THE CHURCH AND THE AGE OF REFORMATIONS (1350 - 1650)

TITLE - THE CHURCH AND THE AGE OF REFORMATIONS (1350 -  1650)

WRITTEN BY - JOSEPH T. STUART & BARBARA A. STUART 

PUBLISHED BY - AVE MARIA PRESS

 
PUBLICATION DATE - 8TH APRIL 2022 

The latest volume in the “Reclaiming Catholic History” series documents the era from 1350 to 1650, incorporating the years leading up to the Protestant Reformation and its aftermath. The series aims to present an unbiased and objective timeline of “Christian history” - ostensibly a “just the facts” from “God’s point of view” - whilst making the story accessible and entertaining. I am not a Christian, but I applaud any attempt at an overview of history from a more honest and human perspective.

The title of the book is a statement of intent - this was the era of not just THE  Reformation, but of many.  The authors, Joseph T. Stuart and Barbara A. Stuart, offer a contemporary and modern reassessment of the Reformation that is never boring, writing accessibly and vividly to bring the era and it’s people to life. Towering historical figures such as Thomas More, Johanes Gutenberg (whose printing press would have a profound effect on the accessibility of the Reformation) and of course Martin Luther, a personal hero of mine. Rightly remembered as the instigator of change, this book shows that the genesis of that change had begun much earlier. 

The book includes a chronological timeline of the era from 1350 to 1650, a map, bibliography and a full index. Sidebars entitled “Up Close And Personal” give concise biographies of the key players of the time, and the “You Be The Judge” panels invite the reader to make up their own mind about events and institutions such as the Spanish Inquisition; the latter having many of its enduring myths debunked. 

This book was a refreshing read. It looks at history from a new perspective whilst remaining eminently scholarly, and deserves to be widely read.

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WHO BY FIRE - LEONARD COHEN IN THE SINAI

TITLE - WHO BY FIRE - LEONARD COHEN IN THE SINAI 

WRITTEN BY - MATTI FRIEDMAN 

PUBLISHED BY - SPIEGEL & GRAU 

PUBLICATION DATE - 29TH MARCH 2022 

As a recent convert to the music and wisdom of Leonard Cohen, I have been actively searching out books about his life and career, especially if they offer an interesting and original angle. 

Journalist Matti Friedman’s excellent and timely work “Who By Fire - Leonard Cohen in the Sinai” is one such book. It tells the true and astonishing story of an extraordinary chapter in the career of singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen that not only changed his life but also left an indelible impact on the state of Israel itself. To quote Friedman - “Sometimes an artist and an event interact to generate a spark far bigger than both”. 

In 1973, Cohen travelled to Israel during the conflict known as the Yom Kippur War to give impromptu concerts to Israeli troops at the front lines in the Sinai desert. Friedman makes use of an unpublished document which Cohen himself wrote about his experiences during this time, as well as interviews with people who were there and actually attended the “concerts”. 

Friedman paints a vivid account of the effect of Cohen’s songs on the young soldiers. Cohen himself was also reinvigorated by his journey, going on to write some of his best-known songs, including “Hallelujah”, after having contemplated retirement some months before. But Cohen’s visit also affected the nation’s music and “spiritual life,” leading the country to abandon “the militant secularism of the founders for an openness to the old wisdom.” This may sound incredible but Cohen was an incredible artist, and Friedman’s erudite prose brings the story to life with stunning credibility. 

Friedman’s scholarly work is a glorious testament to a great artist and to the enduring power of song to change the world.

THE EMPLOYEES

TITLE - THE EMPLOYEES

WRITTEN BY - OLGA RAVN | TRANSLATED BY MARTIN AITKEN

PUBLISHED BY - BOOK'HUG PRESS 

PUBLICATION DATE - 8TH MARCH 2022 

Shortlisted for the 2021 International Booker Prize (given to translated books), “The Employees” is a short science-fiction novel by Danish author Olga Ravn which tells the story of a spaceship manned by humans and humanoids (basically a kind of artificially “grown” human) and the consequences of their discovery of alien lifeforms on a planet. Both types of crewmembers begin to become attached to the aliens and start yearning for things and people they left behind on Earth whilst trying to maintain their strictly controlled productivity levels. This inevitably leads to conflict.

Now this is not a straightforward novel. It is told in the form of written “statements” taken from interviews with the crew during the unfolding of the story. This works quite well, and a palpable tension is built as the story is told through these snippets; some are a couple of pages long, others just one sentence. You will not know who is talking to begin with, but after a while a few different characters can be discerned, and you will come to understand who they are and the parts they play in the story.

I am not going to spoil the ending, but it would not take a genius to work out what happens. Even so, this book is a short but imaginative and often quietly profound examination of the dominance of work in our lives and ultimately what it means to be human.

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THE MEANING OF METALLICA | RIDE THE LYRICS

TITLE - THE MEANING OF METALLICA | RIDE THE LYRICS

WRITTEN BY - WILLIAM IRWIN 

PUBLISHED BY - ECW PRESS 

PUBLICATION DATE - 19TH APRIL 2022

I’m a casual but longtime fan of Metallica so the premise of this book intrigued me; it may be the first one purely devoted to a critical study of the lyrics of the band’s frontman James Hetfield. 

The title itself is bold and challenging, suggesting a definitive document, but that’s a symptom of the publishing world and not author arrogance. At any rate, the author himself offers the disclaimer that this is his own personal interpretation, not the final word, and that we are welcome to disagree with it and substitute our own.

  

William Irwin is clearly not just a fan of Metallica - he is a F A N of Metallica. This may make the book unpalatable to some readers, but I am fine with it as everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I am making a personal choice to read Irwin’s. Subdivided into separate (big) themes such as religion (which comes first), addiction, war and freedom - all regular subjects of Metallica songs -  Irwin proffers his interpretation of Hetfield’s lyrics. 

If I am honest, a lot of his conclusions went over my head and many seemed to derive far too great a meaning from certain lyrics, but occasionally he made me look at my favourite Metallica songs in a totally new way, and his obvious affection for the songs is a positive rather than a negative factor. 

On the whole, “The Meaning of Metallica” is a success, shedding new light on familiar songs and encouraging debate. Anyone who disagrees with William Irwin’s conclusions is invited to write their own book.

THE STASI POETRY CIRCLE

 

TITLE - THE STASI POETRY CIRCLE 

WRITTEN BY - PHILIP OLTERMANN 

PUBLISHED BY - FABER AND FABER LTD

PUBLICATION DATE - 24TH FEBRUARY 2022 

Philip Oltermann’s book “The Stasi Poetry Circle” is, on the surface, a black comedy, which would make for a hugely enjoyable movie. The book’s chapters are split into “lessons” and comically entitled “Bathos” and “Dissonance” etc, giving this work the feel of a school text book. The contents are a connected series of stories which tell the tale of how the Stasi tried to win the war through poetry. The history has been deeply and skilfully researched, and it is an accessible read. 

Whilst not the craziest thing ever to happen during the Cold War, this is nevertheless a quirky and poignant account of one bizarre chapter of it. At once both deadly serious and totally ridiculous, “The Stasi Poetry Circle” is highly recommended for students of the Cold War and readers who enjoy unusual histories.

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FAT LUTHER, SLIM PICKIN'S

 

TITLE - FAT LUTHER, SLIM PICKIN'S 

WRITTEN BY - MARCIA LANE-MCGEE AND SHANNON WIMP SCHMIDT 

PUBLISHED BY - AVE MARIA PRESS 

PUBLICATION DATE - 11TH FEBRUARY, 2022 

Co-presenters of the podcast “Plaid Skirts and Basic Black” Marcia Lane-McGee and Shannon Wimp Schmidt have written what might appear on the surface to be frivolous book, but which in reality is a remarkably modern and important study of the 21st century Black religious experience, taking in issues of racism, diversity and tolerance, particularly from a female perspective.

Naturally I was attracted to this book by the very quirky title, but I was fully aware that this was a book about religion. Although I am not a religious person, and this kind of book is normally far out of my comfort zone, but Marcia and Shannon are two very articulate ladies making this book a joy to read. 

Referring to themselves as Black Catholic, a reference not to their race but to their rich culture, there is a concise section exploring the history and genesis of the term. And, of course, the relative merits of pre- and post-weight gain Luther Vandross are debated and dissected, although this is not a trivial discussion, but rather one that aims to teach us much about remembering the past. 

The chapters feature stories from the authors’ lives, and at the end of each one are “reflection questions” relating to the chapter’s content; thought-provoking stuff to generate further discussion. Topics covered include soul-food, Black music, religious holidays such as Christmas and Advent, baptism and more, all discussed in Marcia and Shannon’s friendly and accessible way. 

“Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s” is a fun, timely and inspiring triumph, which should give even the staunchest non-believer pause for thought.

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OGRES

 

TITLE - OGRES

WRITTEN BY - ADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY

PUBLISHED BY - REBELLION 

PUBLICATION DATE - 15TH MARCH, 2022 

This is my first time reading something by Adrian Tchaikovsky, but I can safely say that “Ogres” has blown my actual mind. 

I am a sucker for books with unusual structures or writing styles, and this book certainly has them, but the stunning story, set in a pseudo-feudalistic, secret-filled future, is all the better for the author’s clever tricks. 

It’s hard to nail it down to any particular genre as it cleverly changes style so often. It’s dystopian sci-fi then it’s fantasy with a touch of horror; all this in what is quite a short book. This is testament to Tchaikovsky’s skills as a writer that he can keep control of all these spinning plates to create such a superb story. 

With vivid world-building, striking characters and a jaw-dropping ending, “Ogres” is a triumph for Adrian Tchaikovsky and a must-read for sci-fi fans and lovers of nonconformist fiction.

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THE BODY ON THE MOOR

TITLE - THE BODY ON THE MOOR
WRITTEN BY - REBECCA GRIFFITHS 
PUBLISHED BY - BOOKOUTURE
PUBLICATION DATE - 24TH FEBRUARY, 2022 

Any book based around the location and perpetrators of the infamous Moors Murders in the ‘60s will undoubtedly be controversial, and Rebecca Griffiths states upfront in her author’s note that while her story does feature controversial events and the people involved, it is a work of fiction. So that is the basis on which we should judge it. 
Against the backdrop of cases of missing children, Connie’s daughter Kathy vanishes on the Moors near Manchester, England in 1965. One of the Moors’ inhabitants, Ronald, is desperate to keep his crimes, evidence of which is hidden on the Moors, (a location that becomes far too busy for his liking), secret forever. And what is Connie’s friend Myra and her boyfriend Ian doing on the Moors? 
Myra and Ian are, of course, Myra Hindley and Ian Brady, the real-life perpetrators of the Moors Murders. No favours are done or apologies given for Myra Hindley and Ian Brady character-wise; they are as appalling in print as they were in real life, and they bring an awkward, even uncomfortable, frisson to the story. 
The troubled Ronald is a well-realised tragic character, and there is an interesting contrast between Roland’s pre-war upbringing and reclusive life on the Moors, and the more up to date ‘60s world of Connie and Myra. This is, in a way, Ronald’s story, but we feel for Connie as a mother facing her worst nightmare. 
Rebecca Griffiths’ previous book, “The Girl At My Door”, featured the real-life serial killer John Christie in an entirely fictional story, and to thrilling effect. Continuing the “true-crime fiction” genre, her latest is another powerful and visceral page-turner. Griffiths excels at hammering home every parent’s worst nightmare, and there are also very evocative and vivid descriptions of the Moors and the surrounding areas. The ‘60s period detail is also spot-on as usual. 
Rebecca Griffiths doesn’t use real-life events and people gratuitously or in a slapdash way as a lesser writer would. That said, this book should be approached with caution as the subject matter is disturbing and the story very harrowing in parts, and evokes events that still resonate negatively in Britain today. “The Body on the Moor” is a stunning book that will scare, thrill and anger you. It is testament to Rebecca Griffiths’ skill as a writer just how much you will both love and hate this book.
 

THE INVISIBLE WORLD IS IN DECLINE: BOOK IX

TITLE - THE INVISIBLE WORLD IS IN DECLINE: BOOK IX

WRITTEN BY - BRUCE WHITEMAN 

PUBLISHED BY - ECW PRESS 

PUBLICATION DATE - APRIL 12TH, 2022

Being the culmination of an ongoing, 40-year “long poem” that I am ashamed to admit I am unfamiliar with, “The Invisible World is in Decline: Book IX” by Bruce Whiteman brings the project to a stunning climax in three distinct parts. 

Less like poems than isolated paragraphs, or at times just single lines, “In Disgrace With God” explores lost love, and finds the poet seeing his empty bed as an accusatory constant in his life. Later the text touches on the purpose of a poet and of poetry, namely to be the “suffering artist”. There is pain and beauty here in equal measure.

The second piece is entitled “Wörte ohne Lieder”, literally “songs without words” (a twist on Mendelssohn's “Lied ohne Worte” collection of piano pieces), Bruce Whiteman proffers translations of texts that were set to music over the years; the works of Mahler and Beethoven becoming vaguely modern, pain-filled love letters.

Centrepiece of the collection is “The Nine”, with each numbered section named after the nine Muses. This work is quite wonderful and ostensibly each section corresponds with each Muse’s specific field of expertise. With interjections from the psychopomp, (a guide for souls travelling to the afterlife in Greek mythology, here becoming, according to Whiteman, the master of dreams) it is probably the best literary examination of the pandemic I have ever read. Whiteman utterly nails the isolation and boredom of lockdown-life; reading it left me aching more than my arm after the vaccine. He takes us on a visceral journey through nature as season inexorably follows season, and we get a strong sense throughout of the crushing weight of time and the endless days of nothingness during quarantine. 

Fragile yet occasionally brutal, this collection is sublime. It made a strong impression on me on my first reading, which is a good indication of the quality of the work, and I now feel compelled to explore the previous parts.

FIFTY-FOUR PIGS

TITLE - FIFTY-FOUR PIGS 

WRITTEN BY - PHILIPP SCHOTT

PUBLISHED BY - ECW PRESS 

PUBLICATION DATE - APRIL 19TH, 2022 

Dr. Peter Bannerman is a rational and methodical, mathematically-minded vet in a small Canadian town who often helps his police-officer brother-in-law to solve crimes. The death of fifty-four pigs in an explosion in a farmer’s barn takes on a sinister turn when a human jawbone is found amongst the porcine carnage, and Peter can’t resist investigating in Philipp Schott’s joyously enjoyable mystery novel, “Fifty-Four Pigs”. 

The book is a cozy-ish (there is some strong language) mystery and is really quite excellent. The story is very easy to read with an engaging and quirky lead character; often funny and deliciously offbeat, it is a joy to follow Peter as he doggedly uncovers the truth with the help of his remarkable sniffer dog, Pippin. The town’s various inhabitants are vividly brought to life and we learn much about its colourful history, a favourite subject of Peter’s. The story has plenty of twists and turns and will keep you gripped until the nail biting finale. 

What a breath of fresh air this book is!  Funny, charming and original, “Fifty-Four Pigs” is irresistible and truly unputdownable. A preview of the next title in the series, “Six Ostriches”, is included at the back of the book, which, on the basis of Philipp Schott‘s superb opener, I am eagerly looking forward to.

 

QUEEN VICTORIA - HER LIFE AND LEGACY

TITLE - QUEEN VICTORIA - HER LIFE AND LEGACY 

AUTHOR - PAUL KENDALL 

PUBLISHED BY - PEN & SWORD 

PUBLICATION DATE - FEBRUARY 28TH, 2022 

Arguably Britain’s greatest ever monarch, Queen Victoria’s era is regarded by many as a golden age in British history, and it is hard to argue with that after reading Paul Kendall’s excellent pictorial history, “Queen Victoria - Her Life and Legacy”. 

This book is a visual document of the locations associated with Victoria’s reign, from her place of birth in Kensington Palace, to her death bed;  objects used by her and notable events. There is captivating photography throughout and while it may appear to be a superficial book on the surface, upon reading it becomes clear that this work is a thorough and scholarly history of Queen Victoria’s entire life. Each chapter has a short write-up about the history of the subject, and each passage has real historical depth. 

We get a vivid picture of Victoria’s life, especially her tentative, nervous and grief-laden early years when she assumed the throne aged just 18. Surviving several assassination attempts, she became a powerful monarch who ruled over one of the biggest empires the world had yet seen, creating many institutions and cultural changes which still resonate today. 

A very accessible book that can be understood and enjoyed by all ages, Paul Kendall’s “Queen Victoria - Her Life and Legacy” is richly informative and a joy to read. It is a fitting record of one of the greatest monarchs in British history.

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