Books - what are you reading just now?

Just finished Trustee from the Toolroom, by Nevil Shute.

As for all his books (that I love) very straightforward reading and not very complex but interesting plot, great characters and great writing - though from the 50s/60s they need to be read accepting the time they were written. No explicit murder, killing, drugs, violence and as far as sex…well the reader knows when it has likely happened but Shute leaves it to our imagination 😊

Others by Shute? Most will have heard of A Town Like Alice…though have you read it? If not do yourself a lovely favour - it’s not at all what I imagined. And as for On the Beach? Written in and about Cold War times, the story chimes doom-fully today (btw Ava Garner stunning in the film alongside Gregory Peck and Anthony Perkins).

You’ve probably read it but one of my favourites is Requiem for a Wren.
 
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell just finished. Superb.

It was sitting there not started when my Mrs announced she’d like to go to cinema to watch the film. “Let me read it first” I asked (always a conundrum for me..to read the book before watching a film/tv adaptation or not).

So engrossing I found it I ‘consumed it voraciously’. And now that I’m done I can’t wait to go see the film to watch unfold what I know will unfold - so beautiful, so descriptive and emotional, are the writing and the story.

Sooo worth reading. You don’t know much about ordinary life in 16th England - and even if you know a bit…you’ll learn a lot more…and you are in for an emotional and educational treat. Read before seeing film is probably best to form your own picture…but whichever order - such a beautiful read.

ETA..having now seen the film I can confirm that it is worth reading the book before seeing the film. The film works superbly in its own right, but the book gives a bit more background and detail.
 
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