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March, 2011:

Old Filth by Jane Gardam

Mar 25th, 2011
by Des.
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Old Filth by Jane GardamA member of an on-line book club I use highly recommended The Man in the Wooden Hat by Jane Gardam, a novel which I had not previously come across. When I asked for some further info about it she suggested I read Old Filth first. Although The Man in the Wooden Hat is not strictly a sequel, Old Filth does provide a lot of background story and shares some characters.

I’m not quite sure how I have managed to completely miss Old Filth as it has been out since 2004 and appears to be well regarded (shortlisted for the 2005 Orange Prize for example) but it somehow managed to slip under my radar. Anyway, it turned out to be an excellent recommendation and I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

Read on for a full review…

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Parrot and Olivier in America by Peter Carey

Mar 10th, 2011
by Des.
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Parrot and Olivier in AmericaBefore you read my review of Peter Carey’s Parrot and Olivier in America, I might as well hold up my hands and admit that I am probably not the most impartial reviewer. I’ve loved Carey’s writing for years, to the extent that he is probably my favourite living author.

Some of his novels have certainly fallen short of the very high standards he set himself with Illywhacker, Oscar and Lucinda and The True History of the Kelly Gang, but there is something about his style that always keeps me coming back for more even after some of his less than brilliant work.

Parrot and Olivier in America, I had high hopes for as it achieved a place on the 2010 Man Booker Shortlist, and it finally came to the top of my reading list last month. So did it live up to my expectations?

Read on for a full review…

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