The Shock of the Fall, Nathan Filer

Eye opening and enjoyable - the inside cover of my copy says 'There are books which let us into the hidden parts of life and make them vividly real' and this is certainly one of them. It is narrated by, and is about Matthew, whose older brother Simon died when he (Matt) was 9. Matt tells us of what follows, of his mum and dad trying to cope and the way in which Matt himself isn't coping. It is compelling - there are unanswered questions throughout and we are slowly allowed to fill in the gaps.

The Shock of the Fall is about mental illness and the different forms it can take. The author does a really good job of letting us know, without exactly telling us, what kind of person Matt is. You recognise him and it is like siting on the other side of the fence. It feels very contemporary and it feels very real.

Next up is one from the other end of the spectrum A Room with a View, by E.M Forster

Seven Years In Tibet, Heinrich Harrer

This is a brilliant book - it is an adventure story, travel book, and memoir. Heinrich Harrer was an Austrian mountaneer, ski champion and one of the four who first climbed the North Face of the Eiger. Harrer was climing in the Himalayas when the Second World War broke out and became a prisoner of war in India.

Seven Years in Tibet describes Harrer's escape from the POW camp, his journey into Tibet with Peter Aufschnaiter and their arrival and eventual acceptance in Lhasa. It is written very matter of factly, in the beginning Harrer states 'As I have no experience as an author I shall content myself with the unadorned facts.' He proves himself an excellent narrator, not romanticising or draging out any of his experiences. It is a pleasure to be in his company.

Whilst somewhat sceptical of the superstition of the Tibetans he is a curious and interested observer. It is clear Harrer has a great love for Tibet and its people. Forced to leave on the invasion of Tibet by China he writes:

'I follow all that happens in Tibet with the deepest interest, for part of my being is indissolubly linked with that dear country. Wherever I live, I shall feel homesick for Tibet.... My heartfelt wish is that this book may create some understandng for a people whose will to live in peace and freedom has won so little sympathy from an indifferent world'

A beautiful and intriguing book well worth a read. Next is 'The Shock of the Fall' by Nathan Filer.