Thursday, June 17, 2010

"Life of Pi', by Yann Martel


This fiction tells a remarkable story that is full of surprises and wonder. Written by an expect storyteller in such a way that makes everything even the unbelievable sound credible.

The novel is divided in three sections:

The first section recounts a fictional writer's interaction with PI. Pi tells his childhood story of growing up as a son of a zookeeper in Pondicherry India and learning a lot about animals, their ways, emotions and traits. In his teens, on a quest to understand who God is, Pi immerses himself into the beliefs practiced by Christians, Muslims and Hindus. A tug of war erupts when the leaders of these religions groups discover Pi's activities and Pi's own brother sarcastically adds another aspect when he suggests that Pi should also embrace Judaism...

Section two continues at a steady and interesting pace. Pi and his family decide to close the zoo and immigrate to Canada; the animals are placed in zoos around the world. The family and many animals are transported on a Japanese cargo ship, a trip that will open a whole new experience for each one of them.

Not long into the voyage, disaster strikes and the ship sinks. Pi is cast adrift in a lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. In this part of the story, the author dazzles us with literary prose captivating ones imagination to its extreme. The 227 days Pi spent at sea is a constant test of survival in cramped quarters...the ultimate cat and mouse scenario...

In section three, Pi finally reaches the coast of Mexico where Japanese authorities are anxious to interrogate him on the loss of their ship. The Japanese investigators have trouble believing his story so Pi replaces each animal with human attributes and gives them names. At the end, the investigators are left totally confused and with conflicted opinions on what really happened.

"Life of Pi "is a wonderful and cunning novel that is entertaining, eye opening and thought provoking

Saturday, June 5, 2010

"Befriend and Betray", by Alex Caine


This is the true story of a civilian Alex Caine who under contract to various law enforcement agencies infiltrated gangs and organizations to gather intelligence. In his own words, Mr Caine paints a portrait of a lifestyle rarely seen.

He grew up in Hull, Quebec, Canada and often lived on the fringes of the law. After serving a stretch in prison on marijuana possession charges in the 60’s, Alex was still unsettled and looking for adventure. His combative nature and USA’s involvement in Vietnam attracted his attention. His enlistment fine tuned his natural abilities to walk a fine line and stay alive….. As many veterans from that era, Alex had trouble settling down.

One day after attending a martial arts competition, Alex was approached by a member of the Bandidos motorcycle gang and asked if he was interested in helping them move a large amount of drugs. Appearing interested but cautious, Alex bought time which he used to inform the authorities. The RCMP asked him to accept the offer and to infiltrate the gang. This launched a new and exciting but highly dangerous career.

Over a period of twenty five years, he infiltrated criminal groups such as the Bandidos, the Hells Angels, the KKK and international mobs. Overtime various law enforcement agencies recognized and used his conning and expertly developed abilities…..

“Befriend and Betray “is a complex and compelling read: a story of a very different world where one cannot trust anyone. While undercover, Caine needed to be creative and live on his wits, wary continuously second guessing the motives of his fellow gang members and his handlers, each with their own objectives.

The book is also about the personal side of Alex Caine, the toll it took on his marriages and his children. After a long time among treachery, fake names and friendships and years away from home ….Alex needed to get away from it all. Now retired from the front line he acts as an advisor and guess speaker at police conferences.

I found this book well written, very believable, especially interesting and very hard to put aside. I am looking forward to reading Mr Caine’s second book “The Fat Mexican”

"About Face", by Donna Leon


Book 18, in Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery series

Donna Leon’s novels draw attention to the corruption, the incompetence and the depravity of a society where government agencies live alongside criminal gangs and one may only wonder which one is worst…This latest novel deals with national and international waste-disposal businesses that are riddled with corruption. For those who are fans of Donna Leon novels, this one has no surprise.

The story opens with Brunetti and his wife Paola invited to a dinner meeting at Paola’s parents. Amongst the guests is Maurizio Cataldo who has asked Conte Falier( Brunetti’s father in law) to invest in a venture in China. Conte Falier’s hidden agenda is to have Brunetti investigate this businessman’s background. At the dinner Brunetti is strategically seated next to Franca Marinello, Cataldo’s wife, a charming woman whose face has been disfigured by botched cosmetic surgery. Guido is intrigued by her life experiences….

Back at work the next day Brunetti’s new interest is scuttled by his boss Vice Questore Patta who has other plans for him and would like him to assist the Carabinieri in Marghera on their investigation into the local transport businesses. One of the owners has been killed and they suspect organised crime. In Venice, the environment has reached a crisis, garbage is pilling up and Brunetti soon finds himself in a toxic world where illegal hauling of garbage and violence go hand in hand.

In this latest novel we have an abundance of background information and a lot of attention is given to the relationship between Brunetti and his family. Some is required to set the scenes but there is a limit, it tends to take the focus away from the core of the story: the garbage fiasco, the murders and the mystery behind Franca disfigurement. I found this novel lacking in mystery and criminology compared to her previous novels.

Being a big fan of Donna Leon and having read all of her previous novels I am left somewhat disappointed with this one.