Angelmaker - Nick Harkaway

It seems as though I am getting worse and worse at regular blogging.

Though there are many, I offer no explanation... because really, who cares. Let’s get straight to it.

Today's review: Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway.

This book has a very beautiful cover and fundamentally that is the reason I picked it. What a maverick I am, judging books by their covers. 

Which, incidentally, irritates me greatly as a phase. Why should I not make first impressions on books based on their covers? Is that not the exact purpose of a book cover, to give some impression of the content of the book. If you know you like crime stories you go into a book shop looking for a certain kind of book cover that screams 'THIS IS A CRIME NOVEL' usually a blurry picture of a silhouetted man with a hat under a street light  or something equally clichéd. 

I digress, the point is Angelmaker has a great cover, golden bees spiralling into cogs from a gramophone - bizarre but immediately interesting. Its littered with great reviews and a blurb that may as well have said ‘Chloe this book is for you.’ that was pretty much be sold, so knowing no more about it, I picked it up.  

The story follows the quiet and shy clock making son of an infamous gangster, who dies leaving a reputation his peaceful son hides away from. 

What an excellent preface for a story. You already know there’s going to be trouble and adventure.

And there is, by the bucket load. Along the road you meet a mass murdering mental who wants to achieve the status of a God. His arch nemesis, a lesbian pensioner with a glass eyed dog. A religious cult of bird like men swathed in black, a bold and feisty side kick for our clock making outlaw, Joe Spork.

 His journey from a shuffling tax paying good boy to England’s most wanted leads the reader through every variation of gangster character your imagination could muster and to top it off there is a mechanical bee controlled doomsday devise(!!).

The character writing is where this books soars, each one so well formed, so clear in their place and role in the story that its a delight to indulge in Harkaways delicately crafted world and its madness. This particularly makes the dialogue very rich, a lot of time has been spent weaving each person into the story with individuality.

Also, for me the characters were very reminiscent of Martin Amis, a lot of very London working class family lead gangsters – corrupt politicians, gloriously rotund government heavies. There is very much a feel of celebrating the unlawful, which is often found in Amis novels. Joe transforms into a wonderful anti-hero so powerful is Harrkaway’s picture of gangster life that we grow to disapprove of Joe’s  law-abiding character and wait with baited breath for him to release his inner criminal.

However, it slightly lacks the dark comedy of an Amis novel. Whilst it is funny in parts, there is a darker reflection on society that could have been drawn but is overlooked though touched upon towards the end. Though, I'm not sure this is a criticism, more an observation. 

My one criticism to offer is that so elaborate is the language and storytelling that I often felt the book was being read to me by Russell Brand. 

Whilst I imagine in reality this would probably suit the story very well when humble old me is reading, it just feels like a distraction. Flowery language and long drawn out rambles made it quite tough to work through and I found myself turning away from it when I was tired because it was an effort. 

Having said that, to utterly contradict myself, there were regular patches that we’re so good I would read it walking around – to the shop on my lunch break, to the tube home from work etc - which caused some thrilling near death experiences crossing roads.

Ultimately though, it was a rewarding read. The plot itself is utterly fantastical. You couldn't fit in any more story, its practically bursting at the seams. Its vibrant and bold and actually despite the slight difficulties I really enjoyed it.

Angelmaker really ticks a lot of boxes and actually would make an excellent graphic novel or comic. Shem Shem Tsien (the baddest baddy) is pure marvel villain with a God complex. Gruesomely evil and seemingly undefeatable. Loveable rouges are 10 a penny and Polly Cradle (Joe’s lady love and all round vixen) is an anti-heroes perfect female companion, every bit as menacing, but with a Jessica Rabbit touch.

In conclusion - Its good, get into it. 

For fans of:

 Martin Amis, X-men, Russell Brand 

The story of Bonnie the exploring dog and how she found her way home

A slightly different kind of 'review'...

The internet is awash with negativity today - no surprises there - so here's nice thing that happened to me to hopefully give you a smile.

So, today's topic of review is my day yesterday, which needs some pre-amble so stick with it, you get a free unintentionally preachy message at the end.

Sometimes, particularly in London the success or failure of our day often relies on our interaction with others.

London is famed for its stiff upper lipped silences. Commutes home are riddled with glaring eyes, scoffs and tuts as we pile on to an always late train - yes, that was directed at you First Capital. We are all a little self involved sometimes, its what makes us human and London can be a place that exasperates that so much that we forget to treat others like humans too..

Yesterday i experienced the humbling happiness of making someone else's day.


Disclaimer**  This isn't intended to say "i'm so fucking excellent and you are all awful cretins" though, this being the internet i'm sure there's some delight out there waiting to accuse me of such. I only wanted to share a nice thing to make you smile. Go ahead and troll if you feel the need.



A week or so ago i found a beautiful white staffie wandering lonesome around Tooley street, where i work, which for those that don't know is a very very busy street in London and not the safest place for an adventuring woofa. I picked her up and told the nearest authority (TFL) to call Battersea dogs home, which they didn't and a few hours later a dog warden came to get her.

I spent a whole week fretting about this poor lost dog and her panicked owner, i registered my details with the pound that she was taken too and sat around hoping that i could find a way reunite them with no idea how to.And i had pretty much decided i was just going to look after her until i found her another happy home.

On Monday - the day i was due to go and collect the woof an excellent thing happened.

I had intended to take her to Battersea to find her a nice new home - as much as i wanted to keep her, i don't have the time.

My colleague had a quick search online to see if anything had popped up and low and behold we found her owner. A lovely mum, Loraine and her 3 little girls who lived a stones throw away from my office and we're very tearfully missing their 13 yr old staffie, Bonnie.

I knew instantly that it was the same dog and called straight away. The conversation last about 20 mins and mostly consisted of this:

"Oh my God i can't believe you found her" Loraine,
"I am so happy i found you and you can get her back" Chloe,
"I can't tell you how much she means to us, we're so happy" Loraine,
"THIS IS SO EXCELLENT, I AM SO HAPPY, YOU ARE SO HAPPY, ALL THE FEELS" Chloe.

Repeat to fade.


The day after Loraine called me to say she had picked up Bonnie, had her looked over at the vets and much to my delight, had her micro chipped!

She offered me money as a reward, to which i obviously said no and told her i was so very happy that their family was back together and that was all the reward i needed.

The next day i popped up to visit them both with a packet of dog treats in my bag. Bonnie practically bowled me over as i came into the house.

Lorraine made me a cup of tea and we sat for twenty minuets just telling the story from both our sides. She hugged me and both her and her father told me they are so pleased it was me who found her and that i was a rare and amazing person.

I told them, i didn't deserve that and all i was doing was being nice, i guess and that i couldn't stop thinking about how upset the dogs owners would be so i did what i thought was the right thing.

As i left their house, after having lots of cuddles with Bonnie and making her promise me that she'd not go on any more adventures, I was absolutely beaming with happiness.

I had done something nice, purely because i felt compelled to and in doing so i had made this lovely little family outstandingly happy. Which was a feeling so addictive and lovely that i came back to my office to look up other ways i can get in involved in encouraging smiles.



So i guess i just wanted to write about it to say being nice is great.
Making people smile is wonderful and that in review, it was the best day of my year so far.

The way people interact on the internet seems to make them think that they are capable of weighing in on issues far beyond their reach. Issues so complicated, difficult and sensitive that no one of us can expect to have a solution.
I'm not saying i have the answers, i'm saying no one does.

So instead of wasting your internet energy spouting hateful bile - why not do something nice, and make someone else smile and then tell someone else about it, and maybe it'll make them smile too.

It'll make you feel a whole lot better about the world than being mean does.

Also, I then went and got drunk with my boss, so in review 10 out of 10 for my day yesterday.



I guess that's all.

Bring it on, happy feelings trolls.




The End.

For Fans of - Nice things, dogs, sunshine happiness and lollipops etc.

A visit from the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan

Hello again internet.

My posts are annoyingly infrequent, I'm aware, and can only apologize  but you know I do life as well and sometimes it becomes more important than blogging. Also i'm lazy*. Who knew.

Let me tell you, i have lusted after The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan for quite some time. A vlogger I follow on YouTube - I know I'm a new medias traitor, i'm sorry but its interesting - that goes by the name of Hannah Hart raved about it and I, perhaps arrogantly, have assumed we have similar tastes due to her penchant for drinking wine and making awful puns, the worlds greatest pastimes i'm sure you'll agree.

So, I was browsing Herne Hill's delightful yet tiny bookshop and I saw this book that over the months had slipped to the bottom of my to read list. A perfect find, I thought.

And what a find it is. What a very rare book. 

I'm a big fan of stories that jump about, time wise, not sure why, its just always appealed to me and in AVFTGS it's charmingly and seamlessly done. In fact i'd go so far to say as this wouldn't be the book it is without the timey-wimey confusion. It adds so much to the story, you get a little slice of real life seen through the eyes of about 20 different characters who all interlink. Spread over about 60 years. Each character slightly struggling through a point in their life but ultimately they are refreshingly real and relate-able. For someone who usually reads fantasy fiction, or some derivative of it, this was a very nice change for me. 

Egan shows how human life as doomed to repeat with characters that are beautifully individual and detailed who interlock as we seem them at a difficult point in their lives.

What was interesting for me was the idea that each story was so different, but with similar things happening - does that make any sense at all? It does to me but i'm hungover so i don't think i can be a judge of 'sense.' I clearly don't posses any in the common variety. 

Note to self - wine will always lead to hangover, no matter how invincible you may feel. 

  

Returning to the point, AVFTGS is a great and original reflection on our fickle lives with ever changing trivial and poignant issues and with an overall idea that nobody really knows what they are doing in life, the same confusing trip ups are as present in youth as they are in middle ages. Which is comforting, not at all as depressing as it may sound and ultimately true. 

Not to mention, its very funny. In a kind of sarcastic, self depreciating way. A kind of High Fidelity way i think, which works perfectly with the themes and plots that run through it. 

I happily recommend this book. What i do not recommend is going to watch The Great Gatsby on a Thursday and being over excited by the excellent wine at your lovely local cinema... Just, you know, in case you were thinking of doing that... 

* I'm not actually lazy its just most of my downtime is spent reading books, and i'm going through a surge of excellent ones so instead of writing about them i am selfishly just powering through the series. Sorry. (No, i'm not actually, not at all. I am enjoying them GREATLY) 

The end.


For fans of: Nick Hornby,Roddy Doyle, Ian McEwan, Douglas Copeland
Opinions are cool friends, so share your if you like!

Notes from Belgrade: is print dead?

Camille Scherrer talks on her augmented reality animations. Beautiful and inspiring 

Rather than talking blindly at the internet I thought today we could try something different. I am going to ask you two questions and it would be nice if we could all have a conversation.

When I set up this blog it was intended to be an outlet for me to talk about books but as it stands it's mostly me shouting things at you and I'm not a huge fan of that. Makes me feel like I'm a bit mad.

So, my first question is, where are you?

I am currently in Belgrade, Serbia at a new media festival called Resonate.

Now I know what your thinking, new media and books, nice oxymoron, moron. Well yes, its true that I am not exactly a new media buff rather more of a campaigner for old medias, but my other half is and as we well know learning is great, so I'm here learning things with him and I've got to say so far its great.

There's something very refreshing about being a complete novice surrounded by experts, i know I'm getting a view if things they can't have, like an innocent baby casting fresh eyes on the world.

There were two talks yesterday that have sparked my interest and that are extremely relevant to the traditional medias us book lovers adore. (Incidentally we need a better collective name than book lovers, suggestions welcome.) So i thought I'd share some thoughts with you, perhaps you'll feel compelled to as well.

Firstly I watched Camille Scherrer (http://chipchip.ch/) An illustrator who lives a fairytale existence drawing in her mountainside cabin in the hills of Sweden. How beautiful that sounds.

She has always harboured an interest in augmented reality and that turned to adding animations to books so as you view the story the pages almost literally come to life, the stuff off dreams.
Which got me thinking in a world where traditionalists battle against kindle supporters what is it we get from the old medias that makes it so much more appealing than the new, or vice versa depending on your opinion.

For me the physical shopping for a book is part of the enjoyment, choosing my stories from all the books in front of me, the smell of a secret old shop, chatting with the shop staff about favorites old and new. It all gives me a child like joy like no other. There is also something to be said of the thought that stories carry their own stories, books passed between hands, down through generations or groups of friends, everyone sharing the same story but each experiencing it in their own way. The fact its a tangible product gives it a life of its own.

So where then, is the place for new medias in books. The kindle hath arrived and taken over most households, is that simply for its accessibility? It takes away so many other aspects of reading in favor of speed and cost, so in my mind digital books only existed to  destroy the industry, or at least the aspects of it I love.

But with Camille's illustrations working with the words and the story have we found a whole new realm of imagination? Stories have the potential to come alive in a new and beautiful way. Camille's projects and animations, which have a very 'where the wild things are' feel to them completely enchanted me, just like a good book and almost everything she does is a beautifully crafted combination of old medias and new, and it seems to me that the future should look to be this kind of a compromise rather than a battle for one or the other, and the question we should be asking is how can new and old work together for the benefit of the consumer.

In the afternoon I watched three speakers discuss their kickstarter funded magazine on the topic 'print is dead.. Or is it?' This is a subject that regularly comes up in conversation in my world. Do physical publications, be that books or magazines and so on, still have a place in a world where web press is so popular, easy and cheap. Holo, the magazine in discussion, will be published bi annually and is a publication for the new media subculture. Interesting then that they decided to go for physical print, but in doing so they outlined exactly why print publications will never cease to exist, which I think was really their point.

People will always want a tangible record of their work or passion. With media online everything is so easily erased or replaced at a click, print gives our work and our lives a chance to exist in the world and leave its mark.

The more relevant question then may be does print only exist as a novelty for small niches, and will it ever be a necessity again. I was almost sure that online medias would eventually replace every aspect of physical print until the Holo gang (gang...? Am I really going to call them that. Yes, I think so) made and excellent point of having found a copy of Arthur C Clarke's 2001 A Space Odyssey in a charity shop that was 50 years old. Yet still, there it is, in full working condition, in an immediate and universally accessible format. That is the beauty of physical print, anyone anywhere that can read can enjoy the stories and tales recorded in books, newspapers, magazines without any special skills or interface, physical books can be shared and loved and cried over and engrossed anywhere, potentially forever.

Part of the reason I love shopping for books in second hand shops is wondering the stories that those stories have seen, a joy you only get with print. They are, in theory, imperishable where as content online is almost entirely disposable.

So my second question then friends, is what do you think? Is print dead, does is exist only for small niches? What is it that keeps you buying books?

Share with me because I think its genuinely interesting to know from every side.

As always opinions are subjective, so try not to hate, and please please go check out Camille (http://chipchip.ch/) and the Holo 'gang', who can be found here (http://holo-magazine.com/) if not for any reason other than they gave me some well wanted inspiration to finally write a post about print publications.

Also check out resonate (www.resonate.io) because if your interested in new media or just learning in anyway its been a great experience so far.

If all that wasn't enough to convince you that Resonate is great, there is also live music in the evenings, that looks like this. 

As a final note, before you say so, I am well aware of the contradiction in posting this on the internet. Its my blog, I can be contrary as I wish.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

My attention was drawn to this book after many a mention from friends, within the bloggersphere realm or otherwise. Each recommendation heralded it as a revelation, nothing short of genius. Reviews around the globe reiterated the sentiment, Topping many best sellers lists, but I approached with caution.

There is always something of a risk with over hype. We must all have had that deflating feeling, when something comes so highly recommended, you consistently hear "its so wonderful, you simply MUST read it." Which tricks your brain into believing it'll be literally life changing. You must buy this Chloe, life as you know it will never be the same! Only to find, in reality it is well written, but not for you.

This was my worry. So I browsed my local (The Riverside bookshop in London Bridge, I highly recommend it) and I saw it, of course, in the best sellers block, I picked it up to scan the blurb. Admittedly the subject matter sparked my intrigue but I wasn't convinced, it seemed to me like a book written just so it could be a movie. It wasn't until I stumbled upon on a quote from the book on another book lovers blog that I was convinced.

Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say life changing, but I found TFIOS to be engaging, tragic and charming all wrapped up in one emotion filled ball. I enjoyed it so much so I devoured it in two and a half days.

The story follows teenage terminal cancer suffer Hazel Grace and her romance with Augustus. Two teenagers falling in love in the backdrop of a cancer support group, not your usual puppy love tale.
What Green manages to do so well here, is to capture the enchanting charm of teenage innocent love perfectly. Hazel and Augustus impress each other with their wit and for want of a MUCH better word, banter, in conversations that will have you beaming from ear to ear.
The beauty of this tale lies in the feeling of reading them falling for each other, if the characters had been older it wouldn't have been half as charming, its their youth that makes it so lovely.

I'm torn in calling this novel tragic, although I suppose in definition, it is. In actuality, I think, its more of a celebration of the littlest things that make life good, in any circumstance. I can honestly say I spent most of the book smiling like the Cheshire cat and on the verge of tears at the same time and I famously have a heart of stone, so that really is an impressive feat.

So, as you can tell, I loved this book. Why then did it take me so long to write this review? I wanted it to be a sincere representation, but to put it lightly (because this is not a place to over share) this was a subject close to home for me, so on finishing the last page, rather than jumping online to muse to you all about how delightful a read it was, I gave it to my not so literary loving other half. I wanted a less biast  opinion, and I'm not sure I could do that. I was also vaguely suspicious that its a 'girls book.' So I figured what better way to judge than asking a real human boy. Enlighten us Luke..

Luke: IT WAS GOOD, YEAH.

Well, I needn't say any more, that should tell you all you need to know.

In review, TFIOS is not Dickens, its not complex and difficult, it won't leave you with a furrowed brow desperately trying to understand what the last 800 pages were actually about. What it is, is a story. A great story in its simplest form, about humans and their lives. Its beautiful, honest, heart wrenching and funny, such is life.

The end.


For fans of: Mark Watson, David Nichols.
Opinions are cool friends, so share your if you like!

Chloe reviews: first capital connect trains

Today we take an unusual step away from our regular blogging topic of books. Because at some point everything needs a review, whether it be positive or scathing. So we all can know if it's well regarded, recommended and if its succeeding at its chosen function. So with that in mind i shall now guide you through the user experience, in the hope that you can be better informed in your train travelling choices. Of course, mostly the point is to relieve me of my anger and force it upon you. Don't look at me like that,what else is the internet for? 

The topic of this review shall be, First Capital Connect(FCC) 'train services'. For those fortunate enough not to live in London/the UK let me first congratulate you for probably being richer and happier than I, and secondly explain that FCC are a commuter train service that allegedly run trains in and out of London.
I am lucky enough to take their Luton service two stops to work, and let me assure you it is a barrage on the emotions, in a most unpleasant way.

Unfortunately for FCC they fall short of the mark of 'train service' and what you are actually left with is some kind of mysterious transportation that appears whenever it pleases with any number of uncertain destinations.

If that polite description sounds like your kind of journey then FCC is for you, but before you get lured into their trap, let me assure you its not the kind of dizzying adventure that that sentence may conjure in your mind. 

An average journey upon the FCC mysteriously unpredictable transportation service.
Its 9am, Monday morning, you have begrudgingly dragged yourself out of bed and after 20 minutes of grimacing at the mirror, you look vaguely presentable. You stack your heavy bags on to your aching back and set off. Oh yes, let us not forget this is England, so its bloody freezing and most probably raining too, just to add to the current disgruntlement of Monday.

You climb the station steps, thinking about how all you want is to be sat inside anywhere with a hot drink and dry socks. Your heart sinks and you glance and the orange screen. 

9:02 service - Delayed. Expected at 9:32. 9:20 service - cancelled. All other trains - WHO KNOWS! ITS A FUN MYSTERY.
No FCC, it really is not. 

Now friends, imagine that happening almost every day, with little no explanation of the delays and sometimes no idea as to when any train will turn up. Suddenly this isn't seeming much like a transportation service at all. More of a stand still and get cold service. 

The sensible conclusion to draw from this is that, FCC is a bad train service, but wait... believe it or not, there is worse. 

"FINE" you exclaim, turning on your heals heading for the nearest coffee shop. You settle down for a hot drink to warm your bones, and as your anger and frustration is just about quelled something catches your attention out the window. 

Its 9:14 the train has arrived, without warning. It leaves. You are not on it. 

Now the only conclusion left to draw is that FCC is not just a bad train service its also a bad, bad train service. Not only are they delayed or cancelled but just turn up whenever they damn well please irregardless of the excepted time of arrival. Meaning no passenger ever has any idea when a train might arrive. This seems to me to be a complete failing of the central point of a train service. 

But then hey, i'm just one person, what do i know.. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/feb/18/first-capital-connect-worst-train-operator 

... Oh, i see.

In review, it appears i am not alone and we can only assume that FCC is not in fact a train service at all, as it might have you believe. It is something, but a reliable and remotely useful, it is not. 

The End. 

End notes:
For fans of - Being late, to everything, ever.

Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron

Shadow Of The Wind (Henceforth referred to as SOTW, as it really seems quite the mouthful) is the first in a trilogy centering around the same family bookshop Sempere and Sons

I have read all three, within past 4 months-ish, but as I've just started this blog i thought i'd spend some time catching up on books i have already read. Starting with this one.

I happened across this book under rather interesting circumstances given what the story turned out to be. I was browsing a local charity shop, having left my current book at home, with want of something to amuse me for an impending commute. I was about to give up, having attracted the attention of the assistant asking me if i had read the Twilight series because apparently i look like a 12 year old. When SOTW caught my eye, and a quick read of the blurb confirmed it could be an interesting one. 

When i bought this book it was actually a couple of years old. As soon as i finished it, i bought the second in the trilogy, The Angel's Game and then, as if by magic the second i finished that the much awaited third book was released. What odd timing. Odder still when i read SOTW and noted an integral part of the story is about a book young Daniel Sempere picks from a secret library because he feels drawn to it. And this trilogy turned out to be one of the best I've read, IT WAS FATE! MAGIC BOOK FATE...

Well, thats quite enough musing on that. I may have gotten carried away because i'm so desperate to have my own mysterious adventure, and with SOTW i pretty much felt like i'd had had one. This book is an essential on the shelf of anyone who revels in the power of literature. Its a celebration of books, how a writer leaves a little piece of themselves in the pages and the stories that can bring people together, for good or bad.

The book that Daniel picks to protect is written by a man whose life has been almost removed from record like he never existed, this sparks Daniels intrigue and as he learns more he finds someone is burning the books, and wants to pay Daniel great money to make sure the author is completely forgotten about.

Admittedly SOTW is a little slow to start, and usually this would be a downside but actually its important here. Zafron is building Daniels character, letting you know what makes him tick which is vital given the novel follows his character and his choices so closely. He also describes Barcelona so richly, and accurately, unsurprisingly seeing as he was born and raised in the city. In the long run, this adds greatly to the story and helps you to get caught up in it.

As the story builds and the hunt for this mysterious author lands him and others in perilous trouble, the story picks up speed and Zafron excellently weaves the main plot with added tales of romance, rivalry and friendship. It regularly takes unexpected routes and keeps you constantly on edge. By far zafron's greatest achievement here however, is how he manages to get you utterly involved with the characters without revealing to much about them, it is the perfect balance to keep a reader engaged throughout.

In review, its easy to understand why SOTW was so popular when it was first released and impossible to understand how any of us might have missed it first time around. A most captivating read.

The end

End Notes:

For fans of: I can't think of anything off the top of my head, so any suggestions, do comment.

Do keep in mind, reviews are subjective. Different opinions are cool friends, so feel free to share.