Metamorphosis and Other Stories, Franz Kafka

To be perfectly honest I found this pretty annoying. The story Metamorphosis is interesting, about a man who wakes one day to find he has turned into a giant insect. Kafka explains the family's reaction and how their attitude changes to him over time. In the Penal Settlement is also alright. However each of the other three stories are irritating and dull at best. The Burrow forces you to listen to the insecurities of a burrowing animal for pages and pages - it seems to be a theme that Kafka's characters are self absorbed and neurotic.

As it is Kafka you think there is a parallel meaning which will be important, or even just interesting. However the way in which he writes pushes you away and ensures you have none but a passing interest in what that might be. 

At the end of the book I got the feeling I got at the end of Women in Love- that I wouldn't like or agree with the author if I met them. Which, fairly or unfairly, means I am not inclined to spend my free time with them or their inventions.

I have just started Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by .... I'm very excited as it has been highly recommended by someone who has never recommended me a less than brilliant book!

The Black Cloud, Fred Hoyle

I loved this, it is very original, unpredictable and gripping. It was bought for my brother (because of the last name!) and has been lent around quite a bit as it is so good.

It is a brilliant story of a team of scientists, and their governments, trying to deal with a threat to life on earth. It is not depressing or dramatic however and Hoyle manages to fit in alot of theory and scientific explanations, a social/political critique and some endearing and likeable characters. It is truly original and leaves you buzzing.

I really don't want to ruin it for anyone who decides to read it and so feel I can't say much more - other than I urge you to read it!

Next is Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis and Other Stories, not a fan..

Meeting The English, Kate Clanchy

This was a really good read, engaging and enjoyble. It follows Struan Robertson, 18 and just out of school as he moves from his hometown in Scotland to London to be a carer for a famous author, who has recently suffered from a stroke. Struan is responsible and old for his age, and takes very good care of Phillip whilst getting used to and finding his place within Phillip's dysfunctional and mostly selfish and uncaring family.

I read this a few weeks ago (been on holiday so no blogging!) whilst it was very hot, and the novel is based in the scorching summer of 1989 (also the summer I was born) so it was pretty apt. Its a relatively easy read but not mindless, it asks questions, is funny and just manages to shy away from cliche at the end! Certainly worth a look.  

Next was The Black Cloud by Fred Hoyle - bought for my brother by his girlfriend, probably because of the same last name (quite rare and we're always local to West Yorkshire). It was brilliant and very original.