Suffice it to say, Dongguan is a veritable desert when looking for English language books.So when in Hong Kong/Kowloon its time to stock up.
Page One, a well stocked bookstore in: Kowloon’s Harbour Center (3rd floor) yielded this ethically inspired collection.
Page One, a well stocked bookstore in: Kowloon’s Harbour Center (3rd floor) yielded this ethically inspired collection.
Alexander McCall Smith .. Tales from 44 Scotland Street, a great collection of stories set in modern day Edinburgh, as if Edinburgh folk could mentally live in the “modern day”.
Being Scots born only enhances the pleasure from these books. I’m from the west coast (Ayrshire) and enjoy when east coasters poke a little fun at themselves.
Smith, a great story teller and painter of verbal pictures, is quite prolific, and not limited to tales based in and around Edinburgh.
Smith, a great story teller and painter of verbal pictures, is quite prolific, and not limited to tales based in and around Edinburgh.
This trilogy offers a satisfying read and lets you vicariously participate in the "real life" of others.
In one short excerpt, Smith sums up modern day travel for me.
This in a letter from; Domenica to Angus Lordie:
"..... to make the journey by sea,.... I do not regret it for a moment. Air travel is completely artificial. ..... airline people speak a different language altogether, a sort of debased mid-Atlantic English which is full of circumlocutions and cliche.
The word "now", such an honest, work-manlike word, has been replaced by : ...... "we are commencing our descent at this time". Why can't they say "now"?
Smith offers a counterpoint to: Ian Rankin’s first rate detective tales featuring; Inspector John Rebus. (these a must read) 
A couple more books from Alexander McCall Smith: both enjoyable.
A couple more books from Alexander McCall Smith: both enjoyable.
A book by; Ian McEwan, purchased on the basis of the named author. (Name sake of my best friend). “Just finished it .. major disappointment .. boring, with dull boring characters.”
"FLASHMAN and the DRAGON" by George MacDonald Fraser:Stories of a Victorian adventurer, come James Bond, come Austin Powers.
While entertaining, this was a two book read (first and last). "Just not my cup of tea"
A very nice comprehensive book by: Liu Tong .. English translation by" Yue Liwen.
1 comment:
I am glad you are finding interesting books to keep you entertained. Where do you find the info and pix for this blog? I'm curious about the Japanese tea info and pix for instance? Glad to hear your voice this afternoon, and sure have been entertained getting caught up on the blog from Nov. in Kauai forward. Good luck with the next couple of days hope all continues to improve. Love ya loads, Robbie
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