WINTER'S BONE - Daniel Woodrell

 

I first read this ten years ago and it is still stunning second time around .  This re-read was better than the first time, it is truely remarkable.

It is one of the best books I have ever read.  The humanity and lack of it is stunning all the way through.  Wonderful prose, great characters 

Woodrell has a modicum of fame and this book is now a movie but he deserves to be front and centre at every book store you walk into.

From the first time I read it:

A couple of times a year, if I'm really lucky I find a book that's extraordinary and 'Winter's Bone' is one, its an amazing book.

Set in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, 16 year old Ree Dolly goes looking for her father.  She lives in a area where everyone knows how to shoot  and 'most families are cooking up crank on the back porch'.

She finds out that asking questions is dangerous for your health.

The writing draws you in and makes it un-put downable.

It's a short read ,193 pages, its dark  and  tells a tale of people who have no time for authority and where a slight can go unforgiven for generations.

It has been made in to a movie and I am dreading how a screenplay will butcher this wonderful writing. (2006)

UNDER THE BRIGHT LIGHTS - Daniel Woodrell

This is a straight out murder procedural.  It is Woodrell's first book and one I first read about eight or nine years ago .

As a first outing its a bit clunky but the basis is here for the great work that is to some.

Start here and read everything he's written.

A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES - Ian Rankin

A new Rebus is always worth reading. 

This has been a remarkably consistent series.  Again, with Rebus retired we have two investigations running, the police on one and Rebus on another.

Rebus's son in law is murdered so there's more family interaction than in any book previously.  This is the third with the parallel investigation and it needs a freshen up , but as stated very consistent , Rebus is a great character.

SLEEPING BEAUTY - Ross MacDonald

The equal of Chandler, LA noir at its very best.  Read all his books and then read his wife's, Margaret Miller, she's even darker .

THE MISSIONARY POSITION - Christopher Hitchens

 

Hitch having a crack at Mother Theresa.  He makes a good argument against her beatification.  This is a pamphlet so its a nice short read.

Its a Hitchens it's sharp and very clever, I miss his writing

EVERYONE'S GONE TO THE MOON - Philip Norman

 

TOWARDS THE END OF MORNING - Michael Frayn

 

CHASTISE - Max Hastings

 

Operation Chastise, better known to the world as  The Dambusters.

The raid was a huge propaganda success for the Allies but whether it achieved a huge amount is debated and the argument comes down on the side of ' not much'.

The raiding group suffered terrible losses.  130 men flew out 55 never came back.  

This book not only covers the raid itself but the  efforts to get it accepted as a viable operation in the first place by Barnes Wallis the engineer who designed the "bouncing bomb".

An interesting read with rose tinted glasses removed after 75 years.  The raids was lead by a 24 year old.  All participants were about the same age.  Many 24 year olds these days have a weep if you yell at them.

 

THE SECRET WAR - Max Hastings

An over view of all the intelligence services on all sides during the war. From the folk on the ground to the back room boys and girls.

Many plans were complete disasters, there are spies and dolts but the underlying theme is the courage displayed by so many when they knew they were going to their deaths.

From code breaking geniuses to husbands and wives all uniting for a common cause on all sides.

A fascinating read like all Hastings work.  A good basis for further reading on particular topics or individuals.