The Spinning Heart - Donal Ryan

With Ireland as backdrop, it is easy to see why the setting is bleak. However, the writing is  quite good.

It could be a new style of narration, I am not sure, but there were too many perspectives, too many characters. The disadvantage of a story told by too many people is that you cant really leave it mid-way to pick it up later. You tend to forget some of them and it would be paragraphs and paragraphs of story that you are trying to make sense of.

Another difficulty I had was to figure out the period it was set in. People migrating to Australia and racial prejudice against foreigners made me think it was seventies only to be told of people checking on Facebook profiles in between. So, I couldn't really place the story as to when it all happened. 

So, that's two names crossed off my May Reading List. I am wading back to my familiar territory so next it will be Stephen King's Revival. 

High Fidelity - Nick Hornby

I just could not read this book.

There was really not much I could relate to - the hero or the other characters or even the music scene. I am sure it is because of the cultural differences, and because so much is about music I don't know, but a great book is supposed to transcend all such barriers and just touch the emotions that is universal amongst humanity. 

This, certainly is no great book. I could be one of those people who are on the other end of the enjoyment spectrum, but yes, sad to say this was a highly tedious, annoying reading experience. 

Too much of effort.. for nothing.

I can't categorize it as completed.