It's been fantastic weather the past few days, sunny and mild. Yesterday we had our sprinkler system blown out and prepared for winter. Today the Blue Jays play their first game in the 2020 Playoffs. I think it's a best of 3 series. Odds against them but I hope they do well.
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| Carol Ann Susi |
Over the weekend, I visited a couple local Little Free Libraries and also dropped off some books at Nearly New Books, one of my local used book stores. I also picked up 6 books. I'll provide my book review, also a synopsis of the next book I'm reading, plus the new books on my shelves. And then I'll see if I still have the energy to also continue with my look at my favorite authors.
Just Finished
"Metro 2033 is my first attempt at the work of Russian writer, Dmitry Glukhovsky. I bought the book quite a few years ago and I'm glad that I finally attempted to read it. He has written other books in this series.
Basically, the year is 2033 (see title, ;0)), and there has been some sort of world war, presumably involving nuclear weapons. The survivors of Moscow have been living in the ruins of the Moscow Metro. The story revolves around young man Artyom, who resides in the VDNKh Metro stop with his 'uncle' and other residents. Each stop on the Metro is an armed camp, run by various political organizations, the Fascists, the Communists, the Hansa. The upper level is peopled by mutants of some sort and that is the reason each stop on the Metro needs to be armed because these mutants keep finding ways to come down and kill the survivors. The humans also do manage to enter the upper regions from some stati0ns, to get artifacts, equipment, etc. These activities are taken care of by Trackers. One comes to VDNKh and sends Artyom on a mission to the central Metro Station. There is a threat by the dark ones, a threat that might destroy the last humans in Metro.
That is the course of this novel, a journey through the Metro by Artyom. I thought that it seemed like the Canterbury Tales (saying this I recognize that I haven't read Canterbuy Tales) or the adventures of Jason and the Argonauts. On this journey Artyom will meet many people (a la Canterbury Tales) and will discuss their concepts of the Metro, life, the future, all that sort of thing. He will be threatened at each stop, either by cannibals, Fascists and the other groups. It's a combination adventure (jason and argonaut) and educational journey (Canterbury). More and more it appears that this journey is one that Artyom is fated to make.
Interesting story and journey and characters. It's a slow haul at times (maybe too much discussion) but still a different and interesting concept. The whole Metro is fascinating and how it is divided up makes it more interesting. I even enjoyed following the journey on the map provided. There are more stories in this 'series'. It will be interesting to see how they follow up with this story as the ending was a surprise and seemed to resolve things satisfactorily. I'll have to find the 2nd book. (3.5 stars)"
Currently Reading
"Detective Rebecca Watson
is tracking a vicious serial killer in Eugene Falls, Florida. As a
distraction, she's dragged back into court for the retrial of a man
convicted of murdering his girlfriend five years earlier. His defense
attorney will use any means to get his client freed, including
uncovering old wounds from Watson's past.
As the case takes a
few hard turns, nothing can prepare her for the world she's about to
encounter, the past that haunts her, and the truth behind the serial
killer's motive."
New Books
1. A Perry Mason Casebook by Erle Stanley Gardner. Jo and I have been enjoying the old Perry Mason TV series on MeTV the past few months. I've kind of had it in the back of my mind to try a Perry Mason story. This book has 3 of his cases; The Case of the Sulky Girl (1933), The Case of the Careless Kitten (1942), The Case of the Fiery Fingers (1951).
"Jack Reacher plans to
follow the autumn sun on an epic road trip across America, from Maine to
California. He doesn't get far. On a country road deep in the New
England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been - the town
where his father was born. He thinks, what's one extra day? He takes the
detour.
At the very same moment, close by, a car breaks down.
Two young Canadians are trying to get to New York City to sell a
treasure. They are stranded at a lonely motel in the middle of nowhere.
It's a strange place ... but it's all there is.
The next morning
in the city clerk's office, Reacher asks about the old family home. He's
told no one named Reacher ever lived in that town. He knows his father
never went back. Now he wonders, was he ever there in the first place?
So
begins another nail-biting, adrenaline-fueled adventure for Reacher.
The present can be tense, but the past can be worse. That's for damn
sure."
"Snowed in at a country
manor, former Scotland Yard inspectors John Madden and Angus Sinclair
find themselves trapped in the company of a murderer.
On a trip
into Winchester, former chief inspector Angus Sinclair learns of a
tragedy that has taken place in the village he is staying in. Beloved
church organist Greta Hartmann has slipped and fallen to her death in a
shallow creek, and while investigations conclude it to be an accident,
her friend and housemate, Vera, remains unconvinced. After learning that
Greta was the widow of a prominent anti-Nazi German preacher, Sinclair
meets with the distraught Vera, and he resolves to dig deeper into the
story. His investigations lead him to the stately manor of Julia Lesage,
where she lives with her devoted staff that includes her secretary,
cook, and driver. Though confined to a wheelchair, Julia is an
electrifying spirit with a sharp wit, and those who know her adore her.
Among those who do, a gentleman with dubious business dealings is also
staying at the house--and Julia appears to be in love with him. A
blizzard hits, keeping Sinclair, and later Madden, on the grounds with
little to do but analyze the case of Greta's death, until a murder takes
place, and everyone becomes a suspect."
4. A Mortal Terror by James R. Benn (Billy Boyle #6). I've been slowly collecting this series but have yet to try it. I will read the first book in 2020.
"1943: Billy Boyle is sent to Caserta, Italy, to investigate the murders of two American officers stationed there. The MOs are completely different, and it seems like the officers had no connection to each other, but one frightening fact links the murders: each body was discovered with a single playing card: the Lieutenant, the ten of hearts; the Captain, the jack of hearts. The message seems to be clear—if the murderer isn't apprehended, the higher ranks will be next. As the invasion at Anzio begins, Billy needs to keep a cool head amidst fear and terror as the killer calculates his next moves."
"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape."
"World War II rages on across Europe, but Maggie Hope has finally found a moment of rest on the pastoral coast of western Scotland. Home from an undercover mission in Berlin, she settles down to teach at her old spy training camp, and to heal from scars on both her body and heart. Yet instead of enjoying the quieter pace of life, Maggie is quickly drawn into another web of danger and intrigue. When three ballerinas fall strangely ill in Glasgow—including one of Maggie’s dearest friends—Maggie partners with MI-5 to uncover the truth behind their unusual symptoms. What she finds points to a series of poisonings that may expose shocking government secrets and put countless British lives at stake. But it’s the fight brewing in the Pacific that will forever change the course of the war—and indelibly shape Maggie’s fate."
My Favorite Authors - C.S. Forester
Cecil Louis Troughton Smith, who wrote under the pseudonym C.S. Forester lived from 1899 - 1966. He was born in Cairo, Egypt and died in Fullerton, California. He was a prolific writer. I've focused on his Horatio Hornblower books but also have enjoyed his standalone novels, his mysteries. Let's take a look at the books I've enjoyed.
C.S. Forester
"I do enjoy Forester's story - telling. Hornblower and the Hotspur was written in 1953 but covers one of the earlier phases of Hornblower's career, Apr 1803 - Jul 1805. The Hotspur tells of the blockade of France and Napoleon by the British Fleet with Horatio captaining his first ship the Hotspur. At the same time, Hornblower (Horrie as called by his wife, Maria) starts off the story as a newly - wed, a situation he is unsure about. The story focuses mostly on the adventures off of France, adventures which bring Hornblower considerable acclaim, earn him the respect of his crew and also of the Fleet Commander, Admiral Cornwallis. Certain mini-stories impressed me, especially that involving his steward, Doughty. Excellent story, interesting adventures and ending with the anticipation of further tales and adventures. (4 stars)"
"I've read many of the books written by C.S. Forester. I've been working through his Horatio Hornblower adventure series. He's written some excellent series based on both World Wars; The General, The Ship. His The African Queen was also translated into an excellent movie which won Humphrey Bogart an Oscar. He's also written some excellent crime stories. I've enjoyed Payment Deferred and now have just completed Plain Murder.
In its way, it's a simple story but at the same time, a fascinating one. 3 employees of an advertising agency are under threat of being fired for using bribery in finding customers. Under the thrall of one of the three, Mr. Morris, they determine that their supervisor must be murdered before he can put in his word to the owner of the business.
Morris is the ring leader and pressures the others into assisting him so that they can be blackmailed into silence. But murder can become something is easier and easier to commit. We get an interesting portrayal of Morris; his treatment of his family, his plotting mind, his matter-of-fact cruelty. The story moves along nicely and the action is sufficient. It was a different kind of story and I enjoyed it very much. I've enjoyed seeing the variety of stories in Forester's mind and his portrayal of his characters and their motivations. Well worth trying. (3.5 stars)
3. The Commodore (1945).
"Commodore Hornblower is the 8th book in the Horatio Hornblower series by C.S. Forester that I've read, not in any particular order. They have all been good value for entertainment. I've also enjoyed the TV series featuring Ioan Gruffudd as Hornblower. The series is like the Sharpe war / adventure series, except, of course, Hornblower has his adventures on the open sea for the most part.
In The Commodore, Hornblower, newly married as Squire of Smallbridge, is called back to London, made a Commodore in charge of a small fleet and sent to the Baltic to try and assist and encourage neutral Sweden and Russia to join the war against Napoleon. Most of the story is set in Latvia, a state of Russia and there are plenty of adventures and action and the story was all-in-all very satisfying, one of the better Hornblowers, I think.
One thing I did particularly like about this particular story is that Hornblower spent much less time internalizing everything; it is a bad habit of his. The story is more political, with Hornblower working intelligently to get in the good graces of the Czar of Russia and using his wit to help them keep Riga, the capital of Latvia, safe from an invading Napoleonic army.
His ideas are intriguing and successful and his crew are a group of energetic, talented men. For the most part, the story does revolve around Hornblower, but of course, it is his adventure. A great deal happens in a short time, as the harsh Baltic winter is on the way (NO, not like Game of Thrones) and he must try to succeed at his orders before he must leave the area or risk being ice bound. Totally entertaining and satisfying, another great Hornblower adventure. (4 stars)"
"C.S. Forester is my focus author for March. I have enjoyed his Horatio Hornblower series very much and also many of his standalone novels. I want to concentrate on a few of his standalones, that I've not read, this month. Death to the French, originally published in 1933, is the first of these.
The novel is set during the Napoleonic wars, as is his Hornblower stories, in a setting very popular with Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series. The story is set in Portugal and we find Rifleman Matthew Dodd separated from his separated from his infantry regiment behind French lines. He must now fend for himself, trying to disrupt French activities and also try to get back to his regiment, which is hiding in the mountains with the rest of the English army.
Dodd will find allies in Portuguese citizens who are basically trying to survive the French atrocities; neither the French nor the Portuguese have food as the English have followed a bare earth policy to make the French suffer.
The story also follows a French Sgt. Godinot, in charge of a small group of recruits who have been sent to the front. Godinot must deal with Dodd's activities that slowly whittle down his men. In many ways it's a terrifying story. Death and starvation are the norm. The French are merciless and the Portuguese respond in kind.
It is a fascinating look at the history of this war, even in its small sampling of the people involved. Dodd is a reliable, imaginative soldier and uses his wits to survive and disrupt the French activities. At the same time the story is a grim reminder of the destructive capabilities of war, especially to the civilians who suffer the most. And I don't think it matters what war in what century, war is vicious. Still an excellent read and well - written and described by Forester. (3 stars)"
"I've enjoyed all of the Hornblower stories I've read so far. This one was quite an interesting premise, starting with Hornblower a prisoner of the French after launching a one ship attack against 4 French ships, his trip towards Paris to be tried for crimes of war and the adventures which followed. I do find his pessimism frustrating at times, but its adequately countered by Lieutenant Bush's positiveness and admiration of Hornblower. An excellent story with a satisfying ending..(4 stars)"
6. The General (1936).
"An extremely well-written book, albeit a depressing one. It follows the story of a fictitious British general, Herbert Curzon, from the beginning of his career in the Boer War, through his rise in rank and position during WWI. His rise is very much by chance and over the bodies of his troops. It tells a dire story of WWI in a matter-of-fact way, very much like Forester's story of The Ship, which follows a British convoy during WWII. I have enjoyed a great deal of Forester's stories, especially his Hornblower series. He is versatile and tells interesting, entertaining, thoughtful stories. Well worth reading if you want a perspective of WWI, especially from the leadership perspective. (4 stars)"
just a few more....
"The Captain from Connecticut is an entertaining, action-filled story set during the Revolutionary War. It's quite similar to Forester's Horatio Hornblower series of books, except in this case, the ship's Captain, one Capt Peabody, is an American navy officer in charge of the Delaware. The US fleet for the most part is stuck in American harbors which are blockaded by the British fleet.
Peabody's first mission is to get his ship to open sea and he must do so during a horrendous storm to avoid the watchful eyes of the British. His aim, if he can accomplish this feat is to sail to the Caribbean and when there to disrupt the British cargo convoys and make the British pay a price for their war against America.
That is the gist of this excellent Forester story. Peabody is an excellent character, confident, competent, a skilled sailor and ship's officer. His ship is crewed by an excellent cast. Because of the blockade, he has been able to get experienced, talented officers and crew. The only hitch in this is her younger brother John, who Peabody brings on as a junior officer to get him away from his family. Unfortunately, John doesn't want to be at sea and is a regular thorn in Capt Peabody's side.
It's a fascinating story, the action is well-described. There is also a budding romance when Peabody and his ship run down a French ship. All in all, like most of Forester's sea-going adventures, well-crafted, a page turner and an all-round excellent tale. (4 stars)"
"The African Queen by C.S. Forester might be better known for the movie based on this excellent book. I've seen this movie, starring Kate Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart many times and I'm glad to finally have finally sat down to enjoy the book.
The book was originally published in 1935 and is set during the First World War in Central Africa. I've read a fair bit about WWI but generally it's been focused on the European theater. It was interesting to read a book set in this location. Rose Sayer and her brother Samuel have been many years in Tanzania, her brother a missionary and she his assistant and house keeper. The war has come to home as they are located in German South Africa and their workers and their goods have been taken by the German Army. This has broken her brother and Kate is now on her own. She joins Charlie Allnutt, a Cockney sailor who plies the Ulanga river for a Belgian mine. Allnut is also on his own and he allows Kate to take control and agrees to head downriver to try and sink a German cruiser that plies the Lake, hindering British efforts to push the Germans out of Africa.
There are many excellent features to this story; the journey and all its trials and tribulations, the growing of Kate as a person, one who had been under the thumb of her family and brother for the first 30+ years of her life; the budding relationship between Allnutt and Kate, etc. It's a fascinating story, made more interesting because it basically features two people in close quarters. The adventure is tense, their ingenuity at solving their issues as the sail downriver.
There are key differences to the movie, especially the ending, but the book is every bit as interesting and entertaining. The development of the characters and the challenges they face and work together to resolve make it all the more interesting. I've enjoyed so many of Forester's books; he writes such varied stories, the Hornblower tales, interesting mysteries, excellent war stories and of course, this. (5 stars)"
9. The Pursued (1935).
"I've read and enjoyed many books by C. S. Forester, his Horatio Hornblower books, The African Queen, and various standalone books, including The Ship and 2 mysteries. The Pursued was discovered after Forester's death, even though it was originally written in 1935.
Marjorie lives with husband Ted and their two children, Anne and Derrick in London, down the road from Marjorie's mother, Mrs. Clair and her sister, Dot. Marjorie comes home from a night out with an old friend to find her sister dead, her head in the gas oven. Mrs. Clair and Marjorie eventually come to the belief that Dot and Ted had been having an affair and that Ted had killed her, making it seem like a suicide.
Through the remain of the story, Mrs. Clair plots her revenge against Ted. Ted is an arsehole. He is mean to his wife and kids, he cheats on Marjorie. Marjorie has grown to hate her husband over the course of their marriage. At Mrs. Clair's subtle instigation, she falls in love with George Ely, an employee of Ted's and a young man who moves into Mrs. Clair's home, renting the room that had belonged to Dot.
The tension builds, as George falls more and more in love with Marjorie but is frustrated because she can't leave Ted. Mrs. Clair plots and twists and turns, manipulating Ted and the others until the final violent conclusion. It's a fascinating, at times frustrating, story. It builds slowly, falls back at times, then lurches forward. It's peopled with interesting characters, especially Mrs. Clair, steely, calm and dedicated to avenging her dead daughter. (4 stars)"
"I've read most of C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower books and have enjoyed the adventures. Hornblower in the West Indies is a series of five short stories covering the period 1821 - 1823 when Hornblower is an Admiral and in charge of the Royal Navy's West Indies fleet. The book consists of five separate events and all of them are enjoyable and entertaining.
Hornblower, now an experienced navy man, has more confidence in himself but still possesses those curmudgeonly qualities that endears himself to the reader. His men love him and he has capable staff, especially his Flag Lieutenant, Gerard, his clerk Mr Spendlove and his attendant Mr. Giles.
The five stories consist of -
- St Elizabeth of Hungary - We find Hornblower sailing into New Orleans and discovering a ship of French soldiers planning to help Napoleon escape from imprisonment in St Helen's. Hornblower must risk his honor and career to stop this fast ship from accomplishing their mission.
- The Star of the South - One of Hornblower's missions in the West Indies is to disrupt the flourishing slave trade and he is on the trail of one such ship. Following it into a port in Haiti, he must figure out a way to disable the ship prior to its departure, without offending his hosts and to enable him to catch the ship when it leaves.
- The Bewildered Pirates - Hornblower and his clerk, Spendlove, are kidnapped by a crew of pirates from a party he is attending near Montego Bay. Released so he can try to get the Governor to pardon them, Hornblower heads back to their hideout with his crew to save Spendlove and to deal with them
- The Guns of Carabobo - Hornblower finds himself involved in Bolivar's war to oust the Spanish from South America. A rich British merchant who is part Venezuelan, tricks Hornblower and others so he can deliver arms to Bolivar's rebels. Hornblower must calm the Dutch and Spanish who have been caught up in Ramsbottom's schemes.
- The Hurricane - Hornblower's time as Admiral of the West Indies fleet is over. His lovely wife Barbara has come to bring him back to their home in England. Hornblower must try to deal with a mutinous musician and then survive a hurricane on the trip home.
All of the stories were quite excellent, especially building up to the grand finale The Hurricane. There was tension throughout, crafty plans on Hornblower's part to solve his problems and pure heroism as he fights the devastating hurricane. It was a great way to end the story. As always, I've enjoyed sinking into Hornblower's world and taking part in his nautical adventures. Forester spins a fine, entertaining yarn. I'm almost sad that I've only two more of the Hornblower adventures to enjoy. (4 stars)"
I've read a few other Forester novels since 2000, especially in the Hornblower series. The complete list of Forester's works can be found at this link.
Whew! Enjoy the rest of your week.
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