The Miernik Dossier by Charles McCarry

This is the first in the series of Paul Christopher novels which I’ve been reading in the wrong order, but now that I’ve finished the first, I’m glad that I have.  The Miernik Dossier is an immensely exciting read.   

This novel is written in a different style to the others – it’s the case file of suspected KGB agent Miernik and detailed entirely through retrospective agent reports, telephone transcripts, diary entries and letters.  It’s quite original.  Whereas the subsequent novels are written in a narrative style and centred around Paul Christopher, this is less so, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting. 

Throughout the entire story it’s difficult to work out who are the goodies and the baddies, which makes it an even more convincing story.  All in all, it’s not my favourite Charles McCarry, but still an excellent read.

The Secret Lovers by Charles McCarry

It’s no secret that I’m a Charles McCarry fan – refer to my previous post on The Tears of Autumn.  When I read that book I didn’t realise that it was actually the third in a series of Paul Christopher novels.  I made the decision to go back and read them in order so that I could get the full backstory of the protagonist.  I was wandering through Borders with one of their 20% discount vouchers and when I saw The Secret Lovers on the shelf, I picked myself up a copy and headed to the register. 

The Secret Lovers kept me glued to the page; classic espionage that’s just gripping.  The parallels between Christopher’s personal and professional lives are beautifully articulated, he is such a compelling character.  Just love him.  I love the way McCarry builds characters around Christopher; his ally Patchen is described with detail that makes him feel so real; Wilson, Maria, Cerutti – all utterly believable. 

So I got to the end and realised that this was the second in the series of Paul Christopher novels.  Turns out there is one before.  Last Friday with a 30% of three fiction books discount voucher from Borders I picked myself up The Miernik Dossier (the first in the series), The Last Supper and Christopher’s Ghosts.  There’s a couple more in between that I’m still to find (Second Sight and The Old Boys) but I’m getting on to The Miernik Dossier next.

Death of a River Guide by Richard Flanagan

I was on the train and had just started this book when another passenger sat down next to me and burst out “that’s a fantastic book”.  Taken aback a little, I replied with “it’s ok so far” (3 pages in) and she glared at me as though I was mad. 

Having now finished the story, I must admit, yes the book is an excellent read.  Although it was published over a decade ago, it hasn’t really dated – or at least I don’t feel that it has.  It follows the life of Aljaz Cosini a river guide who lays dying and watches his life and those in it, flash by.  It’s a layered backstory that really is an inspiring read.  I can see why Richard Flanagan achieved critical acclaim and picked up the Australian Fiction Award 1996.

The descriptions of the Tasmanian landscape are beautiful and terrifying; the characters are incisive and the way relationships are detailed is both stirring and ambiguous at the same time.  This book has been touted as one of the finest books of our time – it is a compelling read.

Love Like Water by Meme McDonald

The thing I loved most about this book was the detail of the characters; Margie the party girl, Jay the indigenous DJ, Sarah the vegetarian with the misguided conscience and Cathy the protaganist stumbling from one thing to the next.  The book has no real pressing plot it’s more of a running narrative that documents a particular chapter in the lives of the individual characters. 

Set in Alice Springs, it touches on many of the themes that I imagine affect the area; racism, heat, tourism, indigenous culture and escapism.  The country mentality is portrayed with accuracy.   

McDonald has a really nice writing style which makes the book quite powerful.  A great read.

Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson

I had bought this book intending to read it before the JB and I headed o/s.  Unfortunately it was not to be.  Doesn’t matter because I’ve since read it and still enjoyed it, particularly Bryson’s notes on places I’ve visited. 

Although a US native, Bryson lived in the UK for a couple of decades, marrying and having kids there, but had decided to return to the US and wanted to undertake one last trip throughout the UK.  So it’s really a travel narrative. 

Bryson has such a dry and humourous writing style, it’s just great to read through.  Although the book was published in the mid 1990’s it’s still rather amusing today.  Just goes to show that good writing doesn’t date.  A few of the locations he visits have changed, but observations about the British way still ring true. 

A nice comfortable read with a few laugh out loud moments.

The Tall Man by Chloe Hooper

I don’t often read a book knowing how it’s going to end.  Because this is an account of a case that attracted much in the way of media attention, I waited a long while before I bought it.  I still always knew what the outcome was going to be, but I wanted to dull the memory a little so that when I did read the book, it was also a refresher.   

Aboriginal deaths in custody has been an issue for as long as I can remember.  So much so, that I suspect when it occurs these days it’s often not even picked up by the broadsheets.  But the death of Cameron Doomadgee was one that could not be avoided simply because of the basic facts.  A fit and healthy Aboriginal male in his 30’s is arrested and within 40 minutes of his arrest he is found dead on the floor of his cell.  Fit and healthy yet dead 40 minutes later. 

Hooper won a Walkley for her reportage of this case and went on to write a further detailed account in The Tall Man.  She meets with the Doomadgee family, attends the protracted legal sittings and using her own opinions puts together a great story.  It’s a little Helen Garner-esque and I’m clearly not the first person to think of this, as my copy features a cover line attributed to Garner.  Think Joe Cinque’s Consolation.   

This book really got me thinking and I recommend it.

Books read on the road…

So we’re back.  I didn’t think I’d continue with this blog business after the trip…the pre-travel book reviews were purely posting practice.  BUT, a reader (that’s you Kerny!) has encouraged me to continue.  I read a few books on the road, but was limited to those that I could easily discard or didn’t weigh too much.  The list included:

• Stasiland – Anna Funder
• A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian – Marina Lewycka
• The Memory Keepers Daughter – Kim Edwards
• Pants on Fire – Maggie Alderson
• Then we Came to the End – Joshua Ferris
• Moby Dick – Herman Melville (half finished)

The standout was Stasiland, which both the JB and I read whilst we were in Germany and the Czech Republic.  In Berlin we undertook a guided tour through the city visiting the likes of Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag, and remnants of the Berlin Wall.  Our guide was simply fantastic and recommended anyone interested in East German history watch the movie ‘The Lives of Others’ (which the JB and I had already seen) and read Stasiland by Anna Funder.  What a book.  It chronicles a series of interviews/encounters with people who lived/worked in Berlin during the time of the wall.  It really is an excellent read – I recall it won a stack of awards when it was launched - and I would recommend it to all.  It features some harrowing tales and is at times sad beyond words, but if nothing else it makes those who never had to live through such an episode realise, just how lucky we are.

Changing tack completely, my next favourite book from the above list was Pants on Fire.  I read Maggie Alderson when I need a break from anything too heavy or just need something light and often amusing to read through.  I picked up a copy of Pants on Fire at the airport as we boarded from Melb to Dubai.  It was classic Alderson, funny, easy to read, very girly and with a nice little twist at the end.  I left my copy with one of the JB’s cousins in Italy, who is looking to improve her English – not sure how she’ll go, but I can’t bear to throw away books, ever. 

         

At different times throughout the trip both the JB and I craved English.  We arrived in Vienna and had one such moment.  The concierge at our hotel recommended an English bookstore on Mariahilfer Straabe which we found to be closed, BUT we came across another bookstore to find that it contained within, a substantial English section.  After pondering for some time, I settled on a 3-pack of the above for 20 euro.  Each was a fairly easy read and  featured quite enjoyable moments.  Each book has been recommended by the Richard and Judy Book Club and so has done well for its respective author.  Good value.     

Since we’ve returned, I’ve been reading quite a bit and so a few more reviews will follow in the next days.