One hundred days of happiness by Fausto Brizzi

Or 369 pages of misery?

What would you do if you discovered you only had 100 days left to live?  Would you give up work, go on holiday, spend more time with your friends or family?   Would you hang on hoping for a happy ending or confront the inevitable and book into Dignitas?  Would you choose to end your days alone or surrounded by those whom you love most? 

These cheery questions lie at the heart of Fausto Brizzi’s book and he even provides some blank pages for you to record your answers.  If you are unsure, then you can pursue this line of questioning by following the fictional lead character, Lucio Battistini, on his one hundred day countdown.   Chapters are numbered 100 to 0 to ensure readers can readily appreciate the ease with which days can pass, often without (as it often seems in this book) much happening, and even when those days are numbered. 

As you may have gathered, this book is not for those seeking a light hearted, escapist read.  It is neither a comedy nor a whodunit.  It has some elements of a thriller although the villain is revealed early on (liver cancer, nicknamed Fritz).  There is a love interest but the plot is very simple, a linear structure propelling us towards an inevitable end.  

Some of the cover reviews are wholly inaccurate, disingenuously marketing this book as “Hilarious”, “Funny”,   and even “Joyous”.  Other descriptions such as “Moving”, “Heart wrenching” and “Thought provoking” are more truthful and suggest that those reviewers must have actually read the book.

 The cover artwork is similarly misleading.  Images of sandy beaches, clear blue sea, swimmers, and sunbathers suggest a light hearted holiday read.  Perhaps this was a deliberate, though undeniably dishonest, ploy to attract readers who might otherwise be put off by something more profound and thought provoking.

In contrast to the miserable subject matter, Brizzi’s writing style is dazzling,   His voice is like a powerful magnet, drawing fellow travellers on this hopeless quest.   We experience joy, pain, frustration, love and loss, readily empathising with a dying man who is essentially unremarkable, being neither especially rich, famous, good, evil, brave, heroic, plain or quirky.   However, he is definitely a man and some of his actions, thoughts and fantasies may be more relatable to male rather than female readers.

Fausto Brizzi introduces us to life in Italy, and we learn that the Italian way is not too dissimilar to that in England.   He effectively paints scenes which, perhaps unsurprisingly given his background as a screenwriter and film producer, could translate well onto the large screen.

It is impossible to read this book without some consideration of what living means  - in all its mundanity and unpredictability.  Or, what determines happiness - relationships, achievements, contributions, experiences, pleasure?  Pondering such questions might fuel more mindful living but at the risk of forgoing the pleasure and relief afforded by more cheerful reads. Indeed, some of our group deliberately chose not to read this book in favour of more accessible literary choices. 

We reviewed this book at  The Angel of Corbridge – a happy event, enhanced by good service and reasonably priced, great tasting food.  

Everyone chose the lamb which was superb.

We unreservedly recommend the restaurant but please note:  the book comes with a mental health warning.   

Our next selected read is the second in the Ken Follett Century Trilogy.  Another long one which will hopefully reveal what happened next to the characters we followed in June year (see our views on the first in the series, Fall of Giants)

The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon

A trip down memory lane or a dead end?

This debut novel came with glowing endorsements from authors already admired by the Hussies such as Rachel Joyce, ' The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' Nathan Filer author of 'The Shock of the Fall' and the wonderful Paula Hawkins creator of the tense thriller 'Girl on the Train'. Could we take them at their word? was this a gripping tale, a delight, a page turner?

Set in 1976, a summer that those over 45 will remember fondly as the hottest summer ever, an idyllic time of innocence, long lazy days filled with orange squash and chocolate digestives, ahh I'm back there already. The opening chapter of the novel got off to a flying start with the introduction of Remington, the overweight family Labrador, what all good childhoods are made of! Many references to  70's favourites like Penguin and Club biscuits, Angel Delight and dandelion and burdock tried valiantly to evoke a bygone age, however this began to seem like a clumsy creative writing tool that failed in its attempt to transport the reader back in time. It also sparked lots of debate about iconic products of the time and questions over the authenticity of the main characters names. 'Grace, Tilly, really? in 1976?
At the heart of the novel are the attempts of two young girls to find God and thus solve the mystery of the disappearance on Mrs Creasy. A helpful map of 'The Avenue' where the plot unfolds shows the reader where all the main characters live, essential as there are so many characters, that its easy to become confused. Unfortunately the  characters were not well developed and are a homogenous group of bland people. Clearly a dark secret unites all the residents of The Avenue and so the plot switches between present day 1976 and an incident that occurred ten years earlier. The girl's quest to find the truth is interwoven with issues of child health, peer pressure, autism, dementia and adult relationships.

 The strange appearance of the face of Jesus Christ on a drain pipe gave the novel an odd and quite unexplained twist. At times the author seemed to be preaching at the reader, bemoaning the attitudes of white middle class people of the 1970's. The author seems to have thrown everything into this novel barring the kitchen sink! Promising plot lines were lost or left unresolved, perhaps having fallen victim to the creative writing mantra 'show don't tell'. Too many metaphors and similes, loose plotting and so much going on that the pace of the novel suffered. A whodunnit that left the reader wondering who did it and what did they do?

So not an all round thumbs up from 'The Hussies' but we will keep our eyes open for Joanna Cannon's next novel as she definitely has potential. Certainly not a page turner but perhaps  Paula Hawkin's description was most accurate, it certainly was 'quirky' and at times 'moving'. Could be worth a second reading to get to grips with the meaning behind what seemed to be 'the second coming'.

Our discussion of 'The Trouble with Goats and Sheep' took place in The Plough near Stamfordham.
Unlike the book, this venue was an all round hit, great food, good service, lovely atmosphere and
all at a reasonable price. Certainly on the list for a return visit.


             Our summer holiday read is 'One Hundred Days of Happiness' by Fausto Brizzi

Fall of Giants by Ken Follet

                    

                                                            A   M I G H T Y   R E A D

....   When this book choice emerged from under the table a heavy silence ensued.  So much so an extension beckoned before the 850 page book was even begun.  The hussies may not have an appetite for a deadline but they certainly had an appetite for Mr Follet, consuming the book in record time.

....   This book, as with most of Ken Follet's books is an epic read.  Full of accurate history wrapped up in a story following 5 families up to and just beyond the first world war.  Many issues are in their infant stages in this book and Mr Follet educates us superbly with his 'easy to read' and 'easy to understand' writing.  Trade Unions, The Labour Party, The Suffragettes, The Russian Revolution, The First World War, Early Churchill & Early Hitler are all monumental topics in their own right and Follet covers them with ease.

....  The fictitious story coupled with accurate historical facts follows the lives of five families which are intertwined through love, war, aristocracy and politics.  The chapters are laid out in such a fashion that it is very easy to follow.  Just enough fiction and history for the characters to take shape as you flit between your favourites whilst learning how hap-hazzard the organisation and execution of the first world war really was.  Follet does not paint a good picture of the aristocracy from any country, yet it is staggering to learn how far we have come in less than 100 years.

....   The hussies agreed this was an unexpectedly easy and well informed read.  Most points highlighted by the hussies referred to the plight of woman throughout all the classes.  Woman were either kept or out on their own with very little choice in the matter.  Most age groups would enjoy this book, which is the first of a trilogy, as Follet explains unfamiliar terms in detail. 

....   All in all, it was agreed that the book was a success despite the initial trepidation .  Highly recommended.  

....   A quote which echoes through the book 'uneducated but not stupid'

                                                        The Hadrian Hotel - Wall

....  The Hadrian at Wall was the venue for our discussion.  Just on the outskirts of Hexham, this cosy, hotel has a friendly bar and separate dining room.  The staff were attentive and the food was reasonable and enjoyable.  

....   A few snap shots of our menu choices that evening.

                                          A beautifully presented Sea Bass!

                                          

                                          A very tasty Belly Pork with Crackling!

....   The choice for our June read is 'The Trouble with Goats and Sheep' by Joanna Cannon

....   We will be reading this debut murder mystery novel set in the baking Summer of 1976 and discussing it in the baking Summer of 2017.

22/06/2017

   

All the light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr

A mesmerising tale of war, fire, and survival

In 1985, as a student, I visited Saint Malo, a port city in Brittany North West France.  My most vivid memories are of the tall granite walls which surround the old town.  

St Malo today

 To my shame, I had no idea that those walls encompassed thirty years of extensive reconstruction following large scale damage during WW2.   In 1944, St Malo was almost completely destroyed by fire.  Of the 865 building within the walls, only 182 remained standing and all were damaged to some degree (see here for more details).  

St Malo after the siege

The siege of St Malo is the setting for the climax to the 2015 Pulitzer prize winning novel,  “All the light we cannot see”.  The author, Anthony Doerr, deftly takes us on a journey starting in 1934 and ending in 2014 during which a blind, French girl and a German boy navigate the horrors of war until their paths finally collide during the devastation of St Malo.

Although the horrors of WW2 are well known, Doerr’s story of the Nazi occupation of Paris and  the cruelty of the Hitler youth told through his characters were especially illuminating and the siege offered a new and interesting dimension. 

Doerr was able to cover a lot of historical and geographical space by creating numerous short chapters.  The hussies were divided in their appreciation for this approach.  Although some appreciated how the story kept moving, others found the brief chapters less satisfying.  No sooner had they immersed themselves in a situation, then it was time to expend more effort and adapt to another.   There was some concern that the book was simply too long.

Those of us who enjoyed Doerr’s style, were deeply moved by his language, sense of detail and rich metaphors.  However, this was not a universal response and some found the novel too descriptive.  His use of “Americanisms” like sidewalk were deemed inappropriate and distracting in the context of a European setting.   

 Despite the critique, the Hussies agreed that this was a worthy read – which might explain why this book has sold so many copies (New York Times bestseller) and other awards (Carnegie medal for fiction)!

Enthusiasm for our meal and surroundings at Walwick Hall was unreservedly positive.  There was resounding (and unusually consistent) praise for this venue.  The food, service, décor were all popular and reasonably priced. 

Next time we will be reviewing, a mighty thick book…….Ken Follett, Fall of Giants.  Hopefully, we will complete it in time for a review…..