march-april 2021 books...

Born To Run (Christopher McDougall): This is our next “Bloke’s Books” bookgroup book. As the title suggests, it’s about running. The author, who is a runner himself, sets out to find Mexico’s Tarahumara Indians, reputed to be the “world’s greatest distance runners, who can go for hundreds of miles without rest while enjoying every minute of it” (according to the book’s blurb). The Tarahumara tribe run virtually barefoot and part of the book deals with anthropology to running shoe design - looking at running in hunter/gatherer societies right up to the “modern money-making machines of Nike” (Nike comes in for a LOT of criticism!). A small group of the world's top ultra-runners (and the author) make the treacherous journey into the canyons to try to learn the tribe's secrets and then take them on over a course 50 miles long. Once I’d finished the book, I decided to check out some of the reviews: “A bible for the barefoot running community” (Ben Fogle); “A really phenomenal book” (Jon Stewart); “Inspiring… destined to become a classic” (Sir Ranulph Fiennes). Well, while I found some aspects of the book interesting (especially some of medical insights and the running endurance of the Tarahumara), I’m afraid it was definitely NOT my kind of book! I found the writing style absolutely appalling. Much of it consists of made-up/surmised conversations, thoughts or descriptions… I could quote endless examples, but here are just two minor samples: “Dr Bramble then took a closer look at the skulls and got a jolt. ‘Holy moly!’ he thought. ‘There’s something going on here’…” or “’Whoa, whoa, hang on,’ Fisher interjected. ‘You sure you’re fast enough for these guys?’ ‘You’re not doing me any favour,’ Shaggy shrugged. ‘Who else you got lined up?’ ‘Yeah,’ Fisher said. ‘Okay, then.’ And just as he’d promised, Shaggy was hollering and waving by the aid station the next afternoon when Juan and Martimano came running into the 50-mile turnaround…”. Yes, it’s a passionate book about running… but, frankly, as far as I was concerned it was a book for ‘running geeks’ and definitely not me.
Hamnet (Maggie O’Farrell): This is an extraordinary book. It’s a fictionalised account of Shakespeare’s son Hamlet, who died when he was just 11 years of age in 1596. Four years later, Shakespeare wrote a play and gave its tragic hero a variation of his dead son’s name. The central character of the book – given the name Agnes – is Hamnet’s mother… the playwright’s wife. Shakespeare himself is never referred to by name, merely as ‘her husband’, ‘the father’ or ‘the Latin tutor’. In fact, in their small local sphere it is Agnes who is the celebrity, known in the town for being a somewhat mysterious, gifted herbalist – it took some time before Shakespeare had started to become recognised for his writing in London… and for his growing reputation to percolate ‘up’ to Stratford. It must have been a hard time for Shakespeare’s wife and his children… O’Farrell describes the playwright’s visits home to Stratford from London as occurring only perhaps two or three times a year. The heart of the story focuses on grieving for a child (especially at a time when disease was rife and childhood death common) and I found the episode of Hamnet’s illness and his mother’s and his sisters’ anguish immediately following his death incredibly moving (and quite beautifully written). I’d previously read two other novels by O’Farrell (‘Instructions For A Heatwave’ and ‘After You’d Gone’) and look forward to reading others in the future. A very impressive book.
The Land Where Lemons Grow (Helena Attlee): This is my Storysmith bookgroup’s latest book (on the general theme of ‘travel’). Attlee has been a regular visitor of Italy’s loveliest cities and landscapes for over 40 years and has written books, magazine features and led specialist tours there for many years. As the book’s title implies, this is a book fundamentally about Italy’s citrus fruit. It’s much, much more than just a travel book… it’s an evocative combination of nature, gardens, science, food, recipes, business, geography, history, places and people. Italy is perhaps my favourite country in the world and, so, at a time when none of us can travel, this gentle, fascinating, colourful book was, for me, a rather lovely substitute. Attlee is an excellent writer and her knowledge of Italy (and, in particular, its gardens and citrus fruit) is extensive and fascinating. The details are almost academic in nature and yet she’s able to mix them with a story-teller’s magic. It painted a wonderful picture of the landscapes of the Italian Riviera, Tuscany and Sicily… but they were brought to life by her accounts of the people she met en route (and their ingenuity and determination to succeed against the odds). I suspect I might be in a minority when it comes to our bookgroup, but I loved this book!
There Are Places In The World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness (Carlo Rovelli): I read, and was impressed by, Rovelli’s “Seven Brief Lessons on Physics” some 4 years ago. He is a theoretical physicist with a wonderful communicator and gives explanations of the most complicated theories in simple, everyday language. This book comprises nearly 50 newspaper/magazine articles covering a wide range of subjects – from classical philosophy, the meaning of science, the role of religion, to the nature of black holes (and much, much more). Philosophy is a common theme in the book and I have to admit that the understanding of philosophy is something I struggle with consistently. So, while many of the essays were well above my ‘head’ (eg. dealing with such matters as ‘Aristocle the Scientist’, ‘Do Flying Donkeys Exist?’, ‘Dante, Einstein and the Three-Sphere’… not to mention the three articles about Black Holes), there were also many of them that I found both fascinating and thought-provoking (eg. ‘Certainty and Global Warming’, ‘Why I am an Atheist’ and ‘A day in Africa’). Compelling, thought-provoking and very readable.
Wilderness Taunts (Ian Adams): This is the book (by my great friend Ian) I’ve been using for my daily reflections during Lent. It’s the second time I’ve used it. Among other things, it deals with the challenges of trying to maintain a sense of being hopeful individuals in a demanding world. The reflections and taunts are frequently harsh and demanding… and, for me, in my own current ‘spiritual wilderness’, hugely testing. I can’t say that they have ‘renewed my faith’, but they have provided me with perspective and fresh insights and, crucially, a sense of hope. Ian is very good with words(!) and has a writing style that I find hugely effective and appealing.