Some recent books I've read....
Low Side Of The Road - A Life Of Tom Waits by Barney Hoskyns
Not only did Tom Waits who is notoriously private, refuse to cooperate with Hoskyns biographical book, but he convinced almost all of his closest friends and band members from over the years not to cooperate as well. Makes for a tough task to write a book about the guy with no first hand accounts to go by but Barney Hoskyns manages to create an in depth narrative of the past 40 or so years of Waits' career. From his humble beginnings to his cult-like stardom. Hoskyns goes over every album up to, and including 'Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards' in track-by-track detail. He also details the various movie roles from Waits on-again, off-again acting career. Hoskyns did manage to get a few people to talk on record but not many. Even so, the book is attempted peak into the mind a reclusive musical genius - sometimes successful, sometimes not - but an interesting, informative read non-the-less. If you are in any way a Tom Waits fan, as I am, then this book is a must read.
The Bishop's Man by Linden MacIntyre
Engrossing, slow moving tale of Father Duncan, the Bishop's go-to man to make problem priests disappear (not Sopranos type of disappear but rather relocate to another parish) and help control the fall-out, even if that means suppressing evidence to keep the church looking squeaky clean. The story deals with the sexual abuses of Catholic priests on young east coast children and the lifetime of effects on not only the individuals involved, but on the communities as a whole. The years of dirty work and personal revelations take a toll on Father Duncan leading him to question his own life and choices he's made or avoided. Linden MacIntyre creates a compelling and believable tale. Highly recommended.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Wow! I say again Wow!! Without a doubt the best piece of crime fiction I've read in too many years to remember. I don't recall how or who or what told me to pick-up this book but once I did I was obsessed. I've never read Swedish crime fiction before but am looking forward to reading more if Larsson is an example of how good it can be. Far too complex to try and describe in a short review but it covers everything from a what looks to be a decades old murder mystery, to state sanctioned abuses of women, to high tech spy novel. The story and characters are all completely compelling. The female lead character Lisbeth Salander, an aspergers/autistic elite hacker, is simply a pleasure to read. Larsson brings her character alive on the pages. Similarly Mikael Blomkvist, the crusading journalist, is the perfect reluctant hero for this story. I just couldn't stop reading this book. If you haven't read the book and you like crime/mystery fiction then do yourself a huge favour and go get it now. Like stop what you're doing and go now!
The Swedish made movie (in Sweden the original title of the book and movie are both "Män Som Hatar Kvinnor". Translated as Men Who Hate Women.) is pretty damn impressive as well. Leaves a few elements of the book out (to be expected) but nails 85% of the story. And the actress playing Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) is 100% perfect. In Swedish with English subtitles.
There are plans underway to make an American version of this film starring American actors. Without even having seen it, I highly recommend one to avoid that movie. Hollywood will not be able to deal with horrific brutality toward women the way the Swedish did. They will instead try to sugar coat it.
The Girl Who Played With Fire
Believe it or not Stieg Larsson manages to continue the page turning excitement in part 2 of the Millennium Trilogy. It's almost as good the first book. Same characters, same continuing story of state sanctioned abuse and cover-ups. Lisbeth Salander is back as the aspergers/autistic hacker supreme, but this time she is charged with the murder of a young couple. Only a couple people close to her believe she is innocent even though her finger prints are all over the gun used to commit the murders. All sorts of plots twists through out with a country wide Police alert for Lisbeth as she struggles to deal with her own past and clear her name. Some of the best crime/mystery fiction I've ever read. Larsson creates some incredibly powerful, believable characters that just sweep his story along.
And again, the Swedish made movie ("Flickan Som Lekte Med Elden") of the same name sticks pretty close to the book. Starring the same actors as the first movie it is an enjoyable continuation of the story on film. In Swedish with English subtitles.
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest
(Note: This book is due to be released in North America on May 25th. I ordered my copy last November from amazon.co.uk in Britain where it was already released).
Part 3 of this series is completely engrossing. I stayed up all night reading this book in one setting. This novel deals with the aftermath of Lisbeth Salander being shot in the head while attempting to kill her thoroughly evil, ex-Russian spy father (with an axe to his head!). Most of the story takes place in the hospital and the court room and grips the reader, almost forcing one to continue reading to find out what happens next. The climax of the story, in a court room, is completely satisfying. I found myself rooting for Lisbeth and Mikeal through out these books and Larsson does not disappoint. I think it may be time to reread this series.
While being thoroughly engrossed in these books and wanting to read as fast as I could to find out how it all ends, it was bittersweet when I reached the last page of this book. I was completely satisfied in the story but sad that there was no more to read. And will be no more to read. Too bad.
The 3rd Swedish made movie (original Swedish title "Luftslottet Som Sprängdes". Translated as Air Castle That Blew Up.) makes a great conclusion to the series. Same actors, same sticking very close to the book. All 3 movies are available online if you know where to search for torrent files. In Swedish with English subtitles.
It really is a shame that Larsson died before seeing the world wide success of his books. These 3 books were the first 3 full length novels Stieg Larsson had ever written and he delivered all 3 to the publisher at one time. Unfortunately he died of a heart attack shortly afterwards. He had talked about producing possibly 10 novels starring Lisbeth Salander. Very, very sad that we'll never get those other 7 books.
