The first thing to note is that “Acting with power” is not necessarily meant as “behaving with power”. Gruenfeld does genuinely mean “acting” in the same way as Judi Dench would do. Continue reading Deborah Gruenfeld “Acting with Power” – book review
This book was published in 2019 when John Le Carré was 88 years old. One can only hope to be in such great mental form at his age. It appears there’s nothing like writing a spy novel to keep your brain sharp. Agent Running in the Field is not Le Carré’s best novel: but then, Le Carré at his best is very good indeed. This … Continue reading John le Carré “Agent Running in the Field” – book review
When I reached for Storr’s book The Science of Storytelling, I hoped to find a scientific exploration of the way storytelling affects our brains. Continue reading Will Storr’s “The Science of Storytelling” – book review
Rather than providing a matter-of-fact account of what she has done and when, Hurston mixes together fiction to create an origin story for herself. That said, the book was first published in 1942, and it shows many signs of its time. Continue reading Zora Neale Hurston “Dust tracks on a road”- book review
If this was a realistic novel about spies in suits, I’d be so happy… Continue reading Jason Matthews “The Red Sparrow” – book review
It took me half a year- but I finally did it! I finished reading Les Liaisons Dangereuses ! Continue reading Choderlos de Laclos “Les Liaisons Dangerouses” – book review
There’s not been a bookish New Year’s resolution post this year, and for good reason. Last year’s one failed spectacularly. Let’s have a look. 1. I hoped I would spend less on books. I didn’t. I hoped I would borrow more from the library. That was the case when I was unemployed, but since I’ve started working full-time the resolution has gone out the window. … Continue reading No new resolutions – and the joys of rereading
The Testaments is very much a thriller, a feminist fairy tale. Continue reading Margaret Atwood “The Testaments” – book review
I didn’t love it. But I didn’t hate it as much as I thought I would. Continue reading Jeanette Winterson “Frankissstein” – book review
The overwhelming feeling is a sense of loss. Continue reading Kamila Shamsie “Home Fire” – book review
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