Category Archives: Literature

A Pen Portrait of Dylan Thomas (about 1936)

Posted on June 7, 2021 by odeboyz

“That cruel giggle is the thing I best remember about him. He told me how as a boy he delighted in tearing the wings off flies. I said it must be a difficult thing to do. Dylan replied, ‘Maybe I … Continue reading →

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Book Review: S A Cosby ~ Blacktop Wasteland (2021)

Posted on May 17, 2021 by odeboyz

Anthony ‘Bug’ Bearegard, is a psychopath, a gangster, a loving father, an exceptional motor mechanic and brilliant driver. A very complex person overloaded with attributes each one of which is challenging for dominance. And that’s the source of the story. … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Carl Hiaasen ~ Razor Girl (2016)

Posted on May 3, 2021 by odeboyz

Hiaasen is a 21st century Florida version of P G Wodehouse. Beautiful writing, stereotypes developed to breaking point and then stretched a little bit more and zany storylines. His ultimate premise is that Florida is filled with insane people who … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Peter Oborne ~ The Assault on Truth: Boris Johnson, Donald Trump and the emergence of a new moral barbarism (2021)

Posted on April 26, 2021 by odeboyz

Peter Oborne’s book has the passion of someone seeking revenge for a bitter disappointment with a feckless lover. Try this: “He [Johnson] was a joy to work for, a fine editor and a loyal colleague with the quickest mind I’ve … Continue reading →

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Big Brother: 2021 Version

Posted on March 29, 2021 by odeboyz
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Nazi SS Doctors and the CIA: post 1945

Posted on March 15, 2021 by odeboyz

“They [CIA doctors] did, however, benefit from the guidance of Camp King’s staff doctor, Walter Schreiber, the former surgeon general of the Nazi army, who had overseen research at concentration camps in which prisoners were frozen, injected with hallucinogens, and … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Leif G W Persson ~ The Dying Detective (Translator: Neil Smith) (2016)

Posted on September 28, 2020 by odeboyz

Fans of BBC’s New Tricks* enjoy the idea that decades of experience can resolve unsolved crimes. Intuition, which can’t be taught, and informed common sense triumph over derided ‘modern’ methods. The Swedish author of this brilliant novel takes the genre … Continue reading →

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George Orwell on Socialists in 1937

Posted on September 24, 2020 by odeboyz

The typical Socialist is not, as tremulous old ladies imagine, a ferocious-looking working man with greasy overalls and a raucous voice. He is either a youthful snob-Bolshevik who in five years’ time will quite probably have made a wealthy marriage … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Stefan Ahnhem ~ Motive X (Translator: Agnes Broome) (2019)

Posted on September 14, 2020 by odeboyz

Scandi-Noir emerged about twenty years ago and powered across the world with a series of brilliant writers. Their stories were tightly written and usually contained ultra-violent scenes. A strong stomach is recommended for readers. Ahnhem stands in this tradition. His … Continue reading →

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Book Review: G D Abson ~ Black Wolf (2019)

Posted on September 6, 2020 by odeboyz

Thrillers should thrill. Novels set in Russia/Soviet Union are a familiar sight on book shelves and there are some outstanding examples. Abson is competing with Tom Rob Smith’s Child 44; Martin Cruz Smith’s Wolves eat Dogs; and Lionel Davidson’s Kolyma … Continue reading →

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