So much to learn about E.coli, so little time. So many books that I’ve read but haven’t had time to review. This short post satisfies one one of these issues.

The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

The story of the fall of an international newspaper (because print is out and digital is in), told from various perspectives. The individual stories were unique but glum. Although there was no promise of humour (and therefore it is quite rude of me to expect it), a little levity may have buoyed some of the stories. Unfortunately I read with Walter Mitty in the back of my mind – an unfair benchmark for stories about print media failing, given that I thought Walter was perfection (humour, poignancy, memorable characters).

2.5/5

The Way Men Act by Elinor Lipman

I fear that the previous book I read by Lipman (My Latest Grievance) was in fact not representative of her style. Such a shame because, if I am to read chick-lit, it needs a little snark. The Way Men Act lacked edge. I suspect Lipman tried to cover too many of the dating/ relationship challenges that women of a certain age (30+) face and then went on tie the the ending up in a big pink bow. Not for me.

2/5

The Fall of Princes by Robert Goolrick

I was over three quarters of the way through this book* when I was forced to accept that no, Goolrick wasn’t still setting the scene, this was the story. The structure was odd, repetitive and trite. And I hate excessive name-dropping. I only kept reading because –

• I really loved the last book I read by Goolrick
• I was expecting something to eventually happen
• I was hoping to add to my mental picture of big cities in the eighties (the foundation of which has been built by McInerney and Easton-Ellis).

Did I completely miss the point of this book? Others loved it…

2/5

*I received my copy of The Fall of Princes, from the publisher, Algonquin Books, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.