When I read that Mike Scott was going to publish his autobiography, I was intrigued. As well as being one of my favourite musicians, his refusal to play the media game has made him a figure of mystery and unexplained contradictions. Also, rock star memoirs tend to be a very mixed bunch, but it's not often that we get the straight goods from the pen of the concerned individual and, as in this case, from someone who seems born to write.
This book is a fascinating read. The style is charming: introspective, intense, lyrical, humorous, self-deprecating but with a kind of proud integrity. The structure is intriguing: each chapter begins with a flash-back in the present tense. Imagine flipping through a photo album, looking at a snapshot (or perhaps a short video-clip) of a particular occasion and then reading about the circumstances surrounding it. This is not a continuous narrative and each episode is deliberately selected but I felt Mike did not shy away from prickly subjects, such as the logistics of taking a band on the road, the difficult decisions he had to make involving contracts, other band members, managers, booking agents, musical choices. It's amazing to see how much influence some of these support players have on the success of a musical release.
This book is a fascinating read. The style is charming: introspective, intense, lyrical, humorous, self-deprecating but with a kind of proud integrity. The structure is intriguing: each chapter begins with a flash-back in the present tense. Imagine flipping through a photo album, looking at a snapshot (or perhaps a short video-clip) of a particular occasion and then reading about the circumstances surrounding it. This is not a continuous narrative and each episode is deliberately selected but I felt Mike did not shy away from prickly subjects, such as the logistics of taking a band on the road, the difficult decisions he had to make involving contracts, other band members, managers, booking agents, musical choices. It's amazing to see how much influence some of these support players have on the success of a musical release.
I really enjoyed the glimpse we are given into the passion which drives the music, often to the obliteration of everything else. It was fascinating to read the story behind some of the songs: the lengthy evolution of “The Whole of the Moon” from a look at the sky for inspiration and a couple of lines on the back of an envelope to a charismatic, unforgettable musical creation; or the tensions building to boiling-point and erupting in the first draft of “Fisherman's Blues”; or how personal turmoil produced the most exquisite compositions about love and its dramatic demise. The Spiddal sessions and the months in Galway read like a true otherworldly adventure then the book becomes a page-turner. An unexpected bonus: as I progressed through the book, I listened again to the songs mentioned and found that the knowledge gleaned from the stories added so much to my enjoyment of the music and helped me appreciate its deeper layers.
During the promotional drive, Scott gave numerous readings and interviews, and emphasised that this book was all about the musical journey that started with him at a very early age and continues to shape his destiny to this day. I was, therefore, surprised by the personal nature of the narrative and the honesty with which Mike bares his soul in recounting salient points in his life, even when this candour doesn't flatter his image. I think he actually relished the chance to shed some light on his personal spiritual journey and to dispel the misconceptions that inevitably arose. However, there are limits to the disclosure. Mike Scott is clearly a private person and respectful of the people in his life, so it's not surprising that there is none of the usual gossip about kiss-and-tell groupie romps. His two wives, naturally, make an appearance but are not discussed in tabloid-style detail. Tucked in the middle are a few (too few!) black-and-white photos and at the end, a quirky appendix.
For me the disappointing aspect is that the book ends around 2000, leaving a substantial portion of his story untold. While this could point to a possible sequel, Scott himself has been non-committal, saying only that these missing years are still too raw to become book material. Perhaps he wants to wait and see if there is something sensational to write about after he moves back to New York later this year. After all, he has said in interviews that the current Waterboys are hungry for recognition, so perhaps with a fire still burning in his belly and his creativity apparently in full flood, his mature self will manage that most elusive of musical miracles, the come-back with new material. Already his “Appointment with Mr Yeats” has been remarkably well received by critics and public alike. The Waterboys in their new incarnation could well be the breath of fresh air that the currently dismal music scene so badly needs.
Meanwhile it will be interesting to see what kind of havoc this fun-loving, but formidably-focussed master of his trade can wreak with the wind back in his sails. Because one thing is clear: for Scott the music always came first and his perception of what his Muse required to manifest herself has shaped his life and philosophy. If you enjoy a fascinating real-life story, exquisite prose, original turns of phrase and vivid pictorial descriptions, as well as an insight into the mind of one of the most gifted and unorthodox musicians of our times, this book will not disappoint.
During the promotional drive, Scott gave numerous readings and interviews, and emphasised that this book was all about the musical journey that started with him at a very early age and continues to shape his destiny to this day. I was, therefore, surprised by the personal nature of the narrative and the honesty with which Mike bares his soul in recounting salient points in his life, even when this candour doesn't flatter his image. I think he actually relished the chance to shed some light on his personal spiritual journey and to dispel the misconceptions that inevitably arose. However, there are limits to the disclosure. Mike Scott is clearly a private person and respectful of the people in his life, so it's not surprising that there is none of the usual gossip about kiss-and-tell groupie romps. His two wives, naturally, make an appearance but are not discussed in tabloid-style detail. Tucked in the middle are a few (too few!) black-and-white photos and at the end, a quirky appendix.
For me the disappointing aspect is that the book ends around 2000, leaving a substantial portion of his story untold. While this could point to a possible sequel, Scott himself has been non-committal, saying only that these missing years are still too raw to become book material. Perhaps he wants to wait and see if there is something sensational to write about after he moves back to New York later this year. After all, he has said in interviews that the current Waterboys are hungry for recognition, so perhaps with a fire still burning in his belly and his creativity apparently in full flood, his mature self will manage that most elusive of musical miracles, the come-back with new material. Already his “Appointment with Mr Yeats” has been remarkably well received by critics and public alike. The Waterboys in their new incarnation could well be the breath of fresh air that the currently dismal music scene so badly needs.
Meanwhile it will be interesting to see what kind of havoc this fun-loving, but formidably-focussed master of his trade can wreak with the wind back in his sails. Because one thing is clear: for Scott the music always came first and his perception of what his Muse required to manifest herself has shaped his life and philosophy. If you enjoy a fascinating real-life story, exquisite prose, original turns of phrase and vivid pictorial descriptions, as well as an insight into the mind of one of the most gifted and unorthodox musicians of our times, this book will not disappoint.
Airs Above The Ground by Mary Stewart
Having read nearly all of Mary Stewart's opus (including one of the children's books), I would rank this particular story among my top five favourites. The title refers to the classical dressage movements performed by the famous Lipizzaner stallions at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. One of the most enjoyable aspects of Mary Stewart's books is her thorough research. I am particularly well qualified to say that, in this novel, the equestrian theme is impeccably and satisfyingly accurate and Lady Stewart's passion for horses really shines through.
The story opens on the tragic aftermath of a fire and follows a troupe of circus performers travelling through the Austrian countryside and, here again, Stewart's descriptions are a delight, and the reader is transported into a world so vividly drawn that it is difficult to imagine its modern counterpart. The other usual elements of Mary Stewart's writing are all here: intelligent narrative, a gripping plot with many twists and turns, superbly drawn characters and more than a dash of humour. One of the pivotal scenes toward the end of the book is pure comedy, coming on the heels of a rather robust Bond-style chase. If you have read and enjoyed other Stewart novels, this is one of the best. For those who are new to her work, it would be a very good place to start. |
Another Day in Paradise by Barry M. Vass
If you like non-stop action, a lengthy excursion across the glorious islands of the Caribbean Sea and plenty of nautical, sea-faring adventure, this well-paced tale will keep you well entertained. The element of surprise is perhaps lacking since most of what happens is predictable, given the circumstances, but the narrative does not bog down and carried me along pleasantly enough. I believe this is a sequel, but for me it worked well as a stand-alone story.
Jimmy Spencer is living a quiet, idyllic life in Marathon, a small boating community in the Florida Keys. He runs a boat charter business and shares his life with Naomi, a beautiful woman with a taste for adventure, and Rex, his disturbed, borderline crazy terrier/shih tzu cross. Rex's aggressive personality and imperfect digestive system provide some of the plot devices. |
Boats and a leisurely, outdoorsy life feature large in Jimmy's current existence but we soon learn that, behind a carefully constructed new identity, hides a former casino insider with the key to a fool-proof system that can beat any house in any casino in the world. The man who gave him this priceless secret has been killed, and Jimmy/Johnny is now the only person alive with the lucrative knowledge. When two armed strangers find his boat, realizing his cover is blown, Jimmy, with Naomi and Rex in tow, flees on a fast trimaran in a desperate attempt to lose himself in the vast Caribbean region with its string of sleepy or bustling small islands. What follows is the ceaseless pursuit of the fugitives by a ruthless gang of middle-eastern thugs who, in true James Bond style, seem to have endless resources to expend in their quest for the secret of Free Money.
I thought the underlying theme was well executed: the tension between evading relentless pursuit while moving in most people's idea of paradise on earth. Jimmy and Naomi lead a parallel, double life of periodic excursions through heaven and hell. They seem to have the ability to stay vigilant and proactive during the hunt, but relax and enjoy the high points and the good life in between. Perhaps not entirely realistic, but very satisfying from the viewpoint of the reader who gets to vicariously enjoy their luxurious extravagances. Having spent several holidays in the Caribbean, I find the descriptions of places and people to be very evocative and true to life.
With a story that's all action, chase and pursuit, one does not expect an exploration of the full range of human psyche but Vass's characters are rather one-dimensional. They are life-hardened survivors with the moral code of a jungle beast. It's kill or be killed.
Jimmy is a happy-go-lucky type. He lives for the day, has enough brains and brawn for the precarious, nomadic existence he has embraced and the good sense to enjoy the good bits when they come. Through long years of insider exposure to casino practices, he has acquired specialized knowledge which he uses to his own advantage as he pits his own system against that of the house. I see nothing wrong with that. It would be difficult to defend the moral right of casino owners to fleece gullible customers from their unassailable position of superiority. Equally, his propensity for shooting people can be seen as the individual exercising his right to defend himself. I abhor guns and the laws that condone and protect the acquisition of arms, but if someone keeps shooting at you and you happen to have a gun handy, well it would be stupid not to use it. Most people will not have much in common with him, but he is a likeable narrator and we consistently see events from his singular viewpoint.
Naomi's cartoon character evolves through the story. At first she is simply a street-smart ex-cocktail waitress with a passion for vintage movies. Handy and capable as a sailing mate, despite an aversion to cooking, she keeps Jimmy fed on a diet of dodgy sandwiches. Her motivation for sticking with a lover who could, at any moment, come to a violent end and often places her in mortal danger is never fully explained. She goes along for the ride, loyal to a man she sees as a ticket to the easy life, adventure and frequent bouts of luxurious shopping. Perhaps even facing hoods with evil intent is preferable to her previous life serving drinks. What an indictment on the profession! In the second half of the book, Naomi morphs into what one of the characters terms “Rambolina”, and she becomes distinctly annoying. She is essentially a male fantasy: gorgeous without make-up or hair salon visits, capable sailor, more than handy with a gun, feminine only in the ways that are attractive to men, she is so one-dimensional as to be see-through. However, as the side-kick to Jimmy's capable, tough guy persona, she serves a necessary function and, like Rex, provides a major plot device.
The last part of the action takes us through a somewhat sentimental journey of small-time America in the secluded backwaters of Nevada's mountain country. The social commentary is understated and well done. Barry Vass writes the action with detached precision, the dialogue is lively and effective and provides good balance with the narration. Sexual references are so coyly handled that this novel is easily suitable for a YA audience, well hardened to violent content by TV and the news.
Despite Naomi's irritating personality, I was interested enough to keep following the rather predictable story, enjoyable mostly because the reader gets the expected ending. I would venture the observation that this book is more suited to a male audience who will not get tired of the gun toting Rambo stuff.
I thought the underlying theme was well executed: the tension between evading relentless pursuit while moving in most people's idea of paradise on earth. Jimmy and Naomi lead a parallel, double life of periodic excursions through heaven and hell. They seem to have the ability to stay vigilant and proactive during the hunt, but relax and enjoy the high points and the good life in between. Perhaps not entirely realistic, but very satisfying from the viewpoint of the reader who gets to vicariously enjoy their luxurious extravagances. Having spent several holidays in the Caribbean, I find the descriptions of places and people to be very evocative and true to life.
With a story that's all action, chase and pursuit, one does not expect an exploration of the full range of human psyche but Vass's characters are rather one-dimensional. They are life-hardened survivors with the moral code of a jungle beast. It's kill or be killed.
Jimmy is a happy-go-lucky type. He lives for the day, has enough brains and brawn for the precarious, nomadic existence he has embraced and the good sense to enjoy the good bits when they come. Through long years of insider exposure to casino practices, he has acquired specialized knowledge which he uses to his own advantage as he pits his own system against that of the house. I see nothing wrong with that. It would be difficult to defend the moral right of casino owners to fleece gullible customers from their unassailable position of superiority. Equally, his propensity for shooting people can be seen as the individual exercising his right to defend himself. I abhor guns and the laws that condone and protect the acquisition of arms, but if someone keeps shooting at you and you happen to have a gun handy, well it would be stupid not to use it. Most people will not have much in common with him, but he is a likeable narrator and we consistently see events from his singular viewpoint.
Naomi's cartoon character evolves through the story. At first she is simply a street-smart ex-cocktail waitress with a passion for vintage movies. Handy and capable as a sailing mate, despite an aversion to cooking, she keeps Jimmy fed on a diet of dodgy sandwiches. Her motivation for sticking with a lover who could, at any moment, come to a violent end and often places her in mortal danger is never fully explained. She goes along for the ride, loyal to a man she sees as a ticket to the easy life, adventure and frequent bouts of luxurious shopping. Perhaps even facing hoods with evil intent is preferable to her previous life serving drinks. What an indictment on the profession! In the second half of the book, Naomi morphs into what one of the characters terms “Rambolina”, and she becomes distinctly annoying. She is essentially a male fantasy: gorgeous without make-up or hair salon visits, capable sailor, more than handy with a gun, feminine only in the ways that are attractive to men, she is so one-dimensional as to be see-through. However, as the side-kick to Jimmy's capable, tough guy persona, she serves a necessary function and, like Rex, provides a major plot device.
The last part of the action takes us through a somewhat sentimental journey of small-time America in the secluded backwaters of Nevada's mountain country. The social commentary is understated and well done. Barry Vass writes the action with detached precision, the dialogue is lively and effective and provides good balance with the narration. Sexual references are so coyly handled that this novel is easily suitable for a YA audience, well hardened to violent content by TV and the news.
Despite Naomi's irritating personality, I was interested enough to keep following the rather predictable story, enjoyable mostly because the reader gets the expected ending. I would venture the observation that this book is more suited to a male audience who will not get tired of the gun toting Rambo stuff.
Kathryn Jensen, after fighting for years to climb the financial management ladder in a men’s world, has reached a crisis point in her professional and emotional life. Two years after her husband’s premature death to cancer, she winds down her consulting audit business and decides to take a break to pursue her dream of sailing on a clipper. The immediate obstacle is that such sailboats no longer exist in their original engine-free condition, which unleashes a stubborn desire to prove the general wisdom wrong.
The story is narrated in the first person by the heroine, so we are treated to a lot of repetitive introspection and inner dialogue. The writing is a bit amateurish, with curiously worded phrases and plotting lapses which hinder comprehension. The author also flips jarringly from past to present tense narration for no clear reason. A capable editor could improve this book significantly. I was interested in the story enough to finish reading, but by the end the suspension of disbelief required became such that I lost all desire to read the sequel.
Without ruining it for others, I will simply say that I frequently found the heroine’s behaviour to be at odds with what we are “told”. For such an intelligent woman, her thoughts and actions are illogical and often ridiculous. Also, the big heartbreaking discovery she makes towards the end can easily be explained by her remarkably self-centred attitude and her stubborn refusal to entertain anything other than her own wishes. Since I fully expected it, the shock effect for me was missing.
From my knowledge of the travel industry, the whole clipper cruise setup would simply not happen as described, so another convenient fantastical plot device. Perhaps the hardest “fact” to swallow is how devastatingly alluring this 47-year-old woman seems to be. Once she decides to stop mourning and start dating again, every man she meets instantly falls for her (one starts to talk marriage within a week of meeting her). Of course, they are all attractive, rich, and desirable men, but somehow “wrong” for her. Also she has an unusual number of friends always ready to go the extra mile for her despite the fact that her default mood is irritated and aggressive. Too many convenient plot devices and eye-rolling moments to really enjoy what promised to be a fairly original tale. Also, since the book ends before the start of this clipper cruise that has been the unrelenting driving theme, technically we are left with a cliff-hanger.
The story is narrated in the first person by the heroine, so we are treated to a lot of repetitive introspection and inner dialogue. The writing is a bit amateurish, with curiously worded phrases and plotting lapses which hinder comprehension. The author also flips jarringly from past to present tense narration for no clear reason. A capable editor could improve this book significantly. I was interested in the story enough to finish reading, but by the end the suspension of disbelief required became such that I lost all desire to read the sequel.
Without ruining it for others, I will simply say that I frequently found the heroine’s behaviour to be at odds with what we are “told”. For such an intelligent woman, her thoughts and actions are illogical and often ridiculous. Also, the big heartbreaking discovery she makes towards the end can easily be explained by her remarkably self-centred attitude and her stubborn refusal to entertain anything other than her own wishes. Since I fully expected it, the shock effect for me was missing.
From my knowledge of the travel industry, the whole clipper cruise setup would simply not happen as described, so another convenient fantastical plot device. Perhaps the hardest “fact” to swallow is how devastatingly alluring this 47-year-old woman seems to be. Once she decides to stop mourning and start dating again, every man she meets instantly falls for her (one starts to talk marriage within a week of meeting her). Of course, they are all attractive, rich, and desirable men, but somehow “wrong” for her. Also she has an unusual number of friends always ready to go the extra mile for her despite the fact that her default mood is irritated and aggressive. Too many convenient plot devices and eye-rolling moments to really enjoy what promised to be a fairly original tale. Also, since the book ends before the start of this clipper cruise that has been the unrelenting driving theme, technically we are left with a cliff-hanger.
I am constantly amazed by Alison Morton's ability to produce a new spell-binding tale after what I thought was a pretty extensive exploration of the alternate reality world of Roma Nova. If you have not yet read the previous books, do yourself a favour and start with Book 1, INCEPTIO. Despite the fact that this is a prequel to the other three books, it will be so much more rewarding to follow the events from the beginning because there are many characters and much background information to assimilate for this story to be fully appreciated.
Book Four of the Roma Nova series takes us back in time two generations before Carina, to catch up with the then-young Mitela matriarch, Aurelia. She is 29 when the story begins, the doting mother of a fragile, sickly little girl of 5 (Carina's mother). Aurelia is a physically intimidating, tough army career soldier, currently serving under the rank of Major.
If you thought that Carina was a formidable female character, prepare yourself for a mind adjustment. Where Carina had to play catch-up to develop her new-found skills, and struggled to reclaim her inherited role, Aurelia has grown up in a position of privilege and power, practically step-daughter of the Imperatrix and finding herself prematurely the head of the senior of the Twelve Families which founded the tiny but technologically-dominant state of Roma Nova.
Book Four of the Roma Nova series takes us back in time two generations before Carina, to catch up with the then-young Mitela matriarch, Aurelia. She is 29 when the story begins, the doting mother of a fragile, sickly little girl of 5 (Carina's mother). Aurelia is a physically intimidating, tough army career soldier, currently serving under the rank of Major.
If you thought that Carina was a formidable female character, prepare yourself for a mind adjustment. Where Carina had to play catch-up to develop her new-found skills, and struggled to reclaim her inherited role, Aurelia has grown up in a position of privilege and power, practically step-daughter of the Imperatrix and finding herself prematurely the head of the senior of the Twelve Families which founded the tiny but technologically-dominant state of Roma Nova.
Aurelia has a fierce enemy, a twisted and perverted personality, who delights in inflicting pain and will stop at nothing to destroy her. He reaches out with super-human efficacy and manages to wreak havoc in her life on several occasions. Against a background of shifting allegiances and uncertain relationships, silver trading, the lifeblood of Roma Nova, is threatened, and Aurelia's service to the state places her in mortal danger. Clearly, since we have encountered Aurelia as a mature stateswoman in the first three books, we know that she must have escaped all the attempts on her life, however, it is still brilliantly entertaining to read all about them.
As before, the pace of the action is fast and furious, characterization is impeccable and the author keeps a firm grip on a vast number of players in several geographic locations. A brilliant read! As I was approaching the last few pages, it became increasingly obvious that most of Aurelia's story is still untold. Can we hope to hear that Alison Morton is at work on a sequel to the prequel?
As before, the pace of the action is fast and furious, characterization is impeccable and the author keeps a firm grip on a vast number of players in several geographic locations. A brilliant read! As I was approaching the last few pages, it became increasingly obvious that most of Aurelia's story is still untold. Can we hope to hear that Alison Morton is at work on a sequel to the prequel?