Day: 30 September 2010
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If On a Winter’s Night a Traveller…: Italo Calvino
Pretty much every single person I have ever recommended this book to, or bought it for, have hated it; it was too irritating, or annoying, or clever. But that’s the point. Obviously if you want otherwise – nice, neat beginnings and middles and ends and absolutely no challenge whatsoever – then stick to, say, the…
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Eleanor of Aquitaine: Alison Weir
Take the Queen Mother, combine with Margaret Thatcher, insert into Medieval England (and France) and that’s Eleanor of Aquitaine. Chances are you’ve never heard of her (King John’s mother if you remember your Maid Marion) but worry not. Weir has a habit of taking the most controversial and misunderstood historical persons and situations and rendering…