More Book Reviews

WATCHERS

by

Dean Koontz

A great fan of Dean Koontz, I read this story years ago and I've just finished reading it again. Even by the standards of the great Dean Koontz, this is a wonderful book. It's a story filled with promise, unconditional love and pathos. 

Two genetically altered creatures escape from a laboratory. One is a beautiful golden retriever, the other a monster who is neither human nor non-human. Both possess super intelligence. 


A man who has almost given up on life. A woman so shy, she cannot look anyone in the eye. A ruthless psychotic assassin. A government agent who must find the creatures. Their paths will cross and not one of them will ever be the same again.

Beautifully crafted it will simultaneously warm your heart and make it ache. Make you laugh and make you cry. The characters are so real, they feel like family. Its strong underlying themes are love, loyalty and compassion, and it draws from the reader just about every possible emotion. 

It spells out the consequences and moral ethics of genetic engineering, highlighting the potential beauties and tragedies of tampering with nature. Even though the book itself is over 20 years old and, in the light of recent research a little dated, it still sends out a powerful and poignant message to mankind to stop and think before he continues along these lines of research. 

Woven against the background of a love story that is a delight to read, it is a book that will haunt you for a long time, one of those rare books that you don't want to end. 

Of all Dean Koontz's books, and perhaps of all the books I have read, this is the one I will remember the most. Perhaps for always.

*    *    *

CHROMOSOME 6

by

Robin Cooke

This is the second time I've read this book, the first time being a few years ago. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time I read it.

A taunt medical thriller set in New York City and Equatorial Africa, it deals with the problems, dilemmas and consequences of genetic engineering.

A prominent member of the mob is shot to death in New York City, then his body disappears from the morgue. Later a body turns up in the morgue with a few essential pieces missing.

Meanwhile, a lucrative and covert organ transplant project is taking place in deepest Africa.

Problems and danger mount for the main protagonists and their friends as the tension escalates and the story progresses to it's conclusion.

This is a real page turner. Recommended.

*     *     *

A QUIET VENDETTA 

by

R.J. Ellory

Ernesto Perez, retired number one hit-man for the Mafia, gives himself up to the FBI. He wants to tell his life story to one man, and he holds all the cards....

Ray Hartmann, a down on his luck lawyer is the man Perez wants to tell his story to. Exactly why he chooses Hartmann is an enduring mystery, revealed only at the very end of the book. While struggling with his own demons, Hartmann is compelled to listen to Perez, at first against his wishes and gradually because of a growing fascination for the killer.

And so begins a fascinating rapport between the two main characters. Two adversaries who are poles apart and yet in some ways similar, and, in an almost incomprehensible way, they understand, respect and empathise with each other.

All the while the FBI and the New Orleans PD are powerless to take any action. All they can do is listen. Perez is in control.

Meanwhile the Governor of Louisiana's daughter has been kidnapped and must be found before she is dead.....

I am a great fan of R J Ellory, and I would say that of all of his books that I have read, this is my favourite. It is beautifully written and full of fact intertwined with fiction. It tells of the rise and influence of the Mafia in the USA and as such gives great insight into American history.

Staring slowly, it soon draws the reader in and then propels itself into a breathtaking pace. It has lots of graphic violence and some pages conjure up disturbing images.

It's a story of love, loss, loyalty and revenge. A brilliantly crafted book that makes for unforgettable reading. A stunning novel.

*     *     *

HOUSE RULES

by

Jodi Picoult

First I am the mother of person with Asperger's Syndrome, so it was with special interest that I read this book.

This is the tale of Jacob Hunt who has Asperger's Syndome; a (usually) high functioning condition on the Autistic spectrum. His obsession with various things and concepts, particularly forensic science, soon leads him into deep, deep trouble. Also his conceptual limitations ensure that he has many confrontations with his peers, sometimes his mother and often with his brother Theo; the latter who, feeling a little left out of things develops problems of his own.

Jodi Picoult tells the story through the eyes of all the characters in the book chapter by chapter, and this works particularly well for this story, as it quite adequately shows how "Aspies" see the world and how they use their various coping strategies to attempt to adjust to various situations. Telling the story from the perspective of different characters also illuminates how others struggle to perceive the world of someone with Aspergers, how they attempt to understand the Asperger's world and and how a 'normal' person's perceptions of the Asperger's world conflicts with their own view of reality.

If I have one gripe about this book, it's the mother's notion that she is never wrong, and thus her obvious oblivion to the psychological problems that beset long suffering brother Theo.

Having said that, this is a very well written book and Jodi Picoult has obviously done quite a lot of research into the condition as she described Jacob's unique world and behaviours admirably.

It's a page turner in it's own right and keeps us all guessing as to the final outcome.

*     *     *

CHASE

by

Dean Koontz

This is one of, if not the earliest suspense book by Dean Koontz originally published under the pseudonym of K. R. Dwyer, but recently reworked and published under his real name.

It tells of Vietnam war hero Ben Chase who is struggling with many personal demons after his war experiences. One night he witnesses a murder and intervenes in order to save the victim's young teenage girlfriend from also being murdered. The result is that Ben finds himself on the killer's hit-list.

This book is a fairly good read, but its main interest for me lies in that it shows how Dean Koontz has evolved in his writing style over the years.

Okay for a quick read. Will most likely keep you turning the pages.

Neil Diamond at the O2 Arena, London, UK

Three or four weeks ago, I managed to secure a ticket for Neil Diamond's gig at the O2 Arena in London. It was a relatively easy time on the internet and I finally bought a ticket for the front row, side of stage.

It took me back three years when I saw Neil at the O2 in 2008. Then it was a last minute thing. I was only aware rather late on that he was playing the O2. Never-the-less, I managed to get a good seat, after paying a silly inflated price for it from some ticket touts. I booked my hotel and went to the concert. It was great with the audience standing throughout the entire two hour performance and all of them singing along to most of the songs. At one point, I think it was when "Forever in Blue Jeans" started up, Neil sat down onstage and let the audience sing the whole of one bridge. 

I enjoyed the concert so much. I came away elated.

And so once again these summer I will be at the O2 arena. This time sat in the audience at the side of the stage and singing my heart out along to bygone hits such "Sweet Caroline," plus a few of Neil Diamond's newer hits. And I know that once more, just like the summer of 2008 I shall be blown away by the concert.

Star studded night on BBC TV Sunday March 6th

Really enjoyed Sunday night's astronomy programmes. The first to be broadcast was Wonders of the Universe. Professor Brian Cox explained entropy and it's role in the arrow of time in a way that we all could understand. Iconic photography and great special effects made this a programme not to miss. If you did miss it, catch it on BBC iPlayer

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00zf9dh/Wonders_of_the_Universe_Destiny/

Followed a little later by the 700th edition of The Sky at Night. This programme has the distinction of being the longest running TV show in the world and Sir Patrick Moore has presented all but one of them himself. Also, he has just celebrated his 88th birthday, so all in all it's quite an achievment. Professor Brian Cox appeared in this too as did Dr Brian May, ex lead guitarist with rock group Queen, now an astrophysicist. Not out yet on BBC iPlayer. Will post a link when it is.

It was also good to see these two show trending at number one worldwide on Twitter !

Another Trip to London.......

I went on one of my forays up to London last Wednesday for a three day stay. I went to look at a tiny apartment with the dubious intention of maybe moving in? I had also arranged to meet up with my friend, and we would go for lunch after I had viewed this tiny flat. 

Feeling a bit restless and out of it just lately. The sea and sand here in Cornwall is all very nice, but of late, it seems to be  just a tad too quiet for me. Of course all that alters when the holiday makers arrive. Then the place goes wild. But that's not what I want at the moment. I just feel I need something different. Somewhere where there's lots of things happening. Somewhere I can reflect on my life and where it will (hopefully) take me from here. 

And so I arrived in London after a long coach journey, (during which I did not feel well for most of the time). The dwelling place I was to look at is in the Earls Court, South Kensington area. Quite an in crowd and a very trendy place to be in. 

I arrived at Victoria Coach Station and ordered a cab to Earls Court. The fare set me back £15. I was a little mad at myself, because the coach had already made it's way down Earls Court Road on it's way to Victoria and had I been quick enough, I'm sure the coach driver would have let me get out at the traffic lights. However, I was not quick enough and so to Victoria we went.

I arrived at the apartment block in a good mood though. I always love the journey into central London, it's always bustling with many, many people of all different races and creeds, looking at all the fascinating shops and a good many of them were sat at the side walk cafes. It was more than a little chilly when I arrived, but it obviously had not deterred them from sitting, drinking coffee and watching the world (and me) go by.

Tired after the coach ride, I spent a quiet night reading until I felt my eyelids drooping and so I decided to  call it a day.  The following morning, after first viewing the flat,  my friend came to meet me and we set off in search of a good restaurant or pub where good food was to be had. We had partly decided beforehand that we would look at one on Brompton Road, namely, The Drayton Arms. It's a pub by day and night and a theatre (and pub) in the evening.

As Earls Court is at an intersection (junction) with of Old Brompton Road, we had not anticipated any difficulty finding this pub, but lo and behold we soon got lost, even with a map and all. Seemingly going round in circles, we finally asked a gardener who happened to be trimming a hedge where the hell we were and how the hell do we get to Brompton Road from here? He looked at us with great amusement and told us that we were much nearer than we thought (thank God for that. We were freezing.) And so we set off and sure enough we found our destination.

This was Thursday lunch time and by now as you have no doubt guessed, it was very cold in central London. It soon became apparent that it was not gonna be too much fun trailing around looking for alternative suitable places to eat. And so we decided we would eat at the Drayton whatever it was like!

We got to the Drayton Arms just as it was opening for the day. It looked  rather nice ( well it is a fairly famous place). We settled down, ordered a coffee and a meal and a some wine. And we took our time eating. It was so cold outside that we were not in a rush to leave. There was a big roaring fire at one end of the room and we ordered desert and some more wine and sat round the fire, under a small but elaborate chandelier.

A pleasant afternoon went by very quickly, and when I got back to the apartment block in Earls Court I had another look at the tiny flat. I decided it was just a little too tiny, and that most of the things I possess here in Cornwall would not fit in to such a small space. And so I turned it down. A pity. I was disappointed. Sad that the little apartment in the heart of London was just too small a heart. And so with a bit of  regret, I left. I said I would wait until another one became vacant and see if that one was a bit bigger.

I packed my bag and said farewell to the people who live in that apartment and whom I have come to know over the years during my visits to London. A taxi took me back to Victoria Coach Station.

The coach ride through London was fascinating as the driver took us on a route that I have not been before with this particular coach company. There was much traffic and that meant that we went very slowly along Kennsington and Knightsbridge and it was great just to do a little window shopping from the coach; looking at the window displays in such shops as Harvey Nicholls and Harrods. I had to resist an overwhelming urge to jump out of the coach and  into the shops, but I was a bit restricted from doing that. Just as well. 

Out of London the journey back to Cornwall was pleasant with green pastures flying past the windows on either side of the coach. But it was a long journey. Eight hours in all. It was nine in the evening when I finally got back to my own apartment. As I walked throughout the door the difference in size of my apartment to the one in London was amazing. I twirled around feeling all that space that I had missed for just a short spell of time.

What will happen? Will I ever make that move to central London that I have wanted for quite some time now?  Only time will tell. 

www.thedraytonarmssw5.co.uk

BOOK REVIEW

EXPECTING ADAM

BY Martha Beck

Review for Amazon and 

abookamonth2011.blogspot.com/p/notice-board.html

At first I was unsure about this book. I didn't think it was my kind of book at all. And at the beginning Martha Beck describes a  lot of interaction between herself and her husband that seemed to drag a little.

Then, as I read on it picked up the pace and I became more and more interested in it.  Eventually, I found myself loving it and ended up in tears!!

It's mostly a womans book and many women will empathise with Mrs Beck's  struggles with nausea and illness whilst she is carrying her Down's Syndrome baby. 

Humour is injected into the story, presumably to lighten what would otherwise be a dark and possibly depressing subject. But, having said that, I was not blown away by the humour itself. I think the story, so beautifully in itself, about how she coped with her difficult pregnancy, was strong enough to carry itself, humour or no humour.

Martha's decision not to have her baby aborted, when confronted with such adversity from colleagues and the medical profession was commendable. What a brave lady she is. And what an inspiration to other women who may find themselves in a similar position. It is notable that, in a situation such this, Martha finds out just who are her true friends, and who are those "friends" who eventually show themselves to be shallow people whose creed is that only perfection and money bring happiness. How wrong they are.

Martha's mystical experiences were somewhat unusual to say the least and I am wondering how many people found them credible. To Martha, they were no doubt as profound and real as they came across in the book. To the reader? Well maybe there is a big question of credibility here. I will give Martha the benefit of the doubt, as I think it must be quite difficult to describe such feelings and experiences on paper and make them real.

Whatever they were they helped Martha through her pregnancy, and as such it is obvious that they were in part instrumental in her deciding to write the book. It's wonderful that she felt confident enough with herself and her readers to include them in such vivid detail, as they make reading this book a fascinating and unforgettable experience. 

But the book really comes to life when Martha talks about Adam. Her love for him and his "specialness" is endearing and it just lights up the page. Adam's own capacity for love and his uniqueness touches the reader with warmth and gladdens the heart.

And this book had a special resonance for me too, as I am the mother of an autistic child (who is an autistic adult now). 

Expecting Adam is a heart warming experience for the reader. It shows that courage and conviction will almost always  triumph over adversity. Mrs beck's love for Adam and her pride motivated her to immortalise him in a book and I'm so glad she did. I would love to know more, as to how she and her husband coped with the (then) new addition to the family. It would, I'm sure make for another heartwarming read. Thoroughly recommended.