Well I finally finished "Saigon" by Anthony Grey. It was worth it for me as it gave me historical background for the upcoming trip. It would be a good movie as it is very plot driven but obviously it hasn't been picked up by the big players. I can see someone like Brad Pitt as main character who has to age from about 15 years to 60. I am probably thinking of him in Benjamin Buttons when I say this. It is one of those books that is not a waste of time to read but there are other books you should read first.
My neighbour has given me an autobiography titled "When Heaven and earth Changed Places" by Le Li Mayslip. It traces her journey from a twelve year old in rural Vietnam when the US troops landed in her village through the next twenty years of her life. I will let you know what I think of it.
Cheers
Marilyn

Lost Voices - Christopher Koch

A triptych of a novel - set in 1950s Tasmania, then the same location 100 years earlier then back to the1950s. Koch writes so beautifully and the strongest section is in the middle when he talks about the light and the beautiful country side. The story is fantastic too - the characters are so lifelike and compelling.
Hugh Dixon is the main character and we follow him from school to his career working for a newspaper, but nursing an ambition and keen talent as an artist. In the middle, we go back in time to his ancestors. It's one of those "parallel lives" experiences but not as contrived as they sometimes are.
Koch wrote "The Year of Living Dangerously" and I can see this novel becoming a film.

Wolf Hall

Finished in 2012 (just)! Well despite my apprehensions, it was a real page turner. I have to admit, it was made easier having watched "The Tudors" and being able to put names to "faces" (so many Thomases) but what a fascinating story. Not that Hilary Mantel can really take credit for that but she certainly knows how to research and turn a phrase. Am I up for "Bringing Up the Bodies"? Yes. But not right now. This story had all the great parts, Anne Boleyn's claim to be Queen, their marriage, the death of Thomas More - all told essentially from the point of view of Cromwell. It had me looking up Hans Holbein portraits on google and different London buildings - how far was Whitehall from the Tower? etc. Highly recommended but only if you are interested in the period.

I'm now an Official blogger

This should be fun. I've nearly finished Flight Behaviour so will report in when I do.
Carm

From Carm

I'm into "Flight Behaviour" by Barbara Kingsolver. I had forgotten how much I love her writing and her characters. 

I was in the book shop and decided I had to give "Wolf Hall" a try after all the hype and awards.  I am loving it but it is not a read for busy weeks.  I just fall asleep.  A weekend at the beach though will see me plough through it.

I am reading “Saigon” by Anthony Grey as I thought it would give me some good background for the trip to Vietnam next year. It was written thirty years ago and only covers about 50 years from towards end of French Colonial rule till end of Vietnam war It is “big”! Like a Ken Follett or James Michener. It fell from my hands as I was dozing last night and completely woke me up again!! Great historical and political detail but typically a bit melodramatic and implausible in parts.