Selected Short Stories, Guy de Maupassant

Maupassant's short stories are very vivid, they were written in the 19th Century and apparently were too risqué for the British at that time. I can see why that would have been, Idyll is still uncomfortable reading (though why is hard to answer) and Boule de Suif has lost none of it's moral arguments; the same distasteful, hypocritical honourability and respectability still pervades. Some of Maupassant's stories are beautifully drawn, the events happen off-screen and we see, not even the aftermath, but relatively small human decisions. All have a moral question or a heartbreaking observation.

For all the worth-while questioning in some of the stories there are some in which the role of men vs. women is problematic - with unflattering stereotypes of both male and female roles. There are probably fewer stories like this though and more which are beautiful and unabashed looks at the way people think, act and justify themselves. Many of the stories are just as relatable now as they were when they were written.

I Bought a Mountain, Thomas Firbank

This was a really interesting find, it was first published in 1940, this edition is 1965 and needed a lot of glue and very careful page turning to read, worth the effort though.

Firbank bought a Welsh mountain farm when he was just 21 and knew very little about farming. The book tells of his experiences learning about the trade, the rhythm of the years and a plethora of ventures, some more successful than others. 

Firbank is forthright and eloquent, adept at building the atmosphere and feel of the farm and the mountains. The love he has for the people, way of life and mountain landscapes is palpable. 

This is a guardian article from 2010 when the farmhouse was opened as a holiday cottage by the National Trust. Sad to read that Firbank moved away from the farm when he split with his wife Esme, you could sense the love and admiration for her just as much as the land in the book.

This is Firbank's obituary, surprising after reading I Bought a Mountain, though lovely to read 'he described his life as a series of reincarnations'.

Playing to the Gallery, Grayson Perry

I am a huge fan of Grayson Perry. He tries to bring a new audience to contemporary art, not by talking down or dumbing down content but by cutting through a lot of pretension and speaking plainly.
This book is based on his Reith Lectures for the BBC, it is funny, engaging and brings in lots of ideas and quotes from elsewhere. One to re-read and re-read.

Moon Palace, Paul Auster

This is a great book, of fathers and sons, single mothers and stories within stories. It eventually tells the stories of a disparate, separate family of extraordinary individuals. 

It also seems to be self aware and self critiquing but manages to do this without interfering with the story. There are layers and layers in this novel and I think it's one of the very few that would benefit from a re-read when I have half-forgotten the story. Really gripping, interesting and feels literary in an accessible, readable way.

The Wood, John Stewart Collis

This is an absolute delight of a book. It is another in the Penguin's English Journeys series and is an extract from Collis' most famous book The Worm Forgives the Plough.

The Wood tells of Collis' time in the Land Army during the second world war. He thinned and cleared an ash wood, by himself and using hand-tools. He found he loved the work and is eager to share his experiences and revelations with the reader. He tells of the pleasure of sitting in the sun, the satisfaction of a physical job outside and he talks of trees as 'tangible pieces of sunshine' in that they convert sunlight into growth. His musings still resonate all these years later.

The book is written beautifully, the words don't get in the way of what he is saying and he is constantly aware of a 'reader'. We feel as if Collis is chatting to us, as he would in a pub or over a meal. It is a quiet joy of a book.

Travels with Myself and Another, Martha Gellhorn

I hadn't heard of Martha Gellhorn until I found this book, though she was a renowned war correspondent, travel writer and novelist. She had an extraordinary life and I'm very interested to read more of her writing. This book follows her on five awful journeys; through China, the Caribbean, Africa, Russia and Israel.

The most striking thing in this book is Gellhorn's personality. I wonder how much of a different impression I would have got if I was reading about her thrilling experiences, rather than her hellish ones. She is searingly honest and doesn't try to be likeable, which is hugely freeing to read.

Gellhorn is extraordinary, she is very strong and whilst she complains a lot in this book it's not without reason. She never whines and isn't irritating, instead she is short tempered. She expects a lot from people and has no time for those she sees as incompetent or weak. She certainly has some prejudices too; sometimes her opinions and comments are difficult to take. She was fierce and I found the book refreshing.

The Sisters Brothers, Patrick DeWitt

Eli and Charlie Sisters make their living killing people for their boss; we follow them on a job and gradually find out about their lives, work and their relationship with each other.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Sisters Brothers, it is both an entertaining adventure story, and a musing on what it is to live a fulfilling life. It's funny, bloody sometimes poignant and is very entertaining.