Old School – Tobias Wolff

When I heard that the non-structured book group had chosen Old School for its October read, I decided it was time to pick up the book that one of its members, Frances of NonSuch Book, had kindly sent me.  She didn’t tell me that it was such a beautiful book – I’m talking physical object [...]

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TSS: On your marks …. get set for the November novella challenge (and giveaway)

My love affair with the novella continues unabated.  When bibliofreak informed me of the upcoming November novella challenge, I had a quick whip around the shelves and boxes and within 5 minutes had come up with this pile of contenders ….. Organised in three sections.  The bottom section – translated fiction (excepting German-speaking countries):  From the [...]

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A Method Actor’s Guide to Jekyll and Hyde – Kevin MacNeil

Dualities abound in Stevenson’s original and the same is true in Kevin MacNeill’s 2010 revisiting.  Starting with the thoughts of the main protagonist of his home of  Edinburgh: Even when she’s ugly, she’s beautiful  … the never-ending gorgeous grotesque city …. that hotbed of genius and sleaze. While the original Jekyll had to work at bringing out [...]

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The Silence of the Rain – Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza

Ever since my final outing with  Aurelio Zen, I have been searching for another detective to fill the void in my heart.  I think I may have found him. What is not to love about Inspector Espinosa?  He’s a man of impeccable taste “I love American literature: Hemingway, Steinbeck, Faulkner, and especially Melville.  “Bartleby the Scrivener” is a masterpiece, [...]

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Crema Catalana: A Not So Perfect Crime – Teresa Solana

Continuing my quest to find the literary equivalent of crema catalana ….  A Not So Perfect Crime won the 2007 Brigada 21 Prize for the best crime novel.  It was recommended by Najat El-Hachmi at this year’s Edinburgh Book Festival and the picture of the Casa Batillo in Barcelona (surely the most wonderous piece of architecture ever [...]

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Crema Catalana: The Last Patriarch – Najat El-Hachmi

It all started in Barcelona earlier this year where I discovered that crema catalana is to die for!  It’s crème brûlée but with a very, very, very creamy custard and a brûlée is much darker and harder than any brûlée I’ve tasted before.   A juxtaposition of flavours and textures that is simply divine.  While I have so far resisted cooking up the dessert for [...]

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