50 Books Challenge 2023 Part Four

[Southeastdweller]

Welcome to the fourth thread of the 50 Books Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2023, though reading fifty isn't mandatory. Any type of book can count, it’s not too late to join, and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

The first thread of the year is here, the second one here and the third one here.

What are you reading?

31: As Nature Made Him - John Colapinto

This book of non-fiction started out as a much-lauded long article for 'Rolling Stone' magazine in 1997 after its author saw a young man being interviewed, in disguise, on TV, describing his upbringing as a girl. The case of 'John/Joan' was famous in medical circles not least thanks to the man who initiated it, psychologist and early proponent of the term 'gender identity', the notorious John Money. What actually happened - and the horrific psychological and physical damage perpetrated on the child who was raised as a girl after a catastrophic botched circumcision - was very different to the sweeping success claimed by Money, who'd seized on the case with delight not only because it gave him a perfect opportunity to test his pet theories, but because the baby boy in question was one of a pair of identical twins: a perfect scientific control.

I won’t go into more detail here, but suffice to say that 'Joan' (actually renamed Brenda) had a miserably unhappy childhood, knowing that something was terribly amiss despite it being kept a total secret, staunchly resisted Money's insistence on further 'feminising' surgery, and, once finally told the truth, speedily reverted to his true sex. He renamed himself David, was able to have corrective operations and got married.

The book ends on a quietly, inspiringly upbeat note as David reflects on what he'd come through to finally reach an equilibrium. Unfortunately what it couldn’t anticipate was that David's twin, Brian, would kill himself a few years later. As would David, shortly after that.

Not for the faint-hearted, as they say, but this is - although hard to read at times - a very instructive book, and especially informative about Money, a man who had an enormous influence on current gender identity theory.

45. The Drift, C J Tudor
We're plunged straight into media res in three scenarios - an overturned coach, a dangling cable car, and an isolated chalet. Each is surrounded by snow and nameless peril, and in each a small band of survivors tries to work out how they will survive. We're in a dystopian post-pandemic future and help is not on its way. Lots of cliffhangers made this a page-turner, although it's not a very richly-imagined world and ultimately it's a bit silly. I did gulp it down though.

46. Monica Jones, Philip Larkin and Me: Her Life and Long Loves, John Sutherland
This felt like a valuable record of MJ/PL by someone who was taught by her and a close personal friend. It was a sad life in many ways - professional stagnation, loneliness, alcoholism, and the desperate longing for someone who didn't long for you in return. Interesting counterpart to her near-contemporary, Barbara Pym, who seemed to have a happier life in not-dissimilar circumstances due to female friendships and a sense of humour. Well-written and engaging.

47. Why Didn't They Ask Evans? Agatha Christie
Like others, inspired to ready this by the tv serialisation. I quite liked the repartee between the two lead characters, but I agree with Remus that the resolution is pretty silly.

Life's been hectic and I've lost track of my numbers but have finished these three:

Playing Under the Piano - Hugh Bonneville. Less a memoir and more a series of snapshots from his career, some entertaining, some dull. It's currently 99p on Kindle and recommended at that price.

Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus. I thought the pacing half way through for this much-read novel was off so the story got wearying after the half way point and I struggled to care about the main character. The dog whimsy stuff also wasn't my cup of tea and the passages about rowing really boring. But I really like the actress Brie Larson so I'll be watching the forthcoming TV adaptation.

Absolute Beginner - Patsy Kensit. Memoir from the actress and former singer, a very easy read with few surprises. I really felt for the young Patsy who missed out on a lot of her childhood because she was working so much (she started working at age four) and had almost no support from her family. A sadder read than what I expected.

Fortunately there was only one book, To Paradise, on my wish list

👀

Oh no, am I going to hate it?

It's certainly a strange one

Bit of a challenge

25 The Full English by Stuart Maconie

Halfway to 50 and what a marvellous book to reach that target with. The ability of Maconie to travel up and down the UK finding different places and themes to write about is second to none imo. This time he retraces the steps of JB Priestley in his English Journey, using public transport rather than a Daimler, and it’s just an absolute delight. Some places I know quite well, others I have never been to and while I disagree with him on some things (Clarkson’s Farm, Seaham beaches, Great British Pottery Throwdown….) it’s the thought-provoking sort of disagreement that you get with really good friends. The antithesis of Twitter spats and purity spirals. Society needs more gentle narrative and opinion like this, gently scattered with knowingly awful puns and a strong sense of history.
Definite 5 stars.

16. On the Beach by Nevile Shute
A reread for book club of Shute's ost-WWIII dystopian novel. The first time I read it I was just relieved it wasn't as nightmarish and gruesome as When the Wind Blows et al. The second time I read it I found it oddly reassuring though didn't believe in its 'everyone will behave well' schtick. This time, post pandemic, I find the behaviour more believable, partly because I noticed that the descriptions of social behaviour are much more nuanced than I'd realised, but somehow it seems even darker. I couldn't sleep after reading it.

I noticed this time as well that it was published in 1957, the year after Suez. I think that's significant.

All The Light We Cannot See seems to be coming out as a big Oscar Bait film with Hugh Laurie and Mark Ruffalo later this year. Looks like I'll be giving it a third go after all

Also just back from holidays and catching up. Loved A Fine Balance too @TattiePants although it is very sad. HBO are making it into a TV series which hopefully will be good as they have the director of "The Lunchbox" which is a lovely Indian movie. To Paradise not so much.

My holiday reads were mainly more Woman's Prize:
24. Memphis by Tara Stringfellow. Generations of women in Memphis, this has a strong voice and brought to life the time and place. I liked it but it hasn't stayed with me.
25. The Bandit Queens - Parini Shroff. I really liked this book about Indian women and their trials and tribulations. I was reading it in India which made it all the more accurate. The country has changed so much since I was last there 15 years ago in some ways but it's still got a long way to go on women's rights.
26. Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies - Maddie Mortimer. This was a Booker Longlist novel last year and I'm surprised it didn't make the shortlist. It's about a woman who has cancer, and the cancer itself narrates part of the story. I thought it was brilliantly done, sad, funny and emotional.
27. Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver. I wasn't sure about this, and started reading David Copperfield first but decided life was too short for two such tomes. But Kingsolver's narration sucked me in and actually ended up really liking this too. It's a pretty incredible achievement modernising Dickens, bringing out the dopesick saga and still creating a novel that keeps you invested. I'll be very surprised if this doesn't win the Women's prize.

I don't think I'll manage to read anymore before the shortlist is announced next week but I've actually really enjoyed the diversity of what I've read. Some very marmite books but original voices pushing the boundary of story telling. I actually really liked Pod and was thinking about it on holiday.

@BoldFearlessGirl I didn't realise Stuart Maconie had a new book out. Am treating myself forthwith. One of few writers I'm prepared to buy the hardback of. Just love every word he writes. I'll probably ask to be buried with Pies and Prejudice. (not yet mind!)

Blimey it feels like I have taken a LONG TIME to finish a book. I always have such high hopes for holidays but I either can’t settle as everyone is around or I distract myself - this time with an addictive game.

anyway, I finally finished book 19 which was Small Gods by Terry Pratchett. I think I am a proper convert to the Diskworld now. I have resisted for years thinking that I would find them silly and a bit in the realms of the dungeons and dragons crew in the alehouse at uni. I have discovered that they are not at all silly. They are funny - very, very funny - but they are also deeply profound and often very moving. I also realise that maybe I should have joined in with the Dungeons and Dragons crew of the Alehouse - there were clearly onto something.

I know that there are many discussions about book order so I took the advice of others and started with Guards, Guards before moving into Wyrd Sisters. I now think that I want to start at the beginning and read them in publication order as I want to discover it all in the original order.

wonderful and slightly sad and lost that it is finished. So I have treated myself to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow as I just know it will be right up my alley.

ok - off to catch up with the thread.

@PermanentTemporary I’ve been working my way through Nevil Shute’s books but haven’t got to On the Beach yet. I’ve seen mixed reviews so glad to read a positive review.

@Stokey A Fine Balance will definitely stay with me for a long time. Despite knowing there was never going to be a happy ever after for any of the characters, I really didn’t see the final page coming.

I didn’t realise the woman’s prize shortlist was next week so I might try to read either Memphis or The Bandit Queens before then.

@Terpsichore I'd read about John Money and the John/Joan experiment and was pretty horrified. 'John' and 'Joan' were named after two people who worked with him, John and Joan Hampson. Anyway when researching my family tree I discovered that I'm actually related to one of the Hampsons! Won't say which as it might be a bit outing.

The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson
This was slow to get going and I fell asleep over it twice in the first 50 pages or so, nearly giving up. I’m glad I persevered and ended up enjoying it, but not absolutely loving it as I did Journey to the River Sea. I felt it could have lost 80 to 100 pages and have been better for it, but I liked the way she made a collection of essentially peripheral characters fully rounded and ‘real’ and there were a couple of really moving moments connected to these. Two unspeakably awful ‘villains’ added some comic moments.

Goodness me @MamaNewtNewt! What an unexpected discovery! Yes, the Hampsons are mentioned in the book. They stopped collaborating with Money, though, and drifted out of the picture as his theories continued to evolve.

Children of Paradise by Camilla Grudova

Totally influenced by this thread. I enjoyed this, I thought there was some fantastic sentences in the first half inparticular that captured tiny moments startlingly perfectly without seeming to do anything. So clever. I liked the darkness and trippiness. I've now searched out her short stories on line which is a good sign and will definitely read whatever she writes next.

My reading is going at a snail's pace lately. I'm trying, like others on this thread, to get through books bought for my Kindle that have languished forgotten about for a long time.

I've just read The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore. I must have bought this after reading The Seige which was heartbreaking but very well written. The Betrayal follows the same couple about 8 years later. Fabulous writing again. I love Anna and Andrei but think I was slow to getting round to reading this as I knew bad things were bound to happen.

I think I need to read something cheerful next.

30. Mort by Terry Pratchett

A reread of this Discworld book, and an enjoyable one. It’s the first one where Death has a major role.

31. Blind Spot by Paula Hawkins

This novella is one of a Quick Read range of books. It didn’t take long to read it!
Edie, Jake and Ryan have been close friends since childhood, but things fall apart when Jake is murdered and Ryan’s accused of the murder. Edie’s left all alone, and old secrets are coming to the surface.

43 The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

As a rule, I steer clear of self help books and I don't know where else I would file this book. Essentially, it's various pieces of advice for navigating a challenging world - lots of emphasis on being kind to yourself, taking small steps, not letting the bastards grind you down. If you've read her autobiography a lot of her supporting anecdotes will be familiar and there are moments when it's all a bit American for British tastes but she is rather fabulous and I did actually think this was an inspiring and thoughtful reflection on being your best self. I'd encourage young people to pick it up and read it - particularly if they are struggling with self-esteem or wanting to make the world a better place (and that is most of the young people I come across)

44 Taste by Stanley Tucci

I am probably one of the last people to read this as it's always piled high on the front table of any bookshop. I found it quite charming although I wasn't always enamoured of his slightly folksy "ho ho I am name dropping and know I'm doing it so will acknowledge it is tiresome but keep doing it" style. I also have deep reservations about whether someone who says sticky toffee pudding is a classic British Christmas dish actually knows anything about British food, because while you can eat what you like, when you like, frankly, I don't know anyone who would say "oh yes, sticky toffee pudding is a staple on our Christmas table".

45 100 Things We Lost to the Internet by Pamela Paul

Given to me as a gift two years ago, when I read the first 39 things and realised that essentially it was just an extended moan about technology so gave up. But I hate not finishing books so picked it up, read the last 61 and gave it to the charity shop. In a nutshell, the 1980s were great because we had Filofaxes, made phone calls and looked things up in the Yellow Pages. I have some sympathy with some of her points - we probably were better at concentrating, more resilient and had more self esteem back then - but frankly it could and should have been a Buzzfeed article (11 Things...) rather than a full book.

33 Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
Much reviewed on here so I’ll just add my praise for this wonderful book set in 1970s Northern Ireland during The Troubles. It’s the only Woman’s Prize book I’ve read so far but I’ll echo a pp and hope it makes the shortlist.

@PepeLePew I'm really fed up with non-fiction that could have been a great article but should never have stretched to a book - seems all too common at the moment.

62. The Strangest Family by Janice Hadlow

I wasn't sure about this, it's very long and the best and most intriguing bits are at the end of what is an over 700 page book before notes.

Essentially, it's about the oddness at the centre of the court of King George III, that existed even outside of the famous madness but the madness undoubtedly exacerbated it.

George III and Queen Charlotte had 15 children, 2 of whom died in infancy. It seems like they put their heart snd soul into child rearing and the royal childhood was idyllic...only for them to have absolutely no clue as to what to do with them past their youngest years.

George parcelled all the boys off at younger and younger ages to military training and harsh conditions in Germany, with some never seeing England again for years and years.

The girls were literally kept in perpetual girlhood, cloistered together and forced to stay at home and have little to no life outside the family well past the age of this not being anything but weird. Women in their forties having the same rights and more or less the same lives as they did at 14. Of the girls Mary, Charlotte and Elizabeth managed to find matches but for all well after their fertile years and after extensive efforts.

I don't think the author properly explains why this happened. Yes, the King was ill at times and yes, the lack of people on the right social level even in the UK and yes, again they couldn't marry most European Royalty due to the Catholic issue, but it just seems REALLY REALLY strange that No One intervened to the Queen even on this Flowers In The Attic type scenario.

I took issue with one fact presented and that is the quick reference that William IV "pensioned off" his long term mistress Dora Jordan. Pensioned off indeed, if that's what you call having her declared morally unfit, removing all her children and leaving her to die penniless and alone. Ho hum.

The latter chapters of this are really worth a read especially the stuff about Princess Sophia, but some of the lead up is a real slog.

Read two more, 25. The Woodcutter - Reginald Hill this was a bit different, a successful business man is accused of being a paedophile and for the first half of the book you're not sure whether he is or not and are in the strange position of feeling empathy for someone who might or might not be a terrible person. The first half is told through stories he wrote for his prison psychiatrist explaining his life and what had happened and why he was in prison, the second half was told as it was happening.

Number 26 was Beneath The Skin - Nicci French a crime thriller with the typical violence against women but it was interesting as it highlighted, with the first woman, how the police don't take stalking seriously. I liked how it was resolved in the end too.

Now finally going to read Hags. I already started it but I can't read more than one book at a time as it confuses me and library books took precedence.

Sea Monsters by Chloe Aridjis

I really liked this. Set in Mexico, a runaway 17 year old Luisa heads from the city to the Pacific coast. It starts as what could be described as a wild goose chase, or a quest, in the company of an older boy. They end up lingering on a hippy beach hang out where Luisa starts to reflect on her choice of companion. Really evocative and strange, it’s a sort of coming of age story that exists mostly in Luisa’s head, alongside a sound track of Joy Division and Nick Cave. Beautiful prose and a dreamy quality to it. If you love plot above all, then this might not be for you though.