he is all  about honour, courtesy , doing the right thing , hunting and the perfectly brewed  cup of tea get together. Summerland explores life in modern day English village through their romance. The setting may  be provincial but the themes the universal ones of bigotry, racism, class conflict, family pressures and duties and  love.

The characters are fresh and so are the situations but perhaps the sheer ness'gentleness' of the novel slows and wears the reader down.  Persist- it's the same gentle humour, conflict and irony make it a charming read.

Maya

How to Buy a Love of Reading- Tanya Egan Gibson



 The title is a misnomer, the opposite would stand testimony to the book. I found the book mentioned at Just Books. it is not their fault really for it was here that I first met Elegance of...and The Guernsay, two of the best reads of last year. It's just that I was lulled into blind faith. And I paid for it. Literally (bought the book, didn;t I? and otherwise)

Anyway, the Book- has a brilliant idea- of a novel being written which runs alongside the story of the cahracte rs in the book. has strong writing. Good sense of atmosphere.

Then what is wrong? Sigh. Everything. or something. The story , if you remove the novel writing element ,is just about a bunch  of poo r little and not-so little rich people with self destructive life styles and questionable morality. With a story like this, something's got to give. Something did. Me. I gave up.

I can't think of a single reason why you should read it. Except that it was sort of funny, like an occasional line every few pages. I can't think of a single reason to justify my  buying it. Unless I dub it a  'learning experince'.

Is it just me or is it really getting harder to find good books out  there?
Maya