Grotesque by Japanese author Natsuo Kirino is a "different" book. The writing is tight and we learn most about each of the characters as they speak to us in the first person, an interesting technique. The main character, a woman now aged about 40, reflects on her life and the murder of her hated younger sister and also a schoolfriend while they were prostitutes. The younger sister was "grotesquely beautiful" and they never got on. We see inside the mind of all characters involved, including the murderer, learning about their lives. The main character is consumed by hatred towards her younger sister and to her own society and circumstances generally. She cannot find lasting happiness to overcome her warped bitterness. 3/5
The Women in Black by Madeleine St John was originally published in 1993, recently re-published. This fictional story of women who worked in a department store in Sydney in the 1950s has delightful characters and the writing is witty and entertaining. Awaiting her senior school results, young Lisa joins the staff and a sophisticated "foreign" woman takes her under her wing. Another character yearns for a "nice" man to be her husband. Another yearns for a baby. I enjoyed this very much. 4/5
I enjoyed The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee which was set in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation and 10 years later. A British couple arrive in Hong Kong in 1953 and the wife, Claire, becomes a piano teacher for the child of a wealthy local couple. She meets the family's chauffeur, Will, and falls in love with him. Gradually she learns about his past during the War. The reader learns more about Will and his relationship with a beautiful Eurasian woman, Trudy during the War. The life for the British under occupation was of course not easy and in 1953 there are secrets from the War time that are brought to light. 31/2/5
The Road Home by Rose Tremain won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2008 and having now read it, I can say the win was very well deserved. Lev, a Russian, moves to London to seek his fortune and send money home to his family in his small village. He had come prepared, so he thought, but soon learns that the reality of his new life is very hard. The reader follows his adventures and misadventures as he navigates his way around a new life in a very different country. We feel his loneliness and his frustration, follow his struggles and wince at his mistakes. He dreams of being a chef with his own restaurant - will this dream come true? This is one of those books that is sad to finish. The writing is so good and is a great story. 5/5
Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline was not as exciting as the title might suggest. A former classmate of Mary DiNunzio comes to see her seeking legal help with her violent boyfriend. The woman and the boyfriend disappear in suspicious circumstances and the hunt is on to find them. There is a lot of interaction with the Italian community, the Mob etc. It was a fairly quick read. 2/5
This delightful story The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein tells the story from the dog, Enzo's perspective, his life with Denny the racing car driver and his family. Enzo tells of being picked from the litter by Denny and his enjoyment in watching racing car videos and then being driven in the car. Enzo observes when Denny marries and has a little girl and then how all their lives are affected. This is a lovely book - highly recommended. 4/5
