Breakfast At Tiffany's by Truman Capote

Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's is a famous work, both in itself and for the movie it inspired. Although I haven't seen the movie, the image of Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly is hard to shake off.

Yet for all the hoopla, for me this novella is dated. Perhaps in 1958, when it was written, Holly was an intriguing & singular character, displaying an independence of spirit that men (like the unnamed narrator) found hard to fathom. Perhaps it was part of the momentum for the movement for women’s rights, I don’t know.

To me the novella was light & slight about a flighty woman, whom today would be termed an escort or an SPG. I found myself unsympathetic to both Holly and the narrator, who came across as a fawning fool, allowing himself to be toyed by Holly. In short, the story is a male viewpoint of the adventures of a ‘kampung’ girl in a big city. Her end is a mystery to the narrator & necessarily (though frustratingly) to us too.

That said, Truman Capote’s writing cannot be faulted. The writing is rich & lyrical with a dream-like quality almost akin to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although I wish Holly’s character had been fleshed-out a bit more, this was probably intentional on Truman Capote’s part. 3 stars.

Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year by Sue Townsend

I do most of my reading on a Kindle. But whenever I come across a book that isn't on available on the Kindle, I'm almost gleeful. As much as I love the Kindle, I do miss the feel of a real book. So when Kyle started on Adrian Mole, I thought I'd accompany him with Sue Townsend's latest. None of her books are available on the Kindle.

And whilst Kyle really enjoyed 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4", I can't say I did the same with "The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year". The premise was interesting & had potential ... fed up with her life, a woman withdraws from it & takes to her bed to think. She doesn't leave it at all & constructs a 'white path' of sheets to get to the bathroom even. Society of course doesn't understand this bizarre behavior & soon bestows on her a saint-like aura. Loonies, crazies & those seeking assistance & blessings are drawn to her, providing the backdrop to highlight all that is wrong in this modern world.

But whilst the premise had potential, the book just did not deliver ... for me at least. It didn't draw me in & I only got to the end through sheer perseverance. There is a profound realization at the end, but this could be missed by readers turned off by the tedium preceding it. A shame really, because Sue Townsend's previous books have been very witty observations of life, often bringing hilarity to the mundane.

It is well written & an easy read. But with not much else to commend it, you won't miss anything if you decide not to read it. I give it 2 stars (which is probably on the generous side).

Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

If anyone is contemplating picking up this book to find out what the hype is all about, please, please, please do yourself a favour & don't bother. You will not forgive yourself the time wasted. It is pure unadulterated trash, & very badly written trash at that! And I'm not going to bother with a review as I've already wasted too much time on this idiocy masquerading as a book as it is.

It's part of a trilogy, you say, & perhaps redeems itself in its later installments? Well, that's just too bad. I've had enough!