Right then gang. A little bit of fun, fluff and nonsense. After seeing "They're a 10 but.. " book tag on the CriminOlly youtube channel, I thought that I'd have a bash myself.. Six books that are fantastic apart from one flaw. Have a squint below and see if you love six books that fit the questions. Here we go.
- Its a 10 but...is over 500 pages
Crime & Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevesky. at 720 pages according to Waterstones is a hefty chunk of literature first published in 1866. It follows the trials and tribulations of Raskolnikov who murders a wicked pawnbroker. He justifies the heinous crime by telling himself that he will go on to be an exceptional man and exceptional men are not bound by the laws of society. Yet he finds that it is not the law that punishes him but his own internal moral conscience. Fascinating tale of our souls and its role in the structure of a just society.
- It's a 10 but...it's on pre-order
Paris Requiem by Chris Lloyd. Bit of a cheat here because I have already read an ARC of this book. However at time of writing (Dec 22) this book is not out for a few months yet (Feb 23). It's the second in a series, the first is a good book too. Its tells the tale of a Paris cop, Eddie Giral, during the nazi occupation of Paris during WW2 and the investigation into an horrific murder. Eddie can trust nobody, and nobody trusts him. Check out our review here.
- It's a 10 but... it has red flags
The Road by Cormac Mcarthy. This tale of a dystopian future is now probably up there with 1984, Brave New World and Farenheit 451 in the literary cannon of future earth sci fi. Written by one of Americas most lauded authors, it is probably the most terrifying of the afore-mentioned novels. Red flags are everywhere gratuitous violence, cannibalism and suicide to name a few. It is, however, well done and it will stay with you long after reading. Check out our review here
- It's a 10 but... I was forced to read it in school.
Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee. Fascinating coming of age tale. Hated it in school, later re-read and loved it. Autobiographical story of Lee's childhood in rural Gloucestershire circa WW1. Perhaps the most beautifully written book I have ever read. It showcases what is now a lost age with nostalgia but also truth. It touches on incest. The part that spoke to me most, however, was when a ex villager returned from NZ to visit family and was boasting drunkenly in the pub of his new wealth and talking down the locals. He was murdered and the limited police investigation was met with a wall of silence. As a young lad from the North Gwent Valleys I felt I could relate to that scenario some 70 years later.
- It's a 10 but... Left you an emotional wreck.
The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. This is more like a cheesy guilty pleasure. Eddie is an old man and a mechanic at a theme park. He is killed trying to save a young girl from an accident on one of the rides. In the after life he goes through five meetings with people whose lives have affected him or on whose life he has had an effect. It is a weapons grade tear inducer with more than a touch of A Christmas Carol. It will make you think about you life and your loved ones who have passed on.
- It's a 10 but... is over 100 years old.
War of the Worlds by HG Wells. Written by the Grand-Father of Sci Fi. As a small boy in the 70s I was brought up reading stories and hearing tales of WW2. And then I read this. WW2 but on an even more massive scale. Imagine my shock when I found out it was written in 1895. It's not just the plot that is fantastic. The ending is elegantly thought out and the writing is sublime. The opening paragraph is now iconic. I bet when you read it you can't help but use the succulent voice of Richard Burton in your head. If you haven't had that pleasure then click on the link Here It's like chocolate honey for the ears.
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