Customer Reviews

Juggling the Stars (Curley Large Print Books)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I came to Tim Park's work after first reading his non fiction books about living in Italy (and I mean really living in Italy). I have now read three of his fiction works. They too are terrific. If you have read the non fiction, let me assure you that the same scathing irreverance is found in the fiction. But, because it is fiction, his wit, cynicism and insights are magnified. If you like Martin Amis, I feel confident that you will also like Tim Parks. Be sure to read Juggling the Stars before Mimi's Ghost.

Tim Parks has it down for those looking for a touch of humor in the scrutinized look into a killer. Far superior to the latest Thomas Harris try, Hannibal, although that may not be a good comparison. Give this author a try if you like alternating between feelings of nausea and laughter. The writing is solid, the psychology compelling, and the story moves along quickly. Great effort.

This remains one of the alltime scariest books I've ever read, perhaps because there is nothing supernatural or otherwoldly to get in the way. A totally believable and wonderfully orchestrated psychological thriller, grounded in class and sexual consciousness, dark with menace; more than once I put it down to catch my breath.

Was it ever made into a movie, as the hardcover jacket suggested?

This book is a prime example of one where you can admire the author's writing skill, find it hard to put down, perhaps acquire a grain of insight into the human condition, and still intensely dislike the book. It is, indeed, a thriller. Things constantly go wrong with the protagonist's plans to enrich himself, forcing him to improvise. Even though this pretentious working-class Englishman is not likeable in the slightest, the reader feels compelled to find out how he's going to deal with each unforeseen obstacle. In addition to creating a fast paced story of love and crime, Parks may also have something to say about the consequences of social class and economic disparity. By depriving the central character of any sense of moral integrity, however, Parks has taken too great a risk. A reader needs to connect with the main character in some way, and to finish the book with some sense of time not wasted. I suspect that this clueless character was intended to be funny, or darkly funny, or scarily familiar, but I'm at a loss to see the humor, and the class consciousness may lose impact in transition across the Atlantic.

This is the first book I've read by Tim Parks and I plan to follow it up immediately with the sequel, "Mimi's Ghost". Park's style can be compared favorably to a young John Fowles' , especially his earlier works such as "The Magus" and "The Collector".
As in "The Collecter", Parks creates a disturbing story told from the perpetrator's POV wherin the main character attempts to justify his own deviant behavior and digs himself deeper and deeper into into trouble. The effect is chilling and Park's eye for detail is evident throughout, not surprising as the book's main character is an English teacher in Verona, Italy where the dust jacket states that Parks himself teaches English. Hopefully that's where his similarity to the books main character, Morris Duckworth ends.

I checked this book out at the library years ago and decided to have another go at it (and also the sequel "Mimi's Ghost") because I love to read Tim Parks and he can't write fast enough to keep me in reading material. I enjoyed it so much the first time, but now his writing talent has excelled so far past what it was in this book, that I'm not as impressed. For a first-time reader it should be very entertaining. But, really, check out some of his later novels. He is a winner.

Parks use of the sympathetic narrator is ingenious. Through all Morris' self-congratulatory highs to his self-loathing lows, the narrator keeps us tuned in to the thought process of this likeable 'serial killer.' The Fowles similariy struck me as well, especially in another book of his, Shear. However, I emailed Tim Parks asking how he felt about John Fowles, and he claimed not to be a fan. Either way, both are master writers, and for my money, Tim Parks is the best writer around. Mimi's Ghost, the sequel to this book, is an absolute must read, as are Shear, Europa and Goodness, to name but a few.

This book is a real page turner and I really loved reading this book. This is the first Tim Parks book I have read but It won't be the last. I highly recommend reading this book.