Finished it. The ending is unexpected and shocking. Spoiler I hoped Frank and Cora would finally patch up their differences. But noir fiction doesn't work like that. I've noticed my "new books" bookshop has no more Cains other than "Postman". I'll try the second-hand bookshops. There's one thing I didn't understand about "Postman": the title. What is it referring to? *curious*
I just started reading (and gone through the first chapter of) Ukraine: Forging a Nation by Yaroslav Hrytsak. It isn't an easy read so far, but it helps that I've had a firm grounding in the Russian language and history (thanks to reading two histories of Russia). I've no political axe to grind, by the way. I am merely curious and wish to know.
The Black Echo, by Michael Connelly. One of the early Bosch books. The audiobook is excellent, and the icing on the cake for this one is that Titus Welliver who plays Bosch in the TV series.
I’m reading Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities for the first time, and I’ve been more than pleased with the legendary author’s prose. It’s the most enjoyable descriptive writing I’ve read this year. Another book I’m dawdling through is a lovely little text about spices, stimulants, and intoxicants. Besides those two, I’ve recently started Homer Hickman’s October Sky (aka Rocket Boys). I’m not far enough into it to make any judgements; but I’ve heard good things, so I’m enthused.
I am still reading Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict, by Oren Kessler. It is a difficult and sad book, but for any student of the conflict, a necessary, well-researched and well-written one. Kessler takes a truly archetypical yet understudied event in the history of the world’s most intractable conflict and, following intensive research, makes that event -- in the historical context in which it happened, as well as the decades-long conflict which has ensued -- supremely approachable, unbiased, and captivating. If the history of this tragic conflict can remind us of anything, it is that both peoples can only be free if they can learn to feel safe in the presence of the other. No one knows if this can happen, or how, or when. But Kessler’s fine book returns us to a time that, in many ways, wasn't too different from ours. The lessons of the Great Revolt can, perhaps, help us see the overall conflict with greater clarity. Highly recommended.
Started Sky Full of Elephants (it popped up on a list, looked interesting, started it.... and now im seeing it everywhere on my book club timelines). Until now, rhere have only been 2 main characters that made me want to bang my head against a wall. Characters that were written sonwell i hated every moment of them: Korede from My Siter the Serial Killer, and June from Yellowface. ..... and now, Sydney from Sky Full of Elephants has joined them. (Im only like 12 chapters in but GOD DAMN i hate her)
Almost done with The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester, and then I'll go back to finish Blood Meridian. It's not bad, just a lot.
I finished reading The Portable Door by Tom Holt ... and honestly, I don't see what the big deal is, much less how it became a film. I thought it was mediocre at best. Maybe having read Sir Terry Pratchett's work has made me a stern critic with very high standards. *wags finger playfully* I mean, the whole novel through, he keeps dropping little Gilbert-and-Sullivan hints all over the place. I'm very partial to G&S (and I'm sure I'm not the only one), so I enjoyed those little references, since I know the plays. But then, at the end, Tom (through his extremely unlikeable protagonist, Paul Carpenter) reads - in a book, no less - the Gilbertian patter song about John Wellington Wells, who's a dealer in magic and spells, etc. It's completely out-of-place. Now, I don't want to judge ... but who is "The Portable Door" for? Is it for G&S fans, who would enjoy the G&S references scattered hither and yon? If so, then they don't need to be told who JWW is. And if it's for non-G&S fans, then they wouldn't have a clue who JWW is, and wouldn't care, either. So this book breaks two rules: 1. Know your audience. It seems Tom didn't. 2. Don't explain the joke ... but Tom did. (Or maybe his agent or publisher insisted? Sigh). On the other hand, I'm about 21 chapters into Tom's The Management Style of the Supreme Beings and I feel like he's redeemed himself. It is extremely funny, and raises some deep questions about relativistic morality. I'd recommend it.
