Have read a volume from Ms. Hustvedt’s back catalogue. The publishing exec gave me a present of “The Blindfold”. It’s the kind of thing I don’t normally approve of – more or less plotless, three short stories tenuously linked by each other and a fourth chapter drafted to tie up loose ends, but I loved it. Except for chapter 4 which was weak. Am going to move on to “The Enchantment of Lily Dahl” as soon as the pub exec snaffles it for me. Having a sister-in-law in publishing has made me curiously unwilling to go down the traditional route of paying for my books.
And in other book news, the pub exec read my copy of the latest Marion Keyes which is set in the publishing world and felt a) somebody should tell her that Burberry is no longer cool, v. Essex apparently b) there weren’t enough lunches and c) editors not agents should be the heros. But aside from that she said it was reasonably accurate.
Have started “Blindness” by Jose Saramago. The heart surgeon recommended it. The heart surgeon is a bit of an overachiever (she can’t help it, she’s still very nice) in reading as in other things and I am a bit unnerved. She loved it. But she’s the kind of girl who only reads great literature and feels other stuff is really a waste of time. For example, I can pretty much bet that she didn’t spend last weekend rereading Georgette Heyer’s “Charity Girl” for the umpteenth time. So far I am on page 2 but I am a little daunted.
Got the new Jasper Fforde book on tape and in hard copy – thank you pub exec. Working my way through the tape. It’s a bit confusing to be honest even to someone who’s read vols 1-3 of the series. Maybe it’s overabridged but I must say, based on the tape, I am experiencing no enthusiasm to attempt the book. This man’s imagination is out of control. Heard him interviewed on the radio the other day and had this impression entirely confirmed.
Still stuck on chapter 1 of “The Bridge over the Drina”. Must try harder. Summer holidays beckon. Will achieve much am sure.
