maddap 41. Milano, Italy

The story of Edward and Florence makes me reflect about how it can be difficult to learn to manage one’s sexuality. The characters of the novel have their first disastrous experience in their wedding night (well, maybe the typical English dinner they have contributes to their problems..), but I think in everyone’s life there are moments like that, and fears and desires can be managed only with patience…and experience. At the end of the novel Edward regrets his not having been patient, reinforcing another typical theme of McEwan’s books: what happens in a single moment can change one’s life forever (this is perhaps the reason for Edward’s love for single persons that can change history). I'm only a bit disappointed about Florence disappearing at the end of the story...
Ian McEwan is a master in describing particulars (more about bodies and feelings than about nature), his language almost perfect. I really enjoyed it.

This is the first time I read Emma in English, I loved Jane Austen's way of writing, her old style language, this time I could also appreciate her plays on words. As I already knew the plot, I noticed the details and the description of supporting characters. The one I loved more is Miss Bates, with her goodness and never-ending talks. She is Emma's alter ego, the image of what she could have become if she didn't marry and was poor. But fortunately Emma is wealthy, and Mr Knightly is simply perfect for her ;)

A sweet and wonderful reading, it's ideal for book lovers! It makes you feel the sensation of fine book paper in your hand....And what about the bookshop? You can really imagine the tall shelves with their treasures..Love for books is the key of the friendship between Helen and Frank, in spite of their different cultural background: this reminds me of all the friends I knew thanks to bookcrossing :)
There is also a very nice film from the book, I loved it too, Anthony Hopkins is a charming Frank Doel, I hope you all can see it.

All'inizio ero un po' prevenuta, mi ricordava per molti aspetti "Paddy Clarke", ma con una scrittura (o traduzione?) un po' piu' sciatta, poi Robbie, soprattutto dopo la sua "botta in testa", mi ha portato nel suo mondo, nella sua infanzia non semplicemente ingenua, ma gioiosa e piena di speranza. Mi ha colpito particolarmente il racconto dell'esperienza dell'ospedale, la naturalezza con cui ogni "diverso" viene accettato ed amato da Robbie: il miracolo piu' grande narrato nel libro.

This is the fourth book I read of the No 1 ladies' detective agency series, but it's the first one in chronological order, as it describes Mma Ramotswe early ears, his father, the relationship with her first husband and the birth of her detective agency. Perhaps it's a bit sadder than the other books: in this one violence is more real, especially on Mma Ramotswe herself. Also the idealized Botswana is less perfect, as it's a nation where witchcraft, with also mortal consequences, is still common. However it's a nice book, with also a lot of funny episodes.