Dooyoo Island Books (Top 10 Books)

Member Name: BizzyB

Product:	Top 10 Books
Date:	24/07/01 (106 review reads)
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Well I'm back on my Desert Island hideaway, exiled by Dooyoo once more and I've grown bored of my Top Ten songs. It's time to lie under my palm tree and read methinks.

In choosing my top ten books, which I hope is more than my mere ramblings and encourages you to maybe pick a couple of them up, I thought long and hard on my reading habits. Now those of you who have visited my top ten songs will be pleased to learn this collecion isn't quite as eclectic but once again a genre or pattern fails to emerge. In no particular order:

1) J R R Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings.

I can see you throwing your hands in the air - hardly a sparkling, original choice is it? But, stuck on my idylic isle I could not be without my favourite book of all time. This book and I have a long and twisted history. I had many attempts at reading it throughout my teens and never got past page 30. An another attempt in my early twenties saw me hit the heady heights of page 45. What is the fuss? I thought to myself, I just could not become engrossed in this fantasy world that so many enthuse about.

Then at 25, just before moving, I came across the book whilst packing. Now any other book that had defeated me so many times would have been at the car boot sale by now but for some reason I had taken J R R Tolkein's trilogy ( which is actually one novel made up of six books) as a challenge. I sat down and read, and read, and read.

I can only assume that something had changed in my subconcious that opened me up to this book and to this day I cannoth fathom what. The story is a very simple and basic tale of good fighting evil.

A young hobbit, Frodo Baggins finds himself in care of a magic ring, one of a set that when brought together will give the wearer the power to rule the world. Suaron, the Dark Lord is after Frodo's ring. Frodo must journey out of his quiet village and travel across the perils of Middle Earth t
o the dark terriotary to destroy the ring in the Cracks of Doom. Frodo will not have to go alone though, accompanied by his friends and allies he meets on his way he sets forth on his epic journey.

J R R Tolkein's attention to detail is impressive and once caught by world of Middle Earth it is difficult not to become fully immersed to the point you will be convinced it exists. Many have noted Tolkein used his knowledge of the Black Country as a back drop to the novel. At times the story drags and without doubt Frodo is one of the least endearing heroes of any book, yet the feeling of community and unity suffices to create an tale of epic proportions.

With it's simple story set in elaborate surroundings I was heartbroken when I finished the book. My advice is keep trying and if the magic strikes you, you will not be disappointed.

2) William Shakespere - Romeo and Juilet

Another book which saw me battle with myself before the first page was turned. I have never been, nor am, a great Shakespere fan. A writer who has been hijacked by the great, good and know alls of the literary world. However hard my English teacher tried Shakespere was as dead as a doornail. I take great umbridge at being talked down to with regards to Shakespere. I don't like a lot of it, that does not consign me to being a literary imbecile.

Romeo and Juliet was the first Shakespere play I read off my own back. My mother was left a beautiful set of Shakespere work by her God-mother. A volume of books that are handbag size, three plays to each book, backed in red leather. A stunning set to look at if not to read. As I was going on a journey I decided to put them to good use.

Due to their print date and typeset it was a particularly difficult version to read for the comfort of the eyes if nothing else yet I found myself enjoying the experience. This was Shakespere at my speed. For once I thoroughly understood everything
that was going on - it is amazing what you see when you strip a piece of writing of the know-all brigade.

My advice for anyone wanting to read Shakespere - give it a go. Depending on the edition you purchase will often influence the ease of the read. My recommendation is look out for the study guides that often accompany them as they can be a great help if you do get stuck and ignore the words of those who reckon they don't need them and you must be thick if you need a Shakespere guide. At the end of the day (and book) I guarentee you'll have got more from Shakespere words than they ever do.

Romeo and Juliet, the template of the classic love story, is the original tragi-romance. A heart rending tale of true love thwarted it is hard not to enjoy and feel for these star crossed lovers.

3) Philip Roth - Portnoy's Complaint.

One of the lauded books of modern American literature, Philip Roth's journey through Alexander Portnoy's confused sexual life is as hilarious as it is raucous. Whether Portnoy ever reaches sexual 'maturity' is no doubt a matter for argument but one thing is certain, his childhood and the overbearing influence of his mother will forever have a hold over him.

An explicit book, not for the faint hearted, it is incredibly funny yet very moving at the same time. You will cringe with embarrasment as you read his tales of sexual experimentation and woeful inability to relate to the opposite sex.

At the end of the book, without giving the game away, you will realise you've just read the longest dinner part joke of all time!

4) John Irving - The World According to Garp

Another piece of modern American Literature John Irving's The World According to Garp has often been acclaimed as the natural successor to Philip Rith's Portnoy's Complaint.

This was my introduction to John Irving and to my mind the best of all his novels. Introd
ucing many of his favourite themes that appear in his work time and time again, Austria, Wrestling, New England and sex, it is a strange and absorbing tale following the life of Garp.

From Garp's less than normal conception, his early informative years and strive for happiness in later life, it is hilarious one moment, tear jerking the next. Irving takes the well used formula of a life story and adds the most extraordinary and unusual twists. You're never to sure where the journey will end or the detours on the way but it makes for an easy yet comprehensive read.

It has been made in to a film starring Robin Williams which is an able attempt yet I have never felt the energy of Irving has ever been transferred to screen - read the book, trust me.

5) E M Foster - A Room with a View

Another book which has been made into a successful film which hardly deviates from the written word even down to the dialogue.

This is an unashamedly romantic book opening in the glorious back drop of Florence. Set in the Victorian era it follows Lucy Honeychurch as she embarks on a Grand European tour accompanied by her cousin and chaperone, Charlotte.

In Florence she meets a mixed bag of eccentric fellow travellers including a would be lady novelist, an unconvential father and son, a pair of spinster sisters and a familiar face from home - Mr Beebe the local vicar. In the heady atmosphere of Italy she relishes the new experiences which echo her own burgeoning sexuality and the galloping social changes of the time.

Such are the depth of her experiences it inevabily effects her life on her return home and fate ensures her life will change for ever.

Beautifully written, envoking supmtious visuals this is a wonderful easy read and comfortable journey through an often funny and heart warming love story.

6) Harold Brighouse - Hobson's Choice

This play is a rather short but satisfying read, w
ith one of the most formidable female characters to be written.

Based in Salford, Lancashire in 1880 it follows the fortunes of the Hobson family who own a boot makers shop. The widower Henry Hobson lives with his three daughters, all of whom are unmarried though the youngest two, Alice and Vicky are both courting eligible young men. The elder daughter Maggie is seen to be no more than a spinster who's future is laid out caring for her robust, and fond of the booze, father.

The Hobson's employ a master bootmaker, the shy and naïve Will Mossop. Determined and wilful Maggie decides she will marry Will against her father's wishes and too the embarasment of her sisters as she is not only considered too old to marry but to marry someone as lowly as Will Mossop is a social no-no as far as they are concerned.

The character of Maggie is superb, as strong as iron and with a will to match. Hers and Will's unusual alliance grows into a successful relationship both professionally and privately in this warm comedy with wonderful use of regional dialogue. A delightful read and if only Hollywood would latch on to such characters as Maggie.

7) Alan Bennett - Writing Home

Continuing the Northern theme these autobiographical writings of playwright, actor and writer Alan Bennett are a great read. Bennett reminisces on his early life with memories from his diaries and years of considerable experience as a playwright and journalist.

An intensely private man his ability to communicate in the written word is enviable and enjoyable. A fine Yorkshire writer there's a true strain of Yorkshire dry 'as it is' humour.

8) Tom Sharpe - Wilt on High

If you want to laugh out loud this is the book. I remember reading it in the foyer of a hotel and having to leave as I was screaming with laughter and getting some very funny looks indeed!

I had not read the first in the Wilt series bu
t this did not seem to matter. Fom page one you feel Wilt is a great comic character who you cannot help but love and feel for.

Wilt's ability to get out a shovel and dig himself deeper into a mess is superb and Tom Sharpe's use of language has you in the moment. Ridiculous situations, screw-ball characters and the odd dash of vulgarity will have the tears of laughter streaming down your face. This is good British comedy on paper and I would highly recommend it as a relaxing byt the pool holiday read.

9) Enid Blyton - The Magic Faraway Tree

No a coconut has not dropped off my palm tree and hit me on the noggin, I really mean it.

As I child I remember reading the Magic Faraway Tree books from cover to cover in one sitting. They are addictable and I was truly convinced it existed. I desperately wanted the book to suck me in so I could go to the Tree and meet Mr Moonface for myself. I wanted to climb the tree and discover which of the magic lands was at the top today.

Strangely the only land that springs to mind at the moment is the land of spanks - this is probably a sad indication of the wiring of the adult brain. And it is exactly that wiring I would like to dismantle for a day. Oh, to experience that feeling where anything was possible again, the excitement of waiting for Santa, looking for fairies in the woodlands.

10) Thomas Hardy - Far From the Madding Crowd

Another tale centering around a strong female lead. This book follows Bathsheba Everdene as she inherits her Uncle's farm and becomes an active land owner in a male dominated world. Loved from afar by Gabrial Oak, a shephard who's own livelihood has been ruined by misfortune, he comes to work as her bailiff and is always there as a somewhat guardian angel.

Still young and mischevious, Bathsheba plays a practical joke on the neighbouring bachelor farmer that backfires beyond her control. With an undeniable h
old over men she naively falls for the dashing Sergent Troy who has his own history in the area to contend with.

With three men featuring in her life Bathsheba finds herself out of her depth as she comes to realise her power over men can be enchanting, destructive, not only to those around her but to herself as well.

Will Bathsheba ever find true love and be able to trust another man after her tumultuous marriage to Frank Troy.

Set in Hardy's Wessex it is a classic tale intrigue, broken hearts and passion as one would expect from Hardy. It is a pleasant change to read of a heroine who whilst strong has very clear failings, and isn't always wished our best. Some wonderful characterization brings this rural world alive in perfect detail.

Well I hope you've enjoyed that review and that you may read some of the titles I've menitoned.

I'm growing to like it on this island!

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