Page 55 - Phonebox Magazine June 2006

Book Review
By Oxfam Bookshop, Olney
The Constant Gardener
by John le Carré
During seventeen years in Her Majesty’s Foreign Service, Sandy Woodrow had flown the flag in half a dozen British Missions. None, however, had stirred him in quite the same way as his current posting in the dangerous, decaying,
plundered and bankrupt, once-British Kenya. How much of this stirring could be attributed to the presence of Justin Quayle’s lovely wife, Tessa, Sandy did not dare ask himself.
When news of Tessa’s murder reaches the Foreign Office, a palpable repositioning takes place as members of the service, adapt their personal agendas to take advantage of the situation. Tessa, though none would have explicitly said so, was a thorn in the flesh of the Foreign Office. Outspoken in her quest to right the world’s wrongs, Tessa’s regularly drew attention to matters that Sandy and others would rather have swept under the carpet.
While somewhat proud of the relief work that consumed Tessa’s attention, Justin was happy to remain at arm’s length from his wife’s involvement with the people of the Nairobi slums. Engrossed in his garden, he lived contentedly alongside Tessa watching, but not sharing, her passion. Until her brutal murder awakened him!
This book was not one of my top ten reads. While entertaining, I found both plot and characters to be somewhat contrived. Though I haven’t seen the movie, I suspect that film would be a better media for a story such as this.
The novel does, however, raise awareness of the harm that can be inflicted on an unsophisticated population by first world capitalism. A quotation from the author’s note at the end of the book speaks volumes. Said John le Carré: “As my journey through the pharmaceutical jungle progressed, I came to realise that, by comparison with reality, my story was as tame as a holiday postcard.” If this is fiction, then one can but wonder at fact.
During seventeen years in Her Majesty’s Foreign Service, Sandy Woodrow had flown the flag in half a dozen British Missions. None, however, had stirred him in quite the same way as his current posting in the dangerous, decaying, plundered and bankrupt, once-British Kenya. How much of this stirring could be attributed to the presence of Justin Quayle’s lovely wife, Tessa, Sandy did not dare ask himself.
When news of Tessa’s murder reaches the Foreign Office, a palpable repositioning takes place as members of the service, adapt their personal agendas to take advantage of the situation. Tessa, though none would have explicitly said so, was a thorn in the flesh of the Foreign Office. Outspoken in her quest to right the world’s wrongs, Tessa’s regularly drew attention to matters that Sandy and others would rather have swept under the carpet.
While somewhat proud of the relief work that consumed Tessa’s attention, Justin was happy to remain at arm’s length from his wife’s involvement with the people of the Nairobi slums. Engrossed in his garden, he lived contentedly alongside Tessa watching, but not sharing, her passion. Until her brutal murder awakened him!
This book was not one of my top ten reads. While entertaining, I found both plot and characters to be somewhat contrived. Though I haven’t seen the movie, I suspect that film would be a better media for a story such as this. The novel does, however, raise awareness of the harm that can be inflicted on an unsophisticated population by first world capitalism. A quotation from the author’s note at
the end of the book speaks volumes. Said John le
Carré: “As my journey through the pharmaceutical
jungle progressed, I came to realise that, by
comparison with reality, my story was as tame as a
holiday postcard.” If this is fiction, then one can but
wonder at fact.
Review by Kim Locke
Labyrinth
by Kate Mosse
‘Labyrinth’ was listed as the second bestseller at Waterstone’s, so it seemed appropriate to
choose it for this month’s book review. Set in the Carcassone area of France, it opens with an archaeological dig in the Sabarthes mountains in South West France. Alice, a volunteer with the group, has left the main party to explore further up the mountain side and notices something shining under a large boulder. Painstakingly digging under the boulder, she not only releases the object, but the boulder itself, almost being crushed by its weight. This reveals a passage into a cave – a discovery which opens up the past, revealing events and artefacts which have remained hidden for centuries. As Alice rushes from the cave, she hears someone call her name, but the pronunciation is unfamiliar, Alais.
The story then has its first timeslip to the beginning of the 13th century, when Alais jolts awake, escaping from the nightmare and the figures which have been reaching out, their sharp fingers clawing at her. We follow her story, and that of Alice in 2005, as each learns something of the mystery of the labyrinth and the secret of the Grail – not the Christian chalice, but the elixir of life, enabling the one who drinks of it to live for hundreds of years.
The twists and turns of the novel are as complex as the labyrinth of the title, but I must confess that the constant change of time became confusing rather than fascinating. The mysteries piled one upon another, a collection of legends dealt with in other places, more satisfactorily. The characters did not quite achieve reality, that ‘willing suspension of disbelief’ that a good book compels us to adopt.
‘Labyrinth’ is a bestseller, and has had rave reviews, so don’t accept my word for it. Read it for yourself, and decide whether Kate Mosse has indeed written ‘an action-packed adventure of modern conspiracy and mediaeval passion’, as asserted by one journalist. Or are the 694 pages just a tad too long?
Review by Thelma Shacklady
Do you have some time to spare?
Considered volunteering?
The Oxfam Bookshop would welcome your help, either on a regular or an occasional basis. Collect an application form from the shop if you would like to join a friendly and energetic team commited to overcoming poverty.
We also welcome donations of books, music and videos in clean and saleable condition.
Reviews brought to you by
Oxfam Books & Music
Stanley Court, Olney Tel: 01234 714592
Opening hours: Mon & Wed: 10am – 6pm Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat: 10am – 4.30pm First Sun of each month: 10am – 2pm
Phonebox Magazine 55