Book Reviews
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by Shirley Jackson Through the eyes of the misanthropic narrator, Merricat, the reader is immediately drawn into a world where nothing seems quite right. Merricat makes her way past cruel and taunting neighbours, all the while dropping a trail of crumbs which inform us little by little of a family tragedy which lies several years… Read more
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Sometimes, when you hear a new song on the radio, you instantly recognise the guitar. Even if you’ve never heard the song before, you know the guitarist from the unique sound of their telecaster or from the way that they are picking the strings. Read more
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by Victor Hugo I only got round to reading this last year, at the age of fifty-two. Part of me wishes I had read it earlier, but then, on the other hand, there are many books that I wish I could read again for the first time so I’m glad I saved this one till… Read more
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by Richard Powers This is an engaging and frightening novel about forests and the price that some people are willing to pay to bring attention to the catastrophe that is unfolding on our planet. The novel is structured in such a way that we are introduced to (the ‘Roots’ of) a handful of diverse characters… Read more
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I enjoyed these stories immensely, which pay tribute to the traditions and language of Scottish storytelling while spanning a remarkable range of structure and technique. An award-winning crime writer that has attracted praise from Val McDermid Read more
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by Percival Everett No spoilers unless you haven’t read Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. If you haven’t, I would recommend you do, but it’s not necessary. Straight up front, be warned: this book is not ‘ferociously funny’ as described in the blurb. There is a nod to Twain’s satire, there is gallows humour, cynical wit… Read more
Iain Mac Lachlainn 