Tim Weaver: "Vanished" (David Raker #3) // Review

"For millions of Londoners, the morning of 16th December is just like any other. But not for Sam Wren. An hour after leaving home, he gets on to a Tube train - and never gets off again. No eyewitnesses. No trace of him on security cameras. Six months later, he's still missing. Sam's wife hires David Raker to track him down, but in this case the secrets go deeper than anyone imagined. For, as Raker starts to suspect that even the police are lying to him, someone is watching."

Vanished, the third book in Tim Weaver's David Raker series, was given to me one Christmas by my mum, who (bless her) doesn't really know much about my reading taste other than, well, I like books. So, after unwrapping the book from the paper and having a glance at the blurb, it laid on my shelf - an anomaly - for some time. One day, I decided to force myself to read it, and, to my surprise, found myself enjoying it. Now I'm a little bit more grateful that my mum doesn't really know what to buy me, because it means I end up with books that I'd never have read otherwise. David Raker is an ex-journalist turned private detective; a man who has lost his own wife to cancer, dedicated to finding the missing. But it all comes at a cost. Sam is a man many believed to have been squeaky clean, but could he have been wrapped up in something much darker than anyone expected? As Raker hunts him down and gets deeper and deeper into the case, the lines become distorted until soon enough, Raker may be hunting a murderer. 

Something I love about this book is that it keeps you constantly guessing - you desperately want to know how Sam managed to get off the train unseen, why he left, and where he is now. Unfortunately for us, Weaver is a master of pacing and misdirection; which means that most of the second half of the novel isn't much about Sam at all, but about those that Raker suspects drove him away. Honestly, I can't say much about the plot without revealing something important that you shouldn't know; which just shows you how closely interwoven the story is. It leads you everywhere, to people and places you'd never expect. I really, really, enjoyed it, even though I'd never in my wildest dreams have picked up a detective/mystery/crime novel before this week. I hadn't even read the previous books in the series, although that didn't turn out to be much of a problem. 

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is hesitant about getting into crime novels because, although you can play detective, you don't have to be chief of police to understand what's going on in the novel - though it's professional, it's not at all difficult for the Average Joe to interpret. Vanished is an awesome starting point for anyone who's unsure. But, be warned, the action goes on until the very last page...

Rating: ★★★★ 1/2

Great read, the only thing it really lacks is star quality and hype.

Ned Vizzini: "It's Kind of a Funny Story" // Review

~~~CONTAINS SPOILERS~~~

I was introduced to this book by my friend Jack (whose blog you can find HERE) some time ago when I was looking for a book from Waterstones. There was only one copy left in stock and it was a bit battered but, after considering a couple of other book suggestions, I decided Vizzini's book was most different from what I usually read. Predominantly it's about learning to live with depression, and finding your 'Anchor'. It's Kind of a Funny Story is as truly inspirational for sufferers as influential in changing the mindset of parents with depressed children and teenagers.

Something I really admire about Vizzini's writing in this novel is the simple terminology he is able to apply to such massively complex emotional states, which other people would no doubt struggle to describe. For example, an 'Anchor' is/can be something you enjoy which keeps you stable and grounded amidst your emotional turmoil. In contrast, 'Tentacles' was the name given to all the chores you have to endure which can worsen your mental health. (Simple, yet genius.) Craig's depression begins when he's accepted into a prestigious school, where he finds that all the classes and homework (his Tentacles) are just too much, and, after discontinuing his own medication, begins to sink even lower until he hits rock bottom; contemplating suicide. At the start of the novel I empathised and identified with Craig, although I didn't really connect with him because the reader only ever sees him when he's miserable or horny.

You do begin to connect with him, however, when his almost-suicide-attempt leads to him being admitted onto a psychiatric ward, where his personality begins to shine through thanks to all the eccentric and similarly troubled patients he meets there. Craig becomes likeable, or at least, more so. This point is definitely the best in the book; it's so uplifting to read about him finding friends and his love of art, which is enough to make him change his lifestyle and realise that his school was the problem all along. Importantly, It's Kind of a Funny Story was a semi-autobiographical novel detailing Vizzini's own teenage experience during a short stay in a psychiatric ward. At the end of the novel, Craig, who closely resembles Vizzini in many ways, certainly finds some kind of peace of mind. The same was true for Vizzini after his stay, up until his unexpected suicide in December 2013. I knew about the author's death prior to reading the book, so as well as being Craig's story, it also became Ned's. It was a saddening, bittersweet tale of a life salvaged and lost again, from my point of view.

What this book has done for awareness and understanding of depression is unparalleled. It also taught me about the importance of not making other people too important - not making a boyfriend/girlfriend/friend/family member your Anchor - which is something I really value. People are spontaneous and unpredictable; hobbies are stable and familiar. Rely on yourself more, guys. I can only wish that Vizzini was still around to see it touch the hearts and minds of parents and teenagers like me. RIP, Ned.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Cinema Experience of The Fault In Our Stars (2014)

The Fault In Our Stars being my absolute favourite book, I arrived at the cinema today with relatively low expectations. I thought they wouldn't be able to do it justice - and I must admit that part of this idea came from the fact that John Green wasn't able to direct it himself, as he is about to do for the movie adaptation of Paper Towns. I also wasn't entirely happy with the casting. After seeing the trailers, it almost seemed to be a universal opinion that Ansel, in particular, did not remind us, the book readers, of Augustus. He doesn't look like the character we fell in love with. But, despite this, I have to say, he completely won me around, and I'm sure I'm not alone there.

Ansel was everything Augustus was written to be: cheeky and cocky but also loving, concerned and gentle. Shailene was brilliant too; the scenes in which she had to break down and provoke or show emotion were beautifully executed and performed; they made the film. But, I don't know, she still doesn't remind me of Hazel. We only get to see a couple of her many layers - the audience doesn't see much of Hazel's unwavering inner strength. Sure, you see her climbing ladders whilst finding it almost impossible to breathe which is a feat in itself but you don't get to hear her monologue... you can't read her mind. When I read the book I learnt a lot about not fearing death through Hazel, but sadly for whatever reason the director must have spent most of his time on conducting romance as opposed to showing strength.

Although the director did a good job in terms of meeting the needs of stereotypical popular cinema for teenagers, there were some fatal flaws for fans of the book. Something that really bothered me in particular was the fact that Augustus' ex-girlfriend (who died of cancer before he met Hazel) was never mentioned, at all, possibly in attempt to make Hazel seem like the only girl that Augustus ever loved. To maybe over-romanticise their relationship to appeal to some, more naïve teenage girls. The reason this is fatal, for me, is that I considered Augustus' past relationship a huge part of his characterisation. It is true that, in a way, I disliked his character a little more at first because Hazel was not his one and only, but it is an important part of who Augustus is/was. The point is to grow to love him despite his hidden past and deliberate flaws, like Hazel does. We (if you read the book) learnt a lot through his ex-girlfriend's death (specifically through her Facebook wall) with regards to how most people react online when a person dies. This valuable information, this lesson, is not spread via the movie and is just another reason why you should read the book. It's a shame because a movie would have been a perfect platform to share those opinions on public reactions.

However, there has to be something said about a movie which can move you and reduce you to tears even when you know what's coming. My sister was in floods, I had a little cry, and my friend Josh went very quiet for a long while after it had finished. The girls in the cinema were inconsolable - to the point where I couldn't hear the film at times. This is why I recommend YOU WAIT until the DVD is released, or until you can view it on Netflix or Now TV. Perk 1) you get to cry in solitude, in the privacy of your own home... so less public embarrassment. Perk 2) no sobbing girls which somewhat ruin your cinema experience. Overall, it was an amazing adaptation and quite a nice - albeit, loud - atmosphere. Shailene's acting was truly second to none, Ansel made a perfect Augustus; all you have to do is ignore the rest of the audience, and the omitted storylines, and you'll be pretty happy with it. Genuinely. Expect to fall in love again. For another great review of the movie, check out my friend Keisha's blog >HERE<.

Rating: ★★★ 1/2

Kazuo Ishiguro: "Never Let Me Go" // Review

"As children, Ruth, Kathy and Tommy spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. As they grow into young adults, they find that they have to come to terms with the strength of the love they feel for each other, while preparing themselves for the haunting reality that awaits them. Never Let Me Go is an unforgettable story of love, friendship and the fragility of life."

Whilst Never Let Me Go is sometimes ethically intriguing, it's also rather dull. Like the film, it was slow, quiet and hard to get into. I'll be honest, there were occasions when I really had to force myself to pick the book up and continue reading - yet despite my efforts I feel like I got nothing out of it. At times there wasn't as much dialogue as I'd like, especially between Kathy and Tommy; whose relationship deserved to be established and explored in more depth than it ever was in the book. This is probably why the film adaption of the novel takes the edge for me, considering it leads you to believe Kathy and Tommy spent a lot more time together than they were actually written to have. One thing that does annoy me about the film though is that Kathy is made to appear a virginal, shy type. In the book she has many fleeting relationships, which, again, are never explored in any detail but are vital to mention when it comes to her characterisation.

Although the blurb makes this big thing about "an unforgettable story of love", I'd argue against it. If Tommy had never said to Kath, "We loved each other all our lives," then you may not have realised that was ever the case. Even when they (SPOILER ALERT!) become a couple, there's never a soft caress; Tommy never pushes her hair behind her ear... you know, all the things you'd expect from two people who have, supposedly, been longing to be together all their lives. Even then, it's just "sometimes, we had sex." And, yes, that is an exact quote, which I believe is said more than once. I shouldn't judge him seeing as I've only read one of his books, but as far as I can gather, Ishiguro's talent does not extend to creating complex loving relationships. It's all very minimalist and he doesn't go too far in his descriptions. In fact, I have never seen such disparity when it comes to describing characters and what they look like, either! In his defence, though, I'm not sure if his lack of description of the clones was to emphasise their unimportance in the eyes of the humans.

One clever thing about the novel though, being dystopian, is that it really does make you think - even without posing a single question. You do consider what you'd like the fate of the clones to be. On the other hand, it is very forgettable. Nothing really happens, and nothing ever shocked me - although I suppose I had some sort of idea about the ending because I'd already watched the film. Nonetheless, if I saw someone about to read it, I'd direct them to put it back where they got it. That may seem a bit harsh, but I'm a big believer in that books are supposed to make you feel. Ishiguro just doesn't do it for me.

To keep up with what books I'm reading, visit my Goodreads page at: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/32076954-meaghan