Still catching up on this year's books. The Norman Mailer took up a good bit of this month too (see 'January, February and Mrach's book')
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
This is a fantastic book, really quick to read, and so engaging that I read it in two nights. Miss Jean Brodie is a schoolteacher about my age, and I couldn't help but think that she was the sort of person I might have been if I'd been born in another century. Many women would think themselves over the hill at forty odd, but not her. She has her many faults, but you can't help liking her, and ultimately feeling sorry for her. Her girls are so entertainingly delineated, they are so human and recognisable, even today. I'm really looking forward to re-reading this. For me it was even more enjoyable (like the Rebus books) because of knowing the Edinburgh locations, but it stands alone as a brilliant book.
(93/100)
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K Dick
I really like Philip K Dick, and this is a typical book by him. If you've seen Total Recall you'll be familiar with the sort of story he writes where you're not sure if you're in reality or virtual reality. In this book the only release and recreation available to Martian colonists is a drug-induced virtual reality of being on Earth. Palmer Eldritch wants the monopoly on this, and has a new, improved drug. But is that all he wants? And if you try to stop him, how will you even know if you are on Earth or Mars?
It's one of those books where you end up not being sure of anything, and needing to re-read it to try to more fully understand it, whilst still being an engaging thriller throughout.
(88/100)
