UK Book Club discussion

Predictably most of my books have been set in the UK or the US and, with the genre challenge having covered fantasy and sci-fi already, plenty of countries that don't actually exist....

So far this year I have visited:
1. Singapore (surprise, surprise) - The Singapore Grip by JG Farrell
2. Israel - Day After Night by Anita Diamant
3. China - Empire of the Sun by JG Ballard
4. Pakistan - Three Cups of Tea One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time by greg Mortenson
5. Italy - The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
6. England - The Shooting Party by Isabel Colegate
7. Sweden - The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
8. USA - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
9. Brazil - Dry Season by Dan Smith

10. Germany - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Brilliant! Loved it, cried buckets at the end.

Only 70 more to go... :D

11. India - Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

I really don't recommend this, it was very 'TV-movie-weepy'. It was predictable and pedestrian and I hated the writing style. (Now what do I say to my local bookclub when we discuss it next week? I must be honest, but tactful....hmm)

However, if you want a GOOD 'India' book, why not try:
The White Tiger, The Impressionist, The God of Small Things or Midnight's Children - enjoyed them all!

Years ago I read everything I could get my hands on by Anita Desai - the descriptions were so beautiful, although the plots were quite simple. Then I read a new one - The Zig Zag Way which was set in Mexico - so disappointing.

Liz wrote: "11. India - Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

I really don't recommend this, it was very 'TV-movie-weepy'. It was predictable and pedestrian and I hated the writing style. (No..."

I liked The Impressionist and The God of Small Things too, I must admit I ditched Midnight's Children though...

12. Japan - Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

Just starting....

13. GDR (East Germany) - The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John LeCarre. Great stuff

Liz wrote: "12. Japan - Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

Just starting....

"

love murakami am reading 1184 at the moment

Liz wrote: "13. GDR (East Germany) - The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John LeCarre. Great stuff

"
another great read

14. Jamaica - Dr No by Ian Fleming
Thought it was about time I read a 'Bond' book....

15. Australia - The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas.
Only just getting started on this one.

16. Antarctica - I May Be Some Time: Ice and the English Imagination by Francis Spufford.

Liz wrote: "16. Antarctica - I May Be Some Time: Ice and the English Imagination by Francis Spufford.


"

This looks interesting! One for the TRB I think.

17. France - Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller.

18. Russia - Doctor Zhivago by Boris Paternak.

19. Mexico - The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene.

Argh! Thought I'd chalked up another country with The Piano Teacher by Janice Y K Lee - it's set in Hong Kong - but I've already got China... :(

20. Hong Kong (doing it anyway....)

Now Liz, better start planning your trip in a bit more detail, this is going to take long enough with out re-treading!

The most important thing - was The Piano Teacher any good, if you enjoyed it then your little return trip was worth it...

Have you got any recommendations for novels set in Singapore Liz.....deffo want to call in to see you on my travels.

Liz wrote: "Argh! Thought I'd chalked up another country with The Piano Teacher by Janice Y K Lee - it's set in Hong Kong - but I've already got China... :(

"

I thought that the font of all knowledge Ian said can have them separate

You may possibly be right Bob, but i don't keep a detailed record of my pronouncements, which is why you are employed as chief sneak.

Ian wrote: "You may possibly be right Bob, but i don't keep a detailed record of my pronouncements, which is why you are employed as chief sneak."

There you go Liz have Hong Kong and China
Ian WHAT is that picture of me on there for

Robert wrote: "Ian wrote: "You may possibly be right Bob, but i don't keep a detailed record of my pronouncements, which is why you are employed as chief sneak."

There you go Liz have Hong Kong and China
Ian W..."

Excellent! Then I will.....

Em wrote: "Now Liz, better start planning your trip in a bit more detail, this is going to take long enough with out re-treading!

The most important thing - was The Piano Teacher any good, if you enjoyed i..."

It is good, but not great (although some people have loved it to judge by the reviews).

The copy I got from the library had a Richard & Judy 'Summer Read' sticker on it and that does sum it up. It was an easy read and totally absorbing. It has a fantastic plot and some great descriptions of colonial Hong Kong, but I found the dialogue sometimes slipped into cliche.

Whoever decided to write 'The Piano Teacher is this season's 'Atonement' actually did the book a diservice. Even though I tried to ignore the statement, I couldn't help comparing the two, and this is no Atonement!

Ian wrote: "Have you got any recommendations for novels set in Singapore Liz.....deffo want to call in to see you on my travels."

Most books I've found on Singapore have been set during wartime... I've read The Singapore Grip by JG Farrell (which is good once you get past the detail of the Malay rubber industry!) On my to read list is King Rat by James Clavell (about POWs & set in the infamous Changi prison).

I won't stampede to lay my hands on it then, but if feel the need for lighter read sounds like it'd be a reasonable choice.

Thanks Liz - I read King Rat may years ago. It's ok but not as good as Tai Pan and Noble House, the other 2 longer novels in the loose trilogy.

Liz wrote: "Em wrote: "Now Liz, better start planning your trip in a bit more detail, this is going to take long enough with out re-treading!

The most important thing - was The Piano Teacher any good, if yo..."

I am just reading The Piano Teacher now - am about half way through. And I'd have to agree with Liz re: the dialogue. At times it seems the dialogue is far too modern for the setting...Of course, I can't think of any examples right now, but every now and then I think 'Surely that's not an expression that would have been used in the 40's or 50's'.

I do have to say though, that 'Trudy' is one of the most enjoyable characters I have come across in a long time...

Packabook wrote: "I am just reading The Piano Teacher now - am about half way through. And I'd have to agree with Liz re: the dialogue. At times it seems the dialogue is far too modern for the setting...Of course, I can't think of any examples right now..."

Will describes his own behaviour at one point as 'lame' - that didn't sound right to me....

Arse! I was going to add Italy, only to realise, I had already been there, last year.....

Ian wrote: "Thanks Liz - I read King Rat may years ago. It's ok but not as good as Tai Pan and Noble House, the other 2 longer novels in the loose trilogy."

Have you read any others in the series, Ian? There are also Sho-gun and Whirlwind that are part of the Asian series.. Oh I just looked and one I hadn't read called Gai-jin. I've read all but the last and they are all quite excellent.

Liz wrote: "Packabook wrote: "I am just reading The Piano Teacher now - am about half way through. And I'd have to agree with Liz re: the dialogue. At times it seems the dialogue is far too modern for the sett..."

That might have been the one I was thinking of! That's exactly the kind of thing I mean. Such a shame. An editor should have picked that up.

Only read the 3 I mentioned Bill.

Aaaargh! I must stop doing this - I thought I had a new country (All the Pretty Horses), but I've already got Mexico - bahhh!

Liz wrote: "Aaaargh! I must stop doing this - I thought I had a new country (All the Pretty Horses), but I've already got Mexico - bahhh!"

Having the same problem Liz, been to the middle east several times and also Greece keeps creeping in time and again!

Me too - just finished 3 books about/set in France and my library reservations are all places I've been to!

Ok, now that I'm being kept awake by jet-lag, I thought I'd start my map....



21). Oh yes, and I'm currently in The Netherlands with Girl With a Pearl Earring

Oooh, I saw the film adaptation of this book. I think I'd like to read it, will keep an eye out for your rating.

Em wrote: "Oooh, I saw the film adaptation of this book. I think I'd like to read it, will keep an eye out for your rating."

I really enjoyed it - just finished :)

Africa......the blank continent lol.

Ian wrote: "Africa......the blank continent lol."

Going there next, finally! Our book club is reading Cutting for Stone! I hope to pick it up from the library later....

Brilliant choice....I loved it.

I too enjoyed cutting for stone. It's not a fast read, but excellent

22). Ethiopia - Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Just starting.....

Haven't had a new country in ages and three come along all at once!
Cloud Atlas visits: The Chatham Islands (part of New Zealand), Belgium, UK, US (California & Hawai) and futuristic Korea.
I think I'll use it for Korea, hope that's within the rules.....

23). Korea - Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

It should count for something! Korea seems a good option to me...

Who am I to argue with 2 mods lol?

Hey Liz,

If you're interested in adding Taiwan to your list, I can help you out with my book, Typhoon Season.

James wrote: "Hey Liz,

If you're interested in adding Taiwan to your list, I can help you out with my book, Typhoon Season."

Thanks James, I might just add it to the list ;)

Ian wrote: "Who am I to argue with 2 mods lol?"

Privilege of being a mod', you get to make up the rules! Although I do try not to exploit my position!!! Power corrupts.....