A quick detour, while I’m fired up! I love books, and love to have a novel ‘on the go’ at all times. What I’m not keen on are books that waste your time! So here is a tale of two stories.
The first is Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier (Atlantic Books, 2009). According to the cover a “phenomenal international bestseller”. According to yours truly this is a “tedious and overlong work that specialises in navel gazing”! It starts promisingly enough when a teacher – Raimund Gregorius (the name alone should have sounded alarm bells!) – has a chance encounter with a Portuguese woman in Bern. As a result he leaves his staedy job and sets off on a wild goose chase to Lisbon….in pursuit of a dead philosopher and writer – Amadeu de Prado. I actually laughed out loud when he decided to 'jack in' his job.....it reminded me of the late Oliver Reed smashing up his desk in the film I'll never forget what's his name.
So if you’re still with me, then here is a snippet:
“loneliness through ostracism, that was what had preoccupied Prado at the end. That we need the respect and affection of others and that that makes us dependent on them…” I know what you are thinking….quite interesting; well squash that thought since the text drivels in this vein over another 400 plus pages! I gave up the unequal struggle 40 pages from the end.....
By contrast I’m now skipping my way through Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach (Vintage, 2000). 17th century Amsterdam is, according to the back cover, “in the grip of tulip mania and basking in the wealth it has generated.” An old merchant, Cornelis has married the young Sophia. In celebration he employs artist Jan to paint their portrait (big mistake). Rather like Chaucer’s Merchant’s Tale, wife embarks on a wild fling with young man…… “their reckless gamble propels their lives towards a thrilling and tragic conclusion.” Excellent.
Pascal Mercier 0 Deborah Moggach 3
The first is Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier (Atlantic Books, 2009). According to the cover a “phenomenal international bestseller”. According to yours truly this is a “tedious and overlong work that specialises in navel gazing”! It starts promisingly enough when a teacher – Raimund Gregorius (the name alone should have sounded alarm bells!) – has a chance encounter with a Portuguese woman in Bern. As a result he leaves his staedy job and sets off on a wild goose chase to Lisbon….in pursuit of a dead philosopher and writer – Amadeu de Prado. I actually laughed out loud when he decided to 'jack in' his job.....it reminded me of the late Oliver Reed smashing up his desk in the film I'll never forget what's his name.
So if you’re still with me, then here is a snippet:
“loneliness through ostracism, that was what had preoccupied Prado at the end. That we need the respect and affection of others and that that makes us dependent on them…” I know what you are thinking….quite interesting; well squash that thought since the text drivels in this vein over another 400 plus pages! I gave up the unequal struggle 40 pages from the end.....
By contrast I’m now skipping my way through Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach (Vintage, 2000). 17th century Amsterdam is, according to the back cover, “in the grip of tulip mania and basking in the wealth it has generated.” An old merchant, Cornelis has married the young Sophia. In celebration he employs artist Jan to paint their portrait (big mistake). Rather like Chaucer’s Merchant’s Tale, wife embarks on a wild fling with young man…… “their reckless gamble propels their lives towards a thrilling and tragic conclusion.” Excellent.
Pascal Mercier 0 Deborah Moggach 3
