Espionage and mystery!

Well, I finished Elizabeth Edmondson's Voyage of Innocence. I thought it had been written earlier than the others, because it was a slightly harsher style. It was very good, but slightly dark in places as some of the main male characters seemed to struggle with the battle of their sexuality versus their position and status. The story was about a group of students at Oxford who were discovering themselves and dabbling in politics without understanding the whole context, ending in often tragic consequences. The story described the inequities between rich and poor, and the confusion that arose in these youngsters, following them in the events leading up to World War II and ending with a boat journey to India. The story covers mystery, espionage, religion, and romance, and ends surprisingly.

Elinor Lipman continued and something new!

The latest book I have read by Elinor Lipman, is The Ladies Man. I found it quite uncomfortable, the nature of this story, about a womaniser, who although I imagine was supposed to be charming, I found quite irritating. So, although this was a well-written story, it wasn't my favourite. The Inn at Lake Devine still holds that award!

So, the new book that I read is called The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama. I loved this and didn't want it to end, although it did end the way I wanted to. It was beautifully written, and provided such rich images of India and the customs and culture, that I just want to go there and become immersed among the interesting people that live there. I learnt so much from this book and I am looking forward to more by this author.

I am currently reading Once Upon a Time in the North, by Philip Pullman, a spin-off from his Dark Materials trilogy, which I am absolutely loving!