In the Country of the Blind by Matthew Arkin

I won’t go into detail about the story line; it is well covered in the book description and by other authors. It is part legal thriller and part murder mystery, with the main character, Zach Brandis becoming the story’s amateur sleuth without really wanting to except to help his latest lady friend.

Slowly he gets drawn in more and more even though the lady n question leaves town.

A former lawyer turned building superintendent, Zach is a very likeable, easy going character with a sense of humour. His is a character that grows with the story.

Arkin has an easy reading style that is well paced and flows well; gradually unravelling his story. His expressive prose includes his extended descriptions that include not only the sights and sounds of the scene but the little gestures of the characters bringing it all to life for the reader.

The author obviously knows New York well and his descriptions are a testament to that as he takes streets of the city and sights, sounds and smells.

However, having said that, because I do not live in the US I found frequent use of local jargon, brand names, food and street names didn’t help me understand parts of the story.

With such a likeable character with interesting sub characters I can see this story and follow ups as a TV series.

I received an electronic copy of this book by the author for an honest review

This review is also available from my website www.pam.id.au

Although I had difficulty understanding the New York expressions and descriptions I still believe this is an excellent red and give it 4*

Living with the Dingo by Adam O’Neill

I would like to point out that this book is not about living with the dingo as a domesticated animal. It is about our nation living with the dingo as a wild and important predator.

I first read Living with the Dingo by Adam O’Neill when it was published in 2002 and re-read it now as part of research I am undertaking for the biography of Berenice Walters, the Dingo Lady.

At the time of writing O’Neill’s theories were somewhat controversial even though some earlier studies had been undertaken with the espousing the same they were largely ignored.

His theories are not based on hypothetical desk top analysis. It is based on personal experiences and observations in a wide variety of locations and environments as well as review of scientific literature.

His theory is simple. If Australia is to reduce stock losses and protect endangered species from extinction it needs to acknowledge the important role the dingo has in maintaining the environmental balance of country and take steps for its conservation not eradication.

He give several excellent examples of how the dingo has maintained the balance of herbivorous macropods (in turn conserving grazing lands) and controlled introduced species that prey on small and threatened mammals.

O’Neill advocates a “no poison” program in dealing with predators and justifies his belief that this only increases predation on stock with convincing examples.

This is not a book full of scientific jargon but rather O’Neill’s observations and experience deliver a “Biodiversity 101” lesson at a practical level, explained in easy to understand language.

My favourite quotation in the book is:

Only when we put away the poison baits and concentrate on rehabilitating our environment as a whole, will our endangered species have any hope of survival. The dingo has 4,000 years of experience in managing Australian land systems and controlling the animals that existed within them. I believe the dingo is our only chance for eco-reconciliation.

I believe I have gained more from the book this reading. 

Written 14 years ago O’Neill advocated the important role the dingo has in preservation of our small, vulnerable and threatened mammals. The intervening years have proven that the theory proposed by O’Neill, and many others in that period and since, is spot-on yet governments, including government environment agencies continue to ignore it time and time again. The more they ignore the obvious the more small mammals are added to Australia’s shameful list of extinctions. 

It was quite controversial at the time but today is gaining considerable acceptance – and yet our governments still haven’t learnt.

My rating 5*

Follow up of my review for “Tears of Innocence” by TR Robinson

In April last year I reviewed “Tears of Innocence” by TR Robinson. The review is repeated below for those who have not read it before. The reason I am revisiting this review is to show you what the author has done with Pinterest to give potential readers a clearer image of her story.

Please visit her Pinterest Boards https://www.pinterest.com/trrobinson25/ for the wonderful collection of graphics that depict her life story.

 *****

TR Robinson’s story Tears of Innocence begins before the Second World War. Her happy and innocent childhood is shattered following the death of her mother. To add further to her trauma she is kept in ignorance of the event and shunned by family members who believed a child did not need, or could not understand sufficiently, to grieve; as was customary at the time.

Sadly this is only the beginning of her traumatic and troubled life. The author does not reveal her home country but it was invaded by German troops during WWII.  In a desperate need to escape abuse she becomes separated from those she loves and trusts and lives on the streets or in terror of being abused yet again.

Her young life is a roundabout of finding happiness then being hurt or lost, over and over again.

After marrying an English naval officer she moves with him to England. His family adore her and she them. The welcome she receives fills the reader full of hope for her future happiness. It is not to be.

Although her in-laws suspect she is being abused by her husband it was not appropriate, in post war Britain to interfere between a husband and wife

The intertwining of Robinson’s life story with the background of history is undeniably gripping reading.

There are two points the author makes in her Preface that the reader should note. The spelling is British English and her thoughts and emotions are in italics.

My first thought when I read she had included her emotions in italics was “this is going to be annoying” It was anything but. I would not recommend this method for most authors. Robinson is a skilled writer and this way of clarifying how she was feeling at that moment of time draws the reader in; it felt like I was by her side all the way but powerless to help and support her.

I usually make notes when reading a book for review. It must be an indication of how engrossed I was when I barely made a note or highlighted sections.

This is an inspirational story that I highly recommend and look forward hearing that the author has released the second part of her trilogy.

My rating 4*

South of Reality by A.I. Alexen

I must admit I had no idea what to expect when I accepted South of Reality for review. Was this a children’s book, some strange science fiction or a modern take on Animal Farm?

The truth is that is none of these. It is a charming and delightful read for all ages with some subtle messages to learn along the way like not pre-judging others.

I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into the world of the two dogs, Arky and Peyson, and the annoyingly typical cat, Tuxedo, as they attempt to make right a sad human situation.

Being a dog person I sided with Arky and Peyson and their frustrations with Tuxedo with his cat’s characteristic nonchalance and superciliousness. Along with Arky and Peyson I was equally surprised at the mission Tuxedo was on and how he draws them into it.

I smiled at the mental image of a cat using the computer keyboard and other human actions; worried when the rats were getting the upper hand and even wanted to wring the roosters neck at times (well, not literally)

When I look at my dog now I wonder – does she know and understand more than she is letting on? Is she using my computer at night?

I received this book in return for an honest review.