Wittgenstein's Mistress by David Markson

I gave up on this book after 20 pages. I tried. I really tried. But it was just so hard to read. Damn near impossible I must say.

Now, I have a fairly open mind, especially about books. I read just about everything and won't discount a book just because it's not "normal". But this book is beyond the realm of my capability.

It's a rambling monologue by an insane woman, who may or may not be the last person on earth. And when I say it's rambling, it really rambles on. Each paragraph is connected to the previous by a very tenuous thread which doesn't have any continuous thought (from what I read anyway). And when I say monologue, it is just that. An insane woman talking to herself. For the entire book.

Now, if this is something you find interesting and would like to read, I wish you the best. Don't forget to tell me what it's all about.

Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson

If I had to describe Sexing the Cherry in one word, it would be easy. Bizarre.

Describing it in more than one word is the hard part.

This is not so much a novel but a mishmash of disjointed stories. There are some stories I liked (story of the dancing princesses) and some which made me laugh out loud.

But, all throughout the novel, I failed to see the point. I really did. Now maybe it's because I'm not intellectual enough to read between the lines. I can defer to that. But, really, it was too out there for my liking.

The book felt like a disguised social commentary. (For me) It failed in that respect as well. The author tried to tackle too many issues (pollution, discrimination, religious zealousness and lots more) that it ended up a hodgepodge of ideas.

Would I recommend this book? Maybe, just for the experience of it. But it's certainly not one to end up on my bookshelf.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

This book seemed promising as it seemed to digress from the usual type of books I've been reading from The List. Thriller, murder-mystery and Ancient Greek.

The Secret History can be (and has been) described as a page-turner. Yes, it was more exciting than typical "Important Book" fare but I was able to walk away partly through it to read other books (The Road, Suite Francaise) that weren't on my list. That fact, I think, is more a testament to the author's writing rather than to my renowned self control (yes, I do exercise it occasionally).

The book reminded me too much of Special Topics in Calamity Physics and that affected my appreciation of it. Admittedly, The Secret History was written over 10 years before Calamity and it's likely to have served as research material for the latter. Nonetheless, I could not help draw comparisons between the two.

History is a murder mystery set in a small college in Vermont and revolves around Richard (poor boy on scholarship from California) and his new friends (eccentric classmates from a very small, exclusive ancient Greek class).

Yes, the writing was quite good, character development was extensive (albeit unconvincing in some) and the pace was well set. However, the book had a tendency to ramble, the plot had inconsistencies here and there, and the central characters were not at all likeable (not that they have to be, really, but I like to root for my characters).

All in all, a good first effort from a writer. It still leaves me wondering why this (instead of a number of other better books) was included in The List. Yes, it's better than ordinary fare (The Nanny Diaries, for one. God help me, I broke down and read the damn book because of the upcoming movie starring Scarlett Johanssen. Book was BAD.) but nowhere near the best.

Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

I had previously read Sarah Waters' Fingersmith via Jax. I thoroughly enjoyed that book so I was happily looking forward to reading Tipping the Velvet.

I was disappointed. Now, I can't differentiate between the effect of my higher than usual expectations and the actual (not very good) writing but I just didn't like this book.

Yes, it's gender-bending and modern thinking (maybe). But, it felt like a romance novel for lesbians. It read like one of those epic Danielle Steele (yes, I have to admit, I've read my share of her books. this was in my early teens, mind you. so shut up) novels with improbable plot twists but for lesbians.

Does it sound like i'm homophobic? I'm not and I don't wish to come across as one. My emphasis on the book being about lesbians is that that idea is exactly what the book seemed to be touting.

I felt like the book was saying (yes, yes, i know books don't actually speak. i'm not completely silly), "Hey, lookie here! A book about lesbians! How marvellously exciting and ingenious!."

Now the book isn't deplorable or horribly bad but I have to wonder how it made it to my List. It's worst crime is being mediocre. This List has a lot of explaining to do...

On Break

I've read Tipping the Velvet but I've no time to blog. I'm currently reading The Secret History.

I'll be back soon.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

I enjoyed this book. It was fun to read. Very easy too. I think I read it in a day and a half. Mind you, it wasn't very long and it was written with mostly simple words (after all, it was supposedly written by an autistic).

It's a murder mystery like no other. It tells the story of Christopher, who likes maths and science, hates the colours yellow and brown and dislikes his food touching each other, and his quest to find the killer of his neighbour's dog. It's told in a sweet voice but is compelling at the same time.

I saw this book ages ago in a bookstore but it seemed that there was too much hype surrounding it at the time, which may be the reason why I never bothered to read it. My loss.

It reminds me a little bit of Flowers for Algernon, which should have made it on this list in my humble opinion. Oh well. Lists are lists are lists.

I'd recommend this book to anyone. It's short, sweet and lovely.

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of my favorite films of all time. It's a wonder that I never read the short novel that inspired the film sooner.

What can one say about the story? The novel is iconic but the film is even more so. I feel like the film version has overshadowed the novel. Maybe it's just me. I've loved the movie for so long that it feels like the original rather than the book. Audrey Hepburn IS Holly Golightly. And the way the book describes her physically feels wrong ("the ragbag colours of her boy's hair, tawny streaks..."). But her essence as described in the book was accurately captured by Hepburn.

The story is essentially the same with bits toned down for the movie. And yes, the movie ends very differently from the novel but it's Hollywood, after all. It's been said that it was "daring in its day" but the novel has lost its ability to shock. Nevertheless, it's a good read.

As I can't seem to get away from the movie while reviewing the novel, I couldn't get past the film while I was reading the book either. I kept comparing it to the movie. It is a shame, but that's the way it is.

I do recommend reading the book though. It's a worthy read on its own.