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I read somewhere: "The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you somebedy else" (E.E.Cummings). This is just such a true statement for me. I tried to fit in, and felt out of place. With the passing years, having experienced lots of unpleasentness I have realized that it is impossible to be happy while trying to satisfy everybody and follow the conventions that don't really agree with me or do not fit in my life. Finding myself still...

Sunday 14 July 2013

"One Good Turn" (by Kate Atkinson)

Finished reading 'One Good Turn' almost two weeks ago.  Gripping -same as other books by Kate Atkinson  that I have read so far  - I could not put it down. Jackson Brodie - ex-policeman, ex-private eye, ex-husband, visits Ediburgh during the Ediburgh Festival, two years after 'Case Histories'. He is still with Julia (whom he met in 'Case Histories') but only just.
The novel starts with a road-rage incident and developes into murders somehow connected with one another. Russian girls, 'Honda man', a hitman, a writer of criminal novels, a wife of a rich dishonest businessman etc.. all together much much lighter than the 'Case Histories'. It even made me lough at times - at the end of the day it is subtitled "A jolly murder mystery" which implies that it is not as serious as the dark and gloomy 'Case Histories'.
 I love the way Atkinson tells the story from different characters' perspectives - I felt I wanted to know more about them and their lives. I have realised, with every Atkinson's book I read,  that the author has this capacity of encouraging certain bond between the characters and me - as it is easy to get an insight of the characters' mental state and inner feelings. Very enjoyable read, and I would recommend it as a holiday read.

One good quote (from Jackson Brodie):
"You said five little words to someone - How can I help you? - and it was as if you'd mortgaged you soul out to them."
 

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