It seems appropriate to post these mini reviews this Remembrance Day weekend...one about the more "traditional" war (WW II) and the other about the kind of wars that never seem to leave us. I think Hage's novel gives us an excellent idea about how a lot of young men are growing up in various war torn areas of the world.
"The Tiger Claw" by Shauna Singh Baldwin
I've been interested to read something of hers so was pleased when it was a bookclub choice. It is based on a true story inspired by the life of Noor Inayat Khan - code name "Madeleine" - who worked against the Occupation after the Nazi invasion of France. It was a pretty good story for the most part but I felt it did bog down and couldn't quite put my finger on the problem with it...perhaps lack of good characterization for most of the characters.
"De Niro's Game" by Rawi Hage
This novel was nominated for Giller prize this year and apparently many people thought it would win but didn't in the end. Hage is a Lebanese who came to Canada in 1992 having lived through nine years of the Lebanese civil war. It takes place during that time...edgy, poetic, pretty powerful writing. In the bio it says he is a visual artist and curator as well. Seems like a talented guy.
111101 - Artworks
