Dark Entries

I am currently halfway through reading the graphic novel written by Ian Rankin, and illustrated by Wether Dell'edera, and I even though I haven't finished it, I still think its worth writing about (and recommending) in this blog. 

I have read some of Rankin's previous novels, those of the written kind, and whilst I enjoyed them, they were nothing compared to his experiment with writing graphic novels. Not being anything of a comic reader, I was expecting to struggle to follow the storyline at times, as obviously there are fewer words explaining what is going on, and it requires interpretation of the images in order to get to grips with whats happening. However, I found that the images were easy to read, as Dell'edera's sketches are full of excellent body language and emotive clues to ensure easy-reading. At times, I have found myself re-reading sections in order to work out who is saying what (which could be improved by the use of colour within the book, as it is purely black and white), but on the whole I am not struggling too much to interfere with the reading of the book.

The book is based around the comic-hero John Constantine, who is the protagonist of the comic series HellBlazer. The storyline of the book is surrounding a reality TV programme called 'Haunted House' which Detective John Constantine has been placed into as a mole, as there are some seriously spooky things going on in the house which the producer swears he has nothing to do with. I have reached the point in the book where Akiko, one of the housemates, has disappeared in a blackout, and Constantine takes it upon himself to find her. 

I am really enjoying reading such an unusual novel, as this is something that I am not used to seeing at all. I think that the collaboration between notorious crime writer Rankin and distinctive illustrator Dell'edera works really well, and tells the story expertly with both words and images. Dark Entries is a mystery story not to be missed. 

Graffiti Planet

I was never one of those people who really understood the fascination with graffiti art. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't one of those who thought it was an eyesore, an intrusion on everyday organised living. I just didn't really get it, and Graffiti Planet really opened my eyes to the art that is decorating our surroundings. 

Graffiti Planet is a compilation of the best graffiti from around the world, and although half of what is included in the book isn't up my street, I can really appreciate (to my surprise) some of what is included. For example, graffiti which is just writing on the wall, whilst I can see that some of it must have taken time and skill to achieve, just doesn't appeal to me. However, graffiti art which incorporates imagery is much more interesting to me. Some of it is actually mind blowing. For starters, using spray cans to achieve such realistic images takes unbelievable skill and patience. But more importantly, I believe that they are enriching to the visual landscape. It shows diversity and expression in places where they are often unexpected. 

An excellent example shown in this book which I hadn't previously seen was Banksy's work on the West Bank Barrier in Israel (see below). Whilst this may be old news to some, I had never seen it before, and my eyes were truly opened to the exciting world of graffiti art. 

A Painted House

After having read the majority of John Grisham's legal thrillers, I was presented with 'A Painted House'. The blurb reads nothing like anything I had come to expect from Grisham, except from the mandatory unputdownable aspect of each of his books. 

The story is set in rural Arkansas in 1952, in a small unpainted house (which signifies the lower social status of the family) surrounded by cotton fields. It is told through the eyes of a young boy, Luke, who lives on the farm with his parents and grandparents, who farm the cotton year in and year out. The story begins in September, when the cotton needs picking, and Luke and his grandfather, Pappy, go out in search of hill people to farm their fields with them. A family of 7, the Spruills, agree to work on the Chandler farm for the harvest. Then the Mexicans arrive in town, and 10 of them come to the Chandler farm to work too. It is the summer holidays for seven year old Luke, so the Chandlers, the Spruills, and the Mexicans head to the fields to begin picking. 

One Saturday, on the weekly trip into town, Luke sees Hank (the oldest Spruill boy) violently fights 3 of the notorious Sisco clan, who everyone in the town fears, Hank turns on Luke to support his version of the fight. After one of the Siscos dies, a beating turns into a murder investigation. 

With the burden of the murder lying on his shoulders, Luke returns to the fields. However, one night, he hears an altercation in the Spruill camp, after which Hank leaves the camp to avoid arrest for the Sisco murder. Out of curiosity, Luke follows him home, and in advertently becomes witness to another murder. Cowboy, one of the Mexicans who has had previous altercations with Hank, has followed Hank, and brutally kills him and throws his body in the river. On his way back to the house, Cowboy is waiting for Luke and threatens to kill his mother if he mentions Hank's murder to anyone. Yet another burden is added to Luke's shoulders. 

Throughout the book, there are constant updates on Luke's uncle Ricky, who is currently fighting in the Korean War. When it emerges that he has fathered a child with Luke's neighbours (the Latchers, who are poverty-stricken sharecroppers and considered the lowest of the low), Luke and his family are brought together trying to keep another secret. And whilst all this is going on, Trot (the youngest Spruill who is unable to pick cotton due to disability) after hearing Hank make fun of Luke's unpainted house, has started painting the side of the Chandler house (which Luke eventually is forced to finish himself after Trot leaves the farm after it floods).

Surrounding these dramatic moments are snippets of ordinary life in the South, and the events which rural Arkansans regularly undertake, such as church and charity. Luke loves listening to his beloved Cardinals on the radio, and his earnings from picking cotton are being carefully saved up so he can afford a red Cardinals jacket. 

However, when a flood ruins the crops, the Chandlers are forced, due to low ground, to stop picking, both the Mexicans and the Spruills leave and the Chandler farm returns to relative normality. Having always harvested a dream to leave the farm, Luke's mother persuades her father to go North to find work, and the story ends with the 3 of them on the coach leaving the farm for a better life. 

I really enjoyed reading this book, partly because of the dramatic storyline, but also partly because it completely went against all my expectations of what the book would be like. The books begins with an innocent 7 year old boy with dreams of playing baseballs, and ends after having abruptly changed him from a young boy into a young man. The personal tone of the novel forces the reader to live the novel as it is being told, and makes me really empathise with the protagonist of the story, Luke. The story is full of dramatic twists, and although it is set in the most humble of situations, it is a truly exciting and captivating novel.

The Charm School

I can honestly say that this book is really the best book I have ever read. No exaggeration. As soon as I had finished it, I ran around the house seeing if anyone else had read it so that I could talk about it with them. To my frustration, nobody had, so I had to wait a few days anxiously gathering my thoughts about everything to do with the book so that I could maybe discuss it coherently with another human being, until finally my sister finished the book and agreed with my sentiment that it is, definitely and without a doubt, the best book she has ever read. And this isn't a statement from people who have only ever read 2 books in their whole life... as quite avid readers, it is the best book of many. But don't take our word for it, I have a copy and am quite willing to lend it out and wait for you to finish it, so that I can then bombard you with conversation regarding the excellence of this book. 

The story beings when an American tourist driving in the depths of Russia comes across a fellow American, who appears to be on the run from somebody, who tells him that he is a former soldier in Vietnam who was taken from the jungles, and forced to become a tutor at a place called The Charm School. This is a secret school in Russia where young KGB agents learn to speak, act and look american down to the finest detail, in order that they can enter America, blend in with the american people and surroundings, and spy. When 2 agents at the American Embassy in Russia become embroiled in the scandal after the tourist is found dead, the story follows them as they try to avoid the KGB and adhere to the many rules of Russia, in order to save the American soldiers who have been forced to teach at the Charm School. They also happen to fall in love, which adds another dimension to the story and makes it all the more emotional.  

Demille's expert storytelling leaves the reader totally off-guard to receive all the unexpected twists and turns integrated into the tale, and on numerous occasions I actually gasped out loud. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who can read.

Ways of Seeing

After another day back at high school as part of some work experience, I was inspired to dig out my copy of 'Ways of Seeing' by John Berger after seeing it lying about in a classroom, which I first read back in sixth form as part of a photography assignment. 

One chapter in particular stood out to me, which was the chapter regarding advertising (not the chapter which was highlighted to me for my photography assignment). The idea conveyed was that advertising was based on the concept of envy- envying the model in the dress, envying your future self in the dress, envying the thought of anyone else with the dress that you don't have. I can really relate to this concept (being female) despite how long ago the book was written (1972) and am wondering how far into the future envy will be one of, if not THE, main reasons for purchasing an advertised product?