Instead of recent books I’ve read, I thought I’d discuss some of the books I haven’t finished this year. I’ve actually finished nearly all of the books I’ve properly started (i.e. not just read a few pages and decided it wasn’t for me) this year and was starting to think I’m either mellowing with age or getting better at picking out books. But recently I’ve had to give up, at least temporarily, on a few books that I’m sure are quite good but just didn't suit me at the time.

First up is Robert Grave’s Claudius the God. Despite enjoying the Big Read of I, Claudius and racing through the first half of this book, I just stalled and haven’t summoned enough enthusiasm to finish it off. I don’t know if it’s the thought of remembering the huge cast of characters or the dense prose but it’s time for it to go back to the library, perhaps to be borrowed out another day.

Then there’s a Josephine Tey, Privateer. This is a novel about the 17th century privateer Henry Morgan. Despite generally liking the setting and the idea of the story, I just go stuck half way through and realised I don’t have the interest to keep going. I can't point at anything in the book that's irritating me, it’s just not my cuppa tea.

A book that will probably hang around the house a little longer while I wait to see if I will go back to it is Green dolphin country by Elizabeth Goudge. I have just realised my library system here has lots of Goudge books (I’d previously only read the wonderful The little white horse) including adult romances like this one. It’s set in the nineteenth century and is split between the Channel Islands and New Zealand. Although I am interested in reading how Goudge depicted New Zealand, I’m not sure I can stomach much more of the unnecessarily complicated romance or the characters that seem to have had the same personalities and motivations etc since they were children.

Another book I’m still leery about returning to the library as I keep thinking that surely I’ll pick it up to finish is Haruki Murakami’s The wind-up bird chronicle. I think the writing is wonderful and have enjoyed what I’ve read but again, am stuck. I think it’s the length combined with the slow plot that’s stumping me. I’ll definitely try another Murakami even if I don’t finish this one off.

Tags: books, goudge, graves, murakami, tey

Spain was great! I’ll write a post about it soon (with piccies! Hopefully great ones as one of my travelling companions had a very nice camera and an awe-inspiring dedication to good shots).

I admit once I was free of posting along with the group I just gobbled down I, Claudius. And any virtuous thoughts I had about keeping notes went out the window once Sangria and the Prado and the Alhambra entered the picture. So I’ll just post thoughts about all of the chapters in the last half of the book in a big jumble.

( I have forgotten lots of stuff but here are some quick reactions, spoilers as usual )

I, Claudius was a great book to read. It was slow at times with the lack of dialogue and the name-heavy prose. But the sly humour and the sheer madness of the storyline (and the fact that many of the bits were true!) made it worthwhile. I just wish I had been around more to do it justice in my blog.

Claudius the God is on hold at my library. I’m eager to read it. Will Claudius revenge Caligula’s death as he promised even though it was a Good Thing that the mad emperor was offed? Will his fourth (? I’m losing track) wife turn out better than the previous two? Will he make Livia a Goddess? Will the population of Rome boom now that people can survive a year without being poisoned? Good times ahead, my friends!

Edited to add, thanks to Leila at Bookshelves of Doom for arranging this Big Read! It was great trying out a book I probably wouldn't have got around to picking up myself!

Tags: books, graves, historical

I ran late putting this entry up as I was going out for dinner last night with work friends and at the last minute arranged to give one of them a lift, which involved very hasty tidying of the house so I would not be reported to the relevant health authorities.

I don't think I can talk about this book without spoilers. I personally wouldn't heed the spoiler warning as there are so many names and corpses and so on but in case you have a good memory: SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER!!! FOR EVERY I CLAUDIUS ENTRY FROM NOW ON!!

OK. I was dithering over whether I liked Livia or not. As I said at Bookshelves of Doom, she's evil but in an admirably manipulative and efficient manner. Well, no more dithering after she bumped off Claudius' poor little fiancee! She is very bad and must be stopped!

I liked all the stuff about Augustus hectoring the bachelors for not getting married and it turning out that it's the noble women who don't want to let themselves in for childbirth and the loss of their dowries. However, all the betrothals and marriages and divorces are quite complex, especially as they seem to be keeping it within the same extended family. Say what you will about the role of divorce in society, you have to admit it would be easier to keep track of people's relationships in a society where it was not allowed!

Cladius continues to be shown as learning lots of useful skills about speaking and writing history. But I'm glad Livia seems to be continuing to underestimate Claudius - it seems like a far safer position to be in.

Don't forget there are plenty of insightful comments over at Bookshelves of Doom!

Tags: books, graves, historical

I wonder if I'm the only one getting a Jerome K Jerome vibe? I think it's the self-conscious, witty manner, the random asides and the discussion of ill health (although Claudius is more self-mocking than J).

The stakes of the story are raised as further hints (in the subtle form of a BABY WOLF FALLING OUT OF THE TALONS OF AN EAGLE INTO HIS ARMS) are given that Claudius is going to play a key role in the fate of Rome.

These chapters are very dense with storylines! I can't imagine how the miniseries covered them without dedicating hours and hours of episodes. There are enough things happening to keep any soap opera happy for a few seasons. Livia alone chalks up an impressive body count. I wonder if she's going to be knocked off in the same way - surely someone will think to poison her at some stage?

I don't hold out hope for Postumus having a long and happy life now that he's is the only one of Julia's sons left alive. Run, Postumus, run!

Tags: books, graves, historical

I had so much fun reading and blogging about Rebecca that I'm taking part in The Big Read II at Bookshelves of Doom. I'll be away for the last part of the reading schedule, and can't even promise to post frequently in the first couple of weeks, but I'll give it my best.

We're reading I, Claudius by Robert Graves, with today's portion being chapters 1-3. I admit this isn't a book I probably would have picked up on my own. I sure didn't vote for it. I'm a bit over Roman history, and the boring cover on my copy isn't doing the story any favours. But when I read the first lines, I relaxed a bit:


I don't know if it's the Bujoldian echoes of Ivan-you-idiot but I liked the tone. Claudius goes on to say he is writing his life's story as a record for those who will read it in 1900 years time (according to the local prophet). These first chapters are tales of his parents and grandparents, and various intrigues that feature many a divorce and poisoning. The scene is set for a novel full of intrigue and drama!

There started to be a real tangle of Roman names by the end of chapter three - I hope I can remember them all across the course of the month - one of the problems of slowly reading when you have a poor name memory!

Tags: books, graves, historical