The Bat Tattoo

by Russell Hoban | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 074756163x Global Overview for this book
Registered by kittiwake on 3/13/2007
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4 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by kittiwake on Tuesday, March 13, 2007
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.

Journal Entry 2 by rem_DYI-991976 on Wednesday, April 4, 2007
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.

Journal Entry 3 by rem_DYI-991976 on Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Journal Entry 4 by gaelpixie from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Picked up at Leeds Meetup. Will try to read it soonish.

Journal Entry 5 by gaelpixie from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 23, 2007
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.

Journal Entry 6 by gaelpixie from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 10, 2007
This book is currently working its way around my work colleagues.

Journal Entry 7 by Naomi1976 from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, July 12, 2007
I will be reading this book just as soon as I've finished moving house!

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