Tuesday 24 March 2009

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