John

Enjoyed the way the tension built despite the universal knowledge of the coming event. Interesting knowledge revealed about water supply in the Roman world.

Brilliant day to day account of the routines of a rural cop, and very Aussie. Felt like there was not a stone unturned in the social issues department, from bullying to covid denial.

Ironic ending the highlight.

Liked the short chapters and the quotations which begin them. Bit sceptical about the trains being the method of distribution of vaccine and food.

Great characterisation but rambling plot. Luckily the characters kept interest because little happens. Series of incidents rather than a whole.

The book is a language lesson in the way English was absorbed and adapted and it was fascinating to see colonialism from a fresh and non European perspective.

Haven't yet struck a bad one in this series. Gentle tone, knowledgeable detail of history, monastic life and human nature. Am rereading as many as I can find. Wonder if she ever considered writing the back story for Brother Cadfael. What she does supply is intiguing. Too late now though.

Strange thing to say about a medieval historical fiction but this felt dated. The perspective on relationships was so very masculine and unrealistic. ;[;I have clearly changed since my first reading thirty years ago. Still liked the details of the cathedral building however.

Hard science fiction which at times becomes too hard for me. Good story but the physics is challenging.

The definition of a police procedural. So easy to read and so hard to write.

What a body count and what consequent effort required to unravel the jthe tangle.

Murder on the intergalactic express.

No wonder she won the Booker. How did she organise such complexity so well?

Weird reading the dates in this story now. When I first read it 2012 was well in the future as it is in the novel. We averted the world collapse heralded in this story. Sad that we are rapidly heading towards another one.

Wallender's Exit Music? Have a couple of Linda W's to look forward to yet.

Hadn't read this for decades. It stood up well to the pasing of time. Asimov is a good illustration of the importance of science and the humanities and books like this are evidence against the current denigration of the humanities in modern universities.

Just becomes more relevant as time passes. Loved the comment abour employee of the month. Had forgotten how perceptive Pratchett was.

another lovely medieval forensic crime story. How many times through the series does Brother Cadfael spot a flower or a leaf on a corpse? And how human and moral are his judgments. Really enjoying rereading these gems, set during The Anarchy when Stephen and Maud were contesting the crown of England.

A powerfully told and very Aotearoa/NZ story. Truth and a little optimism to finish, but does not shy away from some hard facts about the colonial history of our country. Looking forward to reading more of what develops for Hana and her daughter.

It always comes out in the end.

Explained a great deal about the last century of Irish history: the ability to hold two beliefs at the same time and never admit the contradiction. Romanticise the matyrs but condemn their methods, pay lip service to the strictures of the church in public but ignore in private.

Editing would have helped. Too long, and rather repetitive in places. Great story though.

Four down. Five to go.

Marvellous social observation with butterflies. Best novel I've read for a wee whilie.

Big book. Big ideas. Unexpected directions.