Games, von Patrick Oberholzer ist ein krasses Buch – krass in seinem übergrossen Format, krass in seiner dramatischen Gestaltung und besonders krass in seiner Botschaft. Es ist auch ein sehr lehrreiches Buch, das uns im gemütlichen Westeuropa auf die traumatischen Lebens- und Fluchterfahrungen vieler Afghanen aufmerksam machen sollte.
Continue reading “Schicksale?”Category: Rezensionen / Reviews
Eine geheimnisvolle Begegnung
Am Hang, von Markus Werner
Bis zum Ende, tappen wir im Dunkeln, obwohl uns das Gespräch zwischen diesen sehr unterschiedlichen Männern sehr wohl packt. Der ältere Herr scheint verzweifelt über den Verlust seiner unfassbar treuen Frau. Der jüngere Mann erzählt von eine Reihe kurzfristiger Sexualpartnern.
Continue reading “Eine geheimnisvolle Begegnung”“Mine was a very happy childhood”
Road to the Dales: The Story of a Yorkshire Lad by Gervase Phinn
In his inimitably prosaic manner, Phinn recounts the life of an ordinary boy, who met some extraordinary people, and the journey he was able to embark on as a result of the many doors opened for him in his early life.
Continue reading ““Mine was a very happy childhood””My alias’ favourite reads of 2023
Have a look at other people’s favourites at Shepherd.com.
Lost child in the chaos of war
City of Tears, by Kate Mosse
Continue reading “Lost child in the chaos of war”The assassin crouched in the tangled undergrowth, his finger and thumb stiff in position around the wheel-lock pistol. His gaze was fixed upon the highest point of the castle. He was ready, had been so since first light.
He had made his confession and prayed for deliverance. He had laid his offering at the grave in the woods of the previous châtelaine, a pious and devout Catholic lady murdered by Huguenot vermin. His soul was pure. Shriven.
He was ready to kill.
Wahl oder Zwang?
Das Ende des Kapitalismus, von Ulrike Herrmann
Wer hätte unter einem so trockenen Titel eine spannende Geschichte erwartet? Herrmann beginnt in romanhafter Manier mit der dramatischen historischen Entwicklung der industriellen Revolution in England. Wachstum führte zu Wohlstand. Ein Segen, den andere Nationen – vor allem Deutschland und die USA – zu kopieren versuchten. Was dann aber unweigerlich zum heutigen Kapitalismus führte – ein System, in dem die westliche Welt derzeit gefangen ist.
Continue reading “Wahl oder Zwang?”How can one be so nasty?
Cuckoo in the Nest, by Fran Hill
Fourteen-year-old Jacky barely survives under the ‘care’ of her dissolute alcoholic father. So Social Services move her to a first-time foster family. Their daughter, Amanda, of similar age, resents her presence and does her level best to get rid of her.
Continue reading “How can one be so nasty?”Bittere Feindschaft und versteckte Motive
Wo der Wolf lauert von Ayelet Gundar-Goshen
Eine komplexe Erzählung, meisterhaft geschrieben, die sich mit rassistischen Auseinandersetzungen und Wirtschaftsspionage beschäftigt.
Die Autorin weiss, worüber sie schreibt. Als Israelin, die eine Zeit lang mit ihrer Familie in Kalifornien lebte, kennt sie den lauernden Antisemitismus, der jederzeit in Feindseligkeit oder Gewalt ausbrechen kann.
Continue reading “Bittere Feindschaft und versteckte Motive”God simply wants to be a friend
The Fairest of Dreams by Michael Mitton
Rev. Douglas Romer has not only to cope with the immeasurable grief of losing his ever-so-dear Irish wife, but also with the growing fear that the person who ordered her assassination might be within his personal circle of acquaintances, and now after his life. What’s more, he’s about to meet his ex-father-in-law, who also bears a strong animosity towards him.
Continue reading “God simply wants to be a friend”Unravelled mysteries
The Atlas Legacy by Colin Newton
A small group of archaeologists of questionable qualification investigate Plato’s account of the advanced island state of Atlantis and its disappearance under the waves. Their research trips take them to Bolzano in Italy, Cornwall, Crete and Malta. In each location they find mysteriously linked artefacts, but soon discover that a group of social reformers is desperately trying to thwart their efforts at explaining their findings.
Continue reading “Unravelled mysteries”