Shantaram~
A novel written by Gregory David Robert's and influenced by his real life events. It begins with his escape from an Australian prison and his subsequent journey to India and his life after. His accomplishments, friends everything that happened to him in Mumbai. I won't say anything more in case it ruins the story for any of you. Roberts claims it is a fictitious novel, however the lines between fact and fiction are blurred. It is an amazing story, a solid favourite of mine. One that's inspiring and leaves you in awe (and wanting to visit Mumbai!) when you've finished it.
Rebecca~
Considered Daphne du Maurier's masterpiece, published in 1938. It starts with the narrator (whose name we are never told), a rich American woman's companion who begins a 2 week courtship with the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter and then marries him. He takes her back to his West Country mansion; Maderley, where she is greeted by Mrs. Danvers a chilling housekeeper who continues to keep alive the ghost of Maxim's wife, Rebecca. There are paintings of her everywhere and the narrator can't escape her. The story is brilliantly written and twist and turns with a superb ending.
The Constant Gardener~
Written by one of my favourite authors; John le Carré. It revolves around the life of Justin Quayle (the one problem I have with the whole book- I don't like his name!) a British Diplomat working in Nairobi, Kenya, whose wife, Tessa, is murdered. It is all a huge conspiracy plot, from the murder supposedly committed by Tessa's friend, to the cover up of a huge scandal involving drug testing and medical experiments. Justin travels across to Europe to try to uncover why his wife was murdered and what she had found out.
It's one of le Carré's best works in my opinion, and not as slow as others, say Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
On the Road~
Written in 1951, by American writer Jack Kerouac. Mostly autobiographical, although fictitious and based on his journey across the country. The main character 'sal' (Kerouac) sets off on his journey after hearing of free spirited Dean Moriarty's advernutres. The novel is in five sections, some on the 'road', some not. It's a brilliant read and Kerouac portrays different parts of America and his journey wonderfully. I'm sure many of you will know it because of the film that's soon to be released (and has already premiered) starring Kristen Stewart.
Half a yellow Sun~
Set in 1960's Nigeria, over the period of the Nigerian-Biafran civil war. The writer Ngozi Adichie shows how the war affected many people's lifes in various ways. The story follows Odenigbo, a university professor and intellectual who hires Ugwu, as his houseboy. Ugwu has his own story and becomes very attached to Odenigbo and his girlfriend who later moves in with them, Olanna. Olanna, too, has her story; she has a twin sister, Kainene, whose partner is Richard. An Englishman who had come to Nigeria to study. The war affects each of them and the way Ngozi Adichie has portrayed the war and turmoil of the country is superb. I'd wholly recommend this.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin~
I'm sure many of you will have heard of this, possibly from the film starring Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz. (which I personally didn't like, as it didn't 'feel' like the book). It is set in World War II on the Greek Island of Kefalonia, and tells the story of Antonio Corelli, an Italian captain and Pelagia, a local physician's daughter. In it's essence it's a love story, but also a portrayal of the war, and good/evil. Although the latter is more ambiguous; the lines are blurred between who is the hero and who is the villain. I love this book and have for many years.
I hope you enjoyed reading this, have you read any (or all) of these? Or I hope this post might have inspired you to read any of them?
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