Book 1 - The Singapore Grip (J. G. Farrell)

So, having discussed this resolution over Christmas with the family, I thought I'd start with their offerings. And, after arguing at length with my mother about the meaning of the word "favourite" (see earlier post), my Dad offered up The Singapore Grip.

I'd never heard of this - nor really the author, although a cursory scan revealed that he also wrote The Siege of Krishnapur (which I've also not read, but at least knew of). Farrell died young, in a fishing accident, and this was his last book before he did so, written in 1978.

The book itself is, as one might expect, set in Singapore and details the invasion of the Malay peninsula during the 2nd World War. Much of the historical detail is lovingly rendered - and the story of the ineptitude and disarray is, apparently, true. The characters all represent a different form of obsession, be it with business, ideals, a girl, or oneself. The city is amazingly rendered and the considerable detail the book reveals creates an extraordinarily rich picture of life as it was at the time of the Japanese invasion.

But what's most interesting about this book - which is at times extremely funny, but feels a little dated perhaps when contrasted with a blunter, coarser modern style - is that it's my Dad's choice. It reads a bit like a boys Jane Austin novel; a comedy of manners and social graces but set in the context of war. Most of the things my Dad's sent my way previously are usually selections of fairly bombastic sci fi. But this nice, measured, observant novel is the one he called out as his favourite.

As the first in my year-long experiment, it was not at all what I expected. But that's partly the point of this whole thing. Makes me excited for the next one (Sister's).

The Readolution Starts Here

I often hold my breath a little when people start telling me about their New Year's Resolution. What are they giving up, what are they not allowing themselves to do. In fact, the self-flagellation that goes on around NYE is depressing. It's as though people, dissatisfied with one year, come up with ways that they can make the next year less fun.

So I like resos to be a little more fun. Last year was a tour of culinary delights. This year, it'll be a feast of the literary kind. I've decided to try and read the favourite books of my friends - with the aim of both reading something great and also see what people's favourite book says about them.

A quick note on favourite - I've had this question a lot: what do you mean by favourite? Is it a book you keeping going back to? The one that's most influenced you and your view of the world? The one with the biggest font size?

I'm not too worried about how you choose to interpret it. Let's just imagine someone put a gun to your head and said "tell me your fav". First thing that pops into your mind. GO.

I'll write them up here - which will be a very public record of whether I stick to this. Good news then that my other resolution was to stop neglecting blogs (and not to give up self-referencing humour).