Real life has been busy again, on top of which I am juggling work with a full-time course this week…so any time left is divided between the priorities of Andy and reading and spending time away from the computer, preferably outside.

The Breaking Point (1958) by Daphne Du Maurier

This is a collection of 8 short stories, where “short” is a matter of interpretation as many of the stories are 40+ pages long. Do not be put off by this. This is the third collection of short stories by Du Maurier I have read and it is my favourite. I believe the other collections contained earlier stories, and I am eager to re-read them having read this collection – I want to know how they compare.

I say this because each of the eight stories was very good. Some even blew me away in a way that I had to set the book down for a day or two before even attempting to read the next story.

Each of the stories was disturbing or unsettling in some way. I was reminded a lot of Pat Highsmith’s stories and would highly recommend this collection to other Highsmith fans.

Seriously, this was a phenomenal collection.

5*

The Future Men (2021) by Nadifa Mohamed

Not having read the blurb, I hoped that the book would qualify for my Reading Around the World Project, but the story ended up being set in Tiger Bay/Cardiff. Still, I really enjoyed learning about the lives of Somali immigrants to Cardiff in the 1950s. It was a fascinating story told through well-drawn characters and such a great way to learn about history.

Unfortunately, I came across a review of the book about half-way through reading that utterly destroyed my reading enjoyment because it provided a spoiler. I am sure that the author of the review did not consider it a spoiler but it was because it gave the ending of the book away in an irredeemable way.

Sure, this book is based on a true story, … but not everyone is aware of the true story.

Anyway, I was peeved, seething even. And unfortunately, I found it impossible to be excited by the book knowing how it would end.

This is not fair on the book. I bloody hate spoilers.

So, all I want to say is this: This is good book with interesting characters and telling about an interesting period in history and issues that should be made known.

But if you are picking up the book, … reading up on any background information may spoilt the book for you, too.

3*

Other reviews posted this week:

Pandora (2022) by Susan Stokes-Chapman

Currently reading:
The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works – William Shakespeare (see The Will’s World Project)

The Book of Form and Emptiness – Ruth Ozeki

Rebel Writers: Seven Women Who Changed Their World – Celia Brayfield