Top 5 Books May 2008
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
If this collection of beautifully crafted words doesn't make you cry then not much will. The tale follows Liesel Meminger as she grows up far too quickly in Nazi Germany. The tale is narrated by death who sees a surge in his work load as the war machines of World War Two heat up and tragically invade the life of Liesel. Our wonderfully observant narrator also slips in a few non-linear sneak peaks of what's to come - a clever little literary device which adds to your inextricable involvement and your grief, when it all goes wrong. Tragedy aside this book is an incredible insight into the mind set of the German masses, the fear induced - Nazi herd mentality and how a whole generation was very nearly robbed of independent thought and democratic choice.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is published by Random House (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through randomhouse.co.uk and all good booksellers.
The Rough Guide to Austria
by Jonathan Bousfield and Rob Humphreys
Austria might only have eight million citizens but it more than makes up for this tiny demographic by giving the independent traveller a world class choice of fun things to do. This particular Rough Guide exemplifies this choice particularly well in the section on Salzburg and the Salzburger Land. From personal, sleep deprived, exuberantly enthusiastic experience, I can confirm that The Sound of Music Tour is indeed: “an essential part of the Salzburg experience . . . if only to wallow in kitsch in the company of other English-speaking tourists.” Unfortunately however the guide does not do justice to the breath taking falconry show, forty miles south of Salzburg at the Hohenwerfen Fortress. This is only mentioned in passing but a first hand encounter with these super efficient flying hunters is guaranteed to invoke a deeper response in the independent traveller.
The Rough Guide to Austria by Jonathan Bousfield and Rob Humphreys is published by Rough Guides (paperback; £12.99). It is also available through roughguides.com and all good booksellers.
Lonely Planet Wales
by David Atkinson and Neil Wilson
I needed a guide to Cardiff and the appropriate chapter in this wonderful book, gave me everything I needed to know about the splendiferous capital of Wales. You can get a taste of this for yourself by reading the free chunk of it in the May Travel Book section, but in the mean time here's a succinct overview. The Cardiff Castle is rightly recommended because it is indeed a kitsch must-see, the Millennium Stadium is OK if you're a rugby fan and interested in the catalyst of Cardiff's regeneration and if you are lucky enough to be in town when the yachts are racing each other across the bay, then you should indeed indulge in a cool beer and commit the sight to memory. Further afield the Taff Trail from Cardiff to Brecon is a must for all cycling and hiking backpackers. It stretches for a whopping 88km and cuts through the beautiful Brecon Beacons.
Lonely Planet Wales by David Atkinson and Neil Wilson is published by Lonely Planet (paperback; £11.99). It is also available through lonelyplanet.com and all good booksellers.
Brideless in Wembley
by Sanjay Suri
I liked this read because it's an insight into a world which I had no idea about. It's also written by a fellow journalist - which means a truly admirable dedication to grammatical accuracy and enthralling prose. In a nutshell Brideless in Wembley is a biographical adventure, charting Suri's journey through the Indian communities of England. His search for a wife at marriage fairs is the beginning of a didactic literary experience which not only educates the reader, but also lightens the spirit. Race divisions invisible to the casual observer are put on full view, Bollywood microcosms are brought to light and the full spectrum of multicultural integration in modern Britain is exposed. One in fifty people in the UK is of Indian origin, which works out at 1.05 million across the country. Brideless in Wembley is a fitting tribute to an integrated and fascinating way of life that a lot of people should know a lot more about.
Brideless in Wembley by Sanjay Suri is published by Summersdale (paperback; £8.99). It is also available through amazon.co.uk and all good booksellers.
The History of Love
by Nicole Krauss
If you only integrate your brain with one of this month's top five reads, then make it The History of Love. This is a real example of how writing is a craft in its own right. Krauss takes what Sebastian Faulkes attempted to do with the non-linear Fool's Alphabet and makes it work in The History of Love. Powerful and truly lucid story lines from different time frames are all beautifully interwoven and when the dot connecting penny drops, you get a sense of satisfaction akin to finishing your exams at High School. Real pain is shrouded in dry wit and real loss is countered by the unexpected and out of the ordinary retrieval of literature and life, long lost. The front running, favourite character has to be Leo Gursky. Krauss beautifully describes the affection grabbing antics of this lonely senior citizen and makes him dear to your heart in one swift pen stroke.
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss is published by Penguin Books (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through penguin.co.uk and all good booksellers.
- Rob Savage
