Category Archives: Review

Donald Trump meets British public opinion June 2019

Posted on June 3, 2019 by odeboyz

…..he has no class, no charm, no coolness, no credibility, no compassion, no wit, no warmth, no wisdom, no subtlety, no sensitivity, no self-awareness, no humility, no honour and no grace – all qualities, funnily enough, with which his predecessor … Continue reading →

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Book Review: C Northcote Parkinson ~ Parkinson’s Law or the pursuit of progress (1957)

Posted on May 26, 2019 by odeboyz

This book is one of the most influential books that has been written. Like Catch-22 it has entered the language and the psyche of even those who haven’t read it. Parkinson’s Law is brutally simple. “Work expands so as to … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Attica Locke~ Bluebird, Bluebird (2017)

Posted on May 20, 2019 by odeboyz

The shocking thing about this book is that it’s a twenty-first century novel published exactly fifty years after ‘In The Heat Of The Night’ was released. The film and Attica Locke’s novel are set in the Deep South. In east … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Nigel Slater ~ Toast: the story of a boy’s hunger (2003)

Posted on May 13, 2019 by odeboyz

Slater’s autobiography is unique. He doesn’t pamper readers with a chronology. Hints are offered. Hit records are mentioned. Primary school becomes secondary; a catering college; various jobs culminate in the Savoy Hotel. His sexuality develops. A randy gardener, a girl … Continue reading →

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Jay Rayner reviews Fish and Chips: The Fishmarket, Edinburgh

Posted on April 15, 2019 by odeboyz

“The fish is fine, but here fine isn’t good enough. You try it and go yeah, that’s a piece of fried fish in batter. But you wouldn’t tip your head on one side, dab an eye and admit undying love, … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Zhou Haohui ~ Death Notice (Translator Zac Haluza) (2014)

Posted on March 25, 2019 by odeboyz

Waterstones dreaded ‘Buy one, get one half price’ has led me- greedily- to buy absolute lemons in the past. On this occasion I wasn’t disappointed. In fact I was delighted. Zhou’s novel is set in Chengdu. This is an enormous … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Sir Henry Howarth Bashford ~ Augustus Carp, Esq., by Himself (1924)

Posted on March 18, 2019 by odeboyz

Sometimes I chase up references and with the magic of Google and Amazon read reviews of books I’ve never heard by authors who’s names have long disappeared. If they’re not too expensive, I buy them. Not every move outside my … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Ian Rankin ~ In a house of lies (2018)

Posted on March 11, 2019 by odeboyz

Ian Rankin is a magnificent storyteller. His principal character and main achievement is Rebus. Rebus has been developed by Rankin in a way that other crime writers have not. Rebus is now old, ill with COPD, and retired. Rankin however … Continue reading →

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Book Review: William Melvin Kelley ~ A Different Drummer (1962)

Posted on February 25, 2019 by odeboyz

A Different Drummer is set in America’s deep south in the segregation era. The principal black character is Tucker Caliban working for the family that had, generations previously, owned slaves including Tucker’s great grand-father. The central white family stills owns … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Dov Alfon ~ A long night in Paris (translated Daniella Zamir)

Posted on February 18, 2019 by odeboyz

Dov Alfon is an Israeli who’s novel is autobiographical. He was an intelligence officer in an elite unit- 8200. A lot of the action is centred on this unit. The majority of the action is based in Paris. Away from … Continue reading →

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