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Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Book 23 Slam ** by Nick Hornby
Another book about the teenage boy, sex, and growing up in England. Derivative of Adrian Mole. Well written, entertaining, a few original insights.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Book 19, Strawberry Fields** by Marian Lewycka
She's a great writer, and funny. Enjoyed History of Tractors in the Ukraine a bit more.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Book 15 Agent Zigzag ** by Ben Macintyre
The story of a criminal, master spy and con artist, and double agent for Britain and Germany during WW II. Eddie Chapman conned the upper classes who ran and manned both the German Abwehr and the British MI5. The spy runners were all easily charmed and manipulated by Chapman, who was only out for money and fame, although he was supposedly quite useful to the British. On both Allied and Axis sides, the individuals involved had a lot invested in the success of these projects.
The fascinating aspect of the story is that Chapman had the nerve, the intelligence, and controlled grandiosity to actually go into German held territory twice, remaining there for months each time, then parachute into England twice, and at the same time, quell the suspicions of the spy masters. He had the ability to socialize with and make friends with his minders, who liked him enormously while looking down on him. According to MacIntyre, he worked hard to memorize details, learn languages, etc. My suspicions are that he learned enough and read enough just to show off and make an impression on the average unsuspicious person.
As all con artists and sociopaths do, he used his victims' superiority against them. By letting them look down on him and believe they are more intelligent and have power, he controls them. They, including the author, naively never quite realize that his motivation is solely money and thrills or the totallity of his betrayal.
Macintyre's theme is that even a harded criminal and incorrigible liar like Chapman was loyal to England, which means he also was conned. I am surprized that the book had such acclaim (as bragged about on the cover), but then the publishing industry will promote one of its own. However, it is well researched and well written and I see he has now written another book, which I will read.
In any case, a great story well researched and well told, set in one of the most interesting times in living memory with lots of historical detail.
The fascinating aspect of the story is that Chapman had the nerve, the intelligence, and controlled grandiosity to actually go into German held territory twice, remaining there for months each time, then parachute into England twice, and at the same time, quell the suspicions of the spy masters. He had the ability to socialize with and make friends with his minders, who liked him enormously while looking down on him. According to MacIntyre, he worked hard to memorize details, learn languages, etc. My suspicions are that he learned enough and read enough just to show off and make an impression on the average unsuspicious person.
As all con artists and sociopaths do, he used his victims' superiority against them. By letting them look down on him and believe they are more intelligent and have power, he controls them. They, including the author, naively never quite realize that his motivation is solely money and thrills or the totallity of his betrayal.
Macintyre's theme is that even a harded criminal and incorrigible liar like Chapman was loyal to England, which means he also was conned. I am surprized that the book had such acclaim (as bragged about on the cover), but then the publishing industry will promote one of its own. However, it is well researched and well written and I see he has now written another book, which I will read.
In any case, a great story well researched and well told, set in one of the most interesting times in living memory with lots of historical detail.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Book 8 A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian**** by Marian Lewycka
Great book, very entertaining, over too soon.
Two sisters try to deal with their elderly father's Ukrainian girl friend, who is using him to stay in England.
Any woman with a sister or father will identify with the resentments that infest the irrestible need to do one's duty with family. Lewycka has great insight into family dynamics and the immigrant survivor's motivation. I especially appreciated the description of her father's attitude toward his daughters --- they are not real women, too independent and bossy. At the same time, she skewers everyone including herself. I chuckled everytime Crap car was mentioned.
Two sisters try to deal with their elderly father's Ukrainian girl friend, who is using him to stay in England.
Any woman with a sister or father will identify with the resentments that infest the irrestible need to do one's duty with family. Lewycka has great insight into family dynamics and the immigrant survivor's motivation. I especially appreciated the description of her father's attitude toward his daughters --- they are not real women, too independent and bossy. At the same time, she skewers everyone including herself. I chuckled everytime Crap car was mentioned.
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