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Welcome to the Surrey Advertiser book club. Here you can read reviews on a range of books from crime noir to science fiction and beyond. The book club has new additions regularly so if you’re looking for a great read make the book club your first place for new ideas. Or if you have finished a novel and would like me to read and review it please post the book to: Mr Ali Khan | |
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SPRITZ Set in Swansea, Spritz is a story about Bob Flint, a perennial failure and alcoholic. The Welsh equivalent of a Homer Simpson, Bob is a man of limited intelligence, yet a comical and intriguing presence …. However Bob is a man with a dream, a dream of owning his own bar, Bob's Bar. The problem is Bob is stuck between a rock and hard place. Perpetually in an inebriated sate, can Bob keep himself together? Managing to set up his bar on the premise he’ll be able to repay the money when his wife passes away, Bob loans the money from local gangsters, the Bentleys. The only way he can pay the Bentleys is for his wife’s will to provide him the funds. With his wife in a coma, until her passing away Bob has no way to repay the Bentleys. On top of this Bob has to deal with the police, his wife’s lawyers and a handful of individuals his antics have affected. A dark premise for a story, yet told with startling wit and excitement. The incredibily humorous dialogue means you’ll chuckle until your pancreas ruptures. The characters are genius, all of us can relate to a character or two from Spritz. Pages literally jump out and I found myself visualising the scenes, completely immersed in my new surroundings. I eagerly anticipate more from Neil and in the meantime will be recommending this book to others. Five stars.
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THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN BY MITCH ALBION The Five People You Meet in Heaven is an emotionally charged and thought provoking read about Eddie. Eddie is an 80 year old man, who has spent his life working in a fairground as a maintenance guy, repairing rides and making animal models out of pipe cleaners for children. Eddie feels cheated with his llife. He feels he has been robbed of his inspirations and dreams. Therefore he feels bitter and unsatisfied, particularly with his father with whom his relationship was rather uncomfortable and troublesome. One day Eddie passes away while trying to rescue a girl who is involved in a crash on one of the rides. Eddie dies as a result of his rescue and the story subsequently progresses onto his afterlife. In heaven he encounters five people whom he has had an affect on in the real world. They are here to enlighten him, and to heal his grievances regarding some of his experiences on earth.Through these individuals Eddie relives some of his most haunting times, but all with a higher purpose, to heal his scars and relieve him from his bitterness. In time he too will become one of these people and will help others with the transition from Earth to heaven. Some of the people Eddie meets he doesn’t seem to know. Eddie realizes he has had a profound effect on many people, even strangers, completely unaware of how his actions affected them. Among the five, he also meets his beloved wife and true love Margaritue, who tragically passed away early due to a car accident. Eddie has missed her so much and aches to be with his wife again. Without giving too much away this book is a sad yet wonderful read and a good insight into karma and the afterlife. The notion that beyond this existence is another world. It's a well written and impassioned book, Mitch Albion stirs plenty of emotion with this novel. A story about love, loss, family and the afterlife, I give The Five People You Meet in Heaven a well deserved four star rating If you enjoyed the novel also try the film, released in 2004 with Jon Voight playing the role of Eddie
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FILTH BY IRVINE WELSH A darkly comic tale, receiving critical acclaim on publication in 1999, Filth is the story of Bruce Robertson, an apathetic corrupt Edinburgh police officer. Bruce Robertson is utterly corrupt and decadent.
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KING OF THE WORLD BY BEN DAVID REMNICK Not set over Ali's entire lifetime but a short period from the 1st Liston bout up to the Patterson fight. However the detail and many avenues of Ali and 60’s societal problems that Resnick explores is immense. A highly acclaimed biography, this is one very enjoyable and informative read. Definitely recommended
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THE DAMAGE DONE BY WARREN FELLOWS A harrowing tale, The Damage Done is the story of Warren Fellows who was sentenced to life imprisonment in a Bangkok prison. Warren's crime was smuggling heroin from Bangkok to Australia. Shackled in leg irons for 11 years, Warren tells of his life of torture in a living hell in Bang Kwang prison, known as the Bangkok Hilton. A truly engrossing read one cannot but feel empathy for a life lost behind bars. An ordinary prison Bang Kwang is not. Its prisoners are treated as mere animals, simply as entities to be bound and treated as slaves. Bang Kwang is a place where cockroaches and sewer rats are the only nutritious food and prisoners are beaten daily, often to death. Fellows detail is extraordinary, taking the reader into the prison and living his life. The reader becomes completely enveloped in the writer's portrayal. As time progresses we learn of the heartaches that Warren suffers. He sees many of his friends murdered by the guards, his father and his brother both die in Australia, and he cannot even attend their funeral. No human should have to suffer what Warren did. The reader is left feeling emotional and shocked after the atrocities committed. This is one read that will stay with you
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THE GUN SELLER BY HUGH LAURIE A unique approach to writing, well known household name Hugh Laurie takes us on a James Bond meets Die Hard escapade. Infused with comic genius this is one novel as entertaining as any you will ever read. The main charectar in the story is Thomas Lang, who is offered a tidy sum for killing a wealthy industrialist. Thomas due to his conscience cannot carry out the act and decides to warn his victim instead. As Thomas involves himself further in the workings of his victim he falls in love with his daughter and the story embroils into an action packed saga of arms dealing, terrorism and numerous femme fatales. The humour often told through narration is a sure-fire display of Laurie’s charm and wit. Classic English humour at its finest, Laurie sets a wonderful tone. Although the novel does touch upon serious issues, the balance between holding the story's integrity and a continuum of chuckles is sheer genius. We hope to hear more from Laurie in the future, perhaps even a development of Thomas Lang. This novel is definitely recommended.
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BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE BY BEN MEZRICH From page to page Bringing Down the House is an engaging and entertaining read. A fictional tale of events which actually took place, Bringing Down the House is a whirlwind ride through the eyes of Kevin Lewis. Kevin is a privileged young man, whose parents provided him with the education to attend MIT, one of America's finest higher learning institutions, a university blessed with some of America's finest mathematical minds.
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NO LOGO BY NAOMI KLEIN We live in a world saturated with purchase inducing branding. From television and internet to billboards and T shirts, brands have become embedded in the fabric of our modern society. We cannot walk down a high street or search on the internet without an organization informing us its product will make our lives better and we will be happier. Naomi Klein in Logo looks at this subject matter and assesses its impact. We learn of the workers in Third World countries who are the forgotten sources of our race to modernity. Naomi takes us on a journey of how these products reach our households and our minds from children working for a pittance in underdeveloped nations. A must read this book is a real eye opener. Often we walk through our lives without a thought as to the social implications of corporate empires. Overall a well written book told in a youthful and energetic way.
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ON THE ROAD BY JACK KEROUAC Kerouac’s depiction of the 1950’s US beat generation has become a renowned masterpiece. Kerouac’s story takes us across America in a daze of youth, freedom and liberation. We learn of the 1950’s underground America, from its jazz clubs to love and bohemia. As Sal and Dean head around the United States we also learn of the American dream, its eccentricities and its pitfalls. A brilliant blend of fiction and autobiography, Jack Kerouac's exhilarating novel defined the new Beat' generation. It had tremendous impact on both sides of the Atlantic and made him famous overnight
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BIG DEAL BY ANTHONY HOLDEN A wonderfully evocative book about one mans love for the game of poker. Anthony Holden takes a year out of his life to travel the World poker circuit. A true story, the book provides a humorous insight into some of Pokers many greats. Anthony leaves his life in London to venture to Malta, Morocco, California amongst other places to play for some of highest stakes with some of the games greatest players. At times Anthony leaves the reader really associating themselves with him as the charecter in this brilliantly told tail. At other times his descriptions of some of the games greats are nothing short of comic genius. Anthony has proven himself to be a great story teller, masterfully describing a year through the ups and downs of this intriguing game.
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PINK CHAMPAGNE AND APPLE JUICE BY ANNE BROOK Angie has only one goal plan in life, to run away from the idyllic Essex countryside and set up her own café in London. On arrival, Angie tracks down her long lost uncle John, and realises she’s getting more than she bargained for. As well as a transvestite uncle, Angie acknowledges she has to juggle the needs of a French waiter and a grouchy German chef. Anne’s work has been applauded by critics, being shortlisted for the Harry Bowling Novel Award in 2006. A born and bred Essex girl, Anne is proud of her roots and is a well loved and respected author
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WHITE TEETH BY ZADIE SMITH A wonderful debut by this fantastic British writer, White Teeth won the Whitbread 2000 first novel award and the Guardian first book award. Born in 1975 in North West London, Zadie was raised in turbulent times. This is projected in her work, the novel touches upon love, war, culture and racism. Although touching upon some very serious issues, White Teeth is a humorous, big hearted read adored by everyone from critics to the occasional reader. Not often does a book transcend as well as White Teeth. The book begins with Archie, one of the main characters nearly committing a suicide. Decision to commit suicide is made via the flip of a coin, to live or to die. Fortunately for readers, Archie lives, and as we learn becomes an integral part of this delightful read.Zadie uses an eclectic ethnic diversity to bring this wonderful book to life. A highly recommended read
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THE DICE MAN BY LUKE RHINEHART Luke Rhinehart is a successful but bored psychologist looking for a way to escape the trappings of his professional career. Deciding to therefore inject some variety into his life he begins making decisions by the whim of the die. Rhinehart takes us on a daring ride that fights against routine and order.
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First printed in: Woking News and Mail
Here we put the spotlight on some of the nominations received for Community Matters funding so far.
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