The Truth About These Strange Times by Adam Foulds

The Truth About These Strange Times
Adam Foulds

Front cover

Date read: 30 October - 6 November 2019
Length: 324 pages
Published: 2007


Howard is working in a gym when an old lady collapses, and he visits her every day in the hospital. The family of the lady; Les, Barbara, and their son Saul, take Howard in and he works as their gardener. Saul is described as a genius, and going to participate in the World Memory Championships. But Saul begins to be unwell with the stress of it all, so Howard takes him away. What adventures will they have?


I really like Saul, and I feel sorry for him with all the pressure he gets from his parents. It's like he's not really a kid. He has to go to school, and then at home he is made to prepare for the memory championship. He pretty much has no free time to be a kid.

Howard did a very risky thing, but for good reasons. He could see the amount of pressure Saul was under, and the effects it was having on him. So he took him away from that and let him have a little time away. But in effect, it was kidnapping. His parents didn't know where they were, how long they would be gone, or even if Saul was alive.

Besides from his life with Saul and family, Howard has some things of his own to deal with, like the marriage to Irina so she can come to the country. I still have a question over whether they will get married or not.

I feel like there needs to be a second book, perhaps set about five years in the future to explain what happens to Howard and Saul.


I quite enjoyed this read!

Adam Foulds

Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami

In the Miso Soup
Ryu Murakami

Front cover

Date read: 25 - 29 October 2019
Length: 180 pages
Published: 1997 (2005 in Britain)


Kenji is hired by an overweight American called Frank, to take him on a tour of Tokyo's nightlife. A tour unlike any other. But Kenji begins to realise Frank's behaviour is rather odd, and suspects he may actually be a murderer. With his girlfriend Jun, can they get themselves out of the horrible situation alive?


I must confess I had no idea what this book was about before I started reading, and I was a bit surprised! Nevertheless I quite enjoyed the story.

I like Kenji and I didn't want anything bad to happen to him. I think he comes across as more innocent as he actually is, but he's not a bad man and just trying to make a living. He doesn't want to get Jun involved and tries to keep her out of it as much as possible.

Frank is a psychopath! He has many, many issues. Besides his behaviour, we know that's not actually his real name. Kenji handled him very well.


An interesting read that I was not prepared for!




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist