| |
|
Sleazenation
This is a tricky one, 'cos of the whole personal taste thing, but am gonna wade in with my top books of past few years (and I read, erm, loads):
The Crimson Petal and the White, Michael Faber - first person tale of life as a prostitute in C19th London, astounding eye for detail, excellent characterisation but main thing is suptuous, gorgeous, want-to-roll-around-in-it but not too dense or hard going prose......
A Million Little Pieces, James Frey - verging on emotional pornography autobiographical account of rehab, rejection of twelve steps, candid refections on addiction/life as an addict, reality-testing relationships with others overcoming addiction, anti-establishment and, strangely, addictive page turner. A complex read, uncomfortable, challenging, brutally honest, bit like being inside his head at times....
We need to talk about Kevin, Lionel Shriver - easily the best book I've read in years - have had lengthy debates in the Kevin thread in Books forum, but its full of spoilers from the off so wouldn't recommend you check it out till you've finished Kevin. First person account of reluctant motherhood to a troubled boy who commits a high school massacre. Complex, sophisticated writing, works on a number of levels, as a personal reflection on parenthood/loss etc. to more allegorical examination of American culture, violence, consumerism etc. Don't want to say too much as might spoil it. Works well with Vernon God Little, but light years ahead in terms of sophistication, prose etc. Would also add Gus Van Sant's film Elephant into the whole 'meditations on adolescent violence' and Natural Born Killers.
A Hearbreaking Work of Staggering Genious, Dave Eggars - bit 'old' now, but still well worth a read. Autobiographical chronicle of bringing up his younger brother after the death of his parents, hailed as a 'postmodern' novel, as the author slips between narrative stances and styles, moves into stream of consciouness writing at times, plays with punctuation etc. But expertly done and not as confusing as it sounds. Also extensive use of footnotes and cross referencing. V.v. funny in places. One of the few books I'm going to reread.
There are plenty more could rave about, but that's the top of my current pile.... |
|
|
