Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Arguably Hardy's finest work. A tragic social commentary on the failings of rural society and the divorce laws of the time, it is set against the magnificent backdrop of the Vale of Blackmore, and tracks the unfortunate heroine's destiny as she accepts whatever fate throws at her.
Alec d'Urberville is the arch villain, painted in all his glory, and Angel Clare the careless, recalcitrant 'husband' who deserts Tess in her time of greatest need.
I fell in love with the story, and the milkmaid whilst studying the book for 'O' Level, and have replaced my copy several times over the years due to wear and tear.
Dune
"Towering in Concept" was a phrase I once read attributed to the skill of Frank Herbert in writing this classic piece. It, together with several sequels, represents the serialisation of a story which is matched only by Asimov's "Foundation" saga.
Forget science fiction and read it as the epic that it truly is. It has the lot. A family at the whim of fortune, a teenager unaware of his destiny and powers, and the battle for control of a substance more valuable than all the priceless commodities that we know today.
Tuned into a movie, three hours were left on the cutting room floor, as editors struggled to turn paper into cellulioid.
Backdrops are awe-inspiring, and the storyline is a classic representation of good against evil, as the winner seeks to become the Messiah foretold by prophecy.
Tears of a Phoenix
This is a fascinating and thrilling rollercoaster ride through a futurisctic scenario, which swings from fast action to a more thoughtful and personal story. The ending is poignant and final in its tragedy.
Justin Little's book is one which I found extremely difficult to put down once started, and deserves to be read in detail rather than with a 'skimmed' style. It demands your attention with each passing chapter and draws you into the plot. The pace is, at times, frenetic, and this is an essential part of the story, which moves, at times, with amazing speed.
I'm not going to reveal any more as that would spoil it - check it out on Waterstones or Barnes & Noble.
Crawling Through the Dirt
This anthology landed through my letterbox this morning, and more will follow once I've actually read all of its contents.
Suffice it to say for the moment, that it contains the first published work of Sebastien Alexandre who lives near Boulogne in France.
Seb writes in English as a second language, and I have had the privelege of seeing much of his work. "The Demon Diary", his entry in the collection, is an impressive short story set against a dark and chiling background.
Congratulations, I think, are in order.
