Durham University Library

I had a very brief visit to Durham University Lbrary last week as we were doing a presentation at an event. Unfortunately I wasn't feeling very well so didn't stay for a tour of the library - will have to go back again for a good look round asap.






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The Finkler Question

I have finally finished reading The Finkler Question. It took me ages, more than two weeks. I found it difficult to get into and difficult to relate to any of the characters. But it was worth persevering and I found it worthwhile to read. The characters were tiresome, well at least the male characters were and you felt that you were constantly losing patience with them - the female characters were appealing especially Hephzibah but why did she bother with Julian Treslove??? It was interesting, funny and infuriating.

Mapp and Lucia and Modesty Blaise

I've been meaning to read Mapp and Lucia for a while and finally got round to it in the Christmas holidays. It is about two ladies who live in a small town in the south of England - based on Rye, Sussex I think. It is set in the 20s/30s and involves the day to day comings and goings of the middle class ladies and their social circle. There is a lot of one-upmanship and general outwitting of each other in order to be the social queen bee. None of the characters are nice or appealing and it is humorous in a very harsh and mocking way really - a bit like a nasty Agatha Christie - no murder but plenty of character assassination. I do like books set in the early 20th century in England but this was a bit too 'clever' for me and as such dated. But despite it being of its time and very much reflecting the lifestyle and background of the author, I did enjoy it.

Next I read Modesty Blaise - The Gabriel Set-Up. I love Modesty Blaise books and have read all of them (more than once). I like goodies triumphing over baddies with a good plot, mystery and a bit of fighting but not too gruesome. I like Modesty and Sir Gerald Tarrant. My son Ben (teenager2) bought me this one which is in the original cartoon format - he wanted me to read it in 'pure and original format'?? I wouldn't have chosen to read it as a cartoon or graphic novel but I really enjoyed it and the drawings matched really well with my mental images of the characters from the text. I would definitely think about reading more graphic novels and will look for more Modesty Blaise originals and cartoons from that era.