September Reading Wrap-up

The title of this post might explain that I have been very busy lately. Coming home after several months of travelling always generates a lot of administration and other things to take care of. It also makes me tired, so reading is a nice relaxation. Although starting very slowly in September I did read 11 books. Many of them crime novels which I tend to turn to when there are too many other things that need my attention. But, I managed a few other good books as well.

Crime Novels

I am on a quest to read all of Agatha Christie’s books, which is why they occur rather commonly. This month I read, or listened to, four books. Mrs McGinty’s Dead, Black Coffee, Dead Man’s Folly and The Second Gong. I usually put them on when I go to sleep. The problem is I fall asleep rather quickly listening to a book, so when I start next time, I have to find the spot which I remember before falling a sleep. All of them are with Monsieur Poirot.

Din tid kommer by Carl-Johan Vallgren. For those of you who are not familiar with Vallgren, he is a Swedish author, more famous for fiction. I read his novel Den vidunderliga kärlekens historia (The Wonderful Story of Love) which was published in 2002 and won the August prize in Sweden for best fiction book of that year. I would describe it as magic realism, although not promoted as such. But the story takes place in a world which seems outside the ordinary one. An excellent book. The Jury’s motivation was that the book plays with strong emotions and big ideas with the help of ingenious plotting. An “original and gripping” novel about love that goes from the most intimate feelings to evil, violence and hatred. A strong novel in other worlds.

Now Vallgren has written a crime novel. It seems he has already published two crime noir novels under the name Lucifer, which I have not read. Considering his background in other kind of novels, his excellent writing is also visible in this crime story. A couple of young girls disappear mysteriously, and the inspector, and a new member of the team, are trying to solve it. He has created a different kind of investigating team which feels fresh against the usual crowd. The characters are well drawn, the milieu beautifully described, and the suspects leave you guessing until the very end. And even then … did you really get who did it?

History

Now Face to Face by Karleen Koen

A historical fiction which takes place in the beginning of the 18th century. It turns out to be the third in a series, but it was not a problem. Barbara Alderley Devane is a young widow and becomes involved in political intrigue across England, France and colonial American. She has to deal with love, loss and betrayal, as she becomes involved in espionage and colonial adventures. The novel is full of romance and adventure with rich historical detail. Highlighting the difficulties for an independent woman in those days. I really liked the story, the characters, and above all the historical details of this fascinating century.

Sex with kings, 500 years of adultery, power, rivalry and revenge by Eleanor Herman

Herman’s look into the hidden world of royal mistresses is a fascinating story. She explores their lives, not always as pleasurable as you might imagine, and their roles as political players, cultural trendsetters and ruthless rivals to queens.

This well researched book takes you behind the scenes of the passion, politics, and power of royal courts. From Louis XIV and his legendary and famous mistresses to England’s Charles II and his glamorous companions. We soon realise that being a mistress to a king is not always an easy task; the status through wealth, the influence they could gain and how they used it, but also jealousy, scandal, and downfall. You had to protect your position with all means available.

A highly entertaining read and full of historical gossip, Sex with Kings paints a portrait of how desire and ambition were part of the royal courts — showing that behind every powerful man often stood a formidable woman pulling the strings from the shadows. The system of royal mistresses seemed most prominent in France and England, though it likely existed across many European courts. Perhaps these two countries were simply more open—or more documented—about their affairs than others. What do you think?

Drakspår (Dragon Trails) by Bo Eriksson

Dragons are popular these days, not least through fantasy literature. Eriksson shows that they have existed in the human imagination for thousands of years, all over the world. He takes us on a dramatic cultural-historical journey: from the oldest myths in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, via the Fafner of the Viking Age and the bestiaries of the Middle Ages, all the way to Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones.

So do dragons exist in reality? No, Eriksson is clear here. But why have we humans always lived with the dragon as a symbol and mythical figure? How can a creature that never existed play such a central role in cultures around the world? These are questions he seeks answers to – and much more – in this entertaining book.

A particularly interesting aspect is the difference between East and West. In Europe and the Middle East, the dragon became a symbol of chaos, threat and sin – often linked to Satan and the eternal struggle between good and evil. The hero must defeat the dragon to restore order and security; think of Saint George and the dragon, but also countless examples from Nordic and Greek mythology.

In the East, however – in China, Japan and other parts of Asia – the dragon developed into a creative and lucky force. It symbolized water, rain and fertility, i.e. life force. There, the dragon became more of a blessed nature creature and a symbol of rulership, especially cherished by the Chinese emperors who saw it as a guarantor of balance between heaven and earth.

Eriksson believes that the dragon reflects people’s worldview and values. The West needed an enemy image, the East a protector. There is therefore no “true dragon” – the creature has been given the role that people have had to give it.

The book provides a solid overview of the origin and development of the dragon myth. What did the dragon look like? What roles did it have? From ancient times to our own time, we can follow its journey through myths and stories. This makes the book worth reading for anyone interested in history – even those who have no particular interest in dragons. Eriksson writes in a matter-of-fact but accessible manner, transforming the material into exciting stories from different parts of the world.

Dragon Trails is both educational and entertaining. In addition to giving us the background to one of humanity’s most enduring mythical figures, it also shows how deeply intertwined our beliefs are with religion, society and culture.

Fiction

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett is the best book I read this year. Review under the link.

Lady Susan by Jane Austen the first book written by her, but not published until after her death. It is an epistolary novel (told through letters). Beautiful, intelligent, and manipulative widow Lady Susan Vernon is on a mission to marry her daughter off to a wealthy but foolish man. It does not end exactly as she hopes, but for the reader it is a satisfying ending. Already here we see Austen’s sharp wit and critique of selfishness and social ambition. It was an enjoyable read, and it will end up by my favourite Austen novels.

promenader i natten (walks in the night) by Lina Wolff is a short story collection. As usual she examines the darker sides of man, like loneliness and desire. Through a number of stories she describes relationships characterised by power, shame and a longing for closeness. She mixes everyday realism with somewhat surrealist features, to investigate what lies beneath the surface. I always think her stories borders on magical realism. She takes you to a place where you don’t know if it is real or just in your mind.

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