Be Near Me – andrew o’hagan

What’s it about?

Father David, an Englishman and a Catholic priest, in a small mainly protestant Scottish town, gets more than he bargains for when he befriends two local teens in a bid to relive his youth.

Highs n lows

I’m wondering whether this Booker Prize nominee got this book published just on the strength of his nomination. Yes it’s beautifully written in places, but the basics:

• Gripping storyline
• Believable characters
• Engaging sub plot
• Exciting dialogue

Just aren’t there!!

The main character feels unrealistic and hollow for a man of the cloth. Great chunks of his work life are skipped or just glossed over so you don’t get a sense of how his inner turmoil impacts on his work or how he relates to people in the village – key factors I’d have thought to successfully depict a priest. As a result we are left with far too much introspection with very little about what’s going on outside to balance it. There are few who can pull off an engaging and rounded story written in the first person, unfortunately O’Hagan failed miserably in this case.

Throw in some irritating inconsistencies for good measure, which you might forgive in a more enjoyable book, such as Mrs Poole saying they have a son, and Mr Poole saying they have no children, and you have a potentially shocking plot premise, which could have exploded across the page that has all the final appeal of a damp squib.

Is it any good?

A desultory 2 out of 5

Book club discussion primer

• What does Father David’s tale about why he became a priest say about the Catholic Church?
• Would Mrs Poole have been happy had she married someone she considered her equal?
• Why do you think Father David didn’t say ‘no’ when asked if he would have gone further when questioned about Mark?

We came we saw we made a difference

October is Black History Month in the UK, and if you've not had your fix of culture yet there's plenty to take your fancy whether you're a history buff or just want to be entertained.

If you don't do it normally, the month is a great opportunity to find out something new about Black culture and history. It was founded in 1987 with three aims:

• to address the historical black hole of African Caribbean people
• to commemorate those who fought and continue to fight for the freedom and human rights of those of African Caribbean descent
• and to celebrate and recognise the diverse lifestyle, experiences and cultural contributions African Caribbean People and their descendants have made over the past Millennium to the development of Britain, Europe and the Commonwealth.
  

Make it a personal journey by reading a book or poetry by one of our many Black British authors such as Jean Binta Breeze, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Andrea Levy, Benjamin Zephaniah, Caryll Phillips to name but a few. If film's more your thing Spike Lee isn't the only Black (American) director in Hollywood these days. Check out work by the likes of John Singleton, Doug McHenry, and Robert Townsend for a different take on Black Film. If you prefer to make a date of it with like minded souls there's bound to be something going on near you. Many UK councils run events during the month so contact them or visit http://blackhistorymonth.org.uk/ for a list of events by region and further information.

Change

It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not.

- James Gordon, M.D.

Ugly – constance briscoe

What’s it about?

A heart rending true story of a black child growing up in sixties London, who is severely abused by her mother.

Highs n lows

This is very much a tell it as it was book. Written almost like a diary, in the first person, everything is told in a very matter of fact manner ‘that’s life get on with it’ is the viewpoint. You are given just enough explanation about why nothing was done to stop the abuse, for the question not to take away from the main story. Surprisingly, she doesn’t allow any self-pity or judgement to creep into the narrative, and part of me wonders how she could remain so dispassionate, but then I’m guessing this wasn’t the first draft. More practically, if more life and emotion was injected into it instead of the plainer description of events that we have, the book would be far too harrowing because the level of abuse is so bad. Despite this Briscoe’s style is very readable, and slightly older readers will appreciate the short reminiscences about some iconic sixties celebs ranging from Big Daddy, to Crown Court, and the extremely loud fashions of the day.

You won’t be left untouched after reading this. I was left horrified that any mother could be so inhuman to her own child just because of the way she looked. Jamie Oliver’s people I’m sure would find it a boon for his school dinner campaign as school dinners literally saved Briscoe’s life as a child. But the main thing that struck me was the amazing strength of character the author showed as a child, to make it through the way she did, many others would have crumbled from such abuse, I’m sure.

Although the book finishes at a natural closure with her change of name, I was left with so many questions about how her later relationship with her family and how she recovered emotionally from all this – perhaps there’s a sequel in the offing (please!)??

Is it any good?

5 out of 5

The New Contented Little Baby Book – gina ford

What’s it about?

Routines to ensure a contented baby and parents. Covers baby’s first year, and includes how to get baby sleeping through the night by 6 weeks (!), feeding (breast and bottle), naps, weaning, dealing with problems eg sleeping and how to increase breast milk production, and even how to wash baby’s clothes.

Highs n lows

Now let me debunk a few myths – something Gina herself spends 20 pages doing at the start of this rewritten book (raw nerve perhaps?). She doesn’t advocate not feeding a baby when s/he’s hungry or leaving her/him to cry (except in exceptional circumstances when treating a behavioural problem) but she does advocate no eye contact with baby at bed time, and is very specific in terms of what you must do and when. The whole tone of the book is quite authoritarian, so prepare for your hackles to bristle when reading it. If you like routine and order, and would appreciate being told what to do and when for every 24 hours during your baby’s first year, this could be the book for you. If not, don’t buy it because you won’t stick to the routines, you’d be better off reading a few books taking the advice you need and leaving the rest. Personally this wasn’t my cup of tea, although I did find the section on weaning quite useful.

Is it any good?

3 out of 5. Don’t let the negative press prevent you from at least leafing through this to judge for yourself.

RL’s Dream – walter mosely

What’s it about?

Soupspoon Wise has been searching for the Blues all of his life. Now, with his body being eaten away by cancer, he takes one last journey, reliving his youth whilst making the most of the sweetness of his last days.

Highs n lows

No one writes the pain and disappointment of life like Mosely. His writing is raw emotion. Every word jumps off the page and rips into your head, imprinting every ache, every leaden disappointment of each character in your mind.

We’re used to him dealing easily with the harsh realities of life, but here Mosely reveals the depths of his credentials by making the Blues sing out to you from the page. Read it for a harsh slice of American life, and for just a taste of the Blues.

Is it any good?

4 out of 5

Spiderman III

What’s it about?

Spidey returns battling his own demons, plus Junior Goblin, Venom and Sandman. Phew!

Highs n lows

This third incarnation of the Marvel comic doesn’t let us down. Action packed from the beginning and with its fair share of laughs, it’s that rare breed of sequel that’s actually as good as the first film. Some film snobs might complain that it relies too much on CGI but I say to get the breathtaking fight scenes and recreate that comic book feel the CGI adds rather than takes away. Despite the modern techno tricks with all the characters in up to date action gear (btw someone tell me how they manage to make geeky looking Tobey Magujire look so good in a Spidey suit??). This movie has a decidedly retro feel starting with the use of that old stalwart the trip wire to win a fight, and borrowing from eighties box office hits Greece and Back to the Future with a reincarnation of the hover board and Travolta’s dance moves.

Is it any good?

A bit too violent for very small fans, but otherwise a marvellous 4 out of 5.