The White Tiger

I romped through this book in a week (whilst working! so this may be a new record). This is the story of a young man who leaves 'The Darkness' in India (his village and traditional life) to start life as a driver in Delhi. We start the novel when he is an adult, and a successful entrepreneur who is also a murderer on the run from the law. The story is told in retrospective. A fun read, but I don't think it will be a book that I think about for long.
On an aside - it was interesting to be reading this at the same time as hubby was reading Midnight's Children. I could see an attempt at magical realism, or at least a linking with traditional beliefs, but I don't think it particularly succeeded.
Need to get back to my 1000 novels list...

The Lacuna

 

 I actually started this book before I started The Children Act. Due to the size of the book, The Children Act was taken on holiday as it fit into my handbag, and I finished this on half term after I came back to Brighton.

I enjoy reading Kingsolver novels. This one is set in Mexico and follows the story of a young boy and his growing up, and the many adventures that this entails. It was a fascinating look into a world where artistic representation is wrapped up in potential political turmoil - or maybe that should be the other way round.

The Children Act

Finished in less than 24 hours. Could not put this down. This is the story of Fiona, a high court judge, who has to make a decision that will affect the life or death of a young teenage boy. He is a Jehovah's Witness, and is dying of leukemia. According to his parent's religious beliefs, he is unable to have a blood transfusion which is the only medical avenue left to him. The hospital takes the family to court in an attempt to save the child, and Fiona has to decide on the correct decision to make. At the same time, her marriage is in crisis and she is struggling to come to terms with a previous judgement that she made concerning a pair of Siamese twins.

I can't believe that I haven't had an Ian McEwan book on this blog yet!!! I've read loads! But clearly not for a very long while. I really enjoyed reading this book - I was able to get into it and just immerse myself. We were traveling up to Bath, and for once, I was grateful for a delay to our incredibly slow train journey.