This is a completely wonderful and unique book. It is quite different from the author's first book except it is also about myth and heroism, as her previous. The treatment is very different nonetheless. It tells of a woman who decides that the life she used to live - her job, her relationship - is simply not what she wants to do anymore. Instead of moaning to her colleagues by the water cooler but turning up every day noinetheless, she leaves her job and her relationship and goes on a quest for meaning. This quest involves lots of walking around London and various other journeys - to the Lake District, to Paris. it is hilariously funny, because every day the main character Rosa Lane decides this will be the day when she reads great philosophers and generally enriches herself, but of course every day she just does the same semi-useful semi-formless stuff as she usually does - as we all usually do. it reminded me at times of Hamsun's Hunger - in the passion and rage of the central character, and the surprising moments of humour and beauty. Amazingly written, in distinctive, elegant prose, this novel takes you on a compelling journey through the inner life of an ordinary aquarius woman, and makes a case for the grandeur of even an ordinary person's quest for meaning and purpose. Thanks for this amazing book, CDJ.

CDJ

Dec 17th, 2008 at 12:01:44 hrs

In Inglorious by Joanna Kavenna Rosa's situation goes from bad to worse and she continues to loose her memory and cut herself off from friends and socially acceptable behavior.Again, I found myself wondering about her friends' seeming obliviousness and indifference to her condition. Readers will be polarized about this book. Some will love the lack of conventional story and character and be charmed by the author's keen sense of irony and the admittedly fine writing that often displays flashes of brilliance. Others may find that the references and quotes border on pretentiousness and lose patience. The fact that I had to stop to and consider which camp I was in and my inability to buy into the reality of Rosa's breakdown left me with the feeling that this was a valiant effort, but the author didn't quite pull it off.

Irene

Oct 11th, 2008 at 23:16:56 hrs

Having an award for new writers is such a great idea, orange mobile broadband have done a fantastic job setting this up.

Carol D

Oct 8th, 2008 at 22:33:00 hrs