Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Wednesdays Are Pretty Normal by Michael Kelley

A true story about a father narrating his two-year-old's cancer story. But considering father [author] is also a priest, the whole novel is like a pravachana - a gospel - like a Sunday Church seminar on Bible. There are many stories from Bible told in the novel which gives value if you are a Christian reader. As such the story itself moves slowly and is very poignant but the novel has more emphasis on Bible and religious faith. 

Sunday, July 7, 2013

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

Felt like reading pure fiction, after a long time. So, searched for a Booker prize winner (had liked 1997 winner God of Small Things and 2002 winner Life of Pi tremendously) and came across this 2012 winner. 

It started off well, then in one single page, it moved about 5 decades! Then, it got boring but always had some punchline statements. Julian has portrayed old age really well, with its associated thoughts and memories. Then, just as the novel came to an end, it picked up momentum and finally ended on the last page with a thrilling effect that made me re-read the novel once more!! Definitely deserved the award! Good narration, good story, good language, good characterization.