I'll tell you briefly about the book that was the 5th one I managed to read this year, and sadly consider it something of a waste of time. It was "Europe After the Minotaur", written by Yanis Varoufakis, ex-Minister of Finance for Greece. He is an highly acclaimed academic, specialised in economics, and I am sure he is an impressively intelligent man who can write very well; still, I didn't like his book and, although I truly made an effort and read it to the end, only one main message from it stuck in my mind: Greece has no fault whatsoever in the economical mess it has been finding itself in over the past years, but it is really all Germany's fault, combined with the US' fault for having spread its form of capitalism around the globe.
No doubt the author is infinitely cleverer than I am, but the message that transpires from the book is, in my personal (not necessarily politically coloured!) opinion, too simple, too black and white.
And now, for something completely different:
Book Nr. 6, which was
One Perfect Spring
by Irene Hannon
This was a very relaxing and enjoyable read, although probably not everybody's cup of tea; if you can not abide references to Christian faith, God, prayer, or religion in general, do not read this.
The story - for the sake of brevity strippd off all religious content here - is the old "Troubled woman and equally troubled man find love and new beginnings again". But it is charmingly told, and I really did warm to the characters.
Claire is the divorced mother of a bright 11-year-old girl who plans a special birthday surprise for their neighbour, a single middle-aged academic who loves to cook and bake and harbours a secret she has only recently revealed to Claire: She gave up her baby for adoption straight after birth some 20+ years ago, and is now desperate to find her son.
Claire's daughter overhears the conversation and is determined to help things along: She writes to a local businessman and benefactor, who against his first impulse becomes intrigued with the story and sets his best man on the quest for the lost son.
That man has his own troubled past to struggle with, and would do almost anything to avoid the task set him by his boss. But eventually, everything turns out for the best; families manage to heal strained or broken relationships, couples come together, love is found all around, and new beginnings leave almost everyone full of hope.
It is very obvious from the bginning who those couples are going to be, but there are a few situations that make for mild surprises, and it all just combines for a good read. I would have liked it even more if the characters weren't all so gorgeous with superb bodies, great hair and stunning features - don't people also fall in love with other people who are far from looking like models or film stars? It also does not quite tie in with the Christian message that the author tries to bring home.
I'd not heard of the author before, but (as is so often the case) came across her book as a free edition at Amazon's kindle shop. Irene Hannon's website is here, if you are interested.
My husband has just finished reading Yanis Varoufakis's book Adults in the Room. He says he enjoyed it but it is not my *thing*. I expect all such accounts are possibly coloured by personal judgement s.
ReplyDeleteIt just seemed very narrow-minded, something I really did not expect from how I had perceived him as a politician so far.
DeleteIf you want a good read do look out for Aminatta Forna's 'Happiness'
ReplyDeleteI liked "Happiness" very much, too. And it was upon your recommendation, dear Weaver. Many thanks!
DeleteMary
Thank you, Pat! I think I have seen it in book shops in England.
DeleteThe Hannon book is not available for Kindle here. Sad. I will look for Happiness.
ReplyDeleteI believe I downloaded it several years ago, Kristi. There were so many back then that are still waiting to be read - but they do not take up any physical space, and so I carry them around every time I travel :-)
DeleteHappiness is quite expensive for Kindle, but I was able to get it from the library. Still.....The book you wrote about, Meike, sounded quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt was, and I did like it - just wishing those otherwise rather ordinary people with ordinary lives would also be described a little more ordinarily-looking. But that's probably just me!
DeleteI have not really followed Varafoukis's thoughts but I was tempted to read his book - I am glad I didn't. I really do love Greece but I can think of quite a few reasons why it should not blame Germany for its economic collapse. I am not going to write them here of course.I must say I was very encouraged to see how clean and beautiful the capital of Kefalonia was on our recent visit....quite inspiring! but there again, we had to cancel Corfu because they haven't managed to sort out recycling and their rubbish disposal, sadly. I suspect that nationalists always need to have someone to blame and that is the bottom line, no matter what the actual nationalities involved.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful and insightful comment, Jenny. I know you have a broad mental horizon, last but not least through your many travels, and know what you are talking about.
DeleteYes, nationalists will always find someone to blame for the shortcomings in their countries.