February 2009: Book no 7

Book no 7: My life as a fake by Peter Carey.

This is the second book by Peter Carey that I have attempted to read - the first was the much praised "Oscar and Lucinda" which I have never completed. Once again, I started out reading this book without being interested in it. I persevered, and it took a while, but eventually I did get into it and completed the read. My problem with reading Peter Carey's books is not the story or the characters, it is his writing style, which I find over explanatory and cumbersome. But maybe that's just me.

The story is really good and very original but jumps around in time quite a bit, but not without direction. The places are exotic and interesting and the characters original to say the least. I know that this is a good read, but I really did not enjoy it much and it left a dull memory - not all pleasant.

Cat's rating: 6/10

February 2009: Book no 5

Book 5: Norrevok by C Johan Bakkes.

Firstly, apologies to my English readers - this book is in Afrikaans and not available translated. However, his other two books have been combined and translated into: To Hell and gone.


Johan Bakkes is an adventurer by heart and an academic by day. He also tries to be a father and husband and in his own words describes his wife as being and angel as she let's him tramp off on adventures on is own at every whim. He finds (well, more like places) himself in some of the most remote and least visited places on earth and tells the story in his own unique and entertaining way (and swearing along as he speaks).

Definitely worth the read - entertaining as always (and very educational in an informal way)

Cat's rating: a comfortable 7,5/10

February 2009: Book no 6

Well, I have done it! One month ahead of schedule I have reached my targeted 36 books for the year. I still have a lot of book reviews to catch up on here, but goal achieved!

Book no 6: Amsterdam by Ian McEwan

I discovered Mc Ewan last year when I read the bestseller "Atonement". I really enjoyed the book and I have subsequently read quite a few of his books. I share his fascination of mentally disturbed individuals or normal people being challenged on an emotional level to beyond general reasoning.

Amsterdam is an extremely clever story with a great unexpected turn to it. It is well written as one would expect of McEwan.

Cat's opinion: 8/10 and well worth the read.