This week on my bedtime table you will find:
I bought Andy 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' last Christmas and have only just now gotten around to reading it. The Sunday Times described it as, "Moving and Life-enhancing... a must read."
While I possibly wouldn't take my praise that far, I did enjoy reading this novel.
The phrase 'Goon Squad' is a reference to the passing of time, and hence the book explores the passing of time and its consequences for a number of interconnected characters
It is a story of my generation, one that does remind me so much of my youth and made me reminisce about some of the souls that got lost along the way. At the same time, it beautifully explores some elements and concepts of the future, such as technology, the youth of the future and the effects of 9/11.
It is tinged with sadness and in some ways it reminds me a little of my favourite poem by Allen Ginsberg, 'Howl' but whereas, the sadness for that generation was directed at their current state, in 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' the sadness comes with the passing of time for those who, I guess, were trapped by the craziness of youth; unable to escape from some of more lurid temptations that come with growing up.
I've thought a lot about some of our crazy friends from our days of youth and where they are now; those that are now high flyers, those who didn't survive those times and those who are still lost as a result of shit that went down all those years ago. So many of the characters in this novel resonated with me and reminded me of people I knew.
The second novel is one by one of my favourite authors, Kate Grenville. I started this at Christmas time but left it at my sister's house and have only just got it back. I shall re-commence my reading of it tonight. I know I will love it ever so much as I do with all Kate's books.
I once did a master writing class with Kate and it was so inspirational and so completely fabulous!
This week I've been enjoying knitting with some glorious 5ply. The photo above is of the lace detail in a new cardigan pattern I am working on. the prototype is knit with Plum Tree Yarns Kona Sport.
Since finishing this I've started on Lizzie, and adult version of Elizabeth in some madtosh pashmina.
Join in with yarnalong over here.
What's on your bedtime table or in your knitting basket this week?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Ohh your cardigan looks like its gorgeous!! Thanks for your comment on my blog, I did try and reply but it tells me it doesn't like the email address - anyway I would love to see your favourite links! thanks for the book rec too, will hunt it out :)
ReplyDeleteI love when you find a book that you can relate to and one that resonates with you. Love that and love some book suggestions. Thanks xx
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