JG Farrell's Troubles

was awarded the lost Man Booker prize this year. Written in 1970 it was missed because of a change in the rules. This is an odd one. To start, we all know how much I hate Irish writing (thanks to Frank McCourt's disgusting blathering vomit about his boo-hoo childhood) so I went into it a bit cautiously. The book is long (at 450 pages) and didn't feel like it was moving at all but I was always surprised at how far I had progressed. The story is exactly what one would expect, so no surprise there but it was really well put together. It was quite funny and heart-warming and preachy in a sweet way. When the protagonist almost dies at the end I was shocked and I must say if he had died I would have stopped reading the book. I know this is part 1 of a trilogy and I'm doubtful I'll pick up the other two, yet it was good.

Botany of Desire

turned out after a short burst of reading frenzy I'm back to slackertown again. Botany of Desire (the June selection for Naked Suit) didn't change that. The book is bogged down in bizarre details and color that really drag. I had a difficult time finishing the book and didn't feel super enlightened (except for the part about witches dildoes). Thumbs up only because I love Pollan but really it was not very good.