Amanda E

This notion of defining oneself through music highlights the importance of finding one's place in the world. While the pursuit of identity is a goal for most young people, Hsu's status as a second-generation immigrant adds another layer of complexity to his quest. His writing is understated, a style that is the perfect vehicle for the content but may not be to every reader's taste. Likewise, the musical references that pepper this memoir are a strength in that they provide rich cultural detail,

For the lay reader, The Story of Russia provides an informative historical overview, written in straightforward, measured prose. The scale of Figes' account means that it can be used as a springboard for more in-depth study of a discrete topic — for example, further reading about Ivan IV (better known in the West as Ivan the Terrible) may be triggered by a desire to learn more about Putin's motivations. Despite the book's merits, the sheer volume of detail that is jam-packed into it

Interestingly, Magee chooses not to use speech punctuation; consequently, all communication — verbal or internal — becomes an organic element of the tapestry of the island: Traditional language and behaviors intermingle with incoming influences — including the two foreign visitors. What becomes clear is that both men have mythologized the community, consumed by their own agendas — perhaps the hallmark of the colonist. But the two summer inhabitants are not the only source

Kanon's sparse, utilitarian prose perfectly echoes the austerity of the novel's setting and mimics the cadence of the GDR's propaganda of denial: "There is no crime in the Republic." Through Martin's eyes (the narrative is in close third person) the reader is confronted with the paranoia of East Berlin, the brainwashing of its citizens and its morass of corruption. The writing style is complemented by the high volume of dialogue, through which the guardedness of the characters is revealed. Someh

What is striking about The Pages is the interweaving of four different stories: that of Rebellion itself, and its experiences and observations since that fateful night in Berlin's Opera Square; the experiences of Joseph Roth, author of the salvaged novel; the story of a barrel-organ player, the protagonist of Rebellion; and the life of Lena — her relationships, her history, her close attachment to the book and her quest for answers. These four strands could easily resu

Rooney speaks to a generation of readers caught up in zeitgeisty dilemmas, much like J.D. Salinger held up a mirror to 1950s America in The Catcher in the Rye. At every turn, the novel confronts familiar features of our time, such as when Eileen reveals that two-thirds of her salary (only 20,000 euros per annum) goes to rent; this will resonate with young workers struggling to make it onto the housing ladder with little hope of a secure future. Such weighty concerns could be deeply depres

As a detective novel, The Killing Hills gradually delivers its promised thrills. Nevertheless, the plot is unremarkable and arguably formulaic. As for the noir aspect, the genre has been so ubiquitous over the past decade or so that one could be forgiven for thinking that all the flavor has been well and truly chewed out of this particular piece of gum. But Offutt breathes fresh life into these established genres. This is primarily achieved through the visceral concentration of demographi