Random Readings

Crusoe's Village by Ian Morton is all about the village of Lower Largo in Fife on Scotland's east coast. The village was home to Alexander Selkirk, the real-life Robinson Crusoe from the 17th and 18th centuries. Defoe based his novel about the castaway on him. The village itself is well worth a visit; photos will hopefully follow of the trip made by Mr F and myself.

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome is a light-hearted, surprisingly modern read. It was written in 1889 and concerns the trip of 3 men and their dog on a rowing trip up the Thames. Not much really happens, but the author's style is readable and amusing. He is rather reminiscent of a stand-up comedian at times, as one train of thought sets him off on another anecdote, usually embellished for effect. I laughed out loud a couple of times but it was fun throughout. This would be a nice holiday read.

Finally I read Antoine de Saint-Exupery's Little Prince. I'd heard of this as a children's classic but I'm not really keen on fantasy as a genre, and it was a bit whimsical for me at times. As a card-carrying grump at times, I really don't care for whimsy (which is what put me off reading Winnie the Pooh). The ending of the book was very touching though, but I think that it would reduce children to tears (not what I would recommend in a children's classic). Was the ending a religious analogy? I hope not!

Day 167; Book 166