In which I review things I read/watched ages ago and haven’t gotten around to reviewing (and I can’t renew them any longer at the library hehe).
The Never Weres (Graphic Novel) by Fiona Smyth
Quite an interesting, though by no means unique, concept – a world in which no children have been born for fifteen years. It lapses frequently into telling, rather than showing, with the rather annoying appearances of the “Storybot”. But part of the problem is that my library puts all comics from young-teen to adult on the same shelf. This one should possibly be with the kids’ – for whom the Storybot provides an accessible way into a fairly engaging story (and punchy conclusion), and a first look into the conceptual possibilities of sci-fi.
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (novel) by Alexander McCall Smith
This is an interestingly structured book. Each episode in the life of Precious Ramotswe, “Botswana’s only – and finest – female private detective” almost functions as a short story with some shared settings and characters. I’m a bit iffy on the voice of this one, but overall McCall Smith’s characterises Ramotswe as a delightfully strong woman, well-versed in the ways of the world. A high point is the beautiful descriptions of Africa and the Kalahari, “those wide grasslands that broke and broke the heart.”
How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm: Parenting wisdom from around the world (non-fiction) by Mei-Ling Hopgood
In the manner of a blog or serial column, Hopgood investigates and, at times, attempts to implement international parenting methods, from nappy [that’s diaper]-free to pram-free. It sticks closely to what you expect from the light anecdote-meets-research genre, but still a pretty engaging read. The shortish sections would probably make it readable, as well as relatable, for those going through the trials of parenting in any country!
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (film, 2011)
I watched this aaagres ago, and I’ll probably re-watch it soon to give you a better review, because it definitely deserves it. From polished London offices to bureaucrats’ cubicles to the deserts of the Middle East, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen uses the seemingly crazy plot of establishing fishing in the desert to explore, surprisingly convincingly, how people try to bridge political and cultural boundaries. It is a film fully plugged into the modern world, from terrorism to the Afghanistan war, yet it never becomes either tokenistic or enslaved to these issues. The ending, without giving anything away, is spectacular and stunning and brilliant and reinforces everything we see of tenacity, conflict and strength, in the film and in our world today.
Be Kind, Rewind (film, 2007)
Another one with a wacky plot that works. A strange smorgasbord of humour – ranging from the sophisticated to the toilet, tending to hover right round ridiculous – community and not-even-trying scientific impossibilities, Be Kind, Rewind is essentially a film about working with the world you’ve got. Since we’re in the same post, I’ll do comparisons: this is pretty funny and heartwarming, but if you only see one film as a result of reading some random girl’s blog post today, make it Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.
There you go! Cleared the to-review pile. Now off to the library!
