I haven’t read as much this month. I don’t know why – everything just seemed to take so much longer than usual and I’ve also been busy with lots of other things. However, what I lacked in quantity, I made up for in quality.
The Coroner’s Lunch – Colin Cotterill (2.5/5)
The 72-year-old coroner has to investigate a series of unexplained deaths, aided by his two unconventional assistants and some special powers. Although I enjoyed this, I found it unexceptional.
The Long Song – Andrea Levy (4/5)
Miss July is chosen by her plantation master’s sister to be her maid. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this. However, the beautiful writing seduced me and the subversive nature of Miss July gave a satisfying slant to events.
Room – Emma Donoghue (4/5)
Jack and Ma are held captive in a room. I found this a disturbing, yet sympathetic novel, which offers new insights on how people can survive in an unthinkable situation.
The Lessons – Naomi Alderman (4/5)
This is a story of a group of Oxford undergraduates and Mark, who seems to have a strange hold over them. I found it an enjoyable read.
The Albanians – Alexander McCall Smith (4/5)
This short story is based on Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutti and tells of how Hugh tests his girlfriend’s faithfulness. I found this very clever and well crafted.
