ASYMMETRY by Lisa Halliday (fiction)

I enjoyed this first novel by a new writer.  It is intelligently written, and as its title infers, it involves two disparate stories leading the reader to ponder on their connection.  The first section takes place in Manhattan just as American is becoming involved in the Iraq War, and is reflective of Halliday’s own life experiences, though the author denies it is anything more than fiction.  An aspiring writer meets  a famous and respected older author, falls under his spell and begins an affair with him.  The older author resembles Philip Roth with whom Halliday was at one time involved.  Alongside this is the story of an Iraqi-American man who is detained at Heathrow Airport in London while on his way to see his brother. The contrast of two different cultures and the experiences of the two main characters form the central issues of the novel.  Both stories illustrate unequal powers between men and women, war and its victims. The clever way the stories connect is brilliant and thought provoking. I highly recommend this novel for its originality, outstanding writing and thoughtful issues. It would make a good choice for a reading group.

THE UNRULY CITY by Mike Rapport (non-fic)

In “The Unruly City,” historian Mike Rapport presents three cities, New York City, London and Paris and the events which changed their citizens and the face of each city.  Roughly covering the period of unrest between 1765 and 1795, the author integrates and entwines this dangerous time of revolutionary thought and its rapid spread across the European continent and the Atlantic Ocean.  Rapport covers all aspects of city life, commercial, architectural, academic and governmental. We may be familiar with both the French and American revolutions, but it is important to recognize the profound changes that the events in these two countries had on London and England itself. I recommend this book as a well-written, interesting read of how events take on a life of their own and move men to greatness as well as failure.

THE PARIS SECRET by Karen Swan (fiction)

This is through and through a summer beach read.  It has the potential to be an interesting plot but is spoiled by the poorly drawn characters who seem only to care about bling and high fashion.  The author lovingly describes every designer article of clothing her characters are wearing including the designers of each piece. The actual plot, of some important paintings which were stolen in World War II and have only come to light, is readable.  But, the book is marred by the unreality of the characters and the neatly tied up ending.  The only positive I can say is that if you are looking for a light read, you could do worse.

MUNICH by Robert Harris (fiction)

The excellent Robert Harris has written another well-researched and fascinating novel.  It is September 1938 and Neville Chamberlain is going to Munich to meet with Hitler in a last ditch effort to halt the inevitable war on the horizon. Hitler is about to invade Czechoslovakia, and the PM has to decide whether to turn a blind eye and perhaps save England.  The history is well known, but what would happen if there was an underground plot to assassinate Hitler at the same time by Germans who wish to save their own country from slipping into a moral quagmire.  Hugh Legat, private secretary to Chamberlain, is caught up in the affair when he meets up with an old Oxford classmate who is in the center of the intrigue. Harris handles the plot with deftness, and though we imagine we know the outcome, it is still full of suspense.  I highly recommend this book, and by the way, if you haven’t read Harris before, his books are not to be missed.

KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL by Anthony Bourdain (non-fic)

I never read this book when it came out at the turn of the century, though it had been recommended to me by several friends.  Because of the recent sad death of Chef Bourdain, I decided to pick it up.  It doesn’t matter that it was written some time ago; it is still fresh and interesting.  It is an eye-opener into the inner recesses of the kitchens of high end establishments and perhaps even your neighborhood bistro.  I highly recommend you read it if you haven’t.  It is timely, informative and may even make you think twice before you order that well-done piece of tuna or steak.

JULY BOOKS

GOLDEN HILL by Francis Spufford (fiction):   The English writer, Francis Spufford, has interests which range far and wide.  This time he has chosen to write his first novel, setting it in New York City some 30 years before the Revolutionary War.  This is an intelligent, picaresque novel which moves apace filled with accurate details of colonial life and brushes with the law. The appealing rogue at its center is the subject of town gossip and speculation.  The reader is left guessing until the end when he is really is.

MERIVEL by Rose Tremain (fiction):  Rose Tremain is a favorite writer of mine.  Her historical fiction is accurate, entertaining and intelligent.  Robert Merivel was a character in her novel “Restoration.”  Here he is again in 1683, 15 years older, still practicing sensible medicine and still a confident of King Charles II.  This is an older novel written in 1989, but is sure to please as the reader follows Sir Merivel’s adventures in Paris, England and Switzerland.  It is not necessary to have read “Restoration” to enjoy this book.  I highly recommend it, and any novel written by Tremain.

PRINCE CHARLES: The Passions ans Paradoxes of an Improbable Life by Sally Bedell Smith (non-fic./biography): Bedell Smith has made a study of Britain’s Royals, and here she presents a fair and balanced portrait of Prince Charles, a man who has been dissected in the popular press, sometimes fairly, but often misunderstood.  I believe I now have a clearer picture of what makes Charles tick and especially how his upbringing affected every aspect of his life.  I may not like him more, but I am surely more sympathetic to Charles and respect him more for reading this well-presented biography. There is more to the man than just his difficult public life with Diana, Princess of Wales. I highly recommend this book.

GLASS HOUSE by Louise Penny (fiction/Mystery):  Summer is a great time for reading mysteries and Penny’s next to latest book is now in Paperback and will not disappoint. This time it seems that Gamache, who has been promoted to Chief Superintendent of the Surete du Quebec, is involved in a necessary deception which almost loses him his job.  Recommended as an entertaining anytime read.

BOOKS OF INTEREST

WAKING LIONS by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen (Fiction)
VARINA by Charles Frazier (Fiction)
TWO SISTERS by Anne Seierstad (Non-fiction)
PRIESTDADDY by Patricia Lockwood (Non-fiction)
THE MARS ROOM by Rachel Kushner (Fiction)
THE LAST NEANDERTHAL by Claire Cameron (Fiction)

June Books

As I mentioned to you last month, I am cutting back on my reviews, but will continue each month to give thumbnail blurbs and recommendations for recently read books.  I will divide this into books read and books that may be of interest.

This month’s reading:

A CRACK IN THE WALL by Claudia Pineiro (fiction)
Pineiro is a well known Argentinian writer.  Architect Pablo Simo is trapped in a lackluster job, his home life is a mess.  Much of his day is spent daydreaming about the sexy office secretary.  He is drawn into a heinous crime and cover up that leads to a very interesting ending.
Highly recommend as a different type of mystery with a highly imaginative plot.

THE WANDERERS by Tim Pears (fiction)
This is the second book in Pears’s trilogy of life in rural England leading up to World War I.  The first book, “The Horseman," was reviewed here previously.  It continues the story of Leo Sercombe, a Devon farm boy who has a reverent and mystical relationship to horses.  I didn’t enjoy this second volume as much as I did the first, but I still recommend reading it if you have read and enjoyed the first book.  I am looking forward to the third volume.
Recommended.

A HIGHER LOYALTY by James Comey (non-fiction)
James Comey, the former head of the FBI, has written a timely account of his interaction and subsequent firing by Donald Trump.  He begins the book with an account of his years serving the federal government under George Bush and through the Obama years.  Interestingly it brings back the often tense moments and mistakes of the Bush administration that many of us have forgotten, as well as the constant drama of the present administration.  Comey makes an effort to be bipartisan and goes to great length to expose his own shortcomings.
Recommended.

ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL by Sarah Vaughan (fiction)
This novel is a page turner.  It weaves the past and present of the couple at the center of the story. He is a well-known and respected parliamentary minister who is charged with rape.  His loyal wife grapples with the attendant publicity and her inner battle to remain supportive.  At the same time, the backgrounds of the barrister prosecuting the case as well as that of the victim add to the suspense.  The book is well-written and the characters are interesting and fully drawn.
Highly recommended.

BOOKS OF INTEREST:

CALL ME ZEBRA by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi (F)
SONG OF A CAPTIVE BIRD by Jasmin Darznik (F)
TWO SISTERS by Asne Seierstad (NF)
ALTERNATE SIDES by Anna Quindlen (F)
THE PUNISHMENT SHE DESERVES by Elizabeth George
THE OVERSTORY by Richard Powers