Everything's Eventual

Stephen King is a genius – although he and I have a somewhat tempestuous relationship. I want to read him, but sometimes he just wont let me. For example, I loved the film The Green Mile, but do you think I can get into the book? And the new book, Lisey’s Story. Do you think I can get into that? That’s not to say that I haven’t read and enjoyed many of his books (does it get any better than the Dark Tower series?), but sometimes, we are not a great fit.

Fortunately for me, Everything’s Eventual – a series of short stories - was a great fit. We have King at his scary best in the title story, as well as the truly frightening 1408 (soon to be out on film with John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, so it will have to be good) and a few good moments in Autopsy Room Four. For Dark Tower fans, Kings returns to tell us the story of The Little Sisters of Illyria. Very cool.

But don’t forget that King also wrote the story that The Shawshank Redemption is based on. So Lucky Quarter and The Death Room deserve a mention too.

This collection is out again at the moment because of the film release of 1408 – so grab a copy if you can.

An extraordinary Saturday for Ian McEwan…

This will be my second and so far most enjoyable experience of Ian McEwan.

Henry Perrone is a Neurosurgeon. He lives in London in 2003 – in the height of the frenzied fears of terror attacks. In fact, on the Saturday in question, Perrone witnesses a frightening mishap with a plane very early in the morning. On the same day, a major rally is occurring to protest against British involvement in Iraq. While the news throughout the day continues to report the near-plane crash, Perrone discovers that true fear is really closer to home.

A minor car accident brings him into contact with Baxter, whose emotionally instability is soon diagnosed by Perrone as the result of a rare neurological disorder. With special knowledge of Baxter’s condition, Perrone is soon able to distract him and escape the sticky situation. However, Baxter is not finished with him and later makes his way to the Perrone household, where a variety of family dramas are already playing themselves out.

Just when you think the novel is finished, new levels of morality are explored when Perrone chooses to operate on an injured Baxter. Will he choose revenge or forgiveness and understanding? And will those around him accept his choice?

My exposure to this book was an interesting one – I listened to it on an audio book while recovering from eye surgery (and for as long as it took me to finish it). While I did enjoy the novel, I have mixed feelings about the format. On the positive side, it was a refreshing change, allowing me to “read” two books at once. It was also handy on long walks and drives. But it is easy to miss things if you doze off (not while driving obviously!) or if your thoughts wander. You also do not have the luxury to go back over things if you would like to check them – can you imagine trying to find just one line on a whole CD? But I will try it again from time to time – particularly with easier, more accessible texts.

So, my McEwan odyssey continues. Saturday is a lovely mixture of the sublime and the mundane – it is certainly not a trite in the way I felt Enduring Love was. Perrone’s family are a fascinating set of characters, and Perrone spends the day reflecting on life in general – and confronting or remembering the many milestones of his experience.

I am keen to keep reading McEwan’s superb prose – Atonement looks good. But I will have to get in soon, before the film comes out!

Speaking of films, the newspaper today reported that Fred Schepsi has signed for a film version of Kate Grenville's wonderful The Secret River. Check out my blog entry on the novel.

The Kite Runner

Check out this cover art. It looks so innocent, doesn't it? Trust me, once you have read the book this cute picture of the little boy will have a haunting new meaning.

Although this wasn't a list text, it probably should have been. I had heard so much about how fabulous it was, and had been meaning to read it for ages. In the end, I read it to help out someone I was working with... but this is one of those times where work actually brings joy.

This is a mesmerising book, both beautifully plotted and well-written. I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but "The Kite Runner" is a story of guilt and redemption. Set in both Afganistan and America, what starts as a description of a charming friendship between two boys, quickly becomes a condemnation of the ruling classes of this country, and those who do not stand up to oppose injustice. Amir is haunted by his betrayal of his childhood friend Hassan... as he becomes a man he feels nothing can expunge this unspoken sin from his soul.

Never fear though! Hosseini is an author with a penchant for reciprocity and that nice circular format that all novels of redemption take. Pretty much everyone gets what they deserve, and Amir is able to understand and atone for the terrible sin of his childhood.

It's about to become a movie, so I really do suggest that all devoted readers pick this up before we are delivered a Hollywood version. We all know the book is always better than the film right? Don't be tempted to take the easy way out! This is not a difficult read by any standards (it is on high school text lists), but definitely worthwhile. This is one of the best books I have blogged about so far.