Book Notes: "Southern Mail; Night Flight" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Southern Mail; Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


These two works cover the pioneering era of airmail. The author's experience as a pilot is obvious yet it is combined with rich imagery amidst strong characters. Nothing is missed in detailing the victory, the bureaucracy, the heroes, the futility, the drive, the loved ones, and the tragedy of flying the mail in North Africa and South America in the 1920s. A wonderful book where the magic of The Little Prince is not lost but transported to a completely different genre with relative ease.



View all my reviews

Book Notes: "The Quiet American" by Graham Greene

The Quiet American by Graham Greene




I really enjoyed Greene's work. This is an interesting period of history covered in this novel and I found Fowler to be hardened, cynical, and very believable. I decided to read Greene after reading Paul Theroux and I can see why Greene is held with such high regard. Whether his more recent novels carry the same weight remains to be seen, but a worthwhile venture nonetheless.



View all my reviews

Book Notes: "Ragtime" by E.L. Doctorow

Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is exactly the type of novel I enjoy most. If I wear to sum it up succinctly, I would say it was the precursor to Forrest Gump but with multiple protagonists intertwined with historical events from the beginning of the twentieth century until the end of the Great War. I did not read about E.L. Doctorow until I had finished his work, and it was no surprise to find he was a professor of history. The incorporation of Harry Houdini as a character was cleverly done, as was the use of the nondescript "Family", "Father", "Mother", "Mother's Younger Brother" to leave one guessing at the true historical characters they were inspired by. There is definitely some merit to reading more of Doctorow's work and Ragtime is easily one of my favourite novels.



View all my reviews