The Village by RS Thomas

The Village

Scarcely a street, too few houses
To merit the title; just a way between
The one tavern and the one shop
That leads nowhere and fails at the top
Of the short hill, eaten away
By long erosion of the green tide
Of grass creeping perpetually nearer
This last outpost of time past.

So little happens; the black dog
Cracking his fleas in the hot sun
Is history. Yet the girl who crosses
From door to door moves to a scale
Beyond the bland day's two dimensions.

Stay, then, village, for round you spins
On a slow axis a world as vast
And meaningful as any posed
By great Plato's solitary mind.

R S Thomas

Booking Through Thursday - Restrictions

Restrictions April 29, 2010

God* comes to you and tells you that, from this day forward, you may only read ONE type of book–one genre–period, but you get to choose what it is. Classics, Science-Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Cookbooks, History, Business … you can choose, but you only get ONE.
What genre do you pick, and why?
*Whether you believe in God or not, pretend for the purposes of this discussion that He is real.

Oh my Goodness - heartbreak - just one type of book!!
Torn between women's 19th century classics or modern thrillers.
Do I go with classic writting or new stories.

OK I'd have to abandon the classic which I love to re-read and go for 21st century thrillers!

Good job I'm a Buddhist - so I wouldn't have to choose!!!!

Thursday Tea

Thursday Tea
Thursday Tea is hosted by Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog.
Here's how it works:
Tell us what tea you are drinking (and if you like it).
And then tell us what book are you reading (and if you like it).
Finally, tell us if they go together

Tea: La Tisaniere - Verveine (violet) tea

Taste: Really does taste and smell of violets - lovely, light and refreshing.
Only had one sachet in a swap parcel, must get more of this one too.
FYI: trivia about violet tea and Victorian violet tea parties here

Book : Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet by Mark Lynas
Just started this book about climate change.
Lots of evidence .. anyone who is not convinced it is happening must be mad!
See previous post for another book on the subject.

Do They Go Together: no! This beautiful tea is too delicate for such a strong subject.
Yet I fear that if we continue the way we are going, one day there will be no violets left.

Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Climate Change - Is Time Running Out? by Elizabeth Kolbert

Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Climate Change - Is Time Running Out? by Elizabeth Kolbert

Genre: non-fiction - ecological / climate change
Rating: very Good ****

Kolbert presents a variety of essays which show convincing evidence for global warming, from changes in the Arctic ice to the loss of spices of toads.
The science is kept to a minimum, while the real life examples are thoroughly presented.

A frightening book that shows how we are heading for a disaster if we don't act NOW.

Why more governments and more people don't do something is beyond me.
Everyone who cares about our future should read this book.

non-fiction 2010 #26
Challenges: 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, Support your local Library reading challenge 2010,

Far North by Marcel Theroux

Far North by Marcel Theroux

Genre: fiction - post-apocalypse
Rating: Very Good

Synopsis

In the Far North of Russia, after an unstated disaster has devastated the planet, Makepeace patrols the ruins of a dying city.
Once an official peacekeeper, now long since left without orders in this cold, vast isolated world.
Struggling to survive and starved of company, Makepeace find evidence of 'civilisation' somewhere beyond the hills.
Undertaking a grueling journey, what Makepeace discovers is not as hoped.
instead is an even harsher wold, forced labour camps, terrible conditions, and a mysterious 'zone' where old technology is thought to be the answer to all problems.

My Thoughts
A disturbing, moving novel which leaves you hoping that civilisation never comes to this.

The central question of the novel is 'What is it to be human?' - what makes life worth living for.
Loving written with a feel for the remote sub-arctic landscape.
If you can read this sort of fiction without becoming depressed, you will enjoy this novel.

fiction 2010 #57
Challenges: 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, Part III of The End of the World Challenge., Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, A to Z Challenge 2010,

Chosen Prey by John Sandford

Chosen Prey by John Sandford

Genre: fiction - thriller / crime
Rating: Very Good ****

Synopsis
Lucas Davenport is called on to help investigate a body found in a shallow grave in Minnesota, that of a young woman who appears to have been strangled.
Connecting the murder to a series of pornographic drawings that have been sent to numerous women, they come across more victims of this serial killer, buried together in a woodland site.
Lucas begins investigating the connection to the art world, while the killer stalks his next victim...

My thoughts
I enjoy the Prey series, although I didn't find this one as gritty as the other ones I've read.
Still, it's nice to see how the characters are progressing.
I just hope Lucas is more hard-nosed in the next one!

fiction 2010 # 56
Challenges: 100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010, Support your local Library reading challenge 2010, Prey Challenge,