Barney's Version by Mordecai Richler

The first book read in this 2015 and I think my year couldn't have started better on the reading side. Thanks mum for this precious book! But let's start from the beginning (or at least let's try)...

This is the story of Barney Panofsky, or better, his autobiography. Did you say autobiography? But the author has a different name! Yes, you are right, this is indeed a story in a story. Some say that Barney is the alter ego of Richler, but the author has never confirmed this theory. So here starts already the brilliancy of the book!

The book is structured in three parts, one for each wife of Barney: Clara, the artistic wife; the second Panofsky's wife, whose name will never be declared; and Miriam, the only true love of Barney.
Between a glass of whisky and one of cognac Barney would try to describe his life in chronological order, but the intent is very soon lost with the many digressions and memories that are brought continuously in the book.
After few pages it would be already clear that Barney is selfish, drunken, misogynist, chauvinist, social climber and more...
But still I could not avoid to love him (and neither would you) and to want to have a whisky with him, talking about love and life.
Yes love, not the right person to discuss with, you say? Oh well, how to tell that you are wrong: his first wife killed herself in depression and he doesn't even dare to give the identity of his second wife, but Miriam, oh Miriam, I want to be loved as she was (and I am by the way). Barney is simply drunk in love, and yes also of lots of alcohol, and this part in the love matter would obviously create him a lot of problems.
The leitmotif of the book is the presumable killing of his best friend Boogie. The first intent of the book is indeed to defend himself for the murder accuse. Between digressions and memories Barney will eventually give his version of the fact. Will the society believe him? And would you?  The reading will tell...and trust me you will laugh, a lot, but don't get surprised if all of a sudden you would just like to cry.

Thanks Richler, I really needed this!

I read a lot of crazy, brilliant reviews on this book, and please do as well.
Next on the list is to watch the movie, I might get highly disappointed, but I want to take the risk.

Sorry for this confusing, crazy review, but I wouldn't know how to describe better this book.

I would suggest to read the book with this soundtrack , from an Italian musician, who recently passed away.

At the next book...

Post-Christmas' collection

How many books did you get for Xmas? Here is my collection: books I received, bought, brought back to read again and stole from my mum.

One I have still to open, some I got in a "secret box". Not bad!

In the hope that they would bring a bit of happiness in this 2015 that definitely started on the wrong foot.

Pen not guns!!!

"The response to violence is more democracy, more openness and greater political participation."

The Norwegian prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg

Happy 2015!!!

Happy new year! May it be full of emotions, joy, happiness, satisfactions and many many inspirational books!!!!

A Man's Place by Annie Ernaux

One of the book I got for Xmas from a dear friend, and the last book read in 2014.
It describe the life of Annie Ernaux's father in a attempt to understand their relationship and their many silences over the years.
It is generally described as a very "rational" book, in contrast I found it very poetic and imaginative, even though, I must confess, it didn't captivate me that much.

Everybody's Right by Paolo Sorrentino

Maybe one day I will learn to not buy books written by non-professional-book-writers.
I love Sorrentino, but I hated this book.
Well I am actually being unfair, 'cause I think I read only 30% of the all book before deciding to close it. So maybe I didn't hate the book, I simply didn't like the main character. Annoying, arrogant, selfish, you feel like slapping him from the first pages.
I am sure it would have been a great character for a Sorrentino's movie but in a book was just too annoying.

Sorry, not for me!

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

I bought this book having no clue what was the story about , maybe just for the cover, so I had absolutely no expectations. Must say, it was a nice discovery! The book is about the value of time and how it is important to have priorities in life.

The first couple of pages are quite confusing, then the story goes on his path and everything becomes clear and quite emotional, especially toward the end.

Not the most original book I have read, it made me actually think of "The Christmas Carol" by Dickens, I could not stop thinking of the Disney's cartoon version picturing Dor, the main character in the book, with the ghost that hunted Scrooge. Despite all a nice reading, that makes you think.