The Bat Tattoo
Registered by kittiwake on 3/13/2007
4 journalers for this copy...
That was the music in my head when I left the Coliseum. and with it came Psalm 137 and my remembered Zion. The rain had stopped, and after I crossed St Martin's Lane in the intervals between taxis and was once more in the darkness of Cecil Court I saw again the afternoon sunlight on the wind-stirred grasses of Maiden Castle. How shall I sing the Lord's song in a strange land? I thought. But then, really, that's what life is, isn't it: a strange land.
This is the second of this author's books that I have read, after the wonderful post-apocalyptic tale, "Riddley Walker". It is the modern day tale of a middle-aged man and woman, both widowed several years ago, who come together after coincidentally getting the same bat (a symbol of happiness taken from a Chinese vase at the V&A) tattooed on their left shoulders. It is a tale of art, loneliness, religious iconography, failure, erotica, mysterious millionaires, and an unfortunate obsession with crash-test dummies.
Highly recommended.
This is the second of this author's books that I have read, after the wonderful post-apocalyptic tale, "Riddley Walker". It is the modern day tale of a middle-aged man and woman, both widowed several years ago, who come together after coincidentally getting the same bat (a symbol of happiness taken from a Chinese vase at the V&A) tattooed on their left shoulders. It is a tale of art, loneliness, religious iconography, failure, erotica, mysterious millionaires, and an unfortunate obsession with crash-test dummies.
Highly recommended.
This has been in another office for a while but was passed to me this morning. Yay for books turning up! It looks good and I've earmarked it for this long, (hopefully) sunny weekend.
Picked up at Leeds Meetup. Will try to read it soonish.
This was an extraordinary book, a beautifully written love story peopled by real characters, honest, mature and thoroughly readable.
"Is that all there is?" is the question the characters are all seeking to answer. All are looking for a way out of their own personal Babylon. Written in the first person, but by three different narrators, each chapter is embellished by the distinctive voice of the teller and their preoccupations as they make excursions into meditations on art, history and identity.
Funny, moving and thoughtful. Highly recommemded - and for me, I think, the beginning of an exploration of Hoban's other novels. I'm amazed he has been writing for such a long time and I haven't come across any of his work before.
"Is that all there is?" is the question the characters are all seeking to answer. All are looking for a way out of their own personal Babylon. Written in the first person, but by three different narrators, each chapter is embellished by the distinctive voice of the teller and their preoccupations as they make excursions into meditations on art, history and identity.
Funny, moving and thoughtful. Highly recommemded - and for me, I think, the beginning of an exploration of Hoban's other novels. I'm amazed he has been writing for such a long time and I haven't come across any of his work before.
This book is currently working its way around my work colleagues.
I will be reading this book just as soon as I've finished moving house!