Category Archives: Literature

Book Review: Jussi Alder-Olsen ~ Redemption (2013) (Translator Martin Aitken)

Posted on September 1, 2022 by odeboyz

Redemption is the third in the series of Department Q novels which centre on Danish detective Carl Morck and his assistant Assad. So far so trivial. But! This is a scandi-noir novel of the highest quality. It’s brilliantly written with … Continue reading →

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17th century snowflakes were protected

Posted on August 25, 2022 by odeboyz
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Book Reviews: Russian Themed Thrillers

Posted on August 11, 2022 by odeboyz

When Martin Cruz Smith’s Gorky Park (1981), was published it was an instant hit. The subsequent series had everything. A Russian version of a maverick Detective Inspector who was brilliant and opposed by the forces of institutional corruption. And they … Continue reading →

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 Book Review: Nigel Williams ~ R.I.P. (2015)

Posted on July 18, 2022 by odeboyz

Williams is the king of the suburban black comedy. He dives into the sheer nastiness of family life amongst the well-heeled with enthusiasm. This book is superb example of his genre.  George Pearmain is a bank manager with a 99 … Continue reading →

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Lady Chatterley’s maid demands a raise

Posted on June 9, 2022 by odeboyz

Maid: “I’d like a raise.” Lady Chatterley: “Why do you deserve a raise? Maid: “Two reasons. I’m a better cook than you.” Lady Chatterley: “Who told you?” Maid: “Your husband. And I’m better in bed than you are as well.” … Continue reading →

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Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie

Posted on May 16, 2022 by odeboyz

People have told me that they’ve heard a song of mine and it’s changed their lives. Now I can only believe that or disbelieve it, but I know what it is to feel that, because I’ve felt that way myself … Continue reading →

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Book Review: David Baldacci ~ A Gambling Man (2021)

Posted on May 2, 2022 by odeboyz

I bought this solely because of a Facebook advert, which is the modern version of Waterstone’s seductive: ‘Buy one, get one half price’. It was 99p on Kindle and I wanted an undemanding read. What I got was a revelation. … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Viet Thanh Nguyen ~ The Sympathizer (2015)

Posted on April 11, 2022 by odeboyz

This superb book won the USA’s Pulitzer Prize. Nguyen is brilliant and the real thing: a great author. Opening sentences are important, I am a spy, a sleeper, a spook, a man of two faces.1 The unnamed hero/anti-hero is a … Continue reading →

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Woody Guthrie discovers Catholic hypocrisy

Posted on March 28, 2022 by odeboyz

“Son, I have been in this service [Roman Catholic priest] all my life. I have seen to it that thousands of men just like you got to work for a meal. But, right at this moment, there is no kind … Continue reading →

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TV Review: This is going to hurt ~ TV series (BBC1 catch-up) (Ben Whishaw)

Posted on March 14, 2022 by odeboyz

This is going to hurt’ is based on Adam Kay’s best-selling book.1 It’s autobiographical and Whishaw brilliantly portrays him. The series is a searing drama about the brutal realities of a maternity ward. It revolves round child birth meaning a … Continue reading →

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