Forgotten books

I have been better at my theatre and ballet updates than the book updates this year so here is a catch-up on what I've been reading.

American Assassin by Vince Flynn
This was my first book read on the iPhone, however it was such a compelling story that I couldn't stop reading and soon got over that hitch. This book mixed my love of mysteries with an old love of war/spy books. This was more graphic and violent than previous books and included a healthy dose of revenge. Mitch Rapp was the central character and I'm not sure that I ever really liked him although he was on the 'good' side in this book about counter-terrorism efforts primarily in Beirut. Once I had finished the book I realised it was actually the latest in a series and I am glad I read this one first and am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. That all said the iPhone will not be replacing my Kindle and I only have free books on the iPhone and I suspect I will only finish them if they are really gripping.

Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James
A colleague recommended this book after reading it with her book club. I bought it and then suggested my dad might like to read it which meant I lost my Kindle into his hands over Christmas. Once it was returned I was distracted by other books but finally got round to reading this. I've not read PD James before but I am of course familiar with Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice in particular. PD James picks up six years after The Darcys' marriage and the world of of Austen is plunged into uncertainty and mystery when Lydia pitches up on the door step hysterical and claiming the Wickham has been murdered. Cleverly written the character continuity is right on the money and I didn't work it out until the very end when all was made clear with a confession. Having read this book I might try another of PD James books to see whether this was a one off.

Sister by Rosamund Lupton
This book was much more than a 'simple' murder mystery as it entered into the world of genetic treatments and cystic fibrosis. I was quite convinced by the 'unethical' trial processes in place I can't quite see that level of falsification passing muster in the real-world but as it was only a story I'll let them off!  I got drawn in and felt sorry both Bee and her dead sister Tess at different points throughout the story. Was it murder or suicide? I was with Bee throughout and at every twist and turn I realised maybe a page ahead of her that she was following the wrong route but even then I didn't see the ending coming. Another great addition to my murder mystery collection that kept me up late at night trying to reach the end and find out what really happened.

Falling Star by Diana Dempsey
I enjoyed this book both for the story line but also for the relevance to my work. Diana Dempsey used to be a broadcast journalists and although set in America this book gave me an insight into the hierarchy of the broadcast news programmes where the news anchor is king. A good mixture of the insights into what makes a good news story and the logistics of putting it all together mixed in with some sexism and a nice dollop of intrigue. Reading this reminded me a little bit of Gemma Halliday's Spying in High Heels with an under-prepared  girl 'investigating' and inevitably ending up in trouble. A good quick read with a neat resolution, I think I might look into some of Diana Dempsey's other books and who knows I might learn some more about TV journalism from them.

To Davy Jones Below by Carola Dunn
After a bit of a break I thought it was time to come back to Carola Dunn and the reading of this book seemed perfectly timed as the TV scheduling was fixated on Titanic it being a hundred years since the sinking. I think the break was a good idea as I really enjoyed this one although I was a bit surprised at how many people got knocked off on a ship without Alec and Daisy figuring out who did it. Mixed in with the whodunnit element was a good sprinkling of class snobbery and of course in true Daisy style it all came out in the wash. I'm looking forward to the next instalment after I've read a few more books in between.

Valeria's Last Stand by Marc Fitten (Book Club)
This was the first book since I joined The London Girly Book Club two years ago where no one in the room seemed to have a good thing to say about it. At first I thought I would quite enjoy this book but by the end of chapter one I wasn't convinced. I carried on and by the half way point I was just ploughing on to reach the end before Book Club. I found the storyline to be mundane, the characters were all unlovable, perhaps the problem was that it was all too much like real-life in a Hungarian village and I just couldn't connect. I was reminded of a Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka, however Marina Lewycka does not shy away from parodying her characters adding humour to lift what could have been a story of everyday life. I won a copy of Marc Fitten's next book Elza's Kitchen as an uncorrected proof and I'm not sure I can bring myself to read it.

The Chalet School and Robin by Caroline German
I grew up on a diet of school literature from Enid Blyton's Mallory Towers to my mum's collection of Abbey Girls (EJ Oxenham) and The Chalet School (E Brent-Dyer). I always wanted to go to the Chalet School but although that never happened I still love to curl up with on of these books. The Chalet School series has a number of gaps and also some inconsistencies which has left the series open to a number of filler books written by fans of the series. Mum's latest purchase was this one and it was a particularly good filler. I was impressed that the style was so close to the original books and although I had forgotten that Robin's time as head girl was not included in the series this book fitted in and cleverly added details to some of the stories mentioned later in the series but never spelled out.

Alice in Covent Garden

Last year we were disappointed to miss the debut of Alice in Wonderland at the Royal Ballet. We caught it on the TV and loved it but it is never the same as seeing it for real on the stage. This year we got organised I became a friend and we secured tickets for Alice (amongst other things).

Yesterday after a delightful afternoon at the V&A seeing the golden spider cloak, the British design exhibition including Kit William's fabulous golden masquerade hare and finally the Cecil Beaton royal photography exhibition mum and I headed to Covent Garden.

We enjoyed a light dinner at Cafe des Amis behind the opera house and then we headed in for a magical evening. One thing that Disney have done is sanitise Alice, my childhood memories of the book with the slightly ominous ink drawings has been replaced by a cute blonde girl and a jolly smiling purple cat. Tim Burton's movie adaptation perhaps pushed it too far in the other direction but the combination of Christopher Wheeldon, Joby Talbot and the wonderful Royal Ballet has hit the spot.

The special effects that I couldn't imagine on stage filled your vision and the drew you into the mysterious world of Lewis Carroll's mind. Lauren Cuthbertson proved that she created the role and her performance emanated a childlike wonder at the weird and wonderful things around her. Her performance skills along with the special effects meant I really believed that she could not only dance but grow and shrink as well. My only disappointment was the giant ballerina legs and arms, for me they detracted and I'd be interested to see the show without them.

I particularly love the way that the guests at Alice's tea party are realised later as the residents of Wonderland. Edward Watson translated wonderfully from a kindly Lewis Carroll to a slightly panicked and at times bewildered white rabbit. He was seemingly everywhere at once and it felt like by the end he had run a marathon keeping Alice out of trouble.

Fernando Montano replacing Eric Underwood as the caterpillar was a particular highlight for me. His body isolations and undulations really did verge on the exotic insect side of life. Another particularly special animal is the Cheshire cat, a giant animal created by a number of dancers, this Cheshire cat is mysterious and mischievous. It reminded me a bit of War Horse where you forget that the actors are there after just a few minutes. In this case I still wonder how so many people can make this jigsaw of cat parts come together so cohesively that you can almost here him purr!

Jumping on to the Mad Hatters's tea party with giant teapots and tea cakes Steven McRae gave a manically mad performance and his skilled tapping meant he was a strong part of the percussion section. You couldn't help but feel sorry for James Wilkie in the role of the sleepy dormouse continually shoved into the teapot. I would have loved to see more of this lovely trio although the March Hare was rather forgotten.

The flower dance was beautiful with whirling colours and patterns. Then on to the garden for some interesting gardening techniques and croquet. Painting the roses red, or maybe not, the three gardeners, with James Hay delivering a beautifully funny performance when his tree just wouldn't stay red. Laura Morera delivered a crazed red queen with precision and a touch of comedy. The flamingoes were perfect both the dancers and the puppet variety, having worked with puppets I know how hard it is to give a really believable performance and to carry it off while dancing impeccably was a real feat on everyone's part. Meanwhile the hedgehogs were adorably cheeky and I wish I could take one home with me.

The court room scene was just the way I had imagined it as a child reading the books and I haven't forgotten Jack the Knave of Hearts. This is his trial after all and if the crime was a great performance then Frederico Bonelli was guilty. He gave an engaging performance and throughout it felt like he was just a touch older than Alice after more than she was willing give. But at the end I was pleased to see that he got the kiss he had worked so hard to earn. Bonelli is my one to watch list and I'll be looking for him on the cast lists.

So my overall impression, I'm already planning tickets for next year's performance and I shall be bringing P with me as part of his slow education in the wonderful world of ballet. I need to see Alice again as there was so mich going on I know I missed something good. Perhaps next time i might be able to work out which came first Wheeldon's choreography or Talbot's music. It was as though they shared a dream in the creation of this ballet as both parts worked seamlessly throughout and nothing grated.

I have just one question, any chance of Through the Looking Glass? I'd love to see the Jabberwocky and Tweedledum and Tweedledee realised on stage at the Royal Opera House. Now I'm off to plan how I'm going to fit in the current Royal Ballet triple bill...