The story begins with Harry in a santitorium and we are then taken on a journey of his life and how he ended up there. And what a journey it is for Harry – from being a person of privilege in Edwardian London to emigrating to Canada to farm in the wilderness. Harry is a gentle person with great inner strength. Meeting Troels Munck, both attractive and repulsive, on the journey over to Canda has deep ramifications for Harry. I enjoyed this story of love and hardship, of Harry trying to make his mark on the world – it was both horrifying and hopeful.
Men
We should all be feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I have loved all of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie‘ novels, and there is much to love here, too, in this slim volume. It is an essay based on a TED talk, addressing the fact that society still needs to change to make the sexes more equal. Read easily in a sitting, This is a thought provoking, thoughtful consideration on Adichie’s experiences, and hopes for the future.
Rather his own man by Geoffrey Robertson
Geoffrey Robertson is clearly a fascinating, and very clever man. I enjoyed the details of his grandparents, parents, and his early life, but wasn’t totally enthralled by all the law cases, impressive though they are. It is full of details of dealings with famous people, plenty about law cases, and a bit light on relationships – parenthood is almost dealt with in a paragraph, for example. His is an amazing life, worth a read, even if some parts are skimmed.
How not to be a boy by Robert Webb
Robert Webb is a funny fellow, just my age, and there was plenty to relate to in his memoir. Though definitely out to make you laugh, there is a lot of serious stuff here; an abusive father, the loss of his mother, mental health struggles, and the overarching theme of toxic masculinity. I enjoy listening to memoirs read by the author, and Webb does a very good job narrating his own story, which is sad, cringeworthy, funny, hopeful, and thought-provoking.
Stone country by Nicole ALexander
Ross Grant is a man who has to do a lot of living to come to terms with his life. The story is set against the harsh landscape of the Northern Territory and was a fascinating read. I did not feel much sympathy for Ross, but this did not affect my enjoyment of the story – I had to keep reading and see this character and his relationships develop. A tale worth reading till the end.
Reasons to stay alive by Matt Haig
I have read a number of Matt Haig’s novels, and enjoyed them very much. This is a memoir, in the main, with elements of self help. In his early twenties Matt had a major episode of depression and anxiety, and they have been with him ever since. This is his story of how he has felt, and what has helped him to stay alive, and find enjoyment in life again. It’s funny, sad, thoughtful and life affirming. The helpfulness of any book depends on the reader, of course, but as someone who doesn’t struggle with depression or anxiety, I appreciate the window into someone’s experiences with them.
Calling Major Tom by David Barnett
Thomas Major is a grumpy, forty something year old man who volunteers for a one way trip to Mars. His life has been unhappy and confusing, and he is keen to turn his back on earth and its people. By strange co-incidence, he is in contact with a family who will challenge his views of the world, and himself. Full of quirky characters, crazy antics, high drama, and heart-warming triumphs, this is a fun and uplifting read. For fans of A Man Called Ove.
Patrick Melrose volume 2 by Edward St Aubyn
This contains the final two books in the Patrick Melrose series – Mother’s Milk and At Last.
Mother’s Milk: After his breakthrough at the end of Never Mind, Patrick, now married with two sons, is struggling again; with inheritance, his marriage, his mother and parenthood. So sharp, delicious, painful, real, and delightful.
At Last: The final Patrick Melrose novel, and how I will miss him. Patrick is as bitingly clever as ever, and still working on gaining some equilibrium. The gathering at his mother’s funeral highlights the foibles of the upper class, the passions and fixations that hold people back, the complexities of living with past trauma, and the sparks of hope that keep us going.
This entire series is deeply insightful, witty, horrific, and brilliant.
The thousand autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell
In 1799 a Dutch clerk, Jacob de Zoet, arrives on Dejima, an island connected to Nagasaki, when all of Japan is closed to foreigners. Jacob needs to earn some money before he can return to the Netherlands, and the woman he is to marry. Instead, he falls in love while the world is changing. Like all of the David Mitchell novels I have read, this is beautiful, clever, lyrical, and wondrous. There’s also an awful lot of man stuff; sea voyages, men talking rubbish to each other, but it is a tale of love, faithfulness, adventure and learning.
Bad news by Edward St Aubyn
Patrick Melrose is now 22, and on his way to New York to pick up His father’s ashes. We spend two days with him there, as he bombards his body with a frightening amount of drugs, and wrestles with himself, his acquaintances, and the world. It’s black, funny, and so very clever. You will need a strong stomach….
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