- Joined
- Saturday December 10, 2011
- Location
- british west hartlepool
Finished it this morning, very enjoyable. Plot twists were good, ending was a bit of an anti climax. I was looking for some confirmation on a couple of plot threads which he left hanging. I think this maybe his style though? I will get some more of his work.I'll be interested to hear what you think. I've just bought Murakami's most recent offering, ‘Killing Commendatore'.
I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I think that Murakami has so many plot threads on the go, and so many ideas spinning, that he occasionally finds it impossible to wrap everything up. It's certainly an ambitious novel.Finished it this morning, very enjoyable. Plot twists were good, ending was a bit of an anti climax. I was looking for some confirmation on a couple of plot threads which he left hanging. I think this maybe his style though? I will get some more of his work.
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An extraordinary and moving tale by an ex-POW and last surviving member of the Gordon Highlanders regiment that was captured by the Japanese in Singapore.
This'll be my next read.
A great sobering read. I was lucky to meet Alistair and to hear him talk about his life; he put his survivial down in part to the good food that his mother cooked for him when he was a child. He also discussed Steven Spielberg wanting to make a film of his life, which he refused.
Cheers Chris, I'm looking forward to star
For war memoirs of extraordinary individuals - I'd recommend - if you haven't already read it - 'Eastern Approaches' by Sir Fitzroy Maclean. The autobiography covers the first bit of his life - diplomatic service - serving in the newly founded SAS in the desert - Wilfred Thesiger turns up - and then parachuting into Yugoslavia - wearing a kilt! - to help organise Tito's partisans against German occupation. Proper boys own stuff - a master of understatement - 'Another truck full of explosives went up, taking with it all my personal kit. That was another two trucks gone. My equipment was now reduced to an automatic pistol, a prismatic compass and one plated teaspoon. From now onwards I should be travelling light.' - I was lucky enough to have met him a couple of times - I rented a cottage in Strachur that was part of his family estate - his office was quite something - the pictures - that's him with Tito, Stalin, Churchill, Montgomery, F.D.R and on - he was the real deal. A generous hand with a dram as well. It is commonly said he was Fleming's inspiration for James Bond. Also - highly recommended - 'A Writer at War: A Soviet Journalist with the Red Army' - by Vasily Grossman. He was an eye witness to most of the major engagements of the Second World War involving the Red Army - from Moscow to Stalingrad and Berlin. He was one of the first to report on the liberation of the death camps. He was - initially anyway - a dedicated Communist - and his work was propaganda - but he never lost his eye for the experiences of humans in war. Very moving in places - the utter depravity of Stalingrad and the reaction to liberating Treblinka - the realisation. Not a laugh a minute granted - but well worth reading - I sent a copy to @Barry Giddens recently and he rated it. You don't get a much better recommendation than that - cheers - I.
@Ferry-shave
For war memoirs of extraordinary individuals - I'd recommend - if you haven't already read it - 'Eastern Approaches' by Sir Fitzroy Maclean. The autobiography covers the first bit of his life - diplomatic service - serving in the newly founded SAS in the desert - Wilfred Thesiger turns up - and then parachuting into Yugoslavia - wearing a kilt! - to help organise Tito's partisans against German occupation. Proper boys own stuff - a master of understatement - 'Another truck full of explosives went up, taking with it all my personal kit. That was another two trucks gone. My equipment was now reduced to an automatic pistol, a prismatic compass and one plated teaspoon. From now onwards I should be travelling light.' - I was lucky enough to have met him a couple of times - I rented a cottage in Strachur that was part of his family estate - his office was quite something - the pictures - that's him with Tito, Stalin, Churchill, Montgomery, F.D.R and on - he was the real deal. A generous hand with a dram as well. It is commonly said he was Fleming's inspiration for James Bond. Also - highly recommended - 'A Writer at War: A Soviet Journalist with the Red Army' - by Vasily Grossman. He was an eye witness to most of the major engagements of the Second World War involving the Red Army - from Moscow to Stalingrad and Berlin. He was one of the first to report on the liberation of the death camps. He was - initially anyway - a dedicated Communist - and his work was propaganda - but he never lost his eye for the experiences of humans in war. Very moving in places - the utter depravity of Stalingrad and the reaction to liberating Treblinka - the realisation. Not a laugh a minute granted - but well worth reading - I sent a copy to @Barry Giddens recently and he rated it. You don't get a much better recommendation than that - cheers - I.
@Ferry-shave
You are in for quite a ride Pat.Thanks for the recommendations Iain, much appreciated. I'll look them up and probably proceed to checkout.
If it's good enough for Barry !!!.
Edit : A writer at war ordered, cheers.
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I can't thank Iain enough for sending me this - certainly my book of the year so far. At once brutal and humane. An honest and moving testimony to a terrible time. Grossman was not only in mortal physical danger for much of the time, but he also had to avoid displeasing Stalin and his henchmen. As I mentioned to Iain, it's the small acts of kindness amidst the horror that stay with me. The section on Treblinka is such a difficult read. But the compelling simplicity of the writing makes the book impossible to put down. Astonishingly good.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts Pat.Thanks for your review,Barry....Astonishingly good sounds good to me, glad I ordered.
@Digimonkey Hi Mate, thanks for the recommendation; I have not read it yet - I have a copy in the house and its on the must read list before SWMBO bagis it up with other books and drops them off at the local chaity shop!For war memoirs of extraordinary individuals - I'd recommend - if you haven't already read it - 'Eastern Approaches' by Sir Fitzroy Maclean. The autobiography covers the first bit of his life - diplomatic service - serving in the newly founded SAS in the desert - Wilfred Thesiger turns up - and then parachuting into Yugoslavia - wearing a kilt! - to help organise Tito's partisans against German occupation. Proper boys own stuff - a master of understatement - 'Another truck full of explosives went up, taking with it all my personal kit. That was another two trucks gone. My equipment was now reduced to an automatic pistol, a prismatic compass and one plated teaspoon. From now onwards I should be travelling light.' - I was lucky enough to have met him a couple of times - I rented a cottage in Strachur that was part of his family estate - his office was quite something - the pictures - that's him with Tito, Stalin, Churchill, Montgomery, F.D.R and on - he was the real deal. A generous hand with a dram as well. It is commonly said he was Fleming's inspiration for James Bond. Also - highly recommended - 'A Writer at War: A Soviet Journalist with the Red Army' - by Vasily Grossman. He was an eye witness to most of the major engagements of the Second World War involving the Red Army - from Moscow to Stalingrad and Berlin. He was one of the first to report on the liberation of the death camps. He was - initially anyway - a dedicated Communist - and his work was propaganda - but he never lost his eye for the experiences of humans in war. Very moving in places - the utter depravity of Stalingrad and the reaction to liberating Treblinka - the realisation. Not a laugh a minute granted - but well worth reading - I sent a copy to @Barry Giddens recently and he rated it. You don't get a much better recommendation than that - cheers - I.
@Ferry-shave