Some time ago, the topic of books came up during a lunch chat. One of the guys, who obviously is not a reader, asked, "So what's your favourite book?" Bad question. It's hard to pinpoint a favourite book when there are so many that you really like! When I hesitated, he amended his question, "What book would you read again?". Worse question! There are so many books that I would like to read again, even if they have no chance to be elected my favourite(s).
One of the books that I absolutely love is Parce Que Je T'aime, which I have raved about at the end of this post. I guess it could be my favourite, if I really had to choose just one. However, now I believe I have found a worthy rival!
I've read two of Jeffrey Deaver's books before, Speaking in Tongues and The Blue Nowhere. The first was pretty normal, run-of-the-mill good. The second one was better, with more interesting twists and turns in the plot.
But now the third one, The October List, takes the cake. It is amazing. The story is told in reverse, with the final chapter first. Reading it was frustrating as I did not get the head or tail of it... however I kept wanting to continue, hoping that the next few pages would shed light onto then puzzling things that I had just read.
I started reading the book on Thursday night, and a several pages in, I knew it was a mistake. I couldn't finish it that night and I was not going to have time to continue on Friday... Anyway, that is why I finished reading it today.
As the book went on, some of my questions were answered, but some other questions remained, and additional questions popped up. Even after reading chapter 2 (that's the second last chapter, just so we understand each other here), I was still confused about some of the things that had happened. But after reading chapter 1 (the last chapter that wraps up the book) I do believe all my questions are answered. Now I'm gonna read the book backwards (as in story forwards) instead...to see whether there are any mysteries that I missed, and to savour the ingenuity of how it is written.
And you know where I got this book? From the book exchange that is held on Beach Street every third Sunday of the month (I've only been there once though :P ). I'd say it was worth exchanging for a book that I didn't even want to read again!
Edit, 14th January, aka the day after: So I re-read the book from back to front...and yeah, it is wonderfully plotted. Discovered a few more dropped hints. Found one mistake though... there was a nickname used a little too early, earlier than it had been given. But then... with a book written that well, I guess that could be forgiven. However it does take away from the perfectness of the book.
One of the books that I absolutely love is Parce Que Je T'aime, which I have raved about at the end of this post. I guess it could be my favourite, if I really had to choose just one. However, now I believe I have found a worthy rival!
I've read two of Jeffrey Deaver's books before, Speaking in Tongues and The Blue Nowhere. The first was pretty normal, run-of-the-mill good. The second one was better, with more interesting twists and turns in the plot.
But now the third one, The October List, takes the cake. It is amazing. The story is told in reverse, with the final chapter first. Reading it was frustrating as I did not get the head or tail of it... however I kept wanting to continue, hoping that the next few pages would shed light onto then puzzling things that I had just read.
I started reading the book on Thursday night, and a several pages in, I knew it was a mistake. I couldn't finish it that night and I was not going to have time to continue on Friday... Anyway, that is why I finished reading it today.
As the book went on, some of my questions were answered, but some other questions remained, and additional questions popped up. Even after reading chapter 2 (that's the second last chapter, just so we understand each other here), I was still confused about some of the things that had happened. But after reading chapter 1 (the last chapter that wraps up the book) I do believe all my questions are answered. Now I'm gonna read the book backwards (as in story forwards) instead...to see whether there are any mysteries that I missed, and to savour the ingenuity of how it is written.
And you know where I got this book? From the book exchange that is held on Beach Street every third Sunday of the month (I've only been there once though :P ). I'd say it was worth exchanging for a book that I didn't even want to read again!
Edit, 14th January, aka the day after: So I re-read the book from back to front...and yeah, it is wonderfully plotted. Discovered a few more dropped hints. Found one mistake though... there was a nickname used a little too early, earlier than it had been given. But then... with a book written that well, I guess that could be forgiven. However it does take away from the perfectness of the book.
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