BT: The End of Mr Y

On rare occasion, you can pick up a book that you've never heard of (even in passing) before and find that it is inspiring, clever and entirely engrossing at the same time. This book (which I heartily recommend as it has prevented me doing any work for the past three days) is one of those.

Initially, I have to admit I was sceptical. The blurb on the back is a frankly shocking representation of it so I admit to some initial internal dread. Judging a book by its cover is something we all do, but all wish we could avoid, and I'm glad, now, the book was given to me as a present, or I mightn't have picked it up at all... Additionally, upon discovering (early on) that the protagonist was a red-haired girly called Ariel, I raised my eyebrows a few times. But it is all justified eventually - and even amusing name puns here and there don't manage to ruin the feel of the book.

The End of Mr Y tells the story of a PhD student who finds herself sucked into a world of life-changing philosophy and scientific discovery through the chance finding of a book in a second-hand book store. This is simplifying it considerably - this isn't a fantasy along the lines of The Never-Ending Story. The book combines intelligent theoretical scientific and philosophical discussions within a very humanistic and down-to-Earth narrative, which makes even the hard science upon which it is based a delight to digest.

This is the sort of fiction you read and, afterwards, come out feeling as though you have not only enjoyed reading it, but you have tangibly learned a lot along the way about quantum physics, literature, philosophy, theology and, in a way, about life in general. I can't count the number of times I read things which made me think, 'Oh God, I wish so-and-so had read this' and 'Ooh, I must tell such and such' because there is such a broad spectrum of interest within it.

So yes, I recommend it wholeheartedly and have tried to extol its virtues without ruining all the juicy surprises along the way.

Bookythought II + Confusion.

Whether it was the knowledge that it was written by a student (which gives us all hope!), the Edinburgh -related documentary I watched a few years ago, or my sudden interest in crime novels influenced by Fatherland, I recently found myself reading the first of Ian Rankin's Rebus novels, Knots and Crosses. First off, I was amused by the rivalry between Rebus and Anderson, as it made me think of Anderson from Moffat's Sherlock (whom I believe to be in Conan Doyle's novels, too, though I've not got to him yet!) My limited knowledge of detective-based books has thus far led me to the understanding that it is not a good mystery unless there's an annoying member of the Anderson clan lurking about in the background, making the protagonist's life a little harder.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book - especially the final few chapters when everything tied together in that lovely way a good novel always ought to. While I'd spent the first half, or so, thinking the book to be a bit more shallow than it was, I was delighted when things started to tie together, even if I had had my suspicions who (if not why) the strangler was for a little while.

Anyhow, this led me to thinking about the amusing connections between Sherlock and K&C, including Anderson's excuse of a 'drugs raid' in order to search Sherlock's apartment, which I was reminded of while reading about Jim Stevens' false leads about Rebus. Rebus, not having a 'Watson' of his own (if we ignore Gill) the similarities quickly fail there. Fun to ponder about, but almost definitely the result of teachers reading connections into everything; it's rubbing off on me.

In any case, I am currently in the process of hunting down the second of the series, Hide & Seek - into which, considering the connections made by the first novel (Deacon Brodie), I will happily read Jekyll and Hyde references. "If he be Mr Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek" &c. I do like things that are based on puns. :D

***

How is it, too, that it's possible to do more work while off sick from college, than while actually there? The amount of time we waste doing very little in the classroom is confusing and concerning - especially with the number of deadlines they expect us to work to.

Back to bed for me now, though,

Tata!

Fatherland - Robert Harris

I mentioned in my post here that I was reading Fatherland by Robert Harris. I first picked it up as part of a one-off rummage through the shelves of Waterstones/Ottakars/Whatever-it-now-goes-by, in order to get a 3 for 2 discount. Definitely worth the extortion (though I eventually read the copy on my Kindle instead...)

This book is good in numerous ways, but especially in the amount of research behind it, and its attention to detail. In short terms, it is a historical mystery/thriller set in 1960's Berlin in a universe where the Nazis won WWII and the Third Reich was allowed to grow into fruition. Albert Speer's 'Germania' had been built, and everything was trundling on with benign obliviousness to the horrors of the war crimes committed by the Nazi Government during the war. That is, until Xavier March, divorcée, Kripo officer and suspected defector finds himself dragged into something that he probably oughtn't to be!

The plot (which I won't divulge because we all hate spoilers!) weaves in and out of true events and documents, and is set in the run up to the Fuhrertag, Hitler's 75th birthday.

Overall: For the interesting plot, delightful levels of author research and its sheer readability, it's a great book. (Y)